The Body Cleansing Diet

This cycle begins around noon and ends around 8:00 p.m.

During the energy cycle, food and nutrients are processed and stored to provide you with energy for your day. The best way to support your body during the energy cycle is to eat plenty of fresh raw vegetables (such as a salad or juice), with a starch source to provide your body with the energy it needs to maintain its natural biochemical balance.

This cycle begins around 8:00 p.m. and ends around 4:00 a.m.

This is an opportunity for the body to take the time it needs to heal and regenerate. This is when the body should get quality sleep. During this cycle, the body assimilates all the foods that you consumed during the day and then processes the nutrients to regenerate itself cell by cell. If the sleep cycle is disrupted by irregular work patterns, night feeding of infants, travel across many time zones, or other factors, the body loses its ability to regenerate cells, which leads to their degeneration instead of regeneration.

Parasympathetic state: The parasympathetic nervous system is responsible for relaxation, healing, repairing, and recharging your body. When you are in a relaxed state or parasympathetic state, your body is not dealing with stress and can break down, digest, and absorb the nutrients from your food. The fastest and easiest way to put your body in a parasympathetic relaxation response is through deep breathing. Research has shown that deep breathing can quickly calm the body and mind. It causes the muscles to relax, the lungs to expand, and the heart rate to drop. Eastern cultures have used this technique for thousands of years to reduce stress, prevent weight gain, and achieve physiological balance within the body. Deep breathing can be done anywhere and anytime before meals to activate and support your digestive process. It should also be practiced after every stressful situation you encounter.

To relax your body before meals or during a stressful situation, find a quiet area to sit, close your eyes, and take nine deep breaths starting from deep in your belly all the way up through your upper lungs. Breathe in through your nose slowly until your lungs are fully inflated and then breathe out through your mouth until you push all the air out.

NOTE: Be aware that many people who have food allergies typically eat in a sympathetic state. This is because the body treats the food as a toxin, allergen, or threat and initiates an immune response toward the food. If you suffer from food allergies, start performing the deep breathing exercises before meals. You should start noticing better digestion and less allergic reactions within months.

To relax your body before meals or during a stressful situation, find a quiet area to sit, close your eyes, and take nine deep breaths starting from deep in your belly all the way up through your upper lungs. Breathe in through your nose slowly until your lungs are fully inflated and then breathe out through your mouth until you push all the air out.

NOTE: Be aware that many people who have food allergies typically eat in a sympathetic state. This is because the body treats the food as a toxin, allergen, or threat and initiates an immune response toward the food. If you suffer from food allergies, start performing the deep breathing exercises before meals. You should start noticing better digestion and less allergic reactions within months.

Avoid Mixing Acid Foods With Starches in the Same Meal

Unhealthy Example: Bread, Pasta, Rice, etc. + Any Acid Fruit or Fruit Juice

The digestion of starches begins in the mouth with an enzyme called ptyalin (pronounced tie-uh-lun). Saliva, which is high in ptyalin, is secreted by the salivary glands and reduces starch to maltose, which in turn is reduced in the intestines to dextrose. Ptyalin will not activate in a mildly acidic or strong alkaline environment. The acid in regular vinegar, grapefruit, lemons, or other sour fruits will completely stop the action of ptyalin, resulting in a poorly digested meal. These meals will likely ferment, producing toxic byproducts as well as decreasing the nutritional value.

Alkaline-producing foods should be consumed 80 percent of the time. These foods aid in digestion, neutralize acids, and help restore the body's natural alkaline state. The following foods should always be consumed fresh, juiced, raw, or lightly steamed and should be locally or organically grown. Although some fruits are classified as acid fruits, once they are broken down in the body they convert the body fluids to an alkaline state.

Highly alkaline-producing fruits and vegetables (best option): Almonds, avocados, blackberries, carrots, celery, chives, cranberries, currants, dates, endive, figs, grapes (sour), kale, plums, lemons, pomegranates, prunes, raisins, raspberries, romaine, and spinach.

Other alkaline-producing fruits and vegetables: Alfalfa, apples, apricots, artichokes, bamboo shoots, beans (Snap, string, wax, navy), beet leaves, beets, berries (most), bok choy, broccoli, cabbage (red, white, savoy, Chinese), cantaloupe, celery, cherries (sweet/sour), chicory, coconuts, cucumbers, eggplant, garlic, grapefruit, honeydew, horseradish, kelp, leeks, mangoes, nectarines, okra, onions, oranges, organic apple cider vinegar, papayas, parsnips, pears, pineapples, pumpkins, romaine lettuce, tangerines, tomatoes, turnips, and watermelon.

