3 Steps to Detox 2020
It’s 2020. There’s lots of things already kicking the year off and they’re out of your control. But you know what isn’t? Your health. No matter what crazy event is happening you can always bring discipline to yourself to bring out your best. Here’s three ways that you can try to improve your body’s health and your own well-being!
NOTE: If you’re attempting any diet or any stark change to your usual eating patterns please discuss it with a medical professional and/or an Accredited Practicing Dietitian (APD) so you can find out what the options are, how they affect different aspects of your life, and question them on anything you’re not clear on.
1. Eat Fruits and Vegetables
But what does 2 servings a day look like? 2 small apples. That’s it. Want something harder? 2 small wedges of watermelon. Too easy? Then try 2 cups of fresh fruit juice. Sounds very difficult. Also make sure to eat the peel if possible as fiber and antioxidants are inside (wash them well first to remove pesticides and dirt). Avoid canned fruit as they are usually immersed in sugary syrup.
But what if fruits aren’t your thing? 1 large tomato; 2 medium carrots; 1 cup vegetable juice; 2 cups raw green leafy vegetables (lettuce, parsley, rocket leaves); they all count as 1 serving. Also make sure to eat the peel if possible as fiber and antioxidants are inside (wash them well first to remove pesticides and dirt). Avoid canned vegetables as they are usually immersed in salty liquid. Some specific notes for vegetables are to not overcook them, flavor with lemon, herbs, garlic or spices instead of salt, and stir-frying and steam them instead of boiling them.
2. Eat with Family and Friends
Some of you may know this already but eating in the company of others can impart positive effects to you. Those that consume food to what seems to be a random and chaotic schedule, snacking whenever possible and in-between meals, rushing bites to quickly get back to whatever it was you were doing before, and eating wherever you can yourself having a quick meal can actually lead to health problems down the road as well as the engraved eating habits that form over time that are hard to rid yourself of. From cardiovascular problems, increasing blood pressure, and increased levels of bad cholesterol in the blood you regularly wolfing down a burger for lunch and that acid reflux you’ve been getting might just be connected.
Eating with family, friends, and/or colleagues encourages regular, attentive, and ‘slow’ eating. Slow eating refers to you eating a meal by actually chewing your food, eating without being engaged in another activity (like looking at your phone!), and being satisfied and appreciative of your meal. If these don’t sound like you then the health benefits such as better digestion, hydration, and weight maintenance. Who doesn’t want these?
3. Exercise Regularly
Adults need at least two and a half hours of moderate physical activity two days in a week. That’s all adults have to do to maintain a healthy weight, achieve weight loss (when paired with a suitable, personalised diet), and reduce the risks of premature death, hypertension, type 2 diabetes, breast and colon cancer, coronary heart disease, and stroke. It also helps lessen the effects depression; and (if you were to believe it) prevent you getting injured from falling over.
For kids and teenagers between 6 and 17 years of age it is doubly important to get at least an hour of physical activity everyday! From aerobic, muscle-strengthening, and bone-strengthening activities the amount of benefits can be mind-boggling massive ranging from improved social skills, self-esteem, and concentration to a stronger heart, muscles, and bone structure.
