After all the festive indulgence, it's time to detox your body and prepare your body for winter.
Pre-Diwali we clean up our house and post-Diwali detox or clean up our body after a heavy, calorie-laden festive week, it is essential that we should detox in a safe and healthy way. Here are some easily available foods that are great for detoxification.
1. Beetroot-
New research shows that beetroot may qualify as a superfood. Make an attempt to include it in your daily diet as it can help you detox superfast
Studies have shown that beets and beetroot juice can improve athletic performance, lower blood pressure and increase blood flow. The high fibre content prevents constipation and promotes regularity for a healthy digestive tract.
This bright superfood has goodness and nutrients both in roots and leaves. With the roots that are packed with antioxidants, vitamin C and leaves that are rich in calcium, iron and vitamin A, this is one of the healthiest vegetables that you can bank on.
How to have it?
Boil bite-sized pieces and sprinkle with salt, pepper, and lemon to make a salad. Put it in raita or cold soup. It can also be used as one of the ingredients in a pasta sauce to bring in some colour and nutrition. My favourite way is to make ABC juice, which boosts my day.
2. Cabbage -
The best way to detoxify your body is by adding loads of veggies. The best vegetable in winter is cabbage. It helps cleanse your liver – extremely necessary after all that binging.
The fibre in the vegetable ensures your digestive system stays on track and expels all toxins from your body. Regular consumption of this zero calorie food also decreases the risk of obesity, diabetes and heart disease.
Cabbage has diuretic properties that help get rid your body of excess liquid and toxins. It helps cleanse your liver and colon which is rich in sulphur, it helps in breaking down toxins.
How to have it?
Boil cabbage with onion, garlic, carrots and beans and season with lemon, salt and pepper for a quick and filling cabbage soup. You can also make a quick cabbage and carrot salad with raisins, olive oil, salt and pepper. A tasty recipe for post party detox3.
3. Turmeric/Haldi
Turmeric/Haldi is ubiquitous in Indian religious ceremonies and cooking. The root of turmeric is also widely used to make medicine and is beneficial in improving gut health.
How to have it?
Haldi milk is a great way to detox post Diwali. Add a tsp of haldi along with cinnamon piece, few peppercorns, cloves and cardamom to boiling milk and boil for 2 minutes. Strain, add a tsp of jaggery and enjoy this nourishing drink.
4. Garlic-
This one’s a staple on many detox diet plans. Garlic helps maintain healthy liver function and is among the foods that can keep cholesterol under control.
How to have it?
Add grated garlic to curd along with mint for a quick dip. Enjoy the dip with cucumber and carrot sticks. Garlic pickle is also a great addition to help in detox. Cloves of garlic can be pickled in vinegar and salt solution along with beetroots, radish, and carrots. Garlic can also be added to the soup.
5. Green Tea-
The high presence of antioxidants puts green tea on most detox lists. These antioxidants seek out and kill free radicals – known for ageing. Catechins are one of the antioxidants present in green tea, which are believed to boost metabolism and help cut down the extra inches around your belly.
Other significant antioxidants are polyphenols and flavonoids that not only boost immunity but also protect us against cough and flu.
How to have it?
Steep a tsp of green tea leaves in hot water for 5 minutes, strain and sip on this healthy beverage. You can add some lemon to it as well. A green tea concoction can be added to your morning smoothie for a quick detox breakfast.
Comments