Real Food Detox Menu Plan for Busy Schedules and Hungry Appetites
Before you go chugging the green juice and eating nothing but raw salads all day, hold up a minute! Detoxing is not all about starving yourself or eating only veggies and slurping on green juices. Sure, there are some versions of those out there, but most don’t help train your body to eat clean foods again and aren’t practical for the long-run. They can also be timely to prepare or costly for just a few day’s worth. Incorporate juices and salads if you like; otherwise, stick to a clean diet as your best detox menu plan of all. Not sure exactly what that looks like?
Here’s Your Easy, Whole Foods Detox Menu Plan
The Goal of a Week-Long Detox: Focus on lean proteins low in saturated fat, ample amounts of cooked veggies (which are easier to digest than raw), small amounts of raw vegetables, fermented foods (to support gut health), and a few pieces of raw fruit each day. You’ll also enjoy a daily morning smoothie that’s low in sugar, high in fiber, and rich in clean protein. Healthy fats from anti-inflammatory sources of vegetable-based carbs will make up the rest of your meals and help add easy-to-digest calories for day one. What you’ll be avoiding this week for optimal detoxing:
Dairy – with the exception of plain yogurt, since it contains nourishing and natural probiotics Gluten (wheat, barley, rye, and processed foods with these ingredients) – which can be problematic even if you don’t have celiac disease (although gluten-free grains are given as an alternative option below) Processed foods High-sodium foods Added salt Oil Excessive caffeine – one cup of black coffee (or plain green tea) is allowed, just choose decaf (with no sugar or cream.) Red meat or conventionally raised meat/animal proteins Added sugars
- Note: If you are vegan, sub in black beans, lentils, and non-GMO tofu or tempeh in place of animal proteins below.
Monday
Breakfast: Green Detox Smoothie (add your favorite protein powder for more protein) Lunch: Veggie Quinoa Breakfast Bowl (highly suitable for lunch!) Dinner: Steamed Turmeric Salmon With Peppered Veggies
Before Bed – Only if Hungry: 1 green apple (which supports cleansing) with 1 tablespoon raw almond butter or cashew butter (individual packets help with portion control) + 1 cup warm chamomile or peppermint tea with lemon and fresh ginger
Tuesday
Breakfast: Antioxidant-Rich Berry Green Protein Smoothie Lunch: Turkey Salad Wrap Dinner: Wild Rice Vegetable Soup
Before Bed – Only if Truly Hungry: 1 cup fresh or frozen berries (which is a great source of fiber and low in sugar) with 1 square of 90% or higher dark chocolate + 1 cup warm chamomile or peppermint tea with lemon and fresh ginger
Wednesday
Breakfast: Blueberry Smoothie Lunch: Salmon Salad Power Bowls Dinner: Nourishing Detox Stew
Before Bed – Only if Truly Hungry: 1 cup frozen pineapple (which aids digestion) sprinkled with 1 tablespoon ground flax (eat with a fork) + 1 cup warm chamomile or peppermint tea with lemon and fresh ginger
Thursday
Breakfast: Green Detox Smoothie (from above) – add your favorite protein powder for more protein Lunch: Leftover Nourishing Detox Stew (from above) Dinner: Skinny Cobb Salad
Before Bed – Only if Truly Hungry: 1 green apple with 1 tablespoon raw or plain almond butter (or sunflower butter if allergic to nuts) + 1 cup warm chamomile or peppermint tea with lemon and fresh ginger
Friday
Breakfast: Blueberry Smoothie (same as above) Lunch: Turkey Salad wrap recipe (same as above) Dinner: Slow-Cooker Thai Coconut Chicken and Wild Rice Soup
Before Bed – Only if Truly Hungry: 1 cup frozen or fresh berries with 1 square of 90% or higher dark chocolate + 1 cup warm chamomile or peppermint tea with lemon and fresh ginger
Saturday
Breakfast: Antioxidant Berry Green Protein Smoothie (same as above) Lunch: Savory Oatmeal With Eggs and Spinach Dinner: Sweet Potato, Collards, and Black Bean Detox Soup
Before Bed – Only if Truly Hungry: 1 cup frozen pineapple with 1 teaspoon of chia seeds sprinkled on top (eat with a fork) + 1 cup warm chamomile or peppermint tea with lemon and fresh ginger
Sunday
Breakfast: Almond Chai Green Smoothie Lunch: Leftover Sweet Potato, Collards, and Black Bean Detox Soup (from above) Dinner: Skinny Cobb Salad (same as above)
Before Bed – Only if Truly Hungry: 1 cup chopped fruit of choice sprinkled with 1 tablespoon ground flax (eat with a fork) + 1 cup warm chamomile or peppermint tea with lemon and fresh ginger
5 Final Tips For Successful Detoxing
Want more healthy recipes to help you feel great? Here are 100 Healthy Recipes You Can Learn in Under 15 Minutes.
