Many people drink loads of alcohol over the Christmas and New Year period and try and give the liver a break in January by drinking no alcohol at all, but what about your poor liver?
As well as abstaining from alcohol, January is a great time to be kind to your liver and boost its ability to process all toxins including alcohol more efficiently. At the end of January not only will your liver be fitter, it’s likely that your skin will be clearer, you will have more energy look better and feel great.
What to eat for a healthy liver
Increase your intake of fruit especially berries, apples and pomegranates
Eat lots of lightly steamed vegetables like broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, kale, asparagus, Brussels sprouts, red peppers and spinach Cauliflower and broccoli are also great in winter salads (lightly cooked and cooled under cold water).
Onions, garlic, leeks and eggs contain sulphur that improves one of the detoxification pathways.
Beetroot is a great liver cleanser – some people find it difficult to deal with as it can be a bit red and messy, but you can buy ready to use cooked (not in vinegar!) beetroot that is easy to pop into a fruit and veg smoothie – gives it a great colour and a bit of banana or mango hides any beetroot taste. Add some nuts and protein powder for an all round health boost. Beetroot can also be used as an ingredient of a healthy chocolate cake so if you have never tried beetroot now is the time to experiment...
Watch your fat intake - reduce deep fried, fatty and processed foods and choose olive oil or coconut oil to cook with. Oily fish like wild salmon, mackerel, herring trout and sardines and walnuts and avocados will boost your omega 3s.
Reduce sugar and refined products.
Eat organic if you really want to be kind to your liver.
Use herbs and spices to liven up your meals cayenne pepper, ginger, turmeric, cinnamon, oregano etc – are all great for helping reduce the load on your liver.
Keep well hydrated - Drink lots of water and herbal teas. Too much coffee throughout the day just gives the liver more to do but there is no need to give it up altogether.
Exercise that makes you sweat, saunas and Epsom salt bath help release some toxins through the skin
At the end of January you may feel so good that you want to reduce your alcohol consumption for longer than one month.
If you would like some recipes or ideas to help you in dry January just email me at heather@improvenutrition.co.uk or use the contact form on the website. Good Luck!
As well as abstaining from alcohol, January is a great time to be kind to your liver and boost its ability to process all toxins including alcohol more efficiently. At the end of January not only will your liver be fitter, it’s likely that your skin will be clearer, you will have more energy look better and feel great.
What to eat for a healthy liver
Increase your intake of fruit especially berries, apples and pomegranates
Eat lots of lightly steamed vegetables like broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, kale, asparagus, Brussels sprouts, red peppers and spinach Cauliflower and broccoli are also great in winter salads (lightly cooked and cooled under cold water).
Onions, garlic, leeks and eggs contain sulphur that improves one of the detoxification pathways.
Beetroot is a great liver cleanser – some people find it difficult to deal with as it can be a bit red and messy, but you can buy ready to use cooked (not in vinegar!) beetroot that is easy to pop into a fruit and veg smoothie – gives it a great colour and a bit of banana or mango hides any beetroot taste. Add some nuts and protein powder for an all round health boost. Beetroot can also be used as an ingredient of a healthy chocolate cake so if you have never tried beetroot now is the time to experiment...
Watch your fat intake - reduce deep fried, fatty and processed foods and choose olive oil or coconut oil to cook with. Oily fish like wild salmon, mackerel, herring trout and sardines and walnuts and avocados will boost your omega 3s.
Reduce sugar and refined products.
Eat organic if you really want to be kind to your liver.
Use herbs and spices to liven up your meals cayenne pepper, ginger, turmeric, cinnamon, oregano etc – are all great for helping reduce the load on your liver.
Keep well hydrated - Drink lots of water and herbal teas. Too much coffee throughout the day just gives the liver more to do but there is no need to give it up altogether.
Exercise that makes you sweat, saunas and Epsom salt bath help release some toxins through the skin
At the end of January you may feel so good that you want to reduce your alcohol consumption for longer than one month.
If you would like some recipes or ideas to help you in dry January just email me at heather@improvenutrition.co.uk or use the contact form on the website. Good Luck!