here is no better time for cleaning than in the spring… Windows wide open, the ambient yet slightly biting air flowing through, wafting the clean scent of Lemon Pledge throughout your condo. While we are often motivated to cleanse our homes and environments at the first sign of spring, it is easy to overlook the most important area in need of rejuvenation – our own bodies.

“Cleansing” can assume many forms: from simple clean eating, to juice fasts, to colonics, there are a wide array of options and levels. Here, I will focus primarily on detoxifying the body with a whole foods approach, and also delve into the more
intimidating world of structured juice cleanse programs.

Cleansing is an ideal practice for almost anyone, whether you have a lot of weight to lose or none at all. It may be especially helpful for those who experience food intolerance, gastrointestinal issues or who come from a history of antibiotics and artificial medications.

The most basic form of a cleanse can be done at home, without much professional guidance. A whole foods approach is basically a system of eating where all of your food is consumed in is mos basic “straight from nature” form. This type of program is ideal for true beginners whose food mainstays include fast food, chips and soda.

All packaged foods mus be eliminated, along with any foods that contain incomprehensible ingredients – these foods are not natural or recognized by the body as “real food.” In addition, processed foods and additives cause lulls in energy levels, suboptimal focus and contribute to other ailments such as headaches and caffeine dependency. The majority of calories in this type of cleanse should be from whole grains, low- fat dairy products, fresh fruits and vegetables, and lean protein sources. Any of the devilish “white substances” (white sugar, white flour) should be avoided as well, as they escalate hunger by causing jumps in blood sugar.

The next step in a self-regulated cleansing process is known as an “elimination diet” – for those who are already quite dedicated to health and well being, and who have a higher sense of self-awareness.

The elimination diet omits foods with high allergen potentials – such as dairy and gluten – so that individuals can gauge how their bodies react without these substances. All meat mus also be cut out to give the digestive system a break from animal proteins. It is also crucial to eliminate caffeine, as it stains the adrenal glands and makes the body more vulnerable to stress. Usually, people find that their energy rises and digestive issues decrease once they rid their bodies of dairy, gluten and caffeine.

More extensive versions of the elimination plan also wed out foods that are traditionally deemed to be healthy, such as soy products and citrus. The primary protocol of the elimination cleanse is to rid the diet of all of these foods for a given period of time, and then proceed to reintroduce each food one by one in intervals of two to three days, being aware of any reactions in the reintroduction phase. Your body will tell you what it is intolerant of. Many people will experience congestion when they go back to eating dairy, as dairy is a mucus-forming substance. Those with gluten intolerance might experience significant bloating or other forms of inflammation upon the reintroduction of gluten.

One of the more intensive cleanses that has been gaining immense popularity in recent years is the juice detox. Juicing programs require the consumption of only whole, pure juices for one to several days without the aides of caffeine, alcohol or diet soda. The juices are typically made with a special type of juicer that allows every last drop of nutrition to be extracted from the produce, and maintains the freshness for three days after juicing. The Maser Cleanse, where participants drink only water with lemon, cayenne pepper and maple syrup, was a predecessor to the modern liquid-only diets, and much less healthy.

The juice detoxes of today immerse the entire body in fresh enzymes and living nutrients, providing the body with adequate fuel and hydration while allowing it to detoxify. The synergy between the ingestion of abundant nutrition and the absence of solid food gives the body a chance to res and heal iself. Juice programs, available online and shipped nationally, are quite expensive at $70-$90 per day. Unless juice cleansing is a priority and tangible for you, I recommend easing into this level of dedication by slowly completing the aforementioned programs and making them an integral part of your lifestyle.

I have tried juice cleanses from several of the mos popular companies, Juice Generation, BluePrint and Liquieria. The juices from each company are similar in that they offer like nutrition benefits and flavors, but juice aficionados come to develop their favorites.

Even as an extremely self-conscious individual who has partook in elimination and whole foods cleanses, the juice detoxes were slightly challenging for me. I enjoy the taste of greens and healthy plant concoctions, but I missed the mere act of chewing. Gum is not allowed on pre-formulated juice programs, as it forms gas and confuses the digestive system, so there is literally nothing you can chew.

If these programs do not suite your budget, juices can be made at home with an ordinary juicer. It is important to note that the homemade juices should be consumed that day, and should probably not be your only source of food. Homemade juices can, however, be integrated into a healthy diet to enhance energy and nutrient absorption. The juices should contain only fresh produce, without any added sugars, milks or protein powders.

Participants in detox programs report extremely beneficial results, like clarified skin, reduced bloating, exuberant energy and higher quality sleep. Implementing any or all of these forms of cleansing into your life may seem daunting, but it will jump-start your spring, propelling you into a season of wellness and renewed energy.