After the festive havoc is done and you can’t quite bring yourself to find your jogging leggings or let go of that gravy boat just yet, to ease you into a month of detoxing nutritionist Libby Limon has prepared the ultimate superfood plan that will keep the cold away, your skin glowing and kick start your metabolism without you needing to get off the sofa.
Drink matcha green tea
Drink matcha green tea to help your liver clean the boozy nights (unfortunately it does not clean memories)
Matcha green tea contains high levels of catechin polyphenols – or healthy plant chemicals – that help stop damaging toxins from recirculating in your body. What’s more, they help protect your liver cells, and encourage the body to make glutathione, a liver antioxidant. This makes it easier for your body to process all that mulled wine and reduces the chances of you getting a hangover (if you are planning on skipping a booze-free Jan)
How to enjoy: Add 2 teaspoons of matcha powder to pancake batter or simply get some matcha tea.
Eat chia seeds
Eat chia seeds to prepare your stomach for back to normal eating
Chia seeds are a great source of soluble fibre, which helps keep your digestive system healthy and working optimally. They help create a healthy stool that moves at the right pace through the digestive tract, so your body can start adjusting to days with no mince pies, roasted turkey and mugs of gravy for breakfast.
How to enjoy: Blend ½ a cup of chia seeds with coconut milk and maple syrup to create a scrumptious chia seed pudding.
Add avocado to your diet
Add avocado to your diet to breakdown the prosecco that’s still bubbling
Avocado is one of nature’s best sources of glutathione, which helps protect your cells and boosts liver detoxification. It’s also packed with high levels of Vitamin E that perform the same function, making avocado your go-to superfood if you’ve drank too much prosecco over the festive month of December
How to enjoy: Add a few slices of avocado to toast drizzled with olive oil for a tasty bruschetta.
Consume turmeric
Consume turmeric to help your body digest the Xmas dinner
This ancient Indian spice is a powerhouse of strong antioxidants that help cleanse your system from all sorts of harmful toxins. This makes it an essential mealtime ingredient if you want to boost your immune system and lower the chances of getting ill. What’s more, turmeric stimulates the liver and gallbladder to produce bile, which is key for digesting turkey and all that rich Christmas pudding.
How to enjoy: Mix 1-2 teaspoons of turmeric with milk and honey to create a delicious tea.
Eat veg like broccoli
Eat veg like broccoli and kale to fight off a cold (which might be just a hangover?)
Veg from the brassica family, including broccoli, spinach and kale, contain a group of plant chemicals – or polyphenols – called glucosinolates. These are super beneficial for the liver and enhance detoxification in your system. This in turn gives your immune system a boost and helps you fend off winter colds, so if the party season is catching up with you, stock up on your greens!
How to enjoy: If you are not keen on kale smoothies, add kale to any winter stew for a warming dinner, crammed with nutrients.
Snack on acai berries
Snack on acai berries to give your skin life after a makeup marathon
If you were the last one on the dance floor in December, chances are you also forgot to clean your makeup off a few times at the end of a night out? Acai berries are one of the best sources of vitamin C which helps your skin look and feel well. Their dark blue colour is a rich source of antioxidants called proanthocyanidins which have been found to protect your liver cells against over-drinking.
How to enjoy: Blend 1-2 handfuls of berries with strawberries, banana and orange for an easy breakfast treat.
