Looking back at your weekend, it's only natural to feel like your body needs a detox. By now I have accepted that Friday and Saturday nights mean pressing pause on healthy eating.
It's after spring break, beach weekends, and endless formals that these feelings might be heightened. It's the nighttime munchies and pizza bagels that have us reaching for that green juice come Monday morning.
However, juice cleanses have become highly controversial. With most juices going for at least $8 per bottle, not only can juicing become costly, but it also can leave you feeling tired and sluggish from spikes in your blood sugar.
While juicing can seem like a quick and easy way to consume your daily servings of fruits and veggies, your body is built to cleanse itself naturally. The liver, colon and kidney are constantly at work, removing toxins from the body.
An intentional detox with fruits, veggies, and spices that you might already have in your dining hall will help enhance your body's detoxification process, and get you back to feeling your best.
Here are 8 juice-free ways to detox and still cleanse your body without feeling like you're fasting.
1. Garlic
Tiny but mighty, not only is garlic loaded with tons of vitamins and minerals like vitamins B6 and C, but it is also highly anti-inflammatory. If you can get past the bad breath, roasted garlic can elevate any meal. Use it in a chicken dish, or next time you're at the pasta bar, ask for added garlic.
2. Asparagus
The amino acids and minerals found in asparagus have been shown to reduce hangover symptoms and flush excess toxins from the liver, making it an ideal addition to your post-weekend detox. Some even say that asparagus is a zero calorie food, requiring more calories to digest than it actually contains.
3. Avocado
As if we need another reason to eat them, avocados are loaded with antioxidants and potassium (more than bananas), which are crucial to getting your system back on track. Not only will avo toast help eliminate toxins from your body, but its high fiber content will also help improve your metabolic health.
4. Basil
Often the most overlooked part of your caprese, basil is full of antioxidant-rich essential oils that boost immunity to help protect us from getting sick and assist our bodies in fighting inflammation. Additionally, basil's detoxifying enzymes will help diminish bloating and fat buildup in the liver.
5. Broccoli
Your dining hall serves this practically everyday, but you usually just keep walking. The natural components found in broccoli work with enzymes in the liver to eliminate unwanted toxins. This superfood is also loaded with more vitamin C than an orange, helping fight free radicals in the body and recycle antioxidants necessary for detoxing.
6. Pineapples
As a natural diuretic, pineapple helps improve digestion and flush out any unwanted substances. Its high bromelain content also makes it a powerful detoxifier.
7. Cinnamon
Chock-full of antioxidants, cinnamon has been used to treat everything from nausea to blood circulation. Although it has a distinct taste, it can be a great source of added flavor for a smoothie or bowl of oats.
8. Water
Staying hydrated is one of the easiest ways to help cleanse your body of toxins. Not only does drinking plenty of water help your kidneys remove excess chemicals or additives from food and drinks, but it can also help boost your metabolism. Bonus if you add lemon.
Meal replacements such as juice cleanses can often leaving you unsatisfied or hungry for more. However, by incorporating juices alongside your normal eating habits, juices can be a part of a healthy and balanced diet.
Although there are plenty of ways to help your body detox on its own, if you're really craving that green juice, go for it. Just make sure to supplement it with a balanced diet loaded with fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins.