KDHamptons Health & Wellness editor Charlotte Laguardia shares her secret weapons for a healthy Spring Detox this week…Let’s do this!  

Spring Detox 

Happy first day of Spring. If you’re anything like me, you’ve already started cleaning out your closet, opening up the windows and praying it doesn’t snow next week! 

When the seasons change our bodies have to adjust to new temperatures, light patters, and foods. For me, the hallmark of spring is eating lots of salads, light soups, fresh fruits and vegetables. To prep our bodies for this change in seasons, it is typical to cleanse as a way to rid ourselves of toxins that may have accumulated over the winter. Check out my top three methods for detoxing this spring.

Increase Water Intake  

Our bodies are 60% water and we use H2O for endless bodily functions and processes. Water is especially useful for kidney health and removing waste products from the blood stream. It is also helpful in keeping skin youthful and radiant. Aim to drink half your body weight in ounces daily and if you work out add 16-32 additional ounces. To increase the detox qualities of water, try this detox water, which contains debloating and anti-inflammatory ingredients like cucumber and ginger.

Slice 1 lemon, 1 cucumber, 1 inch ginger, and 4 sprigs of mint, add to a pitcher of 50 – 60 oz of filtered water and let steep a minimum of four hours in the fridge. *tip: use a spoon to peel the ginger. 

Eat more Fiber 

Fiber is a carbohydrate that cannot be digested. It helps to control blood sugar and hunger, as well as lower cholesterol and remove toxins. The Recommended Daily Amount (RDA) for fiber is 20 to 30 grams per day and can be found in fruits, vegetables, beans, and whole grains. To increase fiber in your diet first aim to eat a minimum of 5 cups of vegetables per day. Think broccoli, avocado, brussels sprouts, artichoke, and sweet potato. Additionally, load up on chia seeds, almonds, and sunflower seeds to further boost your intake! 

Try this fiber rich smoothie: 1 cup unsweetened oat milk, 1 scoop grass fed collagen powder, ½ cup frozen organic raspberries, ½ avocado, 1 TBS hemp seeds, 1 TBS chia seeds, juice of 1 lime, 3 ice cubes; Blend on high until smooth. 23.7 g fiber, 36.9 g protein.

Sleep, Sleep, Sleep

As days get longer it is easy to skimp on quality shut eye. However, sleep is one of the most powerful detoxifiers because it activates a unique waste removal system called the glymphatic system. During sleep it is responsible for the removal of toxins from the brain, which improves our memory and reduces brain fog. To ensure proper sleep, shut down all screens two hours before bed, stop drinking water at 6 pm to reduce trips to the bathroom, and keep the air temperature between 60 and 68 degrees. Additionally, try foods like almonds, walnuts, kiwi, and banana, which all contain melatonin to improve sleep quality. 

Surrounded by our local small farms, fresh seafood, and wineries Charlotte learned the benefits of nutrient dense foods first hand and will share her integrative approach, rooted in science, with KDHamptons readers through recipes, tips, and features on health and wellness. (Be sure to follow her on Insta @charlottelouisenutrition)