Typically on the 4th we indulge in things that are high in sodium, rough on our gut and hard on our liver. The result is waking up feeling puffy, bloated and brain fogged. Follow this 3 step process to detox from independence day:
Flush It Out
Water is our most powerful detoxifier. Even though you may feel like you are bloated and about to burst, that is actually a sign of dehydration. The key is to re-hydrate and flush out everything you put in on the 4th! Aim for half of your body weight in ounces per day.
If water isn’t your thing or you struggle to drink enough, Check out the article on 5 Tips to Trick Yourself Into Drinking More Water. You may find with a little planning it’s easier than you think! And remember, fruits & vegetables are mostly water and one of the most effective ways to hydrate!
Sweep It Out
In addition to water, fruits and vegetables are an excellent source of fiber. Fiber binds to all the bad stuff and sweeps it out of your system. Make sure you are having at least a serving of fruits and breakfast and snacks and 2-3 servings at lunch and dinner. Other sources of fiber are chia seeds and whole grains.
Repair
Our indulgences typically kill the good bacteria in our gut and make our liver work overtime. Add in probiotics found in fermented foods or supplements. For more details about probiotics and specific brands, check out my article 3 Essential Nutrients for Gut Health.
Finally incorporate liver healing herbs and nutrients. Turmeric will help increase the cleansing enzyme activity in the liver. Garlic is a great source of selenium, which helps your liver detoxify your blood. Dandelion tea is a natural diuretic. Finally, Milk Thistle is one of the most powerful liver boosting nutrient. It helps protect the liver cells while aiding in the elimination of alcohol from your system.
