Before you start another detox or juice cleanse, let’s clear up all of the confusion and find out how to do it right!

Most of the popular (and expensive!) cleanses out there have you mainlining sugary juices and starving the whole time. And any weight you lose will come back the moment you switch back to solid food.

It’s time to ditch this harmful approach and follow a program that actually works! A well-planned detox should leave you feeling satisfied and energetic, while including healthy, yummy foods that make your taste buds (and liver) happy.

For bonus points, you should also schedule breaks from intense workouts and maybe even indulge in a sauna or massage session… A healthy cleanse doesn’t mean deprivation!

Benefits of a Detox

When your body is free from toxins, you also end up reducing the risk of chronic inflammation and disease. This translates into better mood, productivity, and overall quality of life!

Ultimately, a well-planned detox shouldn’t be considered an isolated event. To gain lasting benefits, you should think of it as something to do quarterly, or to have ready in your back pocket when you fall off the wagon and need to reset.

Better yet, you can incorporate it into a permanent and healthy lifestyle!

Not All Detoxes Are Created Equal

When you decide to start a detox, watch out for the typical juice cleanses. Most programs have you load up on sugary juices, causing blood sugar crashes that end up leaving you constantly hungry and leaving you feeling miserable. This is your body telling you something is not right!

Since juice cleanses tend to be entirely liquids, you end up signaling to your body that you’re in starvation mode and your stress hormones get triggered as a result. This means your body will fight to hang on to fat stores and burn precious muscle, which is NOT what we’re going for here!

Juice cleanses also tend to stir up toxins, but don’t offer a way to actually move them out of the body. As a result, toxins end up in general circulation with nowhere to go. That’s why people end up feeling dizzy, tired, and feeling worse. Not good!

How to Detox Right

Protein Escorts Toxins Out!

The secret to an effective detox is clean, lean protein. This is critical because the amino acids in protein helps escort circulating toxins out of your body for a complete cleanse. This is known as “phase 2 detoxification,” and it’s the missing piece from many popular detoxes.¹

Great protein sources include wild-caught fish, chicken or turkey. High-protein plants such as lentils and legumes are also amazing options. For convenient detoxing on the go, my protein shakes are the perfect meal replacement. (Get dozens of free recipes for healthy, detoxifying smoothies below!)

The Power of Sulphur and Leafy Greens

You can boost phase 2 detox even more by increasing sulphur-rich foods like broccoli, cabbage, garlic and onions. Leafy greens, especially the darker varieties, are high in nutrients, making them amazing allies for detoxing and boosting overall health.

Tossing some cilantro in your salad is also a great choice because it’s known to chelate heavy metals. (“Chelate” means it binds to toxins to escort them out of your body.)

Fiber Makes Things Move

I’ve been known to mention “poops you can be proud of” because when you eliminate, you’re detoxing!

Here’s where fiber is helpful for moving toxins out of the body. It also helps you stay satisfied so there’s no starving or blood sugar spikes during your detox.^2,3 You’ll need 35-50 grams of fiber each day for the best results.

Water Banishes Toxins & Hunger

Staying hydrated with plenty of water is a great way to flush toxins and get that clear, radiant skin you expect from a detox.^4,5I’ve found that often, when we think we’re hungry (especially between meals), we’re actually just thirsty.

Research shows drinking eight ounces of water shuts down hunger pangs 100% of the time and can help with weight loss!⁶ So, the next time cravings kick in, pour yourself a tall glass of water instead..Here’s a widget to find out how much to drink in a day.

Jumpstart Your Detox with the Green Cleansing Smoothie

With the amazing Green Cleansing Smoothie recipe below, you’ll have a protein-packed, nutrient-dense, and satisfying meal that’s packed with everything you need to kick off your cleanse the right way!

Remember, detoxing should be a way of life if you want to look and feel your best.

Green Cleansing Smoothie

Breakfast & Shakes, Shakes & Smoothies

December 28, 2016

Start your day off right with a tasty green smoothie with healthy, detoxifying ingredients like turmeric, ginger, and coconut oil.

Virgin Diet compliant: Cycles 1, 2, and 3
Sugar Impact Diet compliant: Cycles 1, 2, and 3

Prep: 5 mins
Yields: 1 serving

Ingredients

2 scoops Vanilla or Chai JJ Virgin All-In-One Protein Shake powder

1 cup baby kale

1/2 small avocado

10 oz. unsweetened coconut milk

1 tbsp chia seeds

1 tbsp coconut butter or coconut oil

2 tsp grated fresh ginger

1/4 tsp ground turmeric

1/8 tsp ground cinnamon

dash ground cayenne pepper

4-5 ice cubes

Directions

1Blend the ingredients together until smooth. (If you’re using Paleo shake mix, ramp up the blender speed slowly to keep it creamy.)

2Your shake can be thickened by adding ice cubes or thinned by adding cold water. Enjoy!

*Want to know more about JJ Virgin All-In-One Protein Shake powder? Check out our store to see product details, protein shake FAQs, and choose from Plant-Based or Paleo-Inspired protein powder in rich chocolate, versatile vanilla, or exotic chai.

For more yummy, healthy recipes, go to jjvirgin.com/recipes.

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The views in this blog by JJ Virgin should never be used as a substitute for professional medical advice. Please work with a healthcare practitioner concerning any medical problem or concern. The information here is not intended to diagnose, treat, or prevent any disease or condition. Statements contained here have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration.

Recipe: Green Cleansing Smoothie