The three-step cleanse a nutritionist swears by after the festive season

The three-step cleanse a nutritionist swears by for ‘glowing skin, deeper sleep and weight balance’ after the festive season

  • Holistic nutrition expert Jessica Sepel is fond of doing a cleanse in the new year
  • The Sydney-based coach has created a meal plan for those wanting to take part
  • It involves cutting out a certain number of stimulants and creating healthy habits
  • You can then reintroduce some foods and drinks into your diet in moderation 

The holiday season tends to make even the most dedicated healthy eaters and gym-goers fall off the bandwagon.

But if you’re looking to recommit to your body in 2019, Australian nutritionist Jessica Sepel has some keen ideas about how a three-step cleanse may help in that department.

She’s a huge believer in the detox process and believes it has the power to give the detoxer ‘glowing skin, a cleansed liver, restored energy, deeper sleep and weight balance’.

On her website, Miss Sepel argues that our bodies need a break from caffeine and alcohol and believes that three to five days is the optimal time to refrain from these stimulants. 

But if you’re looking to recommit to your body in 2019, Australian nutritionist Jessica Sepel (pictured) has some keen ideas about how a three-step cleanse may help in that department

Step one: Clean up your diet 

To start with Miss Sepel recommends the detoxer cuts out caffeine, alcohol, cow’s dairy, soy milk, refined sugar and sweeteners, wheat, gluten, red meat and trans fats.

The latter is usually found in processed and deep-fried foods.  

‘Instead opt for seasonal veggies (lots of leafy greens), fresh fruit (berries and green apples are best), gluten-free grains (such as quinoa, brown rice, buckwheat), nuts, seeds, high-quality fish, organic eggs and chicken,’ she said.

‘Also try cooking with coconut oil or extra-virgin olive oil.’

To start with Miss Sepel recommends the detoxer cuts out caffeine, alcohol, cow's dairy, soy milk, refined sugar and sweeteners, wheat, gluten, red meat and trans fats

To start with Miss Sepel recommends the detoxer cuts out caffeine, alcohol, cow’s dairy, soy milk, refined sugar and sweeteners, wheat, gluten, red meat and trans fats

'Instead opt for seasonal veggies (lots of leafy greens), fresh fruit (berries and green apples are best), gluten-free grains (such as quinoa, brown rice, buckwheat), nuts, seeds, high-quality fish, organic eggs and chicken,' she said

‘Instead opt for seasonal veggies (lots of leafy greens), fresh fruit (berries and green apples are best), gluten-free grains (such as quinoa, brown rice, buckwheat), nuts, seeds, high-quality fish, organic eggs and chicken,’ she said

Step two: Create healthy lifestyle habits

There are seven habits Miss Sepel lists as key for living a more nutritious and wholesome lifestyle, and this is the time to start them. 

What healthy habits should you start to embrace in the new year?

Get sweating: Get your blood and lymphatic system flowing to accelerate the release of toxins. Try and exercise for at least 30 minutes each day.

Hydrate: Aim to drink two to three litres of filtered water a day to help your kidneys flush out toxins. Herbal teas are also great for increasing fluid intake and assisting the cleansing process.

Use herbs and spices: They help to add flavour to your meals, plus they assist the body with detoxification. My detox faves are turmeric, cinnamon, nutmeg and cayenne pepper.

Commit to eight hours of sleep: Good-quality shut-eye allows our bodies to heal and regenerate new cells, which is so important when you’re cleansing.

Practise emotional self-care: When we cleanse, our bodies flush out toxins and sometimes this can cause certain emotions to rise. It’s common to feel more sensitive, maybe a little more vulnerable so make sure you set aside time for you.

See a naturopath: The can help you to make up some cleansing herb tonics.

Take vitamins: I recommend supplementing under the guidance of a medical practitioner. For cleansing, I recommend a liver formula that contains a mix of herbs and nutrients to help flush your system. I also like to use a brassica sprout powder, a fibre blend in powder or capsule form and magnesium citrate/glycinate at night.

 

Step three: Detox your environment

It’s not just the products you’re ingesting that you need to be mindful of but also the environment you surround yourself with. 

‘Make a point of looking at the contents of your cleaning products and switch to organic options,’ Miss Sepel said.

In fact, she recommends buying organic wherever possible or washing and peeling your fruit and veggies to remove pesticides.   

It's not just the products you're ingesting that you need to be mindful of but also the environment you surround yourself with

It's not just the products you're ingesting that you need to be mindful of but also the environment you surround yourself with

It’s not just the products you’re ingesting that you need to be mindful of but also the environment you surround yourself with

‘Use paper bags to store food, mason jars instead of plastic containers and don’t heat foods in plastic. Invest in a good quality water filter and use a stainless steel bottle instead of plastic,’ she continued. 

‘Try switching to natural skin and hair products or even make your own. Don’t use fake tan, use an aluminium-free deodorant and use natural sanitary products.’ 

What should you do post-cleanse?

* Take an Epsom salt bath three times a week.

* Jump into the ocean whenever you can.

* Practise deep belly breathing every day.

* Get into a sauna or steam room whenever you can.

* Treat yourself to a lymphatic or Thai massage.

* Challenge yourself to avoid alcohol for up to a month. 

* Continue to detox your home and environment.

* Schedule in this cleanse for the beginning of next month. Diarise it so you know it’s coming.

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