The Harper detox regime is divided into three phases:
Level One: plenty of lightly steamed vegetables, stir-fries (cooking with a little boiled water instead of oil) and vegetable soups. She also suggests including lots of parsnips, potatoes, carrots and other root vegetables; small quantities of good quality, lean organic protein (eggs, poultry, oily fish and soya); avoiding onions, leeks and raw vegetables and keeping fruits (pears and pineapples are allowed) to a minimum. The aim of Level One is to support the digestive system so that it can assimilate food efficiently.
Level Two: fibre-rich foods - such as brown rice, millet and quinoa - and onions, garlic, ginger, cinnamon, green tea and seaweed should be added to the Level One diet. She also advises a change to more vegetable protein foods (sprouted seeds, sesame, pumpkin and sunflower seeds). The aim here is to release toxins held in the bowel and improve and repair intestinal functioning prior to the release of larger amounts of toxins at Level Three.
Level Three: Here the programme aims to detoxify the liver and kidneys. So-called sour-tasting foods are introduced to stimulate the liver. Lemon juice in hot water is a good liver cleanser. Other citrus fruits are also introduced only at Level Three. Daily protein from low fat sources is stressed again, as are foods rich in B vitamins (green vegetables, lean meat, wheatgerm and eggs) and antioxidant foods such as tomatoes, watercress, peppers, beetroot and berries. Various food supplements, breathing exercises and meditation techniques are incorporated into the detoxification process at each level. Participants are also advised to reduce exposure to vehicle exhaust, solvents, fertilisers and, ideally, medical drugs - but the latter only under the strict supervision of your doctor.