There are lots of reasons why people decide to do a weed detox. For some it’s a temporary thing, maybe they have a drugs test coming up and are worried about not passing it, or they just want a tolerance break, while others plan to quit and the idea of detox appeals because it is a huge step towards being weed free forever.

THC [Tetrahydrocannabinol] is the active chemical in weed that makes you high, and its residue, known as metabolites, gets stored in the body’s vital organs and fatty tissue before being slowly released. This means it can take a while to eliminate all traces of weed from your system completely, although if you are detoxing as a personal mission rather than to pass some form of drug test it’s unlikely the trace effects of the stubborn THC will have much of an impact.

Typically, to have the best chance of success –  a weed detox involves thinking about and preparing for disturbed sleep, support systems, distractions, staying hydrated, and taking exercise at the right times – but nutrition, so basically what you choose to eat (and drink) during the detox process will play a huge role in its success.

Some of these food items may surprise you, others make perfect sense, so get ready to reprogramme your eating habits. The items featured all offer particular benefits to the body during detox – a process which involves deep cleansing body tissue and systems. It’s important to make meals from as wide a variety of the foods covered as possible, so you can exploit the different detox qualities they offer.

For the ultimate results plan to enjoy around five small meals a day, plus lots of fluids.

High fibre and wholegrain foods

High fibre foods help burn off the fat cells storing THC, while also keeping your digestive system moving and healthy. There are lots of easy switches you can make in your normal diet to squeeze the most benefit from grains and fibre. For example, choose wholegrain bread over white, whole wheat pasta, brown rice (or 50-50 with white at first if you struggle with brown), and wholegrain cereals rather than the sugary type. Cook potatoes with the skin on for the maximum benefit from vitamins and fibre, and eat at least five portions of fruit and vegetables a day. Eat these whole rather than juiced, and with the skin, where appropriate. Nuts and legumes like chickpeas are also great sources of fibre. (Avoid salted nuts as the sodium will encourage water retention.)

Antioxidant rich food

Antioxidants are great at boosting your immune system and repairing damaged cells, so pack as many into your diet as possible. Go for:

• Very dark chocolate
• Nuts like pecans, walnuts, hazelnuts and almonds. A handful per serving.
• All kinds of beans (e.g. kidney, butter, haricot/baked, white). Bean stews are tasty, as are bean salads.
• Fruit like blueberries, strawberries, cranberries and raspberries. Plus apples, which boast a fibre called pectin able to cleanse heavy metals from the body.
• Vegetables like spinach, broccoli, kale, artichokes, and red cabbage. Beetroot has both fibre and pectin, and is great for boosting liver function, while celery boosts urination and purifies the blood. Try roasting veg, or grating it into a salad if you are not a fan.
• Don’t forget to eat as much garlic, ginger and onion as possible to eliminate those toxins. (Three key ingredients in healthy curries and stir frys!)
• Fish like wild caught salmon which has lots of omega3 anti-toxin qualities. Farmed salmon is okay if it is all that is available, but the effect is less powerful.
• Enjoy the benefits of detox, omega 3 oils and fibre by mixing two tablespoons of ground flax seed to your food every day. It mixes well with yogurt, porridge oats etc, or can be added to lemon water. It is also thought to boost weight loss – which is good news as you need to burn those fat cells up to get rid of the hidden THC.

Herbs and spices have been used to cleanse the body for thousands of years in countries across the world.

• The detoxifying qualities of turmeric have hit the headlines recently, and a few spoons a day (in supplement or its natural form) will definitely help your digestion and circulation, two things which boost any detox.
• Coriander/cilantro and cinnamon are also full of antioxidants.

Lean protein

This is essential for good health, and meats like chicken, turkey and ham, as well as eggs, beans, and dairy products like milk and yogurt are all easy ways to enjoy protein. Vegetarian could try protein packed meat alternatives, soybean products like tofu, and any kind of beans or chickpea dish.

Stay hydrated

It’s important to consume enough liquid to maintain good health and help flush the THC from your body. Plain water is the best choice, but it can be boring so mix it up with other things from the ideas below. It’s wisest to avoid alcohol and fizzy drinks with lots of sugar, as neither offers any positive benefit to a detox.

Detox busting drinks include:

• Water. This is essential to both flush your system of toxins and carry the nutrients from your diet around the body.
• Fresh lemon pieces served in hot water, or steeped in coldwater if you prefer. Lemon cleanses your digestive system and boosts liver function.
• Herbal teas, especially dandelion
• Cranberry juice
• Apple cider vinegar. This is a very popular weed detox drink, and it can be taken neat or mixed with water. One tablespoon of apple cider vinegar taken three times a day is a god amount, any more risks side effects due to unbalanced ph levels. It’s important to either mix the vinegar with a large glass of water, or drink the water immediately following the vinegar. It works on your entire intestinal system, helping to flush toxins through waste.