7-Day Detox
Photo by: WholeFamilyFare
Doing a 7-Day Detox is a super way to de-gum your system, jumpstart your weight loss, clear your mind, get better rest, clear your pores, and feel excited about everyday chores. “Ooh, look at those scrubbing bubbles!” Can you imagine?
I’ve outlined a 7-Day Detox based on the one in SKINNY DISH!. Monday is usually a great day to start. Use the Comments section to ask questions and read about other Detoxers’ experiences as you cruise along. As a preview of the week to come, check out Jen is Green who blogged about her 7-day Detox experience.
NOTE: Pregnant and nursing women, children, and folks with chronic diseases can certainly consume a completely plant-based diet and include the foods indicated in a mild detox in their every day. But, they should only do frequent or regular detoxes with blessings from their doc. As with everyone detoxing, a daily multivitamin is recommended to ensure adequate intake of vitamin B12 and vitamin D. This detox is mild enough that simply adding a more substantial breakfast actually makes it a great long-term plant-based plan for most people.
One of the best ways to make the Detox transition much easier and friendly, is to follow the Detox Prep Guidelines. For 3 days leading up to the start of the Detox (Friday, Saturday, & Sunday in this case), do the following:
DETOX PREPARATION
• Phase out caffeine
• Limit portions of meat, dairy, eggs, gluten (wheat, barley, oats [unless they're gluten-free oats]), and alcohol to no more than 1 serving of each per day
• Completely ditch processed sugar and refined carbohydrates (use agave nectar & stevia to sweeten foods)
• Increase your intake of vegetables and filtered water
• Clean off your appliances (blender/juicer) & take them out for a test drive
DETOX GUIDELINES
• Start the day with a large glass of filtered water with lemon or cucumber slices (in the water, for an extra fresh taste). Add a dash of cayenne for an extra kick in the pants.
• Consume only liquids (green juices, non-dairy smoothies, herbal tea, filtered water) and raw fruits and veggies until noon every day.
• Drink tons of filtered water throughout the day, at least half your body weight in ounces (150 lbs: drink 75 oz. water). No sense in detoxing if the crud can’t ride the river out.
• Eat lots of raw fruits and veggies, preferably organic. The more the better. Allow some raw nuts and seeds (about ½ cup each day) and cooked whole grains (about 2 cups total) spread out throughout the afternoon, but avoid gluten (wheat, barley, and gluten-containing oats) completely.
• About 80% of your diet should be comprised of raw foods, and 20% can be cooked grains, beans, and vegetables.
• Include a daily multivitamin to ensure adequate vitamin B12 and vitamin D intake.
• Avoid all dairy products, meats, fish, sugar, gluten, alcohol, and caffeine.
• Add more green juices and raw foods as needed for energy. Larger servings of grains and nuts can also be added for more fuel if needed.
• Substitute different nuts, seeds, or legumes for allergenic foods.
• Expect a mild headache for the first couple days. But, if you feel extra crummy (beyond headachy), add larger servings of foods within the guidelines or stop the detox and begin again once you’ve done a few more days of Detox Preparation.
Excited? Gather up those reusable shopping bags, here’s the Shopping List for all 7 days, and the MENUS:
Detox Day 1
Detox Day 2
Detox Day 3
Detox Day 4
Detox Day 5
Detox Day 6
Detox Day 7
Now you’re ready! Good luck! 
Pingback: Skinny Dish! 7-Day Detox Starts Monday, January 9th! « Bitchin' Dietitian: Biting Off Just Enough to Chew
Pingback: SKINNY DISH! 7-Day Detox Starts Monday, January 9th! « Bitchin' Dietitian: Biting Off Just Enough to Chew
Any chance of a shopping list for tomorrow? You can’t even get in to the parking lot of my Trader Joe’s on weekends, let alone get shopping done! Would love to do the shopping on Friday…
I hear ya, Lisa! Shopping List coming shortly!
When are the recipes coming?
Hey Elisa, If you have a copy of SKINNY DISH, they’re in there. If not, I’ll be posting the menus tonight or this weekend. Happy Detoxing! XOXO Jen
Hey Jen, I have my copy of SKINNY DISH. I am starting on the Detox on Monday. Can I make my juice the night before? Thanks for your inspiration and strength! I am so glad that you are in our lives! XXOO Maddie
Awesome, Mad! I’m so excited for you! Juice will last in the fridge for 24 hours, but tastes best fresh. When you go to store it in the fridge, store it in a glass jar or container and fill it up to as close to the top as you can–that leaves less oxygen for breaking down the wonderful nutrients. Also, drink it in a martini glass
Keep me posted! XOXO Love, Jen
Jen – what are your comments on exercise while on the detox? i’m a runner and certainly don’t want to slow that down. thanks. – stephanie
Hey Stephanie,
Exercise is fine, but you be the judge of whether or not you need larger servings of the detox foods for more energy. It also depends on how different your current workout diet is compared to the detox diet plan. In most cases, the detox plus additional raw nuts and seeds, avocado, or whole grains will give you all the uumpf you need for a fantastic workout. Let me know if you have more Qs, and good luck! – Jen
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Do you have any recommended substitutions for people who can’t eat raw nuts?
