I've been vegan for one month, but for the past few days I've been feeling really blehlkjafdas. I eat mostly a whole foods diet - nothing fried, no partially hydrogenated oils, I make all my own meals at home, etc. Despite this, I'm wondering if eating all raw foods for a day would help flush out my system. I'm not interested in going raw permanently, but I think I've been eating too little raw fruits and veggies recently. Today I've felt really sluggish and bloated, I've been guzzling water and tea and I'm still really thirsty and all I can think about is apples. (And I avoid salt when possible so I don't think the water thing is because of that). I went to the gym tonight but only did half my workout because I felt so blocked up.

What would you recommend for a raw day? Do you know of any foods that are particularly good at detoxing the body?

I've tried two kinds of "raw diets" and one didn't have any cleansing effects and one totally did. The one that had the cleansing effects was following the priciples of Natural Hygiene -- you could probably google search that -- you might want to add "raw food" too -- "Natural Hygiene raw food".

If you just want a day of cleansing I would suggest light fruits like melons (which should not be eaten with other fruits) and berries and cucumbers and avoid heavier foods like avocadoes and bananas.

I think it would be a great idea for you to do one day all raw per week. You could have fruit or a smoothie from breakfast, a big salad for lunch, and another salad or more fruit for dinner. Snacks could be fruits, veggies and dip or nuts. If you like preparing raw foods, there are a lot of really good recipe books out there.

thanks for your suggestions!

Why you can't eat melons with other fruits??????????? :O

The answer to your question is no, raw food doesn't help you detox, if you mean it 'causes' detox to happen.. The absense of cooked food helps your *body* to detox as it allows it the energy to do so.

Raw food provides nutrients in the cleanest form of fuel. And I am not referring to food packaged or processed food lables "raw", I mean fresh fruits and vegetables. Any FRESH plant food will provide you with the most nutrients with the least amount of energy, allowing your body to heal amazingly quick. But it is good to remember that this is only when cooked, processed food is not being put into the body.

Also, our bodies are constantly "detoxing" at different rates. Even on the least optimal diet there is some type of detox going on, albeit much slower. Morning and bad breath, coated tongue, body odor, headaches, colds, illness etc. are all signs of a toxic body.

Actually some people can eat melons with other foods without a problem. But some find that they cannot properly digest melons if they eat other food beforehand. I found I can finally eat watermelon and not get stomach ache now. :)

There are those who say that for all people melons are best eaten alone and then after 20 minutes or so you can start to eat other foods. It's all to do with creating the best digestive situation in your g.i.t.

I find the most cleansing/detoxing diet is just fruit - try eating just sweet fruits for a day. It'll clean you out wonderfully.
Also when you first wake up drink 8 glasses of water all in one go. It goes through your colon clearing it out. (preferably do this every day but at least do it on your cleanse day).

Best fruits - red grapes (eat them a box at a time), oranges, apples, pears

Also when you first wake up drink 8 glasses of water all in one go. It goes through your colon clearing it out. (preferably do this every day but at least do it on your cleanse day). :worried: :flush: :confused:

I wouldn't advocate drinking 8 glasses of water everyday, all at once (or eight glasses/cups of ANYTHING all at once).

:flush: :dizzy: :no:

depends on whether you believe in detox

Also when you first wake up drink 8 glasses of water all in one go. It goes through your colon clearing it out. (preferably do this every day but at least do it on your cleanse day).You mean you are advocating giving yourself diarrhea every morning?
:confused:

You mean you are advocating giving yourself diarrhea every morning?
:confused:

it's more like colonic irrigation with the water coming from above rather than below.

I'd have to say, it doesn't sound like a very pleasant experience..

Some people find colonic irrigation pleasurable.

The Water Cure isn't really one way or the other. It's not unpleasant, not pleasurable.

depends on whether you believe in detox

That's what I was going to say...

That's what I was going to say...
This is interesting.
To some people, it seems logical that fasting, or not eating, helps the body to rid itself of harmful substances, including the toxins you mention. People fast in various ways and for various reasons: fasts can be limited to only juice, water, or herbal tea, for example, and may be done for religious, political, or health reasons, to name just a few. Fasts are often fads, or part of a "health regimen" or a week away "healing" program. Although many people can withstand one day of fasting, as in some religious practices, extended periods may prove unsafe for most others. Fasting is highly unwise for people with eating disorders or impaired immune systems. It is also not recommended for elderly persons, children, or pregnant women. The "health" part of fasting is more myth than fact. In fact, denying yourself nutrients can actually work against you.

To help understand why, a lot can be learned from taking a moment to investigate the body's own detoxification process. The human body is quite ingenious. It was designed to have two major pathways to eliminate harmful substances. First are the immune tissues of the intestinal tract, and second are the enzymes of the liver. Did you know that the intestinal tract generates about 70 percent of our antibodies? These little heroes attach themselves to many of the bacteria, toxins, and viruses that enter our bodies, inactivate them, and prevent many from being absorbed, helping to protect us against infection and illness.

Harmful substances that slip by the intestinal detoxification system are delivered to the liver. This second pathway has two detoxification phases: (1) various transformations occur preventing the perilous substances from creating harm to our bodies; (2) another series of reactions occur, causing these substances to become less toxic. They are then excreted from the body in urine and feces.

So, how does fasting influence the body's detoxification processes? Our nutritional status affects the body's ability to manufacture antibodies and enzymes, and the liver's ability to detoxify. Fasting deprives the body of the raw materials — sufficient calories, proteins, and certain vitamins and minerals — needed to make antibodies and enzymes. Eating keeps our immune system strong.

In addition, specific phytochemicals (naturally occurring plant chemicals in vegetables and fruits) assist in the detoxification pathways, including the following examples:

Indoles, found in broccoli, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, and other cruciferous (cabbage family) vegetables, are helpful in the liver's first phase.

The liver's second phase is enhanced by isothiocyanates and dithiolthiones, also found in cruciferous vegetables, and by limonoids, found in citrus fruits. These phytochemicals help block carcinogens from damaging our cells' DNA (thereby protecting us against cancer). Compounds in garlic, onions, shallots, leeks, and the spice cumin also enhance phase two of the liver's detoxification system.

So, fasting does not boost the body's disposal system, or cleanse your body in a healthy way. Fasting denies you all the nutrients you need in a day to stay healthy!
http://www.goaskalice.columbia.edu/2221.html

Also when you first wake up drink 8 glasses of water all in one go. It goes through your colon clearing it out. (preferably do this every day but at least do it on your cleanse day).



Oh this would be a great way to flush your body!



of nutrients anyway.