Detoxes

Saying that lemons are a superfood is an understatement. Not only do they add abundant flavor to a variety of dishes, but they also boast a ton of health benefits. The flavonoids within the juice are said to contain antioxidants, which is why lemons are useful in treating so many ailments and conditions. Here are 10 reasons to enjoy them ASAP!

1. Prevent kidney stones: Drinking one half-cup of lemon juice every day raises citrate levels in the urine. Studies have shown that this could protect against calcium stones in the kidney.
2. Soothe a sore throat: Mixing lemon juice with honey can help alleviate the discomfort that comes from a nasty sore throat.
3. Support weight loss: Beyond the old notion that the Master Cleanse was the only way lemons could help you lose weight, new studies have shown the ways lemon juice supports your goals. Lemon juice contains pectin, a soluble fiber that has been shown to aid in weight-loss struggles.
4. Start your day right: Leave caffeinated drinks behind, and start your day off with hot water and fresh lemon juice to stimulate your digestive track and add vitamin C.
5. Stop an itch: When it comes to poison ivy or insect bites, the combination of lemon juice and cornstarch can help relieve some of the sting.

Keep reading for five more ways lemon juice is super.

This weekend's Super Bowl celebrations may have you thinking of your postparty detox plans. And while detoxing solutions abound, the best way to flush out toxins is simple: lots and lots of water. But you don't have to drink it plain; you can add a little flavor as well with these delicious detoxing additions. Add all of these to a large pitcher or bottle of water, and drink throughout the next day for an effective way to detox! It helps to let these pieces soak overnight in your fridge to let the flavors meld.

• Lemon: Lemon water makes for a powerful detox drink; lemon juice helps to cleanse and alkalize the body. Add one thinly sliced lemon to a large pitcher, or squeeze fresh lemon juice into your glass.
• Mint: Mint adds a touch of sweetness without the sugar to your water, and it also helps settle your stomach and aids in digestion as well.
• Cucumber: Cucumber water isn't just for spas. Adding a few slices of cucumber to your water makes for excellent rehydration, and cucumber contains anti-inflammatory properties, as well.
• Ginger: The spicy root helps cleanse out your system, aids in digestion, and settles your stomach. A little goes a long way, so start with a few thin slices, and add more as necessary.

Sometimes nights out lead to mornings filled with dietary regret. If that's the case, then you'll want to help undo the bad with a healthful breakfast made with detoxifying foods. With chilly mornings a near certainty for the next few months, a breakfast that warms you while helping you get off to a good start is in order, so here's a warming detox breakfast to make the next time you feel bloated and blah from the night before.

Oatmeal with fresh fruit: Whole grains help regulate your digestive tract, a major key in a detoxifying diet. Choose a bowl of natural, plain oatmeal — not the prepackaged sugary kind — and add slices of apple or another fruit. Fresh fruit contains high levels of antioxidants and fiber, which help flush toxins from your body. Get more healthful oatmeal recipes here.

Green tea with lemon: Green tea contains high levels of catechins, which speed up liver activity and promote the production of detoxifying enzymes. Add a squeeze of lemon for an alkalizing kick.

Ginger green juice: Need extra detoxifying help? Whip up this spicy green juice; while it's served cold, the addition of ginger to the simple recipe warms your body, and the lemon, ginger, and parsley in the juice all help your body detox. Make this in the morning, and take it along with you to work in a mason jar for a midmorning pick-me-up.

After a long night out of fun, food, cocktails, or all of the above, you can wake up feeling like a giant marshmallow. Although eating or drinking anything else might be the last thing on your mind, certain foods or liquid can cut your symptoms in half. Try one of these items for breakfast the next time you wake up feeling bloated, and see how quickly they shrink you back to normal.

Drink the right fluids: Why not hydrate and de-bloat at the same time? Pineapple juice and peppermint tea are tasty liquids known to help reduce inflammation, as well as coconut water and chia seeds. Try this chia seed drink first thing in the morning to begin the de-puff process instantly. You can incorporate this one on a daily basis to feel more energized in the mornings.

Add fruit to your menu: Papaya is one fruit that helps to move the digestion process along. Slice some as a side to your breakfast or make it the main attraction with this papaya doughnut recipe. These doughnuts have the look you may be craving without risking the possible constipation that comes from the real thing.

Throw water-soluble veggies in: It's no secret that hydration can counteract the effects of a sodium binge or long night out. Throw some fluid happy veggies like tomato or zucchini into your meal to get the ball rolling. This veggie frittata contains asparagus, which eases gas and flushes waste from your system.

Eat foods known to de-bloat: Instead of reaching for that easy bowl of cereal, opt for a de-bloating star like yogurt or quinoa, which can double as your oatmeal. You can even add them together with a breakfast quinoa parfait recipe. By making your main meal one that can shrink the puffiness, you'll be able to feel lighter by lunch time.

Maybe you're still recovering from the holidays, or celebrated getting back to work with a series of happy hours. Regardless of what time of year it is, trainer Harley Pasternak told us there always seems to be an occasion to splurge when it comes to food. And since "there is no amount of exercise ever that can help an indulgent diet," Harley developed a simple detox for his clients to follow when they've had too much. "There’s no pills or potions, it’s not a juice, it’s not a cleanse, it’s just a reset."

Keeping true to form, the 5-day reset program Harley puts clients on closely resembles his program's 5-Factor Diet (three meals and two snacks per day), the only difference being that the meals are replaced by smoothies. Each of Harley's smoothie recipes are full of protein, fiber, healthy fats, and fruit- and veggie-filled nutrients, like this apple pie smoothie he developed, which he recommends for breakfast. Between the smoothies, crunchy snacks filled with fiber and protein are key: popcorn, turkey jerky, whole-grain crackers, hummus, and low-fat cheese all make Harley's list.

Of course, no kick-start is complete without exercise — "don't stop moving" is the advice Harley always gives his clients. Once the 5-day reset is over, make sure you go back to your healthy ways, with at least one meal a week for a good cheat, said Harley. Curious how a similar plan might work for you? Start with our 28 healthy smoothie recipes!

Foods that cause bloating are everywhere this month. Holiday cookies, party appetizers, and free-flowing cocktails all contain enough fat, sugar, alcohol, and salt to make your flat-belly goals a distant memory. So if you'd like to feel a little less bloated, here are some recipes to help you this season.

Asian Salmon Slaw

Ginger is an excellent natural remedy for digestive distress, and foods high in healthy fats, like seafood, help you debloat. Make this Asian-inspired salmon slaw for dinner when you are feeling overly sluggish to help flush out your system; just be sure to use low-sodium soy sauce to cut down on water-retaining salt.

Fennel Soup

When you're feeling extra bloated, reach for fennel; the cold-weather produce contains a good deal of fiber, which helps regulate your digestive tract, as well as the anti-inflammatory phytonutrient anethole, which helps soothe digestion as well. This fennel lentil soup from Healthful Pursuit will warm you up and get you back on track in no time.

Carrot Ginger Detox Soup

Here's another soup to help you cleanse your system; both ginger and probiotic-rich Greek yogurt can help shrink your belly, so make this carrot ginger detox soup after an indulgent day.

Keep reading for two more debloating recipes for Winter!