Whether it’s gluten, alcohol, or dairy, people are constantly judged for the types of food they choose to consume (or to not consume). Author Kel Campbell discusses the frustration she feels when people think they have the right to comment on her lunch order in this post originally featured on Medium.

In high school, a girl on my basketball team gave me the nickname Fat Girl. Poetically speaking, it lacked nuance, but certainly achieved a certain emotional potency.

No matter how I tried to quell its deleterious effect on my self-worth, the title stuck to me and on me and inside of me. Though I ran from many mirrors, I was always and only Fat Girl in my mind’s eye, until I decided I’d had enough of people making fun of me and calling me names. In college, I stuck to a strict diet that allowed me to lose the weight and bid adieu to Fat Girl, including the never-ending pile of judgement she had to put up with, both internally and externally.

Despite the positive changes I’d made to feel better about myself, an insidious new kind of disdain snuck in. When I’d wave off dessert or try to limit how much I ate, people would roll their eyes or tell me to live a little. People seemed to be personally offended that I didn’t want to eat late-night pizza.

I couldn’t believe it. When I didn’t monitor my diet, society gave me sh*t for the way my body responded. When I did watch my weight, society still gave me sh*t.

Recently I went to lunch with my co-workers and saw on the menu that you could “salad your burger,” which basically means they throw a burger patty on some romaine lettuce, and voila, lunch is served! When someone asked me what I was going to order, I stupidly admitted to my clearly disdainful choice in fare. A female co-worker rolled her eyes. “Oh God, do not be that woman who salads her burger. Eat a burger and fries like a real human being.” Everyone laughed.

I hate situations like these. If I “eat a burger and fries like a real human being,” I know that I’ll have scarfed about a day’s worth of carbs and will have to eat like a bird at dinner. If I don’t, I have to fend off accusations that I have an eating disorder or body dysmorphia. (While we’re on the subject . . . c’mon folks! Around three percent of the population has an eating disorder, and it is a serious condition that can and often does end fatally. Please do not diminish this disease through baseless and glib accusations of people who might simply adhere to a diet that works for them or who have a complicated relationship with food. It contributes to continued biases against those with an eating disorder and makes it harder for victims to be taken seriously.)

After the lunch, I felt resentful that I had to agonize about whether or not to salad my f*cking burger. And then it hit me. It’s because of Cool Girl!

From the story that launched a thousand think pieces, Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn describes the oppressive standards of Cool Girl, a title the main character describes in exquisite detail: “Being the Cool Girl means I am a hot, brilliant, funny woman who adores football, poker, dirty jokes, and burping, who plays video games, drinks cheap beer, loves threesomes and anal sex, and jams hot dogs and hamburgers into her mouth like she’s hosting the world’s biggest culinary gangbang while somehow maintaining a size two, because Cool Girls are, above all, hot.”

While men desire this Cool Girl, the principle isn’t gender exclusive. In fact, women want a Cool Girl, too, albeit a more feminist one. They want a woman who won’t apologize for “having it all” and “leaning in,” whether it’s her career, relationships, and yes . . . even diet. The woman’s Cool Girl is someone who is strong enough to withstand any body image crisis and won’t let a soul tell her not to curse, drink, eat a burger, etc. She would never consider plastic surgery and won’t blink an eye at leaving the house without makeup, because Cool Girl has learned to love herself, no matter what society thinks. Cool Girl charges through any situation with ease, because, above all, Cool Girl is a strong and individualistic participant in life.

But none of us can live up to either of those expectations. And why should we?

When I exercised or engaged in sexual activity after my weight loss, I felt agile and adaptable; I bent and leapt and undulated with ease. I remember the first time I wore jeans that didn’t dig into my flesh, but simply covered my body without causing discomfort. It felt incredible. Sure, I enjoyed the fact that (most) people stopped making fat jokes. But mostly, I just liked life better within my recommended weight class.

The crux of the problem is that we believe that if someone is “pro” something, it always makes them “anti” the other thing. In other words, because I try to eat healthy, I am secretly disgusted by a person who is overweight or who eats whatever she wants. Nothing could be further from the truth.

