Fighting a parasite after a trip to Bali or simply wanting to refresh your digestive system, then a cleanse is a brilliant idea!
However, once you complete the cleanse, returning back to your normal diet can be a little tricky. You don’t want to instantly begin eating all the junk you were eating before.
So, what foods can you eat after a cleanse to ensure you are reaping all of the benefits? Below is a guide of what foods (and drinks) to eat and not to eat.
Keep your health at the forefront and know what will fuel your body best!
What Foods To Eat
Once you have completed your cleanse, your digestive system is clean and maybe a little delicate when digesting certain foods. It is important to eat foods that only boost your digestive system and metabolism.
Healthy Fats
Healthy fats are beneficial to include in your diet because they can keep you full and pleased after a cleanse, which reduces your tendency to snack and undo the cleanse’s positive effects.
Consume foods like avocados, olives, almonds, tofu, and peanut butter to get your fill of healthy fats.
Whole Foods
It can be challenging to avoid processed and refined foods because of their convenience.
However, eating whole meals gives your body a lot more of the nutrients it needs and is easier on your digestive system when you return to your regular diet.
Stick to whole foods like organic veggies, nuts, legumes, and other items without added sugar or preservatives after your juice fast.
Fruits And Veggies
Each day, try to include two servings of fruit and three to five servings of vegetables in your meals. To eat vegetables, they can be roasted, mildly cooked, or raw.
Get as much fiber as you can from high-fiber fruits and vegetables like carrots, apples, broccoli, and raspberries to keep your digestive system functioning.
All of these foods are delicious and excellent for digestion.
Avoid having your fruits and vegetables as part of smoothies and other drinks. You are adjusting your stomach to digest foods in their solid form rather than as juices.
Stay Hydrated
Staying hydrated will maintain a healthy physique and aid in better digestion.
To help your digestive system adjust to your normal routine after being out of it, sip hot (or warm) water with lemon and herbal teas.
What Foods To Avoid
There are also certain foods to avoid as your body adjusts to consuming solid foods again. Including:
Caffeine
Yes, you should avoid coffee and other caffeinated drinks when you finish your cleanse.
Resuming your morning coffee(s) soon away can disrupt your sleep cycle and make you jittery for the rest of the day.
Reintroduce caffeine to your diet gradually, beginning with half a cup daily.
Alcohol
All of your organs, including your liver, have been working overtime to cleanse your body and ensure it is rid of any toxins or parasites.
Introducing alcohol straight away can turn the clock backward on all of your hard work.
Your liver needs a break from all of its effort. Wait at least a week to bring alcohol back into your diet after completing your cleanse.
Refined Sugar
Because refined sugars are more difficult for your body to digest, switching back to solid foods may be more difficult for you.
Stay away from manufactured foods and beverages that have added sugar and opt instead for the natural sugars found in fruits or honey.
Essentially you have just worked really hard to ensure your body is functioning at the highest level.
Bringing back foods and drinks that are not the best for our bodies can negate all of that hard work and take us back to square one.
Allow your body to get the most out of the cleanse by sticking to eating whole foods that are good for your body and will provide you with the best nutrients.
Post-Cleanse Meal Plan
Now that you know all of the foods you should be eating after you cleanse, you need to work out how to make them work for you.
And to ensure you don’t bring in harsh foods too quickly.
We have created this simple 4-day meal plan to help you stick to healthy habits and to ensure you get the best out of your post-cleanse body.
Day 1
- Eat three small meals a day.
- Eat whole foods such as fruits and vegetables.
- Drink at least 2 liters of water a day or herbal teas.
Day 2
- Introduce small portions of carbs such as rice or quinoa.
- Add healthy fats such as avocado and peanut butter to keep you sustained.
- For more iron and calcium, add starchy veggies like sweet potatoes.
- Continue drinking 2 liters of water.
- Slowly introduce caffeine in small quantities such as half a cup.
Day 3
- Add small amounts of dairy such as yogurts and milk. Or your regular alternatives.
- Increase your range of veggies and fruits.
- Include small amounts of animal protein that are simple to digest, such as eggs. For the time being, stay away from red meat and choose lean chicken or tofu instead.
- Continue drinking 2 liters of water or tea.
- Increase caffeine amount.
Day 4
- Continue building on the healthy habits established in the days prior. As you go on, slowly begin to reintroduce red meats, alcohol, and other foods that you enjoy.
- Take this journey as slowly as you need to to feel refreshed and confident.
Final Thoughts
Completing a full juice cleanse is no easy feat. So, why instantly go back to eating candy and drinking alcohol?
Creating healthy habits can be tricky, that’s why we created our post-cleanse 4-day meal plan. You will know what to fuel your body with as your transition back to eating and digesting solids.
Now that you know what foods to eat and which to either avoid or hang back on, you can complete that cleanse and know that you will be reaping all of the rewards!