A cleansing diet naturally occurs during a cold, flu, or illness. Our body knows what we need, and often times we don’t feel much like eating. There is an old saying “Starve a fever – feed a cold”, but this doesn’t seem to be specifically accurate. You’ll need to trust your body and follow through on how it’s leading you.

Recently my Granddaughter had the flu, with a fever and vomiting. As she started to recover the fever was still present, [fevers aren’t to be feared] but she suddenly wanted to eat, eat, eat. A GOOD sign! She wanted my good bread – toasted…with lots of butter. Later that evening she wanted chicken noodle soup. Her fever broke that night.

Toxins are expelled through the skin, nose, mouth, colon, and stomach. The body naturally eliminates excessive mucous [catarrh] and toxins. When ill it’s best to stay away from sugar products, white flour products, and animal proteins. Stick with foods that are easier to digest. Your body produces a fever to burn off the virus, bacteria, mucous, toxins. It’s a powerful healer. Thank God for it! He knew what we needed to survive down here!

Officially cleansing the body is going ahead of the illness, so to speak. Meaning we are choosing to cleanse the body and give it a break….rather than being forced to cleanse. As in sickness. The body in full of wisdom and knows what it needs, and it WILL in fact move you into a vomiting session or even diarrhea to move toxins out quickly. This is how the body heals itself. Knowing something needs to go, and often times it does so in a speedy fashion.

The benefits of intentionally cleansing the body are many. Toxins and mucous within the body are dissolved. Cleansing purifies the kidneys and digestive system, glands and cells, and eliminates built-up waste and hardened material in the joints and muscles. It relieves pressure and irritation in the nerves, arteries, and blood vessels and builds a healthy bloodstream. Body cleansing provides an overall boost to one’s health.

Fasting is one of the oldest ways of healing and cleansing the body of diseases and buildup of mucus and toxins. Juice fasting helps restore the body to health as well as rejuvenating the system. It eliminates dead cells and toxic waste products that cause sickness and sluggish feelings. Juice fasting is safer than a water fast because poisons in the body are released into the bloodstream more slowly. Some people choose to fast from three to ten days.

On a personal level, I choose to enter into a modified fast when I begin an official cleanse. You know your body better than anyone, and know what you can handle. I tend to run hypoglycemic, so I do need to keep that in mind as I’m cleansing. If I go too long without eating I can tail spin into a “not so fun” hypoglycemic episode. Modified for me means eliminating sugar, white flour products and all grains. No caffeine other than the small amount within my green tea. [A super food for my blood type] I focus primarily on fruit and vegetable smoothies, green leafy salads with plenty of vegetables, a nice olive oil dressing, and will also steam vegetables and season with my healthful sea salt and also add my yummy healthy butter. Heavier proteins aren’t advisable, and although red meat is a super food for me I choose to go with baked fish during this time, if I feel I need a protein hit.

Don’t be surprised if your body begins to purge toxins as you cleanse.  You may feel as though you have a cold.  Your skin can look dingy and a few blemishes may arrive.  You could even become constipated if you aren’t using a cleanse designed to keep things moving out.  A luke warm pure water enema will do the trick, and enemas are often advised when cleansing.  Especially if you become bloated and your digestive tract isn’t happy.  A build up can occur, so helping out the cause is very effective.  Especially if your body isn’t moving it out on it’s own.

Spring is the best season to cleanse.  We become motivated after a long winter, and may need to shed a few pounds.  Everything renews in the Spring, so you may as well bring your body along for the ride.  The growth and renewing energies are strongest in the Spring.  But it is advised to cleanse quarterly, at season change.

Here are a few cleanses that are proven safe and effective.  You can purchase them via either of my websites.  The links to my websites are located on the ribbon above.  Additionally, if you would like a specific recommendation please feel free to fill out my health history questionnaire.  I would be happy to guide and direct, especially if this is your first attempt at cleansing.

ULTRABIOME ~ DIETER’S CLEANSE ~ CLEAN START WILDBERRY  These are all Nature’s Sunshine products.  CLEANSING TRIO ~ PARAFREE ~ ICP ~ COMFORTONE ~ ESSENTIALZYME ~ JUVATONE ~ DIGEST AND CLEANSE  These are all Young Living Products.

Feel free to comment below.  I would be happy to answer any questions you have.  Happy Cleansing!  Your body will thank you!

SHEILA VANHEMERT, C.N. ~ MASTER OF HOLISTIC HEALTH ~ THE HEALTHY ALTERNATIVE ~ Sheila@healthyalternative.co