For 15 years I have been doing 7-14 days of detox plans each season to cleanse my body, mind and soul. Based on my own experience – and having read endless health and nutritional studies – I’ve developed a programme which I’ve called theSpring Clean Diet.

What is the Spring Clean diet?

It’s basically a body cleansing programme to synchronise with Nature.  You can expect to feel rejuvenated and energised at the end of it – while also dropping a few pounds and at least one dress size. It’s not a low-carb or low-cal diet, so there’s no calorie-counting, portion-restriction or carb-banning. The programme is very much plant-based and, though not strictly vegan, lots of fruits and vegetables are its essence.

Spring Clean Diet – the basic food rules

Though compared to other diets it’s quite relaxed, there are still some rules that must be followed for the programme to have an optimal effect. The best part is that you can eat as much as you want, so you shouldn’t get hungry – the important thing is to knowwhat, how and whento eat. So:

These should be omitted:-all meat products; sugar; wheat (and gluten, if possible): dairy (with a few exceptions, see below); processed food; and caffeine & alcohol. These are allowed:-all fruits, vegetables and pulses and most whole grains (such as oat, rye, barley etc). But fresh fruits must be eaten on their own,preferably for breakfast only.
• The followingonly in moderation:- Fish, eggs and naturally low-fat dairy products (Kefir, Greek yoghurt and Feta) However, for afull-on detox, omit these too.
Do not mixconcentrated starch with concentrated protein – as per the Hay orFood Combining Diet– read more about my more relaxed  version called Harmonious food combining>>. Juicing is an essential partof this programme. You should start your day withfreshly pressedcitrus fruit (diluted with water) or with a smoothie. In the evening you should havefreshly madevegetable juice such as this super healthy juice Drinking:during the programme lots of liquid should be consumed. Dandelion coffee & tea and fennel tea must be drunk on a daily basis to help the liver’s detoxification process. Soups:lots of thin soups (consomme) or thick, creamy vegetable soups should be consumed every day.

Read the Spring Clean Diet Guidelines for more details about do’s & don’t, and tips for substitutes for those that you can’t consume throughout the programme.

Cleansing as a whole

I believe that any cleansing diet is most effective when it’s part of an overall detox – so throughout the programme it’s best to stay away from synthetic beauty products, household cleaners, polluted areas and so on. I must confess that, over the years, I’ve bought many organic, “wonder” products – but quite honestly, you only need some cheap & cheerful natural soap; organic, natural baby shampoo and coconut oil (which is good as a hair conditioner, body lotion and moisturiser). When it comes to cleaning the house – bicarbonate of soda mixed with household vinegar (to which I sometimes add a few drops of lavender oil for the scent) does most jobs pretty effectively. Talking of which: essential oils are useful too – for baths, massages, oil burners, vapourisers and for the laundry. It’s also important toair the housethoroughly forat least30 minutes every day(even if it seems too chilly!).

Exercising

The Spring Clean Diet programme works much better if combined with daily exercise – but please don’t do intense, gym-based classes or strenuous fitness regimes – the body & mind need the energy to concentrate on cleansing. It’s best to do:- daily brisk walks in fresh air; or yoga and stretches, combined with controlled breathing; meditation (try to do 15-30 minutes a day); or swimming.

Other beneficial things to do or have

I don’t have access to a sauna or steam room – I wish I did, because I would use both regularly and not just during this programme – because apparently they really help the detoxification process. Instead, I have Epsom salt baths, every 2-3 days.

I have tried colonic irrigation a couple of times – this certainly helped with the detox but I would not recommend this too often. It’s very important to reload the body with healthy bacteria afterwards.

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