Ramadan Detox

Posted on

11 July 2012

| Last updated on 7 May 2017

The Holy Month of Ramadan is a peaceful time in the Middle East. This time is used to reflect upon faith and it is a time of generosity and giving. If you are staying in the Middle East during this time but you are not observing the rituals of the Holy Month, you will know that at this time of year the days are long and hot and generally quite.

It would be the perfect time for you to do something proactive like a month long detox. With most restaurants closed during the daylight hours and with night clubs closed for the entire month, this is the perfect time to give up foods that are increasing your body’s toxicity and getting on a healthy lifestyle track.

This is a detox that you can do about once a year. It is not for losing weight, it is for getting healthy and cleansing your body. You should not limit calories, this is to cut out unhealthy foods and increase your intake of whole foods. There are also some foods that help to detox the body and these should be paid particular attention.

There are also foods that you will have to give up and because you are giving up things like sugar, the detox may be difficult for the first few days, just stay on course and say no to that cookie and you will feel lighter, brighter and happier at the end of the 30 days.

This detox is a 30-day deal, hence it is fantastic to incorporate into this time, as you will not be tempted into submission during the day and you can still enjoy an Iftar meal with your friends or a night out on the town. Just watch what you put into your body and the results you will get at the end will be reward enough.

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Here is a list of the foods that you should eliminate from your diet and replacement foods that are similar and healthier for you...

Alcohol

No detox is good unless you kick this one to the curb. There are no real replacements for it that will quite satisfy you in the same way but ladies, you can give up that glass of Blanc de Blanc for a month. It’s really not that difficult.

Coffee

We might be entering a danger zone here with caffeine addicts everywhere. Instead of your morning java, have a cup of green tea. It contains high levels of caffeine as well as anti-oxidants that help cleanse your system.

Soft drinks and juices

These drinks contain a lot of sugar that your detoxing body does not need in the least bit. Replace them with still or sparkling water. Add fresh fruit and herbs to flavour the water if it is a little bland for your taste.

Sugar

Eliminate every sugar from your diet, whether it be white or brown sugar, sweets, chocolate or cookies. Instead, have some fresh fruit like watermelon or berries. Apples are also great as they are sweet and crunchy.

Processed cheese and meat

This is terrible for your detox and should be eliminated from your diet immediately. Opt for white unprocessed cheese, cottage cheese, quark and yoghurt has high levels of protein. Use buffalo mozzarella instead of traditional mozzarella and use parmesan for flavour. As for meat, opt for roasted or grilled chicken or beef and slice or shred it to use in sandwiches.

SEE ALSO: Hosting the perfect Iftar

Bleached Flour and Processed Carbohydrates

Swap all white for brown. So white bread for whole wheat or rye bread. Swap pasta for the whole wheat kind. Try using brown rice instead of white rice and when in a restaurant, get basmati rice if brown is not available.

Ketchup and Sauces

Sauces contain extra salt and sugar as well as preservatives that your body does not need. Eliminate them for the month and use fresh tomato salsa instead. If you are craving mayonnaise, make your own - it’s just a case of blending together 1 egg, 1 tablespoon lemon juice, 1 teaspoon mustard, ¾ cup vegetable oil and salt and pepper to taste. Remember to use high quality oil, such as olive oil or canola oil.

Fast Food

Just don’t eat it. Make dinner at home instead. If you are out and about, stop at a café and have a tuna sandwich on whole wheat bread rather than a burger. Fried food – Instead of frying, try broiling, boiling, steaming, poaching, grilling, baking and roasting. There are so many options.

Finally include as many of the following foods into your diet as they are natural detoxifiers and are super healthy...

Warm water with lemon	Start your morning off with this cleansing drink. It helps flush out toxins and cleanse your systems.
Ginger	It's fantastic for fighting bloating and helps to aid digestion. Have ginger tea or put some in your food to help fight the bloat, especially if you are eating more vegetables than you are used to.
Garlic	Promotes the production of white blood cells in addition to being antiviral, antibacterial and antibiotic. It aids with your detox!
Artichoke	Contains properties which improve the functions of the liver, an organ vital for detoxing your body. Artichokes are full of antioxidants and fiber.
Beetroot	It's great for a detox, you can have it as a veg with your meat, as a juice or serve it as a yummy salad with garlic. It contains magnesium, iron, and vitamin C. It is great for skin and hair, and it supports liver detoxification.
Cabbage	Contains sulforaphane, which helps the body to fight toxins, and glutathione, an antioxidant that is responsible for improving the detoxifying function of the liver.
Watercress	Contains energised, cleansing enzymes for your liver and is a natural diuretic.
Flaxseed	High in fiber and really help to cleanse the body by acting as roughage and doing extra cleansing