Our insecurities about our weight (or at least, those not bestowed on us by the advertising industry) largely come from one another. Those who raise their eyebrows at another’s eating choices openly or secretly are part of the reason that most people (and almost all women) nurture a complicated relationship with food. This is a ridiculous notion, since most of us have no idea what’s right or not. Sugar’s the bad guy now, but before it was carbs, and before that, it was fat. Eggs, caffeine, lard, and fruit? ¡ª ?are these bad things? Who the hell knows? We’re basically winging it, from the sh*tty food pyramid’s top to bottom. Which means not a one of us is an expert.

Fat or skinny, we are all just struggling through life to be as healthy as we’re able and to live as long as possible. We want to be confident in how we look and to love ourselves. But the first step to accomplishing this goal is to ERASE our opinions on what other people put in their mouths. In the words of Kacey Musgraves, “Mind your own biscuits, and life will be gravy.”

At the end of the day, we’re all Cool Girl. And Fat Girl. And a million other personas that have very little to do with what goes down our collective pie holes. Thank God.

Image Source: POPSUGAR Photography

Whether it’s gluten| alcohol| or dairy| people are constantly judged for the types of food they choose to consume (or to not consume). Author Kel Campbell discusses the frustration she feels when people think they have the right to comment on her lunch order in this post originally featured on Medium.

In high school| a girl on my basketball team gave me the nickname Fat Girl. Poetically speaking| it lacked nuance| but certainly achieved a certain emotional potency.

No matter how I tried to quell its deleterious effect on my self-worth| the title stuck to me and on me and inside of me. Though I ran from many mirrors| I was always and only Fat Girl in my mind’s eye| until I decided I’d had enough of people making fun of me and calling me names. In college| I stuck to a strict diet that allowed me to lose the weight and bid adieu to Fat Girl| including the never-ending pile of judgement she had to put up with| both internally and externally.

Despite the positive changes I’d made to feel better about myself| an insidious new kind of disdain snuck in. When I’d wave off dessert or try to limit how much I ate| people would roll their eyes or tell me to live a little. People seemed to be personally offended that I didn’t want to eat late-night pizza.

I couldn’t believe it. When I didn’t monitor my diet| society gave me sh*t for the way my body responded. When I did watch my weight| society still gave me sh*t.

Recently I went to lunch with my co-workers and saw on the menu that you could “salad your burger|” which basically means they throw a burger patty on some romaine lettuce| and voila| lunch is served! When someone asked me what I was going to order| I stupidly admitted to my clearly disdainful choice in fare. A female co-worker rolled her eyes. “Oh God| do not be that woman who salads her burger. Eat a burger and fries like a real human being.” Everyone laughed.

I hate situations like these. If I “eat a burger and fries like a real human being|” I know that I’ll have scarfed about a day’s worth of carbs and will have to eat like a bird at dinner. If I don’t| I have to fend off accusations that I have an eating disorder or body dysmorphia. (While we’re on the subject . . . c’mon folks! Around three percent of the population has an eating disorder| and it is a serious condition that can and often does end fatally. Please do not diminish this disease through baseless and glib accusations of people who might simply adhere to a diet that works for them or who have a complicated relationship with food. It contributes to continued biases against those with an eating disorder and makes it harder for victims to be taken seriously.)

After the lunch| I felt resentful that I had to agonize about whether or not to salad my f*cking burger. And then it hit me. It’s because of Cool Girl!

From the story that launched a thousand think pieces| Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn describes the oppressive standards of Cool Girl| a title the main character describes in exquisite detail: “Being the Cool Girl means I am a hot| brilliant| funny woman who adores football| poker| dirty jokes| and burping| who plays video games| drinks cheap beer| loves threesomes and anal sex| and jams hot dogs and hamburgers into her mouth like she’s hosting the world’s biggest culinary gangbang while somehow maintaining a size two| because Cool Girls are| above all| hot.”

While men desire this Cool Girl| the principle isn’t gender exclusive. In fact| women want a Cool Girl| too| albeit a more feminist one. They want a woman who won’t apologize for “having it all” and “leaning in|” whether it’s her career| relationships| and yes . . . even diet. The woman’s Cool Girl is someone who is strong enough to withstand any body image crisis and won’t let a soul tell her not to curse| drink| eat a burger| etc. She would never consider plastic surgery and won’t blink an eye at leaving the house without makeup| because Cool Girl has learned to love herself| no matter what society thinks. Cool Girl charges through any situation with ease| because| above all| Cool Girl is a strong and individualistic participant in life.

