I don’t know about you but I’m in serious need of a detox. I practice flexible dieting – mostly clean eating with some treats thrown in the mix. However, lately I’ve been WAY too flexible. So, I’ve decided enough is enough. Let’s get 2018 started off right! Beginning this Monday, January 15, I will be doing a 30-day winter detox. That word “detox” often scares people. Hell…it scares me too. I don’t believe in juicing or following any type of extreme diet. History has taught me that you will do much more harm than good by following any type of prolonged elimination. This detox is just a way to get our bodies and minds back on track. For 30-days we will be following a strictly clean, protein-heavy diet. No cheat/treat days/meals. Now, I do realize Superbowl Sunday falls in the midst of this. I will likely be participating so I will personally be extending my own detox a few days. Anyone following along can bring their own food to the party or do as I will. I’ve compiled a list to take shopping this weekend. We will be eating 3 meals and two snacks per day (a total of 5 “meals”). I will post everything I eat on here and on MyFitnessPal for you guys to see. If there is something you enjoy and you don’t see it on this list, please feel free to reach out! Also important to note, you do not have to purchase everything you see. This is just a list of compliant foods for the 30-day detox program. You can find these foods at any local supermarket.
- Oats (quick, old fashioned, or steel cut – none of that pre-made, packaged garbage)
- Plain, greek yogurt
- Eggs/egg whites
- Tuna (solid white, preferred. Always packed in water, not oil!)
- Brown Rice
- Low carb wraps (Trader Joe’s)
- Avocado
- Lettuce
- Cucumbers (English or regular)
- Tomatoes
- Chickpeas, black beans, or any beans you’d like (make sure they aren’t packed in oil or soaked in some sauce)
- Mushrooms
- Sweet potato
- Quinoa
- Chicken or turkey breast
- Ground Turkey or chicken
- Steak or ground beef – whichever cut you like…just make sure it’s very lean!
- Peppers
- Butternut squash
- Veggies (kale, asparagus, string beans, zucchini, brussels, broccoli, cauliflower, etc)
- Tilapia, salmon, or whatever fish you prefer
- Almonds, cashews
- Shredded cheese
- Cottage cheese
- Peanut butter or almond butter
- Seltzer (plain or flavored)
- Brown rice cakes (Trader Joe’s sells a good one!)
- Edamame
- Protein pasta (Banza is a really good one and easy to find)
- Unsweetened cashew, coconut, or almond milk (for shakes and soups)
**Not listed here are my kitchen staples (balsamic vinegar, cooking spray/oil, hot sauce, mustard, spices, etc.) as well as my protein powder /BCAAs.**
Water – make sure you are drinking 8-10 glasses (or 80-100oz) of water per day!
Protein Bars – You want to look for bars high in protein and low in sugar. You also want to be careful with carbs. Here’s a tip – look at the fiber then subtract from your carbs. That produces net carbs, which you should aim to always be under 10. Quest bars are excellent for this. RX bars have a higher carb count but have minimal and very clean ingredients. Depending on what you are eating throughout the day, this can be another good option. Other good options include No Cow & Paleo bars. If there is a brand that you prefer and you think will fit the criteria, send to me & I will let you know if it can be added
Fruit – this is tricky. A lot of fruits are extremely high in sugar and while it is always better than eating a cookie or candy, you still need to be mindful. They do contain a lot of vitamins and minerals so we will keep them on. For the next 30-days, stick with berries such as blueberries and raspberries. You can also use lemons or limes for your water. I would steer clear of grapes, apples, and melons for now. Bananas are loaded with sugar and carbs but are excellent before or after a workout. For that reason, I will allow bananas on the plan if you eat them sparingly…and only around an intense workout.
Coffee – If you know me, you know I rarely am seen without a cup of coffee in hand. I’ve done diets where it’s forbidden…and I have yet to figure out why. Of course, like most things, too much caffeine is not good. However, in moderation it’s fine. Now…what you put into your coffee may be another story. I always put almond milk in mine. Sometimes I get fancy and buy coffee creamer- which is eyeballed to the serving size. I don’t like super sweet coffee so that’s good enough for me. I recommend the same for all of you. NO SUGAR ADDED for the next 30 days. If you’re usual order is light & sweet you will have to adjust. Use skim milk and stevia (or Splenda if, like me, you hate stevia). Be careful to not use too much of those sweeteners! If you’re going to use creamers, measure it out. We often put way more than we think! You can also buy the creamers pre-portioned in small cups, also making them portable!
I will be posting some recipes and some of the foods I like on here tomorrow. Check out my Instagram for even more info – @thefight2befit
Let’s work!!
Stay strong & stay in the fight!
Gina
The Fight to be Fit 