5 Powerful Detoxifying Foods and Beet and Avocado Salad
Happy beginning of March! Spring is in the air and you might be starting to think about lightening up your diet. When the weather starts to warm up, you may find yourself craving more fruits and vegetables, which is no surprise since they are so detoxifying and can help your liver with the transition from Winter to Spring. Here are some powerful detox foods that you can start enjoying now to get your liver primed and ready for Spring.
Here are 5 powerful, detoxifying foods to add to your diet:
Beets are loaded antioxidants. The purple pigment in beets is called betacyanin, and it has been shown to fight cancer. Betaine, another substance found in beets, has been shown to stimulate liver cells and protect liver and bile ducts. The fiber in beets, called pectin, has been shown to bind to and help eliminate heavy metals and toxins from the body.
Lemons and Limes are both great sources of vitamin C, which helps make glutathione, a substance needed for detoxifying the liver. They also contain a phytochemical called limonene, which enhances phase two detoxification of the liver.
Dandelion Greens are rich in nutrients and compounds that support the liver. One animal study, dandelion improved the liver’s ability to clear toxins by 244 percent.
Cilantro is rich in phytonutrients and flavonoids. Cilantro has been shown to bind to mercury, cadmium, lead and aluminum, allowing these heavy metals to be flushed from the body.
Sweet Potatoes are powerful foods full of antioxidants. They are an excellent source of vitamin A (in the form of beta-carotene) and a very good source of vitamin C, both of which are very powerful antioxidants that work in the body to eliminate free radicals. Also, sweet potatoes contain compounds that can bind heavy metals like cadmium, copper, mercury, and lead to help detoxify the body.
Did I also mention that these foods are DELISH? Here is a fantastic, liver supportive recipe for you to try:
Grated Beet and Avocado Salad
Even if you aren’t a beet lover, try this delicious cleansing salad! It is filled with detoxifying ingredients: beets, cilantro and lemon plus the addition of avocado makes for a wonderful, satisfying texture. Enjoy!
2 cups grated raw beets (3 medium beets)
2 cups grated jicama
1 avocado, thinly sliced
1/2 cup chopped cilantro
3 Tablespoons orange juice
1 Tablespoon lemon or lime juice
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon ground coriander
1 1/2 Tablespoons olive oil
1/4 cup pumpkin seeds
Place beets in medium bowl along with jicama, avocado, and cilantro. Whisk together orange juice, lemon or lime juice, cumin, and coriander. Whisk in oil. Pour over beet mixture, and toss to mix. Season with salt and pepper, if desired. Sprinkle with pumpkin seeds and serve.
Enjoy! ~Chef Jenny
If you’d like support with a cleanse this Spring, consider my 28-day supported cleansing program, Cleanse Organic. From now until March 31st, 2012 you can take $70 off the cost with the coupon code spring2012. For more information, visit www.cleanseorganic.com.
Chef Jenny Brewer MS, CNS