posted July 08, 2006 02:10 PM         

I'm eating raw fruits/veggies/beans and lots of water. Also doing intense cardio to sweat out the toxins. I feel VERY different. I'm thinking there's something in my diet that really weighs me down, and I think it might be wheat....have any of you had problems with wheat?

posted July 08, 2006 02:25 PM         

i've done a few small fasts and was fruitarian for quite a while.

did a lot of reading about the healing properties of fasts from a natural hygeine perspective. it seems that extra rest is a necessity when fasting, as your body is using so much of its resources to expel toxins. by resting, you allow your body more of a chance to clean itself.

one of the best substances for detoxing is fresh fruit juice.

posted July 09, 2006 09:11 AM         

How do you eat your wheat? I would suggest eating sprouted wheat bread. Once the wheat sprouts it's easier to digest because there is more enzyme activity.
Also, sprouted wheat has 4-5 times more fibre than non-sprouted.

quote:

---

Sprouts Save Our Enzymes

Sprouts preserve our body’s enzymes, which is extremely important. How do they do this? First of all, sprouted beans, grains, nuts, and seeds are extremely easy to digest. Sprouting essentially pre-digests the food for us by breaking down the concentrated starch into simpler carbohydrates and the protein into free amino acids, so our own enzymes don’t have to work so hard. If you’ve ever had trouble digesting beans properly, just sprout them and you’ll have no trouble at all. Sprouting also removes anti-nutrients such as enzyme inhibitors, and that makes sprouts even easier to digest, further sparing enzymes. Another anti-nutrient is phytates, which is what stops some people from enjoying grains such as wheat. Many people who can’t eat unsprouted wheat find they can eat all the sprouted wheat they want with no problem.

---

Bread acts like cement in the belly and it slows everything down.

I think I've been lucky and have had no adverse affects with any sort of bread, but I do know many people who can't tolerate it but still can enjoy sprouted wheat.

Greens and fruits are the best for detox, try blending them together and have a little everyday.

You'll notice a lighter and cleaner feeling just after a couple of days.

You have to work yourself up to a fast- you'll get the signal in your body when it's ready to do it. Three days at a time should be enough. You could also try just drinking water and eating small amounts of fruit until noon for a few days and then eat something more solid in the afternoon.

posted July 09, 2006 04:10 PM         

From Cathy Wong, N.D.,Your Guide to Alternative Medicine.

1) Fresh Fruit

Enjoy all fresh fruit. Go easy on grapefruit. A compound in grapefruit called naringin can significantly inhibit liver detox enzymes and should be avoided during detox diets.

2) Fresh Vegetables

All fresh vegetables except corn, which can be an allergenic food.

Great detox foods include broccoli, cauliflower, broccoli sprouts, onions, garlic, artichokes, beets, red and green vegetables.

3) Rice

Rice is easily digested by most people. Choose brown or basmati rice, rice cakes, rice crackers and rice pasta.

4) Other Grains

Quinoa, amaranth, millet, and buckwheat can be used instead of rice. They can be purchased at a health food store.

5) Beans

Split yellow and green peas and lentils are easy to digest and require less soaking time. Other acceptable legumes include kidney beans, pinto beans, mung beans, garbanzo beans (chickpeas) and adzuki beans.

6) Nuts and Seeds

Unsalted nuts, seeds and nut butters can be sprinkled over any meal. Includes flaxseed, pumpkin seeds, sesame seeds, sunflower seeds, almonds, cashews and walnuts. Avoid peanuts.

7) Fish

Poached, broiled or steamed fish can be enjoyed in moderation.

8) Oil

Extra-virgin olive oil

9) Condiments

Vegetable salt, sea salt, vinegar, naturally fermented soy sauce or tamari, any culinary herbs or spices, limited amounts of honey.

10) Herbal Tea

Herbal non-caffeinated teas, green tea.

11) Other Beverages

Water, lemon water, 100% natural fruit and vegetable juices, rice milk

12) Daily Detox Must Do's

Drink a minimum of 8 glasses of water per day, warm or room temperature. Water is essential to clear waste from the blood. Thirst is often mistaken for hunger.

Do not drink liquids around mealtime.

Dilute fruit juice with 50% water.

Take the time to chew food well, especially grains.

posted July 10, 2006 11:15 AM         

reading about the experiences of Dr. Herbert Shelton in this respect (espouses the philosophy of natural hygeine, fruitarianism and frequent fasts) reinforced the positive nature of this. the reason that ample amounts of fresh water and rest (and exposure to sunlight) are very important during a fast.

of course, another side effect, of feeling your body free from the constant task of digesting cooked and denatured foods, is pure euphoria!