In this article about a 2 Day Detox Cleanse, we will discuss
- How the body’s detox process works
- Why many detox diets don’t work
- A detailed 2-day detox cleanse plan
Whenever I have been traveling, indulged over the holidays or just generally feel I need a short ‘reset’ I turn to my Smart 2-Day Detox—a two-day, science-based rebalance for your body, which is safer, more enjoyable and quite simply more effective than any crazy juice cleanse, water fast or slimming tea could ever be.
How the body’s detox process works
Our bodies have two phases of detoxification: the Phase 1 pathway in which toxins get released from our cells and mobilised into our bloodstreams, and the Phase 2 pathway through which these toxins are eliminated through four bodily systems: breath, sweat, pee and poop.
For both of these pathways to act efficiently we need an abundance of amino acids (the building blocks of protein), combined with polyphenols and antioxidants (think of these as vitamins and minerals with superpowers) and fibre to move toxins out of the body.
Why many detox diets don’t work
Most juice, tea or shake cleanses are woefully lacking in these essential detoxification nutrients and usually up-regulate just the Phase 1 pathway, releasing the toxins from the cells but leaving them to circulate in your bloodstream, making you more toxic than when you started. This is why such detox plans often leave you feeling nauseous and fatigued, and suffering from headaches and breakouts—the opposite of how you are aiming to feel!
A gut healing detox plan backed by science
Healing the gut is also a much neglected aspect of detox plans, but our digestive system is the first line of defense against external toxins. If you are suffering from intestinal permeability (aka leaky gut) and/or an imbalanced microbiome (i.e. all of us post holidays) then more toxins will be able to enter your bloodstream instead of being filtered out. This is why healing collagen and bone broth plus microbiome-balancing probiotic-rich foods feature heavily in my detox program.
My Smart 2-Day Detox is designed to up regulate both Phase 1 and Phase 2 pathways, thus leaving you feeling lighter, brighter, more energised and with glowing skin and a flatter stomach. Working out, dry skin brushing, infrared sauna and even getting more sleep can also boost results. Ensure you are drinking at least 2-3 litres of water throughout the day, and feel free to add lemon, lime, or even herbs such as mint and basil to your water.
Need More Support On This Topic?
Download My 7-Day Metabolic Reset Diet Today!
This plan is designed to boost your metabolism and switch your body into fat-burning mode in just 7 days – and did I mention the recipes are delicious and easy to make too?
A Smart and Safe 2-Day Detox Cleanse Plan
Upon Waking: Warm Water
For this detox plan, you’ll want to ensure 12 hours overnight between the last meal of the previous day and the first meal of the next day. Have 8 oz of warm water with a squeeze of lime and a pinch of Himalayan salt when you wake up.
Breakfast: Go To Green Smoothie (or another of my breakfast smoothies)
For this cleanse, I recommend my Go To Green Smoothie, but any of my breakfast smoothie recipes will do, such as this Almond Joy Breakfast Smoothie or my Sugar Free Mocha Maple Breakfast Smoothie
Blend together the following ingredients until smooth.
- 1 serving vanilla protein powder
- 1/4 zucchini, chopped
- 1/4 avocado
- 1 handful baby spinach
- 1 tablespoon almond butter
- 1 tablespoon ground flaxseed
- 1 lemon, peeled and whole
- 1 cup almond milk
Mid-Morning: Matcha Latte or Tea
Continue the day’s detox by drinking an almond milk matcha latte or dandelion, fennel or peppermint tea.
Lunch: Green Goddess Salad
Have a light lunch on your 2-day detox with this salad recipe. Combine 2-3 cups of leafy greens with chopped radish, carrot, cucumber, zucchini or any other raw salad vegetables (avoid broccoli and cauliflower as these are difficult to digest). Add 2 tablespoons of fermented vegetables such as sauerkraut. And top your salad with 4-8oz of chicken, fish or tempeh, depending on your hunger levels. Dress with my Green Goddess Dressing (recipe below).
Green Goddess Dressing Recipe
- 1/2 shallot, diced
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 2 teaspoons apple cider vinegar
- 2 teaspoons lemon juice
- 2 teaspoons lime juice
- 6 basil leaves
- 6 mint leaves
- 8 sprigs cilantro
- 1/2 avocado
- ½ teaspoon Himalayan salt
Blend together until smooth and creamy.
Mid-Afternoon: Cleanse-Approved Mini-Meal
Rather than waiting for dinner, I recommend a mini-meal in the mid-afternoon as part of this 2-day detox diet. Have 1 cup of unsweetened coconut yoghurt with 1 tablespoon of chia seed and ¼ cup berries.
Detox Dinner: Alkalizing Creamy Green Soup
My Alkalizing Creamy Green Soup is a perfect recipe for this gut-healing cleanse. The recipe below makes 2 servings.
- 3 shallots
- 1 clove garlic
- Juice and zest of 1 lemon
- 1 cup broccoli , chopped
- 1 cup fennel, finely chopped
- 2 cups spinach, chopped
- 2 cups bone broth or vegetable stock
- ½ avocado
- 1 teaspoon of Himalayan salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon pumpkin seeds, toasted
- 1 teaspoon Extra Virgin Olive Oil
In a large pan saute the shallots, garlic and fennel in coconut oil for 2 minutes. Add the bone broth, broccoli, lemon juice, lemon zest, salt and pepper and leave to cook for 4 minutes.
Take off the heat and then add the avocado and spinach, letting the heat wilt the spinach for a couple of minutes. Blend all ingredients together until smooth and top with the pumpkin seeds and extra virgin olive oil.
Evening: Tea
Finish the day with a Dandelion, Fennel, Peppermint or Valerian Root tea.
Need More Support On This Topic?
Download My 7-Day Metabolic Reset Diet Today!
This plan is designed to boost your metabolism and switch your body into fat-burning mode in just 7 days – and did I mention the recipes are delicious and easy to make too?