The Holford 9-Day liver detox diet

you guessed it...image borrowed from http://www.amazon.co.uk/

This week Em's nutritionist, Janet, suggested that she try the holford 9 day liver detox diet (without the fruit). We've decided to join her, so the next few posts will all be about the holford diet and how we get along. From what we can tell there aren't that many reviews, so expect this to be your one stop shop for daily reviews and any tips we might discover over the course of the diet.


First off, allow us to briefly explain what the diet entails;

According to the book which is available from all good book stores and amazon, we've got to cut out dairy, wheat, meat, caffeine, alcohol, bad fats and fried food. Which is easy because the only thing we consume on a regular basis from that list is meat.

The labelling of "wheat" as a food not to eat isn't entirely true, because the book actually refers to grains with gliadin in (even though the main focus is on wheat). It lists wheat, spelt, rye, barley, kamut and triticale as grains to avoid. You are allowed to replace these grains with oats, amaranth, buckwheat, corn, gram flour, maize, millet, quinoa, and rice.

All dairy is off the list including any products with milk solids and/or whey in. Colas, diet colas, caffeinated drinks, all coffees (that includes decaf) and black tea are also verboten! In case you didn't know it means forbidden. Instead you are encouraged to drink weak green teas, roobois, red berry or rosehip teas, lemon and ginger teas, herbal teas, water and fresh juice.

So what are you to eat?

Nuts and seeds, nut butters, tahini, fresh fruit and veg (with a cap on fruits that are high in sugar or starch), sprouts, specific grains (listed above), whole rolled oats, baked/boiled/poached eggs and fish, with lots of fresh juices, water, and antioxidant-rich caffeine-free teas. If you need some sugar the book suggests a dash of xylitol, but from the looks of things you could probably use stevia.

A selection of very specific supplements is also on the must list

Thankfully the Inspiral kale chips are allowed on the diet, we've become a little addicted to them!! soooo nice!

ooh, and of course exercise is a must!

Why don't you join us? we begin in two days (we've got a bit of supply shopping to do before hand), but remember to speak to your GP or health practitioner before embarking on this!

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