21 Day Cleansing Diet

The 21 Day Cleansing Diet also is known as the Quantum Wellness Cleanse, created by health and wellness expert Kathy Freston. This cleanse gained mainstream attention when Oprah Winfrey endorsed the vegan detoxification program. The Quantum Wellness Cleanse allows you to surpass the wants of food and focus solely on the needs.

Cleanse

The 21 Day Cleanse focuses on healthy, wholesome foods and eliminates five staple foods from the diet. For three weeks, you are to give up alcohol, sugar, gluten, caffeine and animal products. Freston emphasizes conscious eating, being completely aware of what goes into our bodies, where it comes from and why we are consuming it. In an article in The Huffington Post, Freston says, "Sitting down to eat is an elemental part of every day and what we choose to put on our plate has repercussions not only for our physical well-being but also for our spiritual well-being."

Benefits

The inherent and obvious benefits of the cleanse are to rid the body of toxins that build up due to bad habits, bad eating and pollutants in the environment. As these toxins build up, the energy required to naturally expel them takes it toll on the body, whereas a detoxification program eases the expelling process. Freston explains the benefits: "The cleanse delivers a fresh start. It's like a vacation, a reprieve from our old and tired ways...an opportunity to kick start a momentum of consciousness and healing."

Foods

Doctor Benjamin Kim of DrBenKim.com lists some of the best natural food for the cleansing process. These foods include: lettuce, avocados, tomatoes, cucumbers, celery, carrots, onions, corn, sweet potatoes, butternut squash, watermelon, honeydew, cantaloupe, pears, apples, bananas, mangoes, red beets, bell peppers, broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, asparagus, papaya, peaches, plums, nectarines, grapes, coconut, oranges, grapefruit, blueberries, raspberries and blackberries.

Example Meal Plan

Oprah.com lists a typical daily meal plan for the cleanse:

Breakfast
Gluten-free toast with natural peanut butter or almond butter and tea

Lunch
Quinoa with tofu and vegetable stir-fry
Salad with fresh vegetables

Snack
Soy yogurt with blueberries and almonds

Dinner
Soy burger
Salad with avocado
Lentil soup

Warnings

It is best to slowly ease your way into the cleanse. The week prior to starting the cleanse, slowly ween yourself of caffeine, sugar and alcohol. An abrupt change in diet can cause extreme irritability, vomiting and fatigue. Consult your doctor before starting the cleansing program to ensure it is safe for your particular needs and lifestyle.