When you’re a runner or an athlete of any type, the concept of a detox, at least when we think of it in terms of fad diets and trends, isn’t likely compatible with your lifestyle. A lot of the detox options that are seen as trendy now require you to only drink liquids, such as soups or juices, for a period of time. When you’re an athlete, this just isn’t feasible for you.
You need calories in order to have the energy and stamina to maintain your performance. At the same time, sometimes a detox is something you need to clear bloat, remove toxins and regain clarity in thinking.
So what are detox tips that will really work for runners and athletes?
Detox Tonics
Rather than using juice or tonics alone, sometimes a great detox tonic can be a good addition to a healthy diet and help you reset in the way you need to, without requiring you do something that won’t work well for your athletic performance.
Look for tonics designed to clear the digestive system and boost your energy levels with ingredients like lemon juice and tart cherry.
Alter Your Types of Protein
In your regular diet a lot of your protein sources may be animal-based, but if you want to change things up for a few days without losing your essential protein intake, try to find creative sources. For example, some great vegetarian and vegan protein sources include quinoa, green peas, nut butter, beans, and chickpeas.
It can be a good way to vary your diet and avoid animal proteins while you detox, but still make sure you’re getting the protein you need for your athletic performance.
Veggie Smoothies
Detoxing as an athlete isn’t about relying only on juice, but you can fuel yourself in a healthy detox-friendly way with green smoothies that have more substance than juicing and still have the nutritional value.
Vegetables make a great addition to smoothies, along with fruits. Consider ingredients that are detox-friendly such as avocado, cucumber, spinach and of course protein powder. You can also add things like nuts to your smoothie for even more protein power.
While you’re at it, try to avoid drinking your calories in the form of sports drinks. As an athlete, there are plenty of times you likely rely on sports drinks, but if you’re in a detox period, it’s best to avoid them.
What To Eliminate
Along with eliminating or at least cutting down on proteins that come from animal sources, think about cutting out wheat and sugar during your detox.
When you cut out wheat, it can help you beat some bloating and it a lot of people find that cutting it out just makes them feel generally better.
You should also try and eliminate a lot of sugar from your diet, and this could even mean not having as much fruit as you would normally.
Finally, as a runner or athlete you probably already know the importance of staying hydrated, but amp up your water intake during your detox by adding freshly squeezed lemon juice to aid your digestive system in the work that it’s doing.