By now, it's not a secret that food can drastically affect your health. If you've ever heard the saying "abs are made in the kitchen," then you know they're not talking about doing sit-ups on your kitchen floor. What this saying points out is just how important food is not only for your mental health but for your physical health as well. Eating (and sticking to) a healthy diet can have a positive effect on your body from the inside out. It's important to pay attention to what your body needs. Do you feel sluggish? Are you experiencing stomach pain? Do you occasionally suffer from earth-shaking headaches? The chances are that's your body's way of crying out, asking you for something it's lacking. Whether youre dehydrated, youre lacking essential vitamins and minerals or you are not eating the right kinds of food for your body, your health may be suffering.Just as it's essential to pay attention to what your body needs, it's also crucial to take note of what it doesn't need. Processed sugars, unhealthy fats and empty calories can all have adverse effects on our health when consumed in excess. Examine what you've been putting into your body lately. How do you feel? If you know you're not feeling your best, a simple detox may be exactly what you need.Now, we're not talking about jumping into a five-day juice cleanse or taking detox pills. Detoxing your body is not something that should be seen as a quick fix. Instead, it's about helping your body get to its healthy state by detoxing naturally. Eating naturally cleansing foods can help. Incorporating cleansing foods into your diet will help your body detox daily, allowing it to remain in a healthy and happy state at all times. Curious about what naturally cleansing whole foods you should be adding to your diet? Keep reading to discover the fantastic cleansing benefits whole foods can have on your digestive system and overall health.
Leafy Vegetables
It's no surprise that green leafy veggies are great for you. They top almost every healthy food list and are loaded with a number of different health benefits. Vegetables like broccoli, cabbage, brussels sprouts and cauliflower can help boost your body's digestive functions through their anti-inflammatory effects. Plus, they're also a great source of fiber.The next time you feel like indulging in a tasty detoxing meal, try adding more veggies to your plate. Whether you steam them to enjoy as a side or use them as a base in one of your favorite dishes, vegetables are a great way to boost your body's nutritional intake. Veggies are also a healthy way to add flavor to a meal. They can be enjoyed sauteed, grilled, baked or even eaten raw! With a little effort, vegetables are an easy ingredient to incorporate into any meal.One of our favorite ways to eat more veggies is to use them as a meat alternative. Even if you're not following a vegan/vegetarian lifestyle, recipes like this Buffalo Baked Cauliflower Falafel are a great way to turn vegetables into a main course. Add it to your weekly dinner menu, or make it for your next gathering. The chances are those enjoying it, won't even realize just how great it is for them!
Lemon
The benefits of lemon juice are endless! When we think of lemons, the first thing that comes to mind is sweet summertime lemonade. However, this oftentimes-sugary drink can offer some pretty great health benefits when prepared correctly. While lemons have long been used as an ingredient in household cleaning products, it can also be used to clean out the body in a similar way. With high amounts of Vitamin C, plant compounds and soluble fiber, lemons present several health benefits that work to support our body's detoxification process.Adding lemon juice to your smoothie, drinking lemon tea or even squeezing lemon over salad as a dressing are all easy ways to incorporate this cleansing food into your meal plan. It is important to note that while lemons are great for you, they're also very acidic, and consuming raw lemon juice could potentially harm the enamel of your teeth. When drinking fresh lemon juice, even if it's mixed with water, we'd recommend drinking it from a straw to avoid damaging your teeth.If you're not a fan of consuming lemons as is, don't worry. There are various ways you can add them to a recipe without even knowing that they're there. This Lemon Chia Bread is an excellent way to sneak lemon juice into your baked goods. Plus, it gives the food a delicious boost of flavor!
Garlic
Garlic is also packed with numerous health benefits. There's something about garlic people find irresistible, which may be why it's an ingredient used all over the world for its flavor-boosting properties. Garlic is used in pizzas, sauces, dips and even bread to instantly transform any dish. If a savory sauce or recipe is lacking flavor, try adding garlic to it to amp up the taste. Though it's a common kitchen ingredient nowadays, in ancient times, garlic was often used as a medicinal remedy. Some cultures even used it to fight off infections back in the day.While garlic can be eaten (or chewed) raw, many people prefer to eat it when paired with something else due to its pungent flavor. By adding just a small amount of garlic to any meal, you can increase the taste and nutritional properties of the dish in just seconds. Garlic can easily be used to amplify the flavor of veggies, like this garlicky kale with fire roasted tomatoes and cheesy brown rice farina recipe. Remember that when cooking with garlic, a little goes a long way, so adding just a clove or two to your dish is sure to highlight the garlic flavor and boost the meal with all the cleansing properties garlic has to offer!
Turmeric
The health benefits of turmeric have just begun to shine in the market today. Turmeric is a spice that is commonly used in mustard and curries. You probably know it for its deep orange color, and the latest and greatest healthy craze "golden milk" that's making waves in the media today. This health-boosting spice comes directly from the turmeric plant and is usually sold in a powder form. However, it can also be turned into a paste. Add it to your milk, teas, meals and even water to give your body the boost it needs to help rid itself of any unwanted toxins.An herb closely related to ginger, turmeric is believed to have beneficial properties that may have positive effects on the body's digestive system. Though you may not love the taste the first time you try it, there are many ways to disguise its flavor.If you're searching for a way to incorporate turmeric to your diet slowly, then try adding it into a savory breakfast recipe like this chickpea flour omelet with grilled chipotle tomato. By using just teaspoon of turmeric in this recipe, you'll add a boost of flavor and nutrients that will help kick your body's natural cleansing abilities into overdrive!Now that you've gained more knowledge on the abundance of best cleansing foods for the body, we hope you'll make them a part of your daily diet. A healthy mind and body is a direct reflection of a healthy lifestyle, and making these foods a part of your weekly menu is a sure-fire way to ensure that your body is full of all the nutrients it needs and cleansed of anything it doesn't! Have a cleansing food or recipe of your own? We'd love to hear about it in the comments below! As we said, everybody is different and there are a variety of beneficial foods you can incorporate into your diet to make sure you're getting the proper nutrition.