Detoxification

One day on Women to Women’s Quick-Cleanse

Wondering what it might be like to try a two-week cleansing plan? The following is a snapshot of what just one day on our Quick-Cleanse might look like for the average woman. We want to lay out this one-day routine for you just to give you some ideas for your detox routine and sample menus — it’s not set in stone, because you are the one who decides the pace at which you advance.

When it comes to carbohydrates, for example, if you want to have five cucumbers — yes, cukes have carbs! — go ahead: put as much stuff on them as you want, and go for it. But as we mention in the Quick Cleanse article regarding blood sugar, if you’re one of many women we see with a tendency toward insulin resistance or hypoglycemia, it may not be a good idea for you to overdo carbs in the form of rice and other grains — even whole grains — because detoxing will be so much easier for your body if you keep your glycemic load low. I tell the many vegetarians I see at my practice that this may not be so much of a problem in the short run for women as in the long run, where if you’re eating a lot of grains over time without ample protein, it can lead to problems with insulin regulation.

At Women to Women we celebrate individuality, and we want you to do what works best for you, in your life. We think you are the best judge of that — so let your imagination roam free! And again, the suggestions below are generalized for a woman with good insulin sensitivity. To accommodate your needs if you think you’re insulin-resistant or hypoglycemic, simply replace grains, crackers, and high-glycemic fruits with alternatives such as legumes (black bean dip), veggies (half an avocado), and low-glycemic fruits (berries).

Sample day on the Quick-Cleanse
7:00 am	Rise. Gentle stretching and meditation. Drink 1–2 glasses of water.
7:30 am	Take probiotic.
8:00 am	BREAKFAST    3-egg-white/veggie scramble    ½ cup of raspberries    1 cup decaffeinated green tea      (with or without lemon) Take multivitamin/mineral and omega-3’s with breakfast.
8:30 am	15-minute walk, followed by 1–2 glasses of water.
10:00 am	SNACK    Fruit & rice protein smoothie:       1 tbsp rice protein powder       1 cup unsweetened rice or soy milk       handful of fresh or frozen fruit to your taste       (e.g., organic blueberries, peaches, banana)       1 tbsp ground flax seeds       Ice if desired       Blend on high for 1 minute or until smooth.
12:30 pm	LUNCH    At least 4 oz grilled chicken breast    ½ cup steamed quinoa or wild rice       sprinkled with ground flax seeds    Cucumber slices marinated in rice vinegar and dill    1 small fresh apple or pear, or 1 large kiwifruit
1:00 pm	15-minute walk, followed by 1–2 glasses of water.
3:30 pm	SNACK     2 brown rice crackers or celery sticks with hummus     Decaffeinated green tea Take your multivitamin/mineral and omega-3’s with a 1–2 glasses of water.
5:30–6:30 pm	Take probiotic with water as you prepare for dinner (~30 minutes before eating). DINNER     Chopped salad:         broccoli, scallions, carrots, fennel and lettuce     At least 4 oz steamed/grilled flounder     Steamed asparagus with lemon     ½ cup quinoa     ½ cup unsweetened applesauce with cinnamon
7:00 pm	Evening stroll followed by a glass of water as desired.
8:00 pm	Journaling, reading, relaxing.
10:00 pm	Ahhh, bedtime! Congratulations on an amazing detoxifying day!

We hope this schedule is helpful for you in generating some ideas, or helping you overcome any hurdles you may face in planning for a two-week cleansing program. (See our full Quick-Cleanse article for hints for success and things to watch out for.) Detoxification doesn’t have to be all about hard work and deprivation — though may take several days before you’ve eliminated sufficient toxins to feel markedly better.

One thing is certain: after even a single day, your body will be freer of its overall toxic burden, and each day forward is one to celebrate.

Visit our detox shopping guide for a list of foods to stock up on for before you begin your Quick Cleanse.

 

Last Modified Date: 04/18/2011
Principal Author: Marcelle Pick, OB/GYN NP