1. Coconut Oil: Organic virgin coconut oil is one of the best choices of good fat you can add to your diet. Coconut oil contains 90 percent saturated fat and is made up of medium-chain fatty acids (MCFAs), which are easily digestible and can drastically improve your health. MCFAs are not stored as fat because they are immediately converted to energy once in the body. This oil is also very good to cook with because it remains stable even under high temperatures. Coconut oil contains lauric acid (a known immune stimulant), is rich in fiber, and contains essential vitamins and minerals. Organic raw, unrefined extra virgin coconut oil is the best to use and should be solid at room temperature.

   Benefits of consuming coconut oil include: Weight loss, immune system support, cardiovascular health, increased energy, thyroid support, healthy skin, hair and nails, improved cell regeneration, disables fungus, bacteria, and viruses, improves insulin secretions, and protection against free radicals.

2. Hemp Seed Oil: Hemp seed oil is derived from the seeds of the plant Cannabis sativa. It provides all the essential fatty acids (EFAs) and essential amino acids, structured in an easily digestible form to maintain human life. The oil is composed of 80 percent essential fatty acids, the highest in the plant kingdom. It contains Omega 3,6 and 9 fatty acids. No other plant oil has a perfect 3:1 ratio of Omega 6 to Omega 3 EFAs. Hemp seed oil is also great for vegetarians because it provides them with healthy fatty acids without having to consume fish oil. Hempseed oil is also rich in vitamin E and is the only plant that provides a source of vitamin D.

   Benefits of consuming hemp seed oil include: Cardiovascular support, natural sunblock agent, helps high blood pressure, reduces PMS, lowers high cholesterol, reduces inflammation, calms arthritis, soothes eczema, assists the brain and nervous system, produces healthy cell membranes, healthy skin, nails, and hair, and can be used as skin moisturizer without clogging pores.

3. Flaxseed Oil: Flaxseed oil is extracted from the seeds of the flax plant. This oil contains 55 percent of omega-3 fatty acid by weight. Omega-3 refers to three types of fatty acids, alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). Once consumed, the human body converts ALA to EPA and DHA. This oil is also high in fiber and potassium. Flaxseed oil requires special packaging because it is easily destroyed by oxygen, heat, and light. It is best to purchase organic flaxseed oil and keep it refrigerated to preserve freshness.

   Benefits of consuming flaxseed oil include: Helps Crohn's disease, colitis, soothes intestinal walls, natural laxative, reduces high cholesterol, promotes healthy hair, nails and skin, reduces symptoms of menopause and helps burn body fat.

4. Olive Oil: Olive oil has been used as a medicine and health aid since it was first cultivated around 5000 B.C. It is a monounsaturated fat and contains vital vitamins, nutrients, and antioxidants. Olive oil has a large amount of vitamins A, D, and K, as well as vitamin E, which are key sources needed to prevent free radical damage. When purchasing, make sure the olive oil is organic, cold-pressed, and extra virgin.

   Benefits of consuming olive oil include: Promotes healthy digestion, protects against heart disease, eases symptoms of gastritis and ulcers, lowers gallstone formation, and reduces high cholesterol.

Some grains can be difficult for proper digestion, which is why I recommend making the switch to consuming foods that are grain-free and gluten-free.

Common foods that are grains, or are made from grains: Rye, wheat, bran, Kamut, cornflour, corn, beer, cornmeal, spelt, oats, chicken, beef and vegetable stock. Avoid the following foods made from the list above: Biscuits, pizza, bagels, pasta, cakes, and bread crumbs.

Common foods and flours that are grain-free: Arrowroot, almond flour, buckwheat (Kasha), chickpeas, fava bean, flaxseed, lentils, sesame, quinoa, amaranth, coconut flour, cottonseed, potato starch, plantain flour, tapioca, and cassava. Grain-free foods are always gluten-free.

Wheat products contain the largest source of the protein Gluten. Gluten consists of two primary amino acids known as glutenin and gliadin. These amino acids contain four main proteins: prolamins, globulins, albumins, and glutelins. The most dangerous form to the body are glutelins, which cause gluten intolerance and allergic reactions. The human body does not produce the enzyme necessary to break down gluten, which means every single person who consumes it will have a negative immune reaction. The intake of gluten creates an autoimmune response whenever wheat or its proteins enter the body. An allergy to gluten may cause breathing difficulty, hives, headaches, fatigue, digestive problems, bloating, gas, or even celiac disease.

