Reintroducing food

When reintroducing food into your regular diet it is best to tackle one particular group at a time: this way you can work out if a particular type of food doesn't agree with you. Keeping a food diary is the best way of doing this. Note down what you have eaten and drunk, the approximate quantities and relevant details such as whether or not the product is organic, and any symptoms such as tiredness or bloating that you feel during the day. At the end of the week go through the diary and look for patterns. For example, you may notice that you feel tired or get headaches after eating pasta. If you think you may have food intolerance it is important to consult a nutritionist for professional advice on how to modify your diet.

How to eat well for life

Once you have experienced the benefits of detoxing and become accustomed to a new way of eating, you can easily incorporate the main principles into your regular diet. Planning is key here.

Stock up

Keep your larder stocked with ingredients that will enable you to prepare quick, healthy meals. Oatcakes, non-wheat pasta, lentils, brown rice, quinoa, tinned tomatoes, dried fruit, a selection of nuts and seeds, canned chickpeas and cannellini beans, and canned tuna in oil are all good standbys. In the freezer, keep a supply of frozen peas, sweet corn and broad beans.

Plan ahead

Plan your meals for the week and make a list before you go shopping, as this will help you avoid buying unhealthy food. Buy your fruit and vegetables loose rather than prepacked -the soft plastics they are wrapped in contain chemicals that are thought to disrupt hormones, your body's chemical messengers.

Citations

Sara Rose, (2004).
Detox: The process of cleansing and restoration, U.K.:Parragon

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