Detox for a New You this New Year!

For those watching their food intake, the holiday season may also be called “cheat season” because during this time, diets are thrown out the window as we eat to our hearts’ content. To help you kickstart the new year with the right frame of mind (and body), we interviewed Nutritionist and Executive Chef Ma. Lourdes Cruz-Caudal.

To jumpstart our post-holiday detox, what should we eat?
Instead of 3 servings of meat, Chef Lourdes advises to go for vegetables, nuts, fruits and legumes. Add fish, chicken (avoid the chicken skin), and all-natural fruit juices to the menu. Chef Lourdes also suggests limiting portions, even with fruits and vegetables, to 5-6 servings per day. Space these servings throughout the day–2 each for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

What should we avoid? Chicken skin, chicken liver, crabs, shrimp and squid are some of the food you need to avoid during the detox phase due to their high cholesterol levels.

How long will detox take? 1-2 weeks should be enough, but if you’re aiming for optimum health throughout your lifetime, you should make this a regular habit. Avoid fatty and cholesterol-rich foods, control your portions, and always make sure that you eat your fruits and veggies everyday.

Remember, detoxifying or dieting is not about starving yourself! It is about choosing the right food and being conscious of your calorie intake.

Here are more detox guidelines: