The health and well-being shelves in bookshops are groaning with detox-focused books. Gillian Keith's You Are What you Eat was the number one best seller all last year and is an excellent way to start a New Year's resolution that involves rubbish-free eating.
This three-day Shrubland Hall detox, nominated by Melanie Morris as her absolute favourite, will severely test your will power, although for her, the results made it all worthwhile. As with any radical dietary change, consult your doctor if you are in any way concerned about your suitability. The diet primarily consists of raw food. Avoid all refined carbs. Drink lots of still water. No caffeine, though herbal tea is permitted.
DAY ONE
Breakfast: Half a grapefruit (pink is naturally sweeter). Glass of hot water with lemon juice and one tablespoon of honey.
Lunch: Large plate of various raw salads (e.g. tomato, basil and garlic; mixed leaves; grated carrots with apple and lemon zest; sliced leek and mushrooms). Small tub of low-fat cottage cheese with chopped chives. Glass of hot water with lemon juice and one tablespoon of honey.
Snack: Fruit plate. Chose one fruit, for example, a mango, half a melon or pineapple, or an apple and garnish with a second fruit (such as a handful of grapes, cherries or berries). A small tub of unsweetened natural yoghurt with one tablespoon of wheatgerm and one tablespoon of honey.
Dinner: Vegetable broth or soup (no dairy, animal fat).
DAY TWO
As above, but alternate salads and fruit for choice and variety.
DAY THREE
Breakfast: As before.
Lunch: As before but include higher calorie ingredients such as a small portion of nuts, feta cheese, olives or egg.
Snack: As before.
Dinner: Steamed/grilled chicken or fish with two portions of steamed vegetables (not starchy ones), small portion of fruit.