Summer Flavors for Diet and Detox
The warm days of summer bring with them feelings of lightness and it is natural to wish to mirror this ease in our own bodies. Graciously summer provides us with foods perfect for detoxification, improved digestion, more efficient metabolism and weight loss. These star foods further lighten our load by pulling double duty: cabbage, tomato, garlic, citrus fruits, and nuts. These foods can be enjoyed in a variety of ways including raw or refreshingly chilled.
Red Cabbage – Crunchy cruciferous vegetables are powerful antioxidants and cabbage is a standout. All cabbage has glucosinolates which trigger the body’s own detoxification enzymes and red cabbage has anthocyanins which are credited with memory boosting and heart health. Red cabbage may increase levels of adiponectin, a fat burning hormone, and leptin, an appetite-suppressing hormone.
Tomato – This summer darling is full of vitamin C for immunity, cancer fighting antioxidants, and potassium for prevention of stroke. Vitamin C is necessary for creating the compound carnitine which helps turn fat into fuel.
Garlic – Garlic activates liver enzymes that filter out all sort of harmful toxins. It also increases circulation and filters out blood toxins, stimulating weight loss by relieving feelings of sluggishness and fatigue so that exercise comes easier. This aromatic bulb is believed to increase metabolism.
Citris Fruits- Looking just like little balls of summer, citrus fruits are the most detoxifying of fruits. Containing high amounts of vitamin C they are fat burning and liquefy fat so it can be flushed from the body. Citrus fruits suppress the appetite being full of water and fiber. Finally they are a sweet snack low on the glycemic index which keeps blood sugar levels steady – inhibiting the urge to binge on empty calories.
Nuts – Almonds, Walnuts, Peanuts… delicious snacks that are easy to keep with you to ward off hunger. Nuts are full of protein and fiber that are slow to digest contributing to feeling full. The protein in nuts is a healthy alternative to red meat which is good for the kidneys – the kidneys are primarily responsible for eliminating toxic waste products.