If you’re a social drinker or a full-blown alcoholic, your body can send you signals that you need to do a thorough cleaning! We clean our homes, so why not our bodies? If you’re feeling run down, tired, having digestive problems, or you’re experiencing achy muscles, it may be time to detox alcohol from your system. Start with a clean slate! We’re not recommending you drink alcohol, just being realistic. Been there, done that. If you drink or “party” regularly, doing a simple alcohol detox may be what you need.
With repeated or long-term use, alcohol can cause liver and kidney problems, addiction, and weight gain. While drinking alcohol regularly often seems harmless, it can lead to the build-up of toxins, sugars, and it can eventually lead to alcohol addiction. Overuse and dependence on alcohol can have serious health risks as well.
However, even if you’re only using alcohol socially or occasionally, it can still have negative effects on your health. When I was about nineteen, I was court-ordered to go to outpatient rehab. They said something that I never forgot, “Even if you drink once a year, on New Year’s Eve, you are drinking on a routine, and therefore have a higher probability of becoming an alcoholic. Some rehab centers believe you are an alcoholic if you drink the same time of year, every year.” Think about that… I used to drink every Fourth of July, New Years', and so on.
In its simplest form, an alcohol detoxification program involves abstaining from alcohol for a specified amount of time and allowing the body to eliminate all traces of the substance from the tissues and bloodstream. Most healthcare professionals recommend at least one to four weeks of no alcohol. However, if you are a heavy drinker or suspect that you may be an alcoholic, please speak to your physician before starting a detox regimen. Many people who have developed an alcohol dependency will experience uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms like sweating, trembling, and an almost overwhelming craving for alcohol.
Allowing your body to take a break from drinking may eventually lead to healthier habits as you experience increased energy and vitality after your body begins to recover. When you replace alcohol with a detox drink, it can speed up the cleansing effects, which is good for your colon, liver, and kidneys. Many people who’ve successfully detoxed from alcohol for four weeks reported an increase in energy, sexual drive, and a decrease in appetite after the detox period. It is recommended that you still eat a proper diet when using any detoxification system. In this article, the goal is to replace alcohol with a healthy drink that has detoxing capabilities. Do not replace your food with this drink if you are detoxing from alcohol. Some people recommend replacing food with this drink when you are starting a new diet.
Allow your body to rest while you recover. Try to stop drinking alcohol for one month; you might be surprised at how great you feel. If you would like to start drinking healthy smoothies, get our FREE full guide Here.
***Here is a general 24-Hour Detox meal plan example***
(if you’re not using a detox cleanser)
This meal plan is not for diabetics, people with low blood pressure, anorexics, or teenagers, as it does not provide sufficient fuel for their physical activities. It can be a week-long diet of liquids, organic raw fruits, and vegetables to cleanse the system. Gradually reintroduce other types of food, but refrain from eating non-vegetarian and processed foods. Certain natural herbs can be used too.
This is a simple way to revitalize your system after a binge or overindulgence.
- Morning
-A few almonds
- Mid Morning Snack
-Some Tofu
- Lunch
-Big helping of mixed green salad
-Drizzled with a tsp of olive oil or vinegar.
- Mid-day Snack
-A handful of almonds.
- Dinner
-One glass of pomegranate juice
-A large bowl of brown rice.
Drink at least 8 – 10 glasses of water daily. This detox meal plan will provide about 1200 calories and it’ll help to rid your body of toxins.
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