Detox

Detox.  This is a word that I hear so much, especially at this time of year.  Do you need to detox?  Well, that depends on what the word means to you.  If by detox you mean to rid your body of toxins, then as long as you have a healthy functioning kidney, then the answer is no you don't need to detox; as this is the job of your kidney in the first place!

Detox to me means not to rid my body of anything, but to actually add to it.   Through the Christmas period, or any time off, it is easy to eat indulgent food and I must admit, vitamins and minerals are not on the forefront of my mind, so I do like to do a detox period where I take it back to basics and make sure my diet is providing my body with all the nutrients it needs to function healthily.

This involves cooking from scratch as much as possible and also adding into my diet a smoothie/juice that is jam packed with vitamins and minerals.  That is the important part for me.  I am not taking away from my diet by replacing meals with juices and smoothies, but instead I use them to enhance and supplement my diet.

So, what should you put in your smoothie/juice? Well, there are 3 main components: The Bulk; The Power; The Medicine.  What goes into these components depends on what you want from your drink.

The main vitamins and minerals most smoothies and juices will provide are the following:

Vitamin A - Important for vision and the immune system

B Vitamins - Several B vitamins all work to provide a healthy central nervous system as well as help the body make red blood cells and also contribute towards healthy skin, hair and bones

Vitamin C - Important for the growth and repair of body tissue, boosting the immune system and is used to form healthy skin and bones as well as aid iron absorption.

Vitamin E - Helps protect cells from damage from free radicals and reduces UV damage in skin

Vitamin K - Helps with blood clotting and healthy bones

Potassium - lowers blood pressure

Manganese - helps with the bone health

Iron - Needed for proper function of haemoglobin

Magnesium - Good for bone strength, inflammation and heart health

Calcium - The body needs calcium for good bone health

Zinc - Needed for a healthy immune system

Copper - Helps make red blood cells and maintains nerves cells and the immune system.

Phosphorus - Used in the formation of bones and teeth

Here is a table showing you examples of common ingredients you can pick and choose to use in your smoothie/juice and what they will provide:

If you are looking to increase your protein intake, adding protein powder (whey protein or a vegan variety) is a quick and easy way to do that.

Just remember, smoothies and juices are not a magical solution to weight loss and they do not come without calories!  If you are trying to lose weight, but would like to supplement your diet with a smoothie or juice for the health benefits, then make sure you factor all of these calories in.  Remember, to lose weight, your calories consumed, must be less than your calories burned (see my previous blog) and smoothies and juices are no exception.

Let us know your smoothie/juice combinations!