After the Cleanse
Following your cleanse, here are some things to keep in mind:
Begin to increase your selection and amounts of solid foods. A great interim meal suggestion is to spread a slice of whole-grain pita (or rice crackers for wheat allergies) with 1 teaspoon of hummus, and top with a ½ can of mashed sardines in olive oil or tomato sauce and a slice of tomato. Or, another meal suggestion is made with cooked buckwheat kernels, or roasted kasha. You can make a fabulous pilaf with it by adding in any combinations of vegetables, fruits, nuts, or chicken. One variation is carrots, sweet potato or canned pumpkin, raisins, and nuts, finished off with Greek-style or soy yogurt (if allergy permits).
Always make sure your system has important probiotics and prebiotics. Dairy sources include yogurt, kefir, and cottage cheese. Nondairy sources include tofu, soy yogurt, miso, tempeh, and sauerkraut.
Fiber is crucial in any healthy diet. Fruits, vegetables, nuts, and whole grains are excellent sources.
Keep your drinking/flushing habits alive with herbal teas and water.
Do some exercise — both cardio and strength training. Aim for four times a week, and walk every day.
Stretching is important. It increases oxygen and blood flow, and decreases stress.
Some types of bacteria are the number one cause of bad breath.
Keep your mouth as unfriendly an environment to bacteria growth as you can by brushing and flossing often to remove food trapped between the teeth, and rinse well.
Remember that there are many, many wonderful and nutritious foods you can choose from that will help your bacteria balance to be in the best of health, as well as the rest of your body. Using a wide variety of foods in your everyday diet is the way to make the most of what the earth has to offer.
Your body will thank you for making the right food choices, by becoming a nice, welcome home to friendly bacteria, and a place the bad germs want to avoid!
