Have the heavy comfort foods and hibernation of winter left you feeling sluggish, bloated and achy? If you answered "yes" to this question, it could be nature's way of telling you that it's time to detoxify your body. As a strong proponent of the Ayuervedic philosophy, I consistently discover evidence that nature will provide your body with everything it needs at exactly the precise time. Spring foods have exceptional detoxifying effects. During the wet spring months, nature provides low-fat, low-mucous producing foods like sprouts, greens and berries. The following chart, as outlined by Dr. John Douillard, suggests some foods you should start to include on your grocery list if you'd like to kick start your energy and shed those extra pounds nature packed on you during the winter months.
Spring detox foods grocery list:
(March – June)
*Emphasize foods marked with an asterisk
VEGETABLES SPICES FRUIT OILS *Alfalfa Sprouts Anise Apples Canola Artichokes Asafoetida Blueberries *Corn *Asparagus Basil *Dried Fruit (all) Flax *Bean Sprouts Bay Leaf Grapefruit Mustard Beets *Black Pepper Lemons, Limes Safflower *Bell Peppers Chamomile Papayas Soy *Bitter Melon Caraway Pears Sunflower Broccoli Cardamom Pomegranates (sour) NUTS & SEEDS *Brussels Sprouts *Cayenne Raspberries Filberts *Cabbage Cinnamon Strawberries Pinons *Carrots *Clove All Berries Pumpkin *Cauliflower Coriander LEGUMES *Sunflower *Celery Cumin *All Sprouted Beans DAIRY *Chicory Dill Adzuki Ghee (moderation) *Chillies, dried Fennel Black Gram Lowfat yogurt (moderation) Cilantro Fenugreek Garbanzo Rice/Soy milk *Collard Greens Garlic Fava *Goat milk *Corn Ginger *Goya BEVERAGES *Dandelion Horseradish *Kidney Black Tea (moderation) *Endive Marjoram *Lentils Coffee (moderation) Fennel Mustard *Lima Water (room temp. to hot) *Garlic Nutmeg *Mung SWEETENERS Ginger Oregano Split Pea *Honey – Raw *Green Beans Peppermint GRAINS Maple Syrup *Hot Peppers Poppy Seeds Amaranth Molasses Jicama Rosemary Barley CONDIMENTS *Kale Saffron Buckwheat Carob Leeks Sage Corn Pickles *Lettuce Spearmint Millet *Mushrooms Thyme Oats, dry *Mustard Greens Turmeric Quinoa *Onions HERB TEAS Rice, Brown, long grain *Parsley Alfalfa Rye *Peas *Cardamom LEAN MEAT & FISH *Potatoes, baked *Chicory Chicken *Radishes *Cinnamon Duck (moderation) Seaweed *Cloves Eggs (moderation) Snow Peas *Dandelion Freshwater fish *Spinach *Ginger Lamb (moderation) *Swiss Chard *Hibiscus Ocean fish (moderation) *Turnips *Orange Peel Turkey *Watercress *Strawberry Leaf