A detox diet will only be successful if you work with it, not against it. To make this happen, you need to be completely prepared - mentally and practically - before you start. Take a few days out before you begin to cover the following areas:
• Check through the first week's shopping list and meal suggestions on pages 13-19 to acquaint yourself with the types of food you'll be eating. The 'U' curve principle of the system means the detox process starts gently, intensifying mid-way through, as follows: Week 1 - cut back on or eliminate major toxic elements of your diet, such as salt, sugar, saturated fat, junk food, processed food, alcohol and caffeine; eat more raw foods. Week 2 - eliminate more food items; diet will be 80 per cent plant foods (fruit and vegetables plus pulses and some wholegrains). Week 3-100 per cent plant foods with more juices and less wholegrains. Week 4 - back up the curve to re-introduce more food items into your diet to leave you with an ideal healthy wholefood diet.
• Check your fridge, freezer and cupboards and throw away all fresh food that isn't allowed and put bottles, jars, cans, etc, which don't comply, in a box out of the way. After the detox is finished, you can go through them and see what you want to keep - probably not a lot!
• Look for good local sources of natural wholefoods, preferably all organic. Good quality organic, wholefood and fresh food is also available through the internet.
• If you're pregnant, breast-feeding or have any medical condition, check with your GP before beginning the programme.
When you feel motivated, strong, eager and positive - it's time to start Week 1.