Phase Two Drug Detox Diet: Eight Weeks of Self-Indulgence

This is my favourite diet for detoxing my system, and I recommend it for anyone who is detoxing from drugs or other addictive substances. Attention: for those recovering from severe addiction illness you should start with the phase one introduction diet before progressing to this phase two component.

Major considerations: Avoid all red meat, dairy foods, animal fats, fried foods, fast foods, take-aways, and anything processed or containing additives.

Weeks 1,2,7,8

Breakfast: Begin every morning with glass of water followed by fresh fruit or vegetable juice or water with squeeze of lemon/orange.
• Eggs boiled, poached, scrambled or omelette (no butter or margarine) with toast spread with hummus or avocado. Or;
• Baked beans on toast (buy dried beans and make your own, the canned ones contain additives). Or;
• Natural muesli or other cereal free from flavours, colours and sugar with soy milk. Sweeten with honey if necessary. Or;
• Plain soy yoghurt with fresh fruit.
• Coffee (if absolutely necessary), dandelion root tea, black, green or herbal tea.
• All except eggs are also suitable for weeks 3 to 6.

Lunch: Begin with a fresh crunchy salad. Use olive oil, lemon juice, garlic and parsley as a suggested dressing (avoid bottled or commercial dressings).
• Chicken (no skin or fat) and avocado sandwich or wrap with beetroot and onion. No spread necessary but use the avocado or some hummus if you prefer. Home made mayonnaise is OK.
• Canned tuna or salmon or egg with all of the above.
• Naan stuffed with potato or aubergine curry. These are easy to make and freeze for reheating.
• Vegetable, bean and pasta soup.
• Pasta with tomato sauce, or prawns with olive oil, garlic and lemon.
• Chicken or seafood risotto.
• Add any fresh fruit, vegetable or salad.
• All except chicken and eggs are acceptable during weeks 3 to 6.

Dinner: Begin with a fresh crunchy salad with home made herb dressing.
• Chicken (no skin) or fish/seafood Thai curry (coconut milk is OK) with steamed rice.
• Chicken teriyaki (no skin) with steamed rice and steamed broccoli/asparagus/spinach.
• Chilli crab with noodles.
• Salmon or tuna sushi or sashimi with steamed rice and pickled ginger.
• Ratatouille with pasta.
• Steamed chicken (no skin) or fish/seafood with ginger, soy sauce and sesame oil. Steamed rice.
• Shallow fried fish cakes, chicken patties or poached chicken/fish quenelles.
• Add any steamed or baked vegetables (use olive or canola oil sparingly).
• All except chicken and egg yolk are acceptable during weeks 3 to 6.

Dessert: Not being much of a dessert person I usually don't bother, but if you must then fresh fruit is the obvious choice.
• Rice pudding made with soy milk and honey is good.
• Pears poached in red wine (the alcohol cooks away).
• Summer pudding with red berries.
• Crepes or pancakes can be made with soy milk. Add honey, maple syrup or fruit.
• A few squares of very dark chocolate are OK (70-85% cocoa).

Comment: Of course all of the meal suggestions are interchangeable. Drink water throughout the day but not at meal times otherwise you will fill up before getting enough to eat. Drink a glass of wine if you really want it but no other alcohol, and omit wine altogether if detoxing from alcohol obviously.

Tip #1: There are snacks and cakes that you can make while still adhering to the diet but my advice is don't go there. If you start thinking about snacky foods you will wind up cheating somehow. It's better to break the habit like any other addiction. After the first couple of weeks your desire for these things will diminish. Make sure you eat until you are full at every meal. Don't allow yourself to become hungry between meals and don't skip meals.

Tip #2: The more fruit and vegetables you consume raw, the faster and more efficient the detox process.

Tip #3: Biological grade or organic foods will have a better result however they are more expensive and not really necessary if your budget is tight.

Tip #4: If you start to experience headaches, fatigue or nausea then be happy because the detox is working. These symptoms will disappear after a couple of weeks maximum. During this phase drink as much water as you can comfortably manage and try to avoid using paracetamol etc because you are trying to detox from chemicals.

Tip #5: Begin this diet while on leave from work or study so you can prepare and organise yourself properly. Plan your meals, shop and cook in bulk to fill the freezer before you begin. Also your concentration may wane a little during the first couple of weeks.

Tip #6: Relax and enjoy your self-indulgent episode. But don't turn into a couch potato; make sure you exercise every day. Walk for 40 minutes if that is all you can manage. Sweating is better and results in a faster and more efficient detox.

Tip #7: Don't fool yourself. Honestly, there are enough people in this world who will quite willingly cheat you for their own personal gain; so don't cheat yourself. It's only 8 weeks; you can do it.

Tip #8: If you complete this diet you will win for yourself more energy, a happier mood, a new feeling of well being, will probably lose weight if you need to (but not if you are underweight) and best of all those cravings will disappear completely for some people.

Tip #9: For those people with severe cravings after detoxing from hard drugs like heroin or other opiates you will need extra help. If you haven't already done so then seriously consider finding a specialist who will fit you with a naltrexone implant. Your cravings for this drug will disappear immediately and you will be in a very good position for completing and benefiting from this detox diet and beginning with the phase one diet detox.

Tip #10: Read 'The Liver Cleansing Diet' by Sandra Cabot. I cannot speak highly enough of her philosophy and approach to restoring health.