jennie's mindful way to kickstart your nutrition regimen

How your body performs and feels depends on how you fuel it; make conscious choices. Like exercise, the closer you stick to your plan, the faster you will see results. This holds true when it comes to nutrition, as consistency paves the way for not only a new lifestyle - but also your longevity. 

When trying to make changes to your diet, I strongly encourage you to log both your food and beverage (including water) intake. This will help you stay mindful of your eating/drinking habits and help better assess your progress. Start by noting the time of day you have each meal and what those meals consist of. There are many useful apps and websites that track your caloric intake - find one that appeals to you.

Kickstart your nutrition program with a detox
Generally, a detox can last anywhere between 5 to 14 days. There are many variables to consider when determining the length of your detox, including but not limited to, how accustomed your body is to doing a detox, your weight, your age, medications you may be taking, as well as any illnesses or allergies you have. You may want to receive clearance from your doctor before considering a detox. The sections below contain a list of the seven most common food sensitivities according to Dr. Elson Haas. When trying to determine if you have a food sensitivity, it is best to eliminate all seven foods from your diet for seven to fourteen days and then slowly add one food back into your diet, every two to three days. Pay close attention to how your body reacts and feels after eating each food. (sluggishness, foggy head, hyperactivity, headache, runny nose, redness of  skin) Also, note that food sensitivities can come and go. If you tend to eat a lot of one particular food - eggs, for instance - you could develop a sensitivity to it. If you find you have a sensitivity, try eliminating it from your diet for three months and then gradually reintroduce to test. 

Seven sensitive foods:

1. Cow’s Milk 
   
2. Wheat 
   
3. Cane Sugar 
   
4. Eggs 
   
5. Corn 
   
6. Soy 
   
7. Peanuts 
   

Additional foods to avoid during a detox:

• All Added Sugar 
  
• Coffee/Soda/Alcohol 
  
• Beef/Pork ​
  

Foods to consume during a detox - preferably organic:

• Green vegetables - contain intestinal cleanser, chlorophyll 
  
• Cold water fish (wild) - source of protein and omegas, with the least amount of toxins
  
• Free range/grass-fed chicken or bone broth - another great source of protein
  
• Berries - contains fiber that helps curb cravings and high levels of antioxidants
  

Beverages to consume during a detox:

• Herbal teas
  
• Lemon Apple Cider Cleanse:
  
  • 12 - 16 ounces of water 
    
  • 2 Tbsp apple cider vinegar 
    
  • 2 Tbsp lemon juice 
    
  • 1 tsp cinnamon  
    
  • 1 dash of cayenne pepper 
    
  • 1 packet of stevia 
    
• Spicy Lemonade Cleanse:
  
  • 2 tbsp lemon juice 
    
  • pinch of cayenne pepper 
    
  • 1 tsp maple syrup 
    
  • 8 oz spring water ​
    

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Longevity Living, an aspirational lifestyle blog by Longevity Fitness Charleston, is your source for all things fitness, nutrition and wellness. Be sure to subscribe to our weekly newsletter for scroll-worthy articles, must-watch videos from our expert trainers, studio updates & more.