PAGE 2

Dinner: Vegetable Broth with a Side of Sauerkraut and Sliced Apples

This soup is full of good stuff: Fennel may help stimulate the secretion of bile (a fluid that carries waste out of the liver); parsley is believed to act as a diuretic; compounds in garlic, shiitake mushrooms, and cabbage have been found to support liver function; and cayenne pepper may aid lung enzymes. Finish your meal with fermented sauerkraut, which has probiotics that can help break down toxins in the gastrointestinal tract, and apple slices for one last dose of fiber.

Snack: Pineapple-Kale Juice

Enjoy this beverage as often as you like. (I typically recommend two glasses between meals.) Pineapple contains digestive enzymes. Kale is rich in compounds that support enzymes in the liver. And artichoke can improve bile flow.

A Few Pointers

Use these tips to make the most of your two-day cleanse.

1. Drink plenty of water.

2. Aim to get eight hours of sleep a night.

3. Don't eat after 7 P.M.

4. In the evening, take a warm bath with two cups of Epsom salt dissolved in the water. The salt's key component, magnesium, supports hundreds of enzymes in the body.

5. Before bed, sip a cup of dandelion tea. It's been shown to have diuretic properties, which will help flush away toxins in your urine before you sleep.

6. Know that you'll likely have to use the bathroom quite a bit in the next 48 hours, though your stool should be well-formed, not loose. And since the meal plan doesn't severely limit your caloric intake, you shouldn't feel tired or weak.

Next: How your body's detox system really works

NEXT STORY

Next Story