Avoid the following foods that contain gluten: Cereal grains, wheat, rye, spelt, barley, white flour, durum wheat, Kamut, wheat germ, wheat bran, graham flour, pasta, bread, couscous, flour tortillas, cakes, crackers, cookies, pastries, chips, imitation fish, hot dogs, and fried foods. Replace with gluten-free alternatives.

Should be eaten halfway between breakfast and lunch.

For a nice brunch, choose option #1, #2, #3 or #4. (For example, you might eat #1 on Mondays, #2 on Tuesdays, #3 on Wednesdays, and so on.) Remember to chew your food well before swallowing. You can snack on one of the following items:

1. Raw Nuts or Seeds: My favorite! It's said that a handful of seeds will provide the body with 12 to 14 hours of energy. Many people have reported that after eating seeds for their mid-morning snack for three months, they noticed a 300 to 400 percent increase in their energy levels. Make sure your seeds or nuts are raw. Roasted seeds have lost their life force. For more flavor, you can mix in some hemp seed oil, garlic juice, balsamic vinegar, or organic apple cider vinegar. Choose from the following organic seeds & nuts: Almonds, Brazil nuts, cashews, flax seeds, chia seeds, grape seeds, hazelnuts, hemp seeds, macadamia nuts, pine nuts, pecans, pistachios, pumpkin seeds, sesame seeds, squash seeds, sunflower seeds, or walnuts.
2. Organic Super Green Food Supplement: Supplement with a high-quality organic green powder mix (wheatgrass, barley grass, spirulina, chlorella, etc.). Mix in a 16-ounce glass of room temperature purified water and add one teaspoon of organic apple cider vinegar. This is fast and easy and provides your body with the nutritional value of five full salads!
3. Organic Goji Berries: If you're not familiar with the remarkable health benefits of organic goji berries, do yourself a favor and try them. They pack more nutritional value into each bite than just about any other food. Eat a couple handfuls to curb your appetite before your lunch meal.
4. Organic Avocado: Cut your avocado and sprinkle with fresh ground black or white pepper and squeeze fresh lime juice over it before eating. The pepper will help speed up your metabolism and the avocado contains the enzyme lipase. Foods containing lipase are the ones with naturally occurring "good fat." New research from UCLA indicates organic avocados are the highest fruit source of lutein (a carotenoid that helps prevent eye disease) among the 20 most frequently eaten fruits. In addition, researchers found that avocados have nearly twice as much vitamin E as previously reported, making them the highest fruit source of this powerful antioxidant. Avocados also contain four times more beta-sitosterol than any other fruit. Some studies have found that the avocado's beta-sitosterol content, combined with its monounsaturated fat content, helps to lower cholesterol levels.

Should be eaten halfway between lunch and dinner.

These options will be the same as your mid-morning snack (listed above). Choose options #1, #2, #3, or #4 (for example, you might eat #1 on Mondays, #2 on Tuesdays, #3 on Wednesdays, and so forth).

It's best to have dinner between 6 p.m. and 8 p.m.

As with lunch, eat a large, fresh vegetable salad (with only alkaline vegetables) before anything else. Mix 1-2 tablespoons of organic flaxseed oil, cold-pressed olive oil, hemp seed oil, or coconut oil into your salad. This dressing will provide more flavor as well as the essential fatty acids your body needs.

Although you need to pick one protein source for dinner, I strongly recommend you start slowly eliminating meat from your diet. The human body is an herbivore, not a carnivore. If you absolutely must have meat on occasion, limit it to one to two servings per week and make sure it's organic. Meat and dairy should come from range-fed animals raised without harmful antibiotics and hormones.

Sources of protein: Legumes*, hemp milk, raw goat’s milk, raw seeds, and raw nuts.

*Legumes include beans and peas and can be a good source of protein if eaten with mixed vegetables (in a salad) or with a complete protein like nuts or seeds. On their own, legumes are incomplete proteins and contain only certain amino acids.

If you want a little extra seasoning for your meal, Himalayan crystal salt is an excellent substitute for regular table salt and can perk up any dish! Make sure you don't overdo eating at dinner time. Let your appetite be your guide and (I'll say it again) chew your food thoroughly!