Protein Up Your Detox :: Food and Nutrition

Protein Up Your Detox
by author Jennifer Walker BSc

Most North Americans begin their daily ritual with a shower. We place significant importance on the products we use to brush our teeth, wash our hair, and cleanse our bodies. Yet many of us do not practise the same stringent guidelines when it comes to what we ingest and how we cleanse our bodies from the inside.

Detox programs usually recommend diet plans with less emphasis on protein foods. Instead they put a stronger focus on raw foods, fruits, vegetables, high fibre whole grains, nuts, and seeds. This is because protein foods are generally higher in fat, require cooking, and are harder for the body to digest. Foods that draw energy for digestion interfere with the use of energy for cleansing and rejuvenation, and should be avoided during detoxing.

However, the function of proteins in our body is to repair, renew, and improve immune function. Thus it seems counterproductive to starve our bodies of protein when we want to heal them and strengthen our immune systems by detoxing. The good news is that protein powders, which are easy on the gut and provide the necessary nourishment, are now readily available, allowing us to add protein back into the cleansing diet.

Protein powders can either be cooked or mixed into a smoothie made from organic fruit, vegetables, or yogourt. The powder can also be stirred into milk, juice, or filtered water. Most people like smoothies, and they are beneficial during detoxing because they are liquid and, therefore, quickly absorbed and more easily utilized by our bodies.

A detox diet can now contain all three required macronutrients: quality fibrous carbohydrates, proteins, and essential fats. Our bodies need a balance of these nutrients for optimal energy, recovery, and repair. Organic sources of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, essential fatty acids, and proteins including meat, poultry, dairy, and powdered whey, hemp, rice, and soy are readily available.

Powdered proteins provide the necessary healing nutrition, are easy to absorb, low in fat, and add satiety to the diet. Look for certified organic, all-natural, unflavoured, kosher, non-GMO, wheat-free, gluten-free proteins. The vegan choices of soy, rice, and hemp can support a detox as well as a lifestyle free of animal products. Soy and hemp proteins are an excellent source of essential fatty acids that support repair. Whey protein has been heavily researched and has shown its ability to modulate immune function in cell culture studies and animal models.

Preventive maintenance for any person desiring good health, vitality, and boundless energy consists of consuming quality foods free of artificial ingredients, pesticides, hormones, and avoiding hydrogenated fats, aspartame, MSG, refined sugar, white flour, table salt, alcohol, and soft drinks. Instead, choose foods which are nutrient dense and certified organic.

Jennifer Walker, BSc (Nutrition), has worked in the health food industry for 14 years in product development, sales, and marketing.

Source: alive #281, March 2006

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