Race season is upon us. Want to go fast? Whole-food support can help. Get yourself feeling light, strong and race-ready with foods that nourish and purify the body from the inside out. Here are five top cleansing foods for your preseason detoxification.
More: Here's Another Activity to Help Detoxify Your Body
1. Leafy Greens
Dark leafy greens like spinach, kale, collards and Swiss chard promote the health of the entire body, including the organs of detoxification (lungs, skin, liver, kidneys and digestive tract.)
Eat some type of green leafy veggie once per day for nearly every vitamin and mineral your body needs. When nutrients are coming from a whole-food- source, it makes them easier for your body to recognize and assimilate properly.
More: Find Out Which Greens Pack the Most Nutritional Punch with This Video Guide
Greens are also extremely low in calories so don't be afraid to serve yourself that extra helping of spinach.
Extra tip: Eat your greens with some type of healthy fat. For example, when you saut? your spinach with a bit of extra virgin olive oil, your body will absorb the fat-soluble vitamins (like A, D, E and K) more efficiently.
More: Understanding Healthy Fats in Your Diet
2. Citrus Fruits
Lemons, limes and oranges make great additions to your diet, especially around race time. With the increased intake of natural vitamin C, there'll be no stopping your immune system once it's time to train.
Vitamin C also facilitates iron absorption, which in turn enhances the flow of oxygen throughout the system—including to hard-working muscles.
Finally, citrus fruits help you hydrate, so you'll be ahead of the game with water consumption.
Hydration tip: Add the juice of one fresh lemon and one lime to a pitcher of filtered water with a sprig of mint, and leave it in your fridge.
