Ditch the detox, it’s time to pretox like a celebrity

Rebecca McCosh gets the lowdown on the latest celebrity craze - the 'pretox'.

Who says you’ve got to pack away the party dresses and Prosecco and spend January sober as a judge? Quite frankly, we can’t think of a more depressing way to kickstart the New Year. So this year we’re advocating keeping the January blues at bay by partying right through till February. Who’s in?

Yes, we know that late nights can wreak havoc on your body, causing everything from tiredness and bad skin to three-day hangovers. That’s why we turned to Nutritionist Libby Limon to fill us in on the latest trend – ‘pretoxing’. Here’s how it works - if you know you’ve got a big night out coming up, she suggests tucking into some superfoods in advance to get your systems supported and working optimally. It’s what all the celeb’s do apparently.

So we asked Libby to have a snoop around the fridges of the stars to see how it’s done. Here she reveals how party loving celebrities fight off the cold, get their skin glowing and keep their metabolism running like clockwork.  

Add avocado to your diet to keep your liver healthy
like Meghan Markle

‘Avocado is one of nature’s best sources of glutathione, which helps protect your cells and boosts liver detoxification. It’s also packed with high levels of Vitamin E that perform the same function, making avocado your go-to superfood if you plan on enjoying one too many glasses of Prosecco.’

How to enjoy: Add a few slices of avocado to toast and drizzle with olive oil for a tasty bruschetta.

Eat veg like broccoli and kale to fend off the winter flu
like Rosie Huntington Whitely

‘Veg from the brassica family, including broccoli, spinach and kale, contain a group of plant chemicals – or polyphenols – called glucosinolates. These are super beneficial for the liver and enhance detoxification in your system. This in turn gives your immune system a boost and helps you fend off winter colds.’

How to enjoy: If you’re not keen on kale smoothies, add kale to any winter stew for a warming dinner that’s crammed with nutrients.

Drink matcha green tea to reduce your hangovers
like Made in Chelsea’s Louise Thompson

‘Matcha green tea contains high levels of catechin polyphenols – or healthy plant chemicals – that help stop damaging toxins from recirculating in your body. What’s more, they help protect your liver cells, and encourage the body to make glutathione, a liver antioxidant. This makes it easier for your body to process alcohol and reduces the chances of you getting a hangover.’

How to enjoy: Add 2 teaspoons of matcha powder to pancake batter for a healthy lunchtime meal.

Consume turmeric to help your body digest fatty foods
like Holly Willoughby

‘This ancient Indian spice is a powerhouse of strong antioxidants that help cleanse your system from all sorts of harmful toxins. This makes it an essential mealtime ingredient if you want to boost your immune system and lower the chances of getting ill. What’s more, turmeric stimulates the liver and gallbladder to produce bile, which is key for digesting rich, fatty foods.’ 

How to enjoy: Mix 1-2 teaspoons of turmeric with milk and honey to create a delicious tea.

Eat chia seeds to prepare your stomach for all that overeating
like blogger Tiffany Watson

‘Chia seeds are a great source of soluble fibre, which helps keep your digestive system healthy and working optimally. It helps create a healthy stool that moves at the right pace through the digestive tract, so your body works optimally.’  

How to enjoy: Blend ½ a cup of chia seeds with coconut milk and maple syrup to create a scrumptious chia seed pudding.