But none of us can live up to either of those expectations. And why should we?

When I exercised or engaged in sexual activity after my weight loss| I felt agile and adaptable; I bent and leapt and undulated with ease. I remember the first time I wore jeans that didn’t dig into my flesh| but simply covered my body without causing discomfort. It felt incredible. Sure| I enjoyed the fact that (most) people stopped making fat jokes. But mostly| I just liked life better within my recommended weight class.

The crux of the problem is that we believe that if someone is “pro” something| it always makes them “anti” the other thing. In other words| because I try to eat healthy| I am secretly disgusted by a person who is overweight or who eats whatever she wants. Nothing could be further from the truth.

Our insecurities about our weight (or at least| those not bestowed on us by the advertising industry) largely come from one another. Those who raise their eyebrows at another’s eating choices openly or secretly are part of the reason that most people (and almost all women) nurture a complicated relationship with food. This is a ridiculous notion| since most of us have no idea what’s right or not. Sugar’s the bad guy now| but before it was carbs| and before that| it was fat. Eggs| caffeine| lard| and fruit? ¡ª ?are these bad things? Who the hell knows? We’re basically winging it| from the sh*tty food pyramid’s top to bottom. Which means not a one of us is an expert.

Fat or skinny| we are all just struggling through life to be as healthy as we’re able and to live as long as possible. We want to be confident in how we look and to love ourselves. But the first step to accomplishing this goal is to ERASE our opinions on what other people put in their mouths. In the words of Kacey Musgraves| “Mind your own biscuits| and life will be gravy.”

At the end of the day| we’re all Cool Girl. And Fat Girl. And a million other personas that have very little to do with what goes down our collective pie holes. Thank God.

Image Source: POPSUGAR Photography

Steer Clear of the Flu With 6 Immunity-Boosting Foods

You might think that getting sick is random and inevitable| but practicing self care and eating a nutritious diet can help you stave off sickness. Incorporate six common foods into your daily diet u2014 or pick them up at the first signs of a bug u2014 to support your health all year ’round!

| Green Tea

Green tea can help you lose weight and de-stress| but it has also been linked to preventing the flu. In one study| Japanese children who drank green tea six times a week were less likely to catch a bug than their peers.

| Sauerkraut

Fermented foods have been in the news for all their probiotic properties u2014 and their interesting taste! Naturopath practitioner Dr. Holly Lucille also suggests taking a high-quality probiotic supplement since “”89 percent of our immune system”” is driven by having good microflora in your gut that help battle viruses. For vegetarians or vegans who want the “”good”” bacteria in probiotics| sauerkraut is one of your best nondairy options.

Related: You’ll Want to Make Sleep a Priority After Reading This

| Bone Broth

Clinical and holistic dietitian Esther Blum explains that bone broth is rich in glutamine and glycine| two amino acids that “”help repair cells and heal gut inflammation.”” During the colder months| Esther starts each day with a cup of bone broth and calls it her new “”drug of choice.”” She says it has played a major role in keeping her family healthy and flu-free this year.

| Raw Honey

The phytonutrients in raw honey have Can’t Kick Your Sinus Infection? This Can Help

| Citrus

Vitamin C is the ultimate immunity booster. Instead of taking back a supplement| go straight to the source| and eat fresh citrus u2014 and drinking juice isn’t enough! Enjoy slices of oranges or grapefruit instead since it’s the white skin of the fruit that contains the most flavonoids| which have been linked to increase immune system activity.

| Ginger

If the only time you enjoy ginger is when you’re out for Asian food| it’s time to start incorporating this fresh ginger into your regular diet. Beyond adding a ton of natural flavor to your favorite basic dishes| ginger also has major The Next Best Thing to Having Your Mom Take Care of You When a Cold Hits

“

Snacks That Fitness Experts Actually Approve Of

Snacks are some of the easiest things to splurge on when trying to eat healthy. But our friends at Self give us 21 healthy snacks that are approved by fitness experts.

