Detox Salad

Let’s Rethink the Idea of “Detox”

The word detox can bring up a lot of mixed feelings. For some people, it immediately brings to mind restrictive cleanses, juices that leave you starving, or plans that promise quick results but feel miserable to follow. For others, it feels confusing or even intimidating.

But here’s the thing I want you to know, your body doesn’t need punishing detoxes or extreme rules to feel better. It already has an incredible built-in detox system that works around the clock. Your liver, kidneys, digestive system, and lymphatic system are doing their job every single day.

What they need from you isn’t restriction. They need support.

That’s where my Detox Salad comes in. Not as a cleanse. Not as a reset button you have to “start again” with. But as a simple, nourishing meal that gives your body the nutrients it needs to do what it’s designed to do — efficiently and gently.

This is the kind of recipe I often suggest to clients when they’re feeling a bit sluggish, bloated, low in energy, or just out of sync with their usual routine. It’s light, fresh, grounding, and incredibly easy to make. Most importantly, it feels supportive rather than punishing.

WHY SIMPLE FOOD IS OFTEN THE MOST POWERFUL.

When life gets busy, stressful, or unpredictable, food choices can easily swing to one extreme or the other. Either we’re grabbing whatever is quickest, or we feel the urge to “clean everything up” all at once.

Neither approach tends to work very well long term.

What I’ve seen time and time again, both personally and in my work with clients, is that the biggest shifts happen when we come back to basics. Simple meals. Real ingredients. Foods that feel light but satisfying.

This salad is a perfect example of that philosophy. There’s nothing fancy here. No hard-to-find ingredients. No complicated steps. Just fresh vegetables, healthy fats, plant-based protein, and a bright hit of lemon.

It’s the kind of meal that makes you feel lighter after eating it, not heavier. And that’s often the feeling people are really looking for when they talk about wanting to “detox”.

WHAT THIS SALAD ACTUALLY SUPPORTS IN YOUR BODY.

Let’s talk briefly about what’s really happening when you eat a meal like this.

Fresh herbs like parsley are rich in antioxidants and natural compounds that support liver function and digestion. They also act as gentle diuretics, helping your body release excess fluid without stressing it.

Quinoa provides plant-based protein and fibre, which help stabilise blood sugar and support regular digestion. Even a small amount can make a salad far more satisfying and prevent that hungry-again-in-an-hour feeling.

Avocado brings healthy fats that support hormone health, nutrient absorption, and satiety. It also helps your body absorb fat-soluble vitamins from the vegetables.

Cucumber and zucchini are hydrating and easy to digest. They add volume and crunch without heaviness, which is especially helpful when digestion feels a bit sluggish.

Red onion contains prebiotic fibres that support gut bacteria, along with antioxidants that help reduce inflammation.

Lemon juice stimulates digestive enzymes and bile production, which can help with bloating and that heavy, stuck feeling many people experience when their digestion is under pressure.

And finally, seeds and nuts add texture, minerals, and a little extra staying power, turning this from a side salad into a balanced meal.

Nothing here is extreme. Everything works together quietly and effectively.

DETOX SALAD: THE RECIPE.

Serves: 2
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: None

Ingredients
30 g parsley, roughly chopped
50 g cooked quinoa
1 avocado, peeled, stone removed and cubed
½ cucumber, cubed
½ zucchini, cubed
1 small red onion, finely diced
Juice of 1 lemon
1 teaspoon olive oil
Sea salt and black pepper to taste

For garnish:
30 g mixed seeds and nuts

METHOD.

Place the parsley, cooked quinoa, avocado, cucumber, zucchini, and red onion into a large bowl.

Add the lemon juice and olive oil, season with salt and pepper, and gently toss until everything is well combined.

Transfer to serving bowls and finish with a sprinkle of mixed seeds and nuts. Serve immediately.

WHEN THIS SALAD FITS BEST.

One of the reasons I love this salad is how flexible it is. It can be a light lunch on a warm day, a simple dinner when you don’t feel like cooking, or a side dish alongside grilled fish or chicken.

It’s also a lovely option after periods of heavier eating, travel, or disrupted routines. Not because you need to “undo” anything, but because your body often craves freshness and simplicity after those times.

If you’ve been feeling a bit flat, bloated, or foggy, meals like this can help gently bring things back into balance without drama or deprivation.

A MORE SUSTAIBALE WAY TO "RESET".

One of the biggest mindset shifts I try to support people with is moving away from the idea that health comes from doing something intense for a short period of time.

Real wellbeing comes from consistency, not extremes.

This salad isn’t something you eat once and then forget about. It’s something you can come back to again and again. You can tweak it, add to it, pair it with other foods, or enjoy it just as it is.

That flexibility is what makes it sustainable. And sustainability is what actually creates change.

EASY WAYS TO MAKE IT YOUR OWN.

You don’t need to eat this exactly the same way every time. In fact, variety is part of what keeps healthy eating enjoyable.

You can add grilled chicken, salmon, tofu, or chickpeas if you want more protein. You can swap quinoa for lentils or brown rice. You can add leafy greens like rocket or baby spinach if you want more volume.

Think of this recipe as a base rather than a rule. Use what you have. Listen to what your body needs. Let it support you, not control you.

WHY THIS IS A GREAT RECIPE TO RECONNECT WITH.

If it’s been a while since you’ve felt really connected to your food, your body, or your routine, this is a beautiful place to start.

It doesn’t ask much of you. It doesn’t require motivation or discipline. It simply offers nourishment.

And sometimes, that’s exactly what we need to get back into a rhythm that feels good again.

A GENTLE INVITATION.

If you’re reading this after a break — from your routine, from healthy habits, or even from this space — know that you’re always welcome back.

There’s no “behind”. There’s no catching up. There’s just the next small choice.

My Detox Salad is one of those small choices. A simple, fresh, grounding meal that reminds your body what balance feels like.

And that’s a powerful place to begin.