I Tried (and Survived) a Celebrity-Approved Detox

Anyone who has ever tried to improve their diet knows that there is an endless amount of information, often conflicting, out there that aims to define what it means to have a wholesome, healthy diet. Do you cut carbs and fat? Do you eat for your blood type? For the moon cycle? Only raw? Or should you eat clean? Avoid gluten? Go vegan? Paleo? On top of simple everyday food choices, add to it the endless options for cleanses and detoxes. It is overwhelming to say the least.

I’ve been on what I call my “food journey” for a while now. When I moved to New York City six years ago, the intensity of life here magnified all of the not-so-great things my body was feeling. I had an inkling I had some kind of food allergy because most nights I ended up in bed with a super painful stomachache. When I was finally tested, a whole myriad of sensitivities came up, with gluten and dairy at the top of the list.

These were likely the cause of what was contributing to many issues I was having related to digestion, mood, sinus problems, and fatigue. I became fearful of food and the hidden things that were making me sick. Food = danger which is a super unhelpful outlook when you need to eat food to survive.

Sakara’s standard program eliminates all animal products, gluten, and refined sugar, but the Level II, created with functional medicine doctor Aviva Romm, MD, takes it up a notch by also cutting out grains, sugar (fruit), nightshades (eggplants, tomatoes, etc.) and nuts. It also includes daily supplements, probiotics, beauty water, digestive tea, and a dry brushing routine. The goal? “Eliminate common inflammation triggers to release years of toxic build-up, reboot your metabolism, heal your gut, and reveal a lighter, brighter, healthier you.”

Here’s how it went.

The Week Before

• Shift thinking to see food as a nourishment instead of a stressor.
• Decrease bloat
• Kick the sugar cravings (my one true vice)
• Clear up skin
• Improve energy and mood
• Eliminate most triggers from my diet to be able to figure out what my body is really needing
• Be able to listen and trust the things my body tells me it needs or should avoid instead of obsessing over what I think I should eat based on something I’ve read or seen or heard from others.

DAY 1

Morning I woke up a little anxious and excited about how the next week was going to play out. I mixed up my Beauty Water Concentrate (it tastes like rose water) and set my intentions to for an effortless day. Next step was dry brushing before showering. This was my first time; the brush felt like it was scratching my skin. Apparently the skin is responsible for eliminating one-third of the body’s toxins and dry brushing helps stimulate your lymphatic system, exfoliate dead skin, unclog pores, and decongest skin.  So even though it didn’t feel great, it seemed important to keep up with.

Breakfast was savory vegetables and a supplement pack—a definite departure from my usual smoothie or coconut yogurt. I set timers for meals and beverages for the rest of the day so I knew I had something to look forward to in order to quell some of the “when can I consume something” anxiety.

DAY 2

Morning

I woke up with a headache. I drank my beauty water and dry brushed before breakfast (more savory vegetables). After I ate, I took the morning supplement pack, which consists of a Vitamin B Complex Plus (for energy and mental clarity), Adaptogenic Adrenal Formula (for stress relief and hormone health), Triple Antioxidant Defense (to protect against DNA damage), G.I. Rebuild + Repair (for your digestive and immune system health), and L-Theanine (a “calming, brain-boosting amino acid”).

Afternoon

As the day went on, I started feeling super sluggish. I developed a stomach ache in the afternoon which I think was related to the beans I ate with lunch, which is something that I normally avoid.

The coconut kefir afternoon “snack” definitely helped with the 3pm energy slump. Being able to notice a food other than caffeine giving me energy was a first. What a magical feeling!

Evening

Dinner was the medicinal broth again, which, while not very filling, is actually quite delicious. It’s made with more than 20 medicinal mushrooms, healing spices, nourishing omegas, and ancient herbs.

By 9pm I was in bed and ready to crash.

DAY 3

Morning Today was a real test of will power. I was tired, sluggish, and hungry. Breakfast was an umami-filed mushroom mix. I looked to Sakara’s detox tips to power through the day. They point out that withdrawal symptoms from things like caffeine and sugar are common, and the supplements are intended to help with these symptoms. They also stress the importance of hydration during the detox: “As your microbiome, tastebuds, and cravings shift, we recommend drinking PLENTY of water and herbal tea to stay hydrated, and try to get some extra sleep during the program if you can.”

Afternoon

I spent most of the day dreaming of tacos and bread. I had to embargo looking at Facebook and Instagram stories because my feeds were basically one giant food trigger. I felt like I spent most of the day negotiating with myself about whether or not to eat the almonds in my desk. Self control prevailed! I enjoyed my cabbage dumplings for lunch instead.

Evening

In bed by 9pm again, which basically became my new bedtime for the week. I tried to remind myself that this detox was hard work for my body. Sakara notes that, “It’s helping to eliminate toxic build up and reset your systems. We recommend slowing down, listening to your body and being patient as your body feels into this new shift. Common detox symptoms include bloating, digestive issues, low energy, cold-like symptoms.”

DAY 4 “SOUP DAY”

Today was all liquids: water, green juice, tea, soup, juice, tea, keifer, broth. I definitely felt drained and a bit shaky. I some how made it through the whole day not as cranky as I thought I’d be. I tend to get “hangry” or stressed when I feel hungry and cannot eat for an extended period of time. So really patting myself on the back for not having any outbursts.

I skipped dry brushing in the evening because I developed a breakout on my legs (sign toxins are coming out!). I had trouble falling asleep because I was feeling anxious about keeping my willpower strong.

Evening

I spent the ride home reflecting on what the week meant to me. I was really surprised and proud of myself for sticking to the program. I eat “healthy” by most people’s standards but also have that “treat yourself” mentality when certain things cross my plate.

I also realized my fear around having enough to eat or not having the right food available to me at all times (other people with food allergies can relate). I don’t normally allow myself to feel hungry, and I was definitely hungry all week and surprise—I didn’t die, nor was I the most cranky or unpleasant I have ever been.

All in all, this week was as much a mental challenge as it was a physical one.