Start 2019 Off Right With Our 3-Day Winter Detox

December 19, 2018
Credit: Photo: Colin Price
Was your holiday crowded with too many processed foods, added sugars, and alcohol? Here's a post-holiday detox—with filling, tasty, regular meals—that'll help you stop feeling sluggish and get back to your health goals. 
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What You Should Know Before You Start Our 3-Day Detox

Credit: Getty Images

You may be feeling sluggish after a holiday season of indulgence, but no: Your body is not really filled with toxins. Your habits, on the other hand, could probably use some cleaning up. That's why we created our 3-day detox to help you reset and get your new year off to a healthier start, without feeling like you have to be hungry all the time, or give up tasty food.

To begin, read our 5 Pillars of the CL Detox, so you understand what you'll be eliminating from your diet (and what you won't). Next, download our Simple Shopping List with everything you need for the next three days—the entire list should only set you back about $60. Then, take a look at Simple Swaps for Our 3-Day Detox filled with ideas for easy substitutions and helpful tips. Now you're ready to start cooking.

Pre-Recipes

Once you've purchased all of your ingredients, you'll need to prepare two recipes ahead of time—our Easy Baked Spaghetti Squash and our All-Purpose Citrus Dressing. Trust us, a little prep in advance will will save you so much time during the week. 

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Day 1 Breakfast: Berry Green Smoothie

Credit: Photo: Colin Price
View Recipe: Berry Green Smoothie

Smoothies are a quick way to kick-start your day with extra fruits, vegetables, and fiber. Avoid juices and powders with added sugars; instead choose whole ripe fruit to add a sweet touch naturally. Dairy-free option: Use a (5.3-ounce) container dairy-free soy yogurt alternative.

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Day 1 Mid-Morning Snack: Cucumbers and Hummus

Credit: Photo: Johnny Autry, Recipe By Laraine Perri

3 tablespoons hummus and 1/2 cup fresh cucumber.

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Tuna-Quinoa Toss

Credit: Photo: Colin Price
View Recipe: Tuna-Quinoa Toss

A whole-grain protein bowl is the perfect solution for when lunch needs to be quick—as well as tasty, filling, and healthy. Cook quinoa ahead of time (or buy precooked, available in pouches near the rice). To complete the lunch, serve with 1/2 cup steamed green beans as shown. Dairy-free option: Use 2 teaspoons toasted chopped walnuts instead of feta cheese.

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Day 1 Afternoon Snack: Seedless Grapes

Credit: Photo via Unsplash

As an afternoon snack, munch on 1/2 cup of seedless red grapes.

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Day 1 Dinner: Easy Herbed Pork Tenderloin

Credit: Photo: Colin Price
View Recipe: Easy Herbed Pork Tenderloin

We suggest buying poultry blend herbs, which will provide a mix of rosemary and thyme in one package (instead of buying two separate packages). Serve the pork alongside Spinach Salad With Roasted Sweet Potatoes, and be sure to reserve half of the pork for the next day's lunch. 

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Day 2 Breakfast: Sweet Potato Home Fries with Eggs

Credit: Photo: Colin Price
View Recipe: Sweet Potato Home Fries with Eggs

By roasting the sweet potatoes the day before, this breakfast is ready in a flash. Serve with 1 orange or 2 clementines to complete the meal. 

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Day 2 Lunch: Easy Herbed Pork Tenderloin and Spinach Salad With Roasted Sweet Potatoes

Credit: Photo: Colin Price
View Recipe: Easy Herbed Pork Tenderloin

We suggest buying poultry blend herbs, which will provide a mix of rosemary and thyme in one package (instead of buying two separate packages). Serve the pork on top of our Spinach Salad With Roasted Sweet Potatoes.

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Day 2 Snack: Apple or Pear with Almond Butter

Credit: Photo: Jennifer Causey

1 medium pear or apple with 1 1/2 Tbsp. almond butter.

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Day 2 Dinner: Pan-Seared Shrimp with Rosemary Spaghetti Squash

Credit: Photo: Colin Price
View Recipe: Pan-Seared Shrimp with Rosemary Spaghetti Squash

For a faster option, you can use an equal amount of raw zucchini noodles or ribbons in place of the spaghetti squash. For a heartier dinner, serve with 1 cup steamed green beans.

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Day 3 Breakfast: Berry Green Smoothie

Credit: Photo: Colin Price
View Recipe: Berry Green Smoothie

Smoothies are a quick way to kick-start your day with extra fruits, vegetables, and fiber. Avoid juices and powders with added sugars; instead choose whole ripe fruit to add a sweet touch naturally. Dairy-free option: Use a (5.3-ounce) container dairy-free soy yogurt alternative.

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Day 3 Lunch: Greek Spaghetti Squash Toss

Credit: Photo: Colin Price
View Recipe: Greek Spaghetti Squash Toss

Bounce back from a weekend of rich food with this vegetable-heavy dinner. Spaghetti squash is a great lower-calorie, lower-carb alternative to pasta. It’s a neutral tasting veggie that absorbs all the flavors of this simple dish. Eat with an orange or two clementines. Diary-free option: Use 4 teaspoons toasted chopped walnuts instead of feta cheese. 

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Day 3 Snack: Hummus with Cucumber and Apple

Credit: Photo: Colin Price

3 Tbsp. hummus with 1/2 cup cucumber slices and 1 medium apple

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Day 3 Dinner: Roasted Salmon with Kale-Quinoa Salad

Credit: Photo: Colin Price
View Recipe: Roasted Salmon with Kale-Quinoa Salad

The American Heart Association recommends eating salmon or other fatty fish twice a week to reap the cardiovascular benefits that the omega-3 fatty acids provide. Look for wild salmon, which has 5 to 10 times fewer contaminants and persistent organic pollutants (POPs) than farm-raised.

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