Cleansing – Tried It Tuesday

Let’s back it up to yesterdays post. Perhaps it was my post-vacation brain or my pure lack of explanation, but when I said I was cleansing I did not mean a juice cleanse. I will be attempting a cleanse for the next seven days (six at this point) where I focus on only eating whole, natural foods. Nothing prepackaged, nothing pre made. I will be juicing most of my fruits and vegetables to give my digestive system a break, but I will also be eating steamed vegetables, and eggs (duh).

The last time I did a juice cleanse, my mom and I paid way too much money for the three-day Cooler Cleanse. Let’s just say on Day 2 I was found eating saltines in the pantry. #ILoveFood

So I am linking up with Sara from Lake Shore Runner for her Tried it Tuesday. *I am in no ways a dietician/nutritionist/etc. so I have created what I believe will work best for me. I will be continuing to exercise, hence the need to continue to incorporate whole foods into my diet. I am tracking my nutritional consumption each day to ensure I am getting enough calories, as well as a balance of carbohydrates/proteins/fats.

So let’s get to it.

What is my goal for this cleanse? To reset my body. I find a lot of times after a flare I try my hardest to eat what everyone else considers “normal“. Mainly to prove to everyone (and maybe myself) that I’m “healthy” again. But as you can guess, all that does is send my digestive track back into a downward spiral. So I’m hoping that by juicing,  steaming all my vegetables, and eating a low FODMAP diet, I can give my GI tract a bit of a break and time to heal.

So what am I eating? A lot of smoothies. I am including a lot of vegetables (spinach, kale, celery, beets, cucumbers) and fruits (strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, bananas) with ice, water, and Vega protein powder. I find the less processed, more natural protein powder is easier for my GI to digest. I will also be eating a lot of steamed veggies (broccoli, sweet potatoes, zucchini) for my main “lunch”. And of course, eggs. I plan on eating them throughout the day, hardboiled as a snack, and scrambled for dinner. Because I’m so #Crazy.

My first homemade green smoothie!

Smoothie #2 with Cinnamon for anti-inflammatory help

I’ve also cut out all sources of carbonation. No more seltzer, #MyVice, and will only be drinking water with lemon or lime for the next seven six days.

I’m interested to see if this helps. Often times, once I start feeling better from a flare, I find myself over indulging in certain food items that I know bother my GI. Sometimes I think it’s to prove a point to myself to be like “see I am better!” and other times I think it’s to prove to those around me “I’m better, you don’t have to keep worrying”. Unfortunately, after this last flare (on and off since APRIL!) I think I am finally coming to terms with just eating what I want to eat, and not feel pressure to eat certain foods because I feel “ok”.

Now I’m not saying I won’t have that Juice Bar ice cream next time I’m on Nantucket, but I need to only get one scoop not two. And I need to have that be my “splurge” and not eat fried food as well. I’m just frustrated with myself as I feel this is exactly what I said happened post Boston: over indulging, poor nutrition, poor balance = GI discomfort. Here’s to really trying to stick to a plan. And hopefully this “cleanse” will be the reset I need.

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What was the newest thing you’ve tried recently?

Has anyone else tried a cleanse before? Cooler Cleanse. But it has been determined I need to chew.

What’s your workout today? I have an easy run this am and hopefully run club tonight!