Hello, everyone – Dr. Junger here.
Each year when summer’s on the horizon, the idea of swimsuit season is enough to motivate us to eat clean and get fit. In the thick of summer, though, complacency can take over and we can find ourselves trading in our green juice for an ice cream sandwich, or some fresh fruit for boardwalk fries. Before we know it, we’re feeling sluggish and a little bummed that we fell off track. But it doesn’t have to be that way.
This is the perfect opportunity to bring in what I call a 7-Day Summer Reboot. In this simple program, we’ll be focusing on the basics: removing difficult to digest foods, adding in nutrient dense shakes and drinking more water.
There are three simple steps to follow:
Step 1: Remove dairy, gluten and alcohol. These are three of the major foods that reduce our energy, disturb our digestion and load us with toxins. When we’re eating lots of these foods, our gut has to work overtime. By removing them for 7 days you will free up energy, sleep better and feel more balanced.
Focus on including fresh vegetables and unprocessed foods. There are tons of recipes in this guide.
Step 2: Shake for breakfast. Instead of a solid breakfast like eggs or cereal, have a nutrient-dense shake. Why? It’s the best way to get what your body needs in the morning: water, nutrients and fiber in an easily digestible form. This is one of the best strategies to give you more energy long-term.
SIMPLE SHAKE RECIPE
Add to blender:
● Water
● Protein powder (rice, hemp, or chia)
● 4 ounces of frozen blueberries
● Handful of baby spinach
You can find more recipes here.
Step 3: Hydrate. Drink about 12 cups of water a day. Drinking more water will increase your energy levels and mental focus, decrease emotional eating and help your body naturally remove toxins. Try this program for seven days and notice how even these simple steps can dramatically improve your health.
We all fall off track, that’s part of life. The secret is how quickly we jump back on the Clean wagon. The sooner you jump back on, the more likely you are to feel great for the rest of the year.
Here’s to your health,
Alejandro Junger, M.D.