Food doesn’t have to just be fuel. Power your workout or recovery with these delicious snacks.

|

Chickpea Blondies
“”I love these chickpea blondies because they sneak in tons of fiber and complex carbohydrates. Plus| they are naturally sweetened with dates.””

—Lottie Bildirici| health and fitness blogger of Run on Veg| triathlete| and certified holistic health coach
courtesy Lottie Bildirici

Coconut Yogurt with Berries and Cacao Nibs
“”This nondairy coconut yogurt from Anita’s is my favorite. (It’s hard to find one that isn’t flavored or loaded with sugar.) Break up the tart flavor with a sprinkle of crunchy cacao nibs and fresh berries. This is the way healthy version of the old-school yogurts with toppers attached on top we grew up on!””

—Lisa Hayim| RD| MS sports nutrition| and Pilates mat certified instructor
courtesy Lisa Hayim

Avocado Toast With Tomatoes and Sea Salt| Green Tea
“”Great for post-workout. I like the healthy fats and satiation provided from the avocado toast along with the energy and metabolism boost from the tea. The sprinkle of sea salt helps to replenish what might have been lost in sweat.””

—JJ Hendershot| senior active director of VIMMIA’s The Force Ambassadors and senior manager at Equinox
courtesy of JJ Hendershot

Dates and Green Power Smoothie
“”I mix in dates| spinach| a few pieces of pineapple| half a banana| almond milk| almond butter| and whey vanilla protein. Poof! Deliciousness! I’ll do that in between teaching several classes| typically between breakfast and lunch| or between lunch and dinner.””

—Cristina Osorio| TruFusion fitness instructor
courtesy iStock

|

Almond Butter Packets
“”Barney & Co. almond butter packets for life! Perfect 90-calorie single-serving pre-workout for a 45-minute session. I run with these tucked into my gear all the time| or pair with an apple for a more filling snack.””

—Robin Arzon| head coach| Peloton Cycle
courtesy Robin Arzon

Plain Oatmeal With Berries
“”This snack gives me energy| is easy to digest| and contains no dairy. Have it about 30 to 45 minutes before a workout.””

—Chris Varano| Hilton Head Health fitness specialist
courtesy Hilton Head Health

Pumpkin Smoothie
“”A quick pumpkin smoothie post-workout with pumpkin puree| almond milk| ice| and flaxseeds makes for a fantastic Fall treat! It’s filled with filling fiber and protein.””

—Megan Smyth| founder of FitReserve
courtesy Megan Smyth

Protein Pancakes
“”I love to eat one or two protein pancakes smeared with a little almond or peanut butter after a workout. With carbs| protein| and healthy fat| it’s the perfect way to recover.””

—Jennipher Walters| CEO/cofounder| Fit Bottomed Girls
courtesy Fit Bottomed Girls

|

Mini Egg and Cheese Quinoa Cups
“”I make a large batch of these in the beginning of my week to bring to work. Not only are these packed with flavor| they have six grams of protein per serving. Reheat in the microwave for about 45 seconds; they’re great for post-workout recovery!””

—Karla Williams| Hilton Head Health Healthy Kitchen executive chef and AFAA (Aerobic and Fitness Association of America) Group Fitness certified
courtesy of Hilton Head Health

Protein Parfait Bowl
“”I mix fat-free Greek yogurt with berries| nuts| hemp seeds| and a drizzle of raw honey| and I am full for hours. I love this after strength-based workouts because the protein from the yogurt| nuts| and hemp seeds is great for muscle recovery.””

—Stacy Schwartz| cofounder and CEO| Ketanga Fitness Retreats
courtesy of Stacy Schwartz

Banana + Peanut Butter
“”This snack provides you with a great balance of carbs and protein| which gives you the energy you need and helps you build (or rebuild) muscle tissue.””

—Mahri Relin| personal trainer and owner of Body Conceptions by Mahri
courtesy of Mahri Relin

So Delicious Dairy Free Blueberry Cultured Coconut Milk
“”Made with organic coconuts| this always hits the spot because it’s tasty and refreshing. It contains high-antioxidant blueberries| which are the perfect remedy after a hard workout| along with six active cultures for better digestion.””