Hey Kara! Great question. You can snack on raw seeds (sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds) if those don’t pose a problem, or even roasted soybeans like these: http://www.iateapie.net/reviews/archives/2006/07/trader_joes_dry.php. Just a little something for a power kick mid-afternoon. Good luck! XOXO Jen
really interested in this but really fear the headaches due to no caffine. I have to small kids and I really enjoy that cup of joe in the am. what are your thoughts about allowing 1 cup in the am (with stevia and a non dairy creamer like coconut milk)? Thank you so much.
Hey Renee! I think the caffeine withdrawal is the biggest challenge for most people. If you can include green tea or black tea for your daily caffeine (which are more alkaline than coffee–coffee is quite acidic and slows down/hinders the detox process), you’d still be way ahead of the game. I have 3 small kids, and totally understand
But, if you really want the coffee and can stick to the stevia & coconut milk, that’s ok. You’ll still benefit from the healthy, raw foods. Good luck! XOXO Jen
thanks for getting back to me, jen. I REALLY love my coffee and some days can consume at least 3 (I know, I know) so I am going to go with the 1 cup. I think if I can keep up with the rest of the 7 day I am good to go! So excited!
My daughter is really wanting to try this with me. would this be safe for a 12 year-old?
Hey Kim! This detox is probably fine for a 12-yr-old b/c it’s really just a vegan plan which emphasizes raw foods. Since I imagine she doesn’t have time for a morning snack during school, perhaps a more substantial breakfast that falls w/in the guidelines–gluten-free oatmeal with nuts, apple chunks, cinnamon, soymilk, or gluten-free crackers with nut butter and fresh fruit. If she feels hungry, raw nuts and seeds and avocado are great nutrient-dense raw items that fit into any healthy plan. The AM fruit/ juice/ smoothie “fast” is the only thing that would be questionable for a growing kid, but the more substantial breakfast would fix that. Have fun!! XOXO Jen
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OMG Jen, I found you! Cannot believe you are the brains behind the Cooking with Trader Joe’s
It’s Krista from The Cancer Project back in the day. I love this detox plan; so well thought out. I haven’t done it…YET! I just returned from Bali, Indonesia, where I was working at a wellness retreat and planning detoxes similar to this with some juice-only cleanses for our guests. Cleansing now-a-days is a must. So happy to reconnect. I’ll be following 
Hey Krista!! So great to see your name and hear from you! My mild Detox is totally doable and even fun! I also love juice-only cleanses, but found that people can do a world of good when they go mostly raw & unprocessed for at least a week (and it sounds less scary than juice-only to most…). Great to be in touch!!
XOXOXO Jen
Those who have completed the detox – how did you feel like during and after the detox? Did you see any weight loss? energy gain? etc?
Anyone planning to start the detox end of Feb? I would love to try this one and would like to have a buddy to swap notes and support.
Hey Vini! Most people have experienced weight loss, a decrease in bloating, more energy, better skin, better sleep, and the disappearance of headaches. I’ll happily round up another 7-Day crew. Start on Monday, Feb 27th?
Jen
I am glad that the detox helped most people. It would be great if you can get a group together – but I am also talking to my friends to join with me
Thank you
Is barley considered gluten free? I picked up a bag of white pearl barley and was wondering if I can use them during my detox
Barley, oats, and wheat flour have gluten. Rice, quinoa, corn, and gluten-free oats are more detox-friendly. But, save that barley for some wonderful post-detox soups. It’s loaded with fiber and B-vitamins!
XOXO Jen
I would love to start this the second go round. My issue is that in addition to nut allergies (almonds, walnuts – which I can easily circumnavigate given your suggestions) I also have fruit and vegetable allergies (severe enough to have an epi pen on stanby). Any alternatives to cucumbers, celery, carrots, bananas and pineapple?
Hey Sara! You may want to create your own Detox using the guidelines: Gluten-free, Dairy-free, Egg-free, Vegan, 60-80% Raw, with morning smoothies, juices, fruits, and then more solid meals high in veggies (half your plate) starting around 12:00 PM each day. Good choices for you are broccoli, spinach, kale, collards, cauliflower, mango, apples, pears, peppers, etc… Let me know if you need more help! XOXO Jen