Hi Carissa,

During cleansing as well as on an ongoing basis, optimal nutrition is essential for achieving and maintain vibrant health. The Cleansing and Yeast Diets section of our blog is a great place to start, specifically parts 1 and 2, unless you are having issues with yeast, and then you may benefit from our Yeast Cleansing Diet. Overall though, here are some good basic guidelines to follow:

Eat plenty of fresh, raw fruits and vegetables. These foods are high in fiber and rich in essential nutrients, enzymes and antioxidants. Try to choose organically grown produce whenever possible to avoid exposure to harmful pesticides and herbicides. High-fiber whole grains, beans, legumes, nuts and seeds are also recommended.

As roughly 20 percent of the body is protein-based—and because the body utilizes protein for every function it performs—making sure you get plenty of protein in your diet is essential. The best sources are lean meats such as natural or free-range chicken and turkey, as well as fish, tofu, eggs and beef (in moderation).

Avoid foods high in saturated fats and trans fats, and opt instead for healthier, monounsaturated fats such as those found in olive oil, flax oil, walnuts and oily fish such as salmon (rich in beneficial Omega-3 fatty acids).

Whenever possible, try to avoid the following:

• Heavily processed foods (cookies, crackers, baked goods, pre-packaged meals)
• Refined white flour and sugar
• White rice and pasta (opt for whole grains instead)
• Foods high in saturated fats and trans fats
• Full-fat dairy products
• Fried/fatty foods
• Artificial sweeteners

Essentially, healthy eating has a lot to do with common sense. If it seems bad for you, or if you read the label and can’t pronounce most of the ingredients or don’t know what they are, it probably won’t provide much benefit for your body, and it may even work against good health by slowing down healthy digestion and metabolism. So the bottom line is simply to pay attention, read labels, and be aware of everything you are putting in your body.

Remember also that it is important to drink plenty of water—at least half your body weight in ounces every day—as water is essential for nourishing and hydrating the body. Regular exercise is also important, and most experts recommend at least 30 minutes a day, 3 to 5 times weekly.

Finally, Brenda Watson recommends daily supplementation with High fiber, Omega oils, Probiotics and Enzymes (the H.O.P.E. Formula) as well as regular internal cleansing for optimal nutrition and health. Visit http://www.brendawatson.com as well as http://www.fiber35diet.com for more information, and if you have further questions feel free to contact our Customer Service team at 1-800-830-1800. Good luck and good health!