—John Pierre| author and celebrity nutrition and fitness consultant
courtesy John Pierre

|

Muesli Medley
“”I love muesli soaked in almond milk with chia seeds| cinnamon| and berries. They’re easy on your digestive system. If I have a longer workout| I’ll add some nuts or nut butter to slow down the absorption of carbs| and giving lasting.””

—Lottie Bildirici| health and fitness blogger of Run on Veg| triathlete| and certified holistic health coach
courtesy Lottie Bildirici

Homemade Seed Loaf With Sun-Dried and Fresh Tomatoes
“”You can literally taste the healthy in this recipe| with your favorite seeds boosting its fiber content (throw in pumpkin| chia| or sunflower; whatever you like best).””

—Cat Smiley| founder of Whistler Fitness Vacations
courtesy of Cat Smiley

Berries + Nut + Seeds + Dollop of Greek Yogurt
“”I love that I can prepare and enjoy this at my desk. This is definitely my colleagues’ preferred snack of choice for the office u2014 my regular hard-boiled eggs don’t go over so well!””

—Tess Agnew| fitness blogger of FitBits
courtesy Tess Agnew

Apple and Peanut Butter
“”It’s a great anytime snack| as it can tide you over post-workout until you dine later| but it can also satisfy a sweet and/or salty craving that kicks in.””

—Chidimma Ozor| TruFusion AromaFlow instructor
courtesy of Hilton Head Health

|

Veggie Smoothie
“”Blend frozen cauliflower and butternut squash with three strawberries| a scoop of plant-based protein powder| and water. It’s my go-to when I crave something sweet| but don’t want to load up on sugar or too many starches. It does the job every time!””

—Ariane Hundt| clinical nutritionist| MS| and founder of Brooklyn Bridge Boot Camp
courtesy Ariane Hundt

Fried Egg With Spinach| Tomato| and Balsamic
“”You can’t beat something that’s this quick and easy to make; plus the egg provides proteins| while the tomatoes and spinach provide antioxidants.””

—Aimee Nicotera| MS| instructor at Pinecrest Fitness and Equinox
courtesy of Aimee Nicotera

Berry Applesauce
“”It’s a fun twist on a Fall classic that I love for a middle-of-the-afternoon pick-me-up.””

—Candace Moore| yoga instructor and founder of healthy living blog YogaByCandace
courtesy Candace Moore

Anything Goes Smoothie
“”I always try to have a bit of protein before and after workouts to help with energy and recovery. Smoothies are just so easy to make| and I love to throw whatever fruits I have on hand. Vanilla protein powder complements lemon juice and berries perfectly| so that’s my standard combo.””

—Jenny Kim| TruFusion Barre & Pilates instructor
courtesy Jenny Kim

Carrots| Hummus| Crackers| and Almonds
“”I like the combo of creamy and crunchy textures in this balanced snack. If I have a sweet tooth| I’ll throw in some dark chocolate.””

—Jennilyn Carson| founder of YogaDork and Cycledork

Check out more great stories from Self:

• 4 Time-Saving Food Prep Hacks
• 8 Easy Ways to Get More Flexible
• Here Are 2 Crazy-Effective Pilates Moves For Strong Triceps

“

Every woman has a small number of healthy yeast cells in her vagina, but when there’s an overgrowth of these, it’s likely that she’s experiencing a yeast infection. With symptoms like unusual discharge, pain, or irritation, a yeast infection may be a big bother, but the issue is very common, relatively easy to treat, and may be preventable if you take the right measures.

Stay dry: Wearing wet bathing suits or staying in sweaty workout clothing is not a good idea, since excess moisture causes yeast (candida) to flourish. Always have a change of underwear when possible; this is especially important if you’ve been in a hot tub, lake, or river, since bacteria flourishes in these environments.

Don’t douche: It may seem like douching would help the cause, but it’s just not the case. The process flushes out the good bacteria that keep your pH in balance.

Related: What You Need to Know Before Quitting the Pill

Learn about lube: All personal lubricants are not created equally. If you’re prone to yeast infections, then stay away from glycerin-based choices. Yeast thrives on sugar, and since glycerin is a sugar-based liquid, you’re better off choosing a different option.

Pick up probiotics: Eating