How about a little detox to better face the rest of summer? A cleanse is in order: 7 short days would be enough to restore your energy and get you back on your feet.
A 7-day detox: how it works
The ritual shared by all 7 days: one lemon squeezed into a glass of warm or hot water on waking, to cut through grease and restore internal pH — a habit worth keeping beyond the detox week.
| Day | Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | A piece of fruit, an unsweetened herbal tea | Green vegetables (peas, green beans) + gluten-free grains | White fish or white meat + vegetables, no bread |
| 2 | A piece of fruit, an unsweetened herbal tea | Green vegetables + gluten-free grains | White fish or white meat + vegetables |
| 3 | 2 slices of wholemeal or rye bread, a piece of fruit, a herbal tea | Green vegetables + gluten-free grains, or 1 hard-boiled egg | White fish or white meat + vegetables |
| 4 | A piece of fruit, wholemeal or multigrain bread, coffee or tea as you prefer | Meat or fish + vegetables with no added fat + starches | Soup + turkey ham, or a full salad with no starches, cheese or fat |
| 5 | A little butter or omega margarine on wholemeal toast, a piece of fruit, tea or coffee | Draining vegetables (artichokes, cabbage, asparagus) + rice, or fish with olive oil | Meat and vegetables, or soup |
| 6 | Bifidus yoghurt, muesli, a piece of fruit, tea or coffee | Vegetable quiche + salad, or pasta al dente with vegetables | Meat and vegetables or soup, with no starch or fat |
| 7 | A piece of fruit, a yoghurt, wholemeal bread or muesli, tea or coffee | Starches + vegetables + protein, cheese or dessert on occasion | No starches or fat, in small quantity, a treat allowed |
A few snacks recommended over the course of the week: an apple (diuretic and antioxidant), a herbal tea, or on the last day, a banana, a square of dark chocolate or a lemon and ginger juice, depending on appetite.
The advice to keep in mind all week long
- Alternate tap water and mineral waters, to vary your calcium and magnesium intake.
- Think of soups and broths, which set the body right again — salt them as little as possible.
- Limit caffeine and theine, which are said to clog up the system; favour herbal teas.
- Exercise gently 3 times a week (yoga, walking, light running).
- Season meats, fish and vegetables with lemon juice, and count on detox spices (turmeric, cumin, ginger, thyme, coriander, basil, fennel) for their digestive support.
- Pair cooking oils with vegetables or salad to absorb them better; lemon juice is said to help the body absorb iron better, while too much tea is said to hinder how the body absorbs iron and calcium.
Bonus: the virtues of plants in herbal tea
| Plant | Virtue |
|---|---|
| Star anise and green anise | Digestive |
| Basil | Digestive |
| Chamomile | Digestive and soothing |
| Cinnamon | Tonic and digestive |
| Rosehip | Tonic, rich in vitamin C, astringent |
| Fennel | Digestive |
| Hibiscus | Diuretic and sudorific |
| Lavender | Calming |
| Bay laurel | Digestive, fights fatigue |
| Flax | Laxative |
| Marjoram | Digestive and calming |
| Mallow | Laxative |
| Lemon balm | Calming, anti-nausea, encourages sleep |
| Spearmint and peppermint | Digestive, anti-bloating, tonic |
| Yarrow | Stimulates circulation |
| Bitter orange | Anti-stress and calming |
| Nettle | Depurative |
| Oregano | Antiseptic |
| Meadowsweet | Anti-inflammatory |
| Rosemary | Stimulates and regulates liver activity |
| Savory | Eases digestion |
| Sage | Digestive, a tonic for the stomach, sudorific |
| Thyme | Purifying |
| Linden | Strengthens the immune defences |
| Verbena | Digestive and soothing |
One and the same morning ritual — lemon squeezed into hot water — repeated for 7 days, paired with light meals and a few well-chosen herbal teas.
