Basket of veggies
A good way to prepare for the cleanse is to know what you will be leaving OUT of your diet. In some cases (like with sugar) there will be alternatives. Some people recommend prepping the diet before the cleanse starts, for example, getting off the caffeine and sugar a few days ahead of time. If you are an addict, please move gently through this. Try the substitutions and if there is a struggle, I’ve got some specific recommendations. (I was a HUGE caffeine junkie at one time. And sugar. I get it.)
BREAD WARNING: If you CANNOT live without some type of bread product, there are a couple that are allowed with moderation. The Baker, wheat-free breads (German style) or Grain alternatives listed below (NOT CANE JUICE SWEETENED. ONLY FRUIT JUICE SWEETENED GLUTEN-FREE BREADS).
NO DAIRY
NO REFINED SUGAR (see alternatives)
NO WHITE FOODS (bread, rice, pasta, crackers)
NO GLUTEN (wheat, barley, gluten products)
NO CAFFEINE (green or white tea the exception)
Specialty Items To Buy/Have on Hand
1. Lemons (a bag a week approx)
2. Pure Cranberry Juice (not concentrate, not ocean spray, it will say Just Cranberry or Pure Cranberry. There will be no sugar in it. Will need two 32 oz bottles)
3. Acai (powder or frozen)
4. Flaxseed Meal or Psyllium Seed Husks (*Only use psyllium if your bowel and elimination system is in great working condition. If you have constipation, colitis, spastic colon, polyps, irritable bowel or other weak bowel condition, do not use psyllium. If using psyllium, you must drink ample amount of water with and during day. I will be using Flax meal, as it is gentler on my system to cleanse and offers other health benefits. You may decide the same.)
5. Dandelion or Milk Thistle Tea. (Some people are sensitive to these teas if asthmatic or allergic or weak liver. Please use your discretion. If you have used either in the past, both are advised on this cleanse. Some tolerate Dandelion better than Milk Thistle. If sensitive, a general Detox Tea will suffice.)
6. Other teas recommended:
Ginger, Peppermint, Alfalfa, Detox, Red Clover, Burdock, Mullein, Green, White Tea (many of these are in combinations in store, or buy loose in bulk)
7. Filtered or Distilled Water. (If you don’t have a home filter, I suggest boiling your drinking water for 5 minutes throughout this cleanse.)
CAN DO FOODS
Oils
Olive Oil
Coconut Oil
Flax Oil
Beverages
Pure Water
Herbal Teas (listed above)
Coffee Alternatives (I love Teeccino)
Rice Milk (original, unsweetened)
Almond Milk (original, unsweetened)
Nuts/Seeds
Almonds (limited)
Pumpkin Seeds
Sunflower Seeds
Sugar Substitutes
Stevia
Zsweet
Maple Syrup (limited)
Raw Honey (limited)
Fresh Dates (limited)
Fruits
Green Apples
Grapefruit
Lemons
Limes
Blueberries
Raspberries
Strawberries
Pomegranate
All berries
Avocado (in moderation)
Raisins (very limited – per dish recommendations)
Legumes
Adzuki Beans
Garbanzo Beans
Kidney Beans
Lentils
Lima Beans
Mung Beans
Split Pea
Black Beans (moderation)
All sprouted beans
Fava beans
Grains/Flours
Gluten-free oats
Brown Rice
Amaranth
Buckwheat
Millet
Quinoa
Chickpea
Corn
Dal
Rice Bran
Lean Protein
Freshwater Fish
Turkey
Chicken
Lamb (limited)
Ocean Fish (limited)
Veggies
Green Beans
Kale
Lettuce
Parsley
Peas
Sweet Potatoes (limited)
Radishes
Spinach
Swiss Chard
Turnips
Watercress
Seaweed
Endive
Dandelion
Corn (limited)
Celery
Cauliflower
Carrots
Cabbage
Brussel Sprouts
Broccoli
Beets
Bell Peppers (limited)
Asparagus
Artichokes
Arugula
Spices/Herbs
Garlic
Clove
Mustard
Cinnamon
Cardamom
Cayenne
Dill
Oregano
Sage
Rosemary
Turmeric
Nutmeg
Fennel
Dill
Basil
I know I’m going to need help with leaving out caffeine. What is Teeccino and will I have to get it at a specialty store?
I’ll do a post about the caffeine fix – but you should be able to find it any any healthfood store, gourmet market or possibly higher end regular grocers!
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Are acai capsules okay instead of powder or frozen?
It’s not preferred, but I don’t believe in spending when you have something similar! Who makes the capsules you have and whats the mg per capsule of actual acai? The powder is the best way to go – so if you can use up what you have then get the powder for most of the cleanse it would be best.
great list!
I was placing an order with Swanson & they only had capsules. I’ll go to Gene’s or someplace & get the powder. How much do I need?
You’ll need at least one (90 g) container, probably two.
How does this cleanse help? For how long is the cleanse? And, how do u break off this cleanse? Meaning: what food/s do u eat after the cleansing. Thanks.
Hi Blanca -
The cleanse helps remove unwanted toxins and waste, gives your body organs a break (and to run more efficiently) and restores balance. We are cleansing for 30 days – a longer, gentler and effective cleanse. As you finish the 30 days, you can reintroduce some of the foods we are avoiding if you wish, in moderation, and discontinue some of the cleansing herbs and detox fibers from your diet, although some choose to continue use moderately also. Some people loose weight, others gain energy but either way, you will feel clean, revitalized and break addictions to unwanted foods that cause allergies or mucous in the body!
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