With the Thanksgiving season looming, it couldn’t hurt to get those pre or post-Thanksgiving detox ideas flowing. Thanksgiving food guilt can hit hard, but incorporating these five detoxifying and nutrient-dense foods into your diet on a daily, or even weekly, basis will significantly aid in healthier digestion and an overall healthier wellbeing.
You don’t have to be an enthused foodie, avid cooker or a mad recipe scientist to make these simple foods work for you. It’s easier than you may think, especially if you have access to a kitchen. Here are five healthy foods that have proven to detoxify your system that VALLEY recommends:
Purple Cabbage
You can put it in a salad, on a sandwich or even sauté it by itself―purple cabbage has long been praised for its myriad of health benefits. This low-calorie power food is high in fiber, potassium and sulfur―nutrients that are ideal for weight loss. The high sulfuric content helps dry up oily and acne-prone skin. Sulfur is sometimes referred to as the “beautifying mineral.” What is so detoxifying about this brain food? Purple-skinned fruits and vegetables tend to hold many anti-inflammatory or anti-bloating properties, which ultimately helps leads to weight loss.
Spinach
You’ve all heard it before―”eat your greens.” It’s a scientifically supported statement that not all children, even young adults, want to hear, but boy is it important. It’s been said that the greener the vegetable is, the better it is for you―this is true. Greener vegetables, much like spinach, contain more chlorophyll, which in itself contains many beneficial nutrients like vitamin C, vitamin K and calcium. The chlorophyll is what rids the body, the liver especially, of harmful toxins, giving your digestive system a detoxifying boost. While you can get the most benefits from it raw, cooking the spinach will certainly not degrade it of all its nutritional benefits.
Fun fact: Including raw spinach into your fruit smoothies does not alter the taste of the smoothie at all. So all of those who struggle to get their daily vegetable intake, consider incorporating this green ingredient to smoothie or shakes.
Dandelion
We know you’re wondering―”Who on earth would eat a dandelion?” While VALLEY does not suggest you start integrating weeds into your diet, we have an alternative. Dandelion tea. Yes, tea―a simple and easy drink that nobody has an excuse to pass up on. VALLEY recommends this flavorful, decaffeinated detox tea from Yogi tea. Just a cup of this everyday is bound to settle your digestive system. Dandelion root has a natural diuretic effect, allowing your liver to more quickly eliminate toxins. It also helps strengthen the immune system, balance blood sugar levels, relieve heartburn and soothe digestive issues. For a weed that doesn’t receive much glory in the horticulture world, it certainly is recognized in the health field for its long list of medicinal properties.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Nobody wants to substitute this for their morning cup of joe, but apple cider vinegar has long been tested for improving metabolic functions. It’s good for the gut and contains many vitamins, minerals and enzymes. The use of apple cider vinegar or “ACV” for detox or dieting purposes goes back years and years. Like the other aforementioned foods, ACV supports a healthy immune system, promotes a better pH balance in the body and aids in healthier digestion. It has also been proven to curb appetite spikes and soothe acne-prone skin. I know you’re asking, “but what can I use it for???” ACV is actually great as a salad dressing. While some people are brave enough to take the “shot” of ACV every morning, a more subtle way to incorporate it into your diet is by making homemade salad dressings with it. Avoid all of those store-bought dressings that are high in fat and sugar by simply making your own. VALLEY suggests mixing a little ACV with white balsamic vinegar for a perfectly light and subtle dressing for any salad.
Cauliflower
Cauliflower has a bit more practical uses for recipes compared to dandelions and ACV. VALLEY recommends seasoning fresh chopped cauliflower with turmeric, a seasoning with tons of nutrient-beneficial properties, cumin and a little chili powder before roasting them in the oven. And yes, like spinach, you can use frozen cauliflower in your smoothies as well to give it that thick, creamy texture without sacrificing the smoothie’s flavor. But be careful, it’s best that you steam the cauliflower before freezing because steamed cauliflower is best for digestion. This underappreciated low-carb, low-cal veggie has tons of minerals like calcium, magnesium and potassium. Cauliflower is also a great source of vitamin C and vitamin A. What makes cauliflower such an effective detoxifying food is its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant compounds, which aid in better digestion and even weight loss.
Rid your body of all those toxins and bad bacteria for the holiday season so you can make room for all of the festive food to come. Save the bad foods for when you really deserve them―Thanksgiving. Not only have healthy detox efforts proven a heightened physical wellbeing, but mental as well. Treat your body the right way.
