A detox usually entails juice fasting (fasting on juices), but it can also mean consuming a light, plant-based diet and avoiding coffee, alcohol and processed foods. On a detox holiday or weekend, you will be detoxifying your body. A brief period without food – or with very little of it – gives your body the chance to recoup and rid itself of all toxins stored within.
Many of the things we consume, for example coffee, alcohol, sugar, meat and wheat, are difficult for our bodies to digest and process. And the artificial additives food contains these days, such as hormones, preservatives, pesticides and chemicals, are all toxins that are foreign to our bodies. When our bodies don’t know what to do with them, they build up in our tissues, organs, blood and intestines. This causes all kinds of complaints and illnesses; from stomach, bowl and kidney issues to weight gain, fatigue, headaches, eczema and sleeping difficulties. Psychological conditions can also be caused by excess toxins.
A brief period without food – or with very little of it – gives your body the chance to recoup and rid itself of all toxins stored within. A cleansed, healthier, energised and more efficient body is not the only benefit to a detox. Detoxing also helps rebalance the gut flora, making it more effective, improving metabolism and immunity. Some people can also lose weight after a detox – a welcome side effect for many!
So as to give the body a break, no solid foods are consumed on a juice fast. This is replaced with water, herbal teas and juices. The latter are made from fruits and vegetables that are known to help eliminate toxins and cleanse the gut. Spinach, carrots, lemon and celery, for example. Though you’ll be surprised at the original and creative combina¬tions you’ll be treated to.
There are some lovely resorts that offer juice fasts in Europe and Turkey. We also run special detox weekends in the Netherlands. You’ll be pleasantly surprised by the delicious and nutritious juices, soups and shakes made with fruits, vegetables and herbs. It is also common to be given special water and nutritional supplements to support the detoxification process. Some programmes also include colonic irrigation. Others offer special activities and treatments to aid detoxification.
What is a detox with raw food? A raw food detox is a mild detox programme. During this detox holiday, you will eat only raw food. The nutrients in raw food naturally eliminate toxins from the body. This also supports kidney, liver and intestinal function, i.e. our body’s waste processing centres.
On your detox holiday, you’ll eat raw vegetables, fruit, nuts and seeds. In their raw state, these foods contain nutrients, antioxidants, vitamins and minerals that get lost through the cooking or heating process. These nutrients protect your body from toxins and support cell renewal. A Raw food detox is an ideal start to a healthy lifestyle. To help you maintain that healthy lifestyle once home again, on these detox breaks and holidays, you’ll often be given lots of information, tips and tricks for healthy, yummy food. You’ll also enjoy demonstrations and courses on how to prepare delicious raw food dishes.
Detox holidays with light meals are ideal for those who want to detox, but don’t want to do a juice fast. During this mild detox programme, you’ll eat light, fresh food prepared with ingredients that promote cleansing within the body. You’ll eat that well, that you’ll forget you’re even on a detox holiday.