Back to Week 1

Scale Back
Cut your caffeine intake by another third, and keep up the water. Replace cow's milk with rice or almond milk (they're easier on your system), eat fruit instead of sugary treats, and choose a handful of nuts for a snack.

Tune Out
As much as possible, curtail your web surfing, TV watching, emailing, and newspaper reading. Continue this media fast throughout the week.

Reflect
Write for 20 minutes about the way you approach food. Without judgment, answer the following questions: Do you eat in response to stress or emotions? What types of foods do you
crave? What, if anything, would you like to change about why or how you eat?

Daily Tip: Go Whole
Some whole grains can take a while to cook, but resist the urge to sub in Uncle Ben's for brown rice. Fiber helps your body "grab onto" the toxins in your intestines, says Cathy Wong, so eating plenty of fiber-rich whole grains is important during a detox. In addition to brown rice, whole grains include foods like wild rice, quinoa, and barley.

Detox Tips
Skip Raw Foods
If you're tempted to eat a salad to get your veggies, think twice. Cooked foods are easier to digest and often yield more nutrients than raw foods, says Cathy Wong. Plus, this time of year your body especially needs warm, nourishing foods. 

Go Whole
Some whole grains can take a while to cook, but resist the urge to sub in Uncle Ben's for brown rice. Fiber helps your body "grab onto" the toxins in your intestines, says Wong, so eating plenty of fiber-rich whole grains is important during a detox. In addition to brown rice, whole grains include foods like wild rice, quinoa, and barley. 

Eat Your Beans
Alhough skipping animal proteins for a few days gives your digestion a rest, your liver needs protein to function properly, says Wong, so legumes (e.g., lentils, kidney beans, black beans, chickpeas) are an essential part of the plan. They also serve as an excellent source of fiber. Reconstituting dried legumes is ideal, says Wong; lentils and split peas are especially quick-cooking and easily digestible. For larger legumes, like white beans, soak them overnight. If you use canned beans, rinse off the liquid before cooking them. If you're not used to eating legumes, keep a ready supply of Beano on hand; it can help alleviate abdominal discomfort. 

Find Sweet Substitutes
A lot of people find going without sugar difficult, says Wong. Try sipping teas that contain naturally sweet herbs, like cinnamon and licorice. 

Tune In to Yourself
Throughout the cleanse, pay attention to how you feel. What foods do you miss? Do you feel better not eating certain foods? How does it feel not to watch the news every day? Maybe you're surprised that chai tea satisfies a morning craving for sweets. Perhaps you normally feel sluggish after lunch, but this week you feel fine. Maybe you feel calmer and thus sleep better now that you haven't browsed the web before bed.