If you are like many, you probably overdo "comfort foods" and indulgent treats during the holiday season. The festive round of party events, combined with the vow to lose weight in the new year, often leads to a glut of cookies, cakes, carbs and alcoholic beverages. According to beauty consultant Diana Carswell in the "Washington Post," the relentlessly festive schedule of holiday partying may also take its toll your skin, hair and overall appearance. As you recover from the excess, you may wish to try a holiday detox diet. Consult your doctor before trying any diet.
Step 1
Flush with juice. According to Carswell, one way to jump-start your detox is to do a four-day plan consisting of fruit juice in the morning and vegetable juice in the afternoon. This is in addition to a healthy diet and plenty of water. During the first two days of this regimen, start the day with a cup of hot water, mixed with 1/16 of a tsp. of cayenne pepper, juice from one lemon and two tbsp. of maple syrup.
Step 2
Gently eliminate toxins. According to detox specialist Alejandro Junger, promote healthy liver function by drinking a few spoonfuls of extra virgin olive oil in the evening. This helps ensure efficient liver circulation and also promotes the removal of bile. A half cup of castor oil may be helpful in addressing irregular bowels, Junger reports. These approaches are not scientifically proven to aid in liver or bowel health.
Step 3
Avoid alcohol, too much caffeine, red meat and dairy. Instead, try to focus on foods high in water content, Carswell advises. Among them are kale, cucumber, celery and lettuce. Grapefruit can also be useful because of its helpful digestive enzymes. Junger further advises against consuming grains with gluten, shellfish, sugar and any processed food. Talk to your doctor about the level of dietary restriction that is healthy for you.
Tips and Warnings
- Take a toxin-eliminating bath. According to Carswell in the Washington Post, your body can purge toxins through your pores. You can enhance this cleansing by taking a bath enriched with one cup of Epsom salts and one to two tbsp. of oil, such as olive, jojoba, rosemary or lemon.
Things You'll Need
- Fruit and vegetable juice
- Maple syrup
- Cayenne pepper
- Olive oil
- Castor oil
- Epsom salts
- Lemons
- Jojoba oil
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