Ayurvedic Detox Program

Ayurveda typically suggests a weekly fast, which helps in detoxification of your body on a regular basis. A more prolonged fast of 3, 5, 7 or 9 days is suggested at the turn of every season. A typical fast includes either complete avoidance of any type of food for the whole day or eating limited quantities of easily digestible, cleansing foods.

This is a life style program that should be incorporated as a part of your diet plan. It could be done either once a week on a particular day set aside or for a few days, as mentioned above, at the change of seasons. One can also combine both the programs by following it weekly and seasonally.

Initially it might be difficult to go without food for the whole day. In such cases one should limit their intake to either fruits or milk or simple but nutritious carbohydrates like potatoes or sweet potatoes. While all spices including garlic should be avoided, ginger is considered to aid in the cleansing process and thus could be eaten.

Following are some simple recipes that could be prepared during a detox program.

Stir Fried Potatoes with Peanuts and Fresh Coriander
Ingredients:
Boiled diced Potatoes – 4
Ground roasted ground peanuts – 3 tspns
Clarified Butter/ Butter – 1 tsp
Cumin Seeds – ½ tsp
Chopped Green Chilly - 1
Grated Ginger – ½ tsp
Salt and Sugar to taste
Chopped Coriander Leaves – ½ cup
Lime juice – 1 Lime
Method :
• In a pan heat clarified butter
• Add cumin seeds, chopped chilly and ginger
• Add potatoes, ground peanuts, salt and sugar
• Stir fry for 5 minutes till all the potatoes are covered with the ground peanuts
• Add coriander leaves and lime juice as garnish

Sweet Potato Pancakes
Ingredients :
Grated Sweet Potatoes – 2
Clarified Butter/ Butter – 4 tspns
Icing Sugar – 8 tspns
Method :
• Divide the grated potatoes in 4 portions
• In a skillet add ½ tsp of clarified butter
• Spread one portion in an even layer
• Cover the skillet and let it bake for 3-4 minutes on a low flame
• Remove the cover and bake on the other side for 3-4 minutes
• Garnish with 2 tspns of icing sugar