yogawithdivya-champneysA wellness expert and leading health coach, Becki Douglas is the Senior Nutritionist at Champneys, where she has offered guests exceptional advice for more than 10 years. Becki's work as a Nutritionist has taken her into many different fields including teaching, consulting, writing and presenting. Having worked with the likes of footballers, film stars, celebrity chefs, boxing champs and pageant winners, Becki's expertise extends to all manner of health-related fields, including weight management, hormonal balance and food sensitivity. A firm believer in eating to thrive, not to deprive, we turned to Becki for her valuable advice on how to properly take on a New Year detox, be kinder to your body and enjoy a happier, healthier 2017...

What’s the first thing to consider when beginning a detox?

There are three key factors for consideration in formulating a successful detox. The first is your previous and current health status. Not all regimes will be suitable for everyone, so if you are diabetic, have thyroid issues or are on certain medications for example, your regime will be different to somebody else's. An assessment by a fully-qualified Nutritionist before embarking upon any detox plan is highly recommended. The second factor is your lifestyle. Think about how much time and money you have to commit to a programme and the products you will be using. How will you make this fit around your day-to-day commitments such as family and work? The last factor to consider is your personality. How are your willpower levels? Some detox regimes are pretty hard going so consider whether or not you’re an all-or-nothing person, or whether a gentler, more gradual detox would be a more realistic choice. This is really important.

Everybody is different but if you are trying to give up alcohol and eat cleaner are there any foods or drinks worth generally avoiding?

Absolutely – banish the beige and get some colour into your diet. Eliminate refined carbohydrates like white bread, pasta and cereals and minimise the amount of processed sugar you eat. Maximise your intake of plant-based foods such as brightly-coloured fruits and vegetables, whole grains, pulses, nuts and seeds. Alcohol, caffeine and sugary drinks are generally ‘out’ in a detox so avoid these. You should also be flushing your system with plenty of water, diluted vegetable-based juices and herbal teas and tisanes.

What kinds of foods and drinks are the heroes of a healthy diet?

Dark-green leafy vegetables are packed with sulphur compounds which aid liver detoxification, whilst natural diuretics such as citrus fruits, celery and beetroot, plus ginger, dandelion, nettle and liquorice can reduce water retention and bloating. Foods high in soluble fibres like oats, psyllium and flaxseed aid cleansing and toxin elimination via the digestive tract so these are all great things to incorporate into your diet.

During Dry January, people attempting to give up alcohol might replace their favourite boozy treats with sugary or carb-heavy snacks, do you have any nutritionist-approved advice for avoiding this?

It’s vital to regulate your blood sugar levels at all times. Eating little and often and balancing your meals with natural proteins, low glycaemic fruits and vegetables, plus lots of  fibre and healthy fats is the best way to manage and minimise cravings for refined sugars, fats and carbohydrates. You may also want to consider giving yourself a little extra nutritional support by taking B-vitamins, magnesium and chromium, all of which aid insulin function and help to regulate your appetite.

What would you suggest are the best ways to stick to your January detox at home?

Plan ahead and be prepared. Think about what you’re going to be doing, where you'll be and what you want to eat during the week ahead. With this in mind, stock your cupboards and fridge with suitable meal, snacks and fluids that are in-keeping with your plan to eat well and healthily. Make certain foods easily available by pre-preparing them and carry portable healthy snacks and drinks with you at all times so that you’re less tempted by the things you're trying to avoid.

What about if you’re struggling? Where can you find serious motivation?

Champneys run specialist breaks which remove the aspect of guesswork and enable you to detox your body and mind in serene and relaxing surroundings with the help of experts. We provide specially tailored nutritious and delicious menus combined with helpful  treatments, products and exercise so that your whole body, both inside and out, can benefit from your efforts. You'll be able to focus fully on yourself and learn how to keep your detox going at home.

Finally, what are the key things to remember if you’re trying to stay healthy and keep up the good work all year round?

Detoxing shouldn’t just be for January. Our bodies are highly evolved machines that continually process and rid themselves of toxins, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Therefore, it's well worth trying to adopt good habits all year round and make them a vital part of our lifestyles. As a Nutritionist, I would advise that doing things like maintaining better hydration, cutting down on stimulants and refined carbohydrates and choosing natural, unprocessed seasonal foods will do us all good, all the time, so they're tips worth remembering for this month and beyond.