1.      Breads & Grains: There are plenty of options when it comes to eating from this food group. The key is to eat the right kinds. Avoid anything with white flour and stick to sprouted grains, spelt, quinoa, barley, and millet.



2.      Vegetables: Eating veggies during a detox is one of the best ways to speed up your internal cleansing. You can pick from a wide variety of vegetables, but try to avoid starchy things like potatoes and squash and focus on more greens.

3.      Fruits: These also fall into the category of detox-friendly foods. Eat them separate from other foods to ensure you get the most possible nutrients and enzymes. Drinking a fruit smoothie in the morning will kick-start your GI tract and help speed along the detox process.

4.      Dairy: It is typically advised to avoid dairy products during a detox, yet people get confused about the health risks when they think they have to eliminate an entire food group. What this section of the food pyramid actually represents in terms of nutrient needs is calcium. Calcium is easy to get from leafy greens, certain nuts and seeds, and certain grains. Because dairy products are extremely hard to digest (most of the world's population is lactose intolerant) it's better to avoid dairy altogether. If that's not an option, you can buy raw milk and cheeses that are a better alternative than pasteurized products.

5.      Protein: This group consists of meat, poultry, fish, eggs, beans, nuts, and seeds. Meat should definitely be avoided during a detox, yet you can get all the protein you need from beans, nuts, and seeds. Contrary to what many people think, protein deficiency is not a threat for the average American. In fact, most Americans consume too much protein in their diets that should be replaced with fruits and veggies.

6.      Fats, Oils, and Sweets: Brace yourself. I'm about to tell you that you should drink more oil and eat more chocolate. The right kinds of oils (those containing EFA's that are non-hydrogenated) are actually beneficial to your digestion and overall health. Coconut oil, grapeseed oil, and flaxseed oil are among some of the oils that are good for you consumed in proper doses. When it comes to sweets, cacao (pronounced "cuh-cow" and different from cocoa) is a superfood. This means it's chocked full of beneficial antioxidants and nutrients in its natural state. You can buy cacao chocolate bars, use the powder to make deserts, or make a chocolate smoothie. Try to avoid refined sugars during a detox and stick to raw honey or plant-based sweeteners like Stevia or agave nectar.

By eating more of the "good stuff," your body will not only benefit from detoxing, but also from all of the vibrant, nourishing nutrients that you're giving it. Moreover, this kind of diet is easy to sustain even after you've completed a detox regime. Incorporating these habits into your daily diet will help you maintain a healthy body without depriving yourself.

To find out more about detox diets or to schedule a customized program with a nutrition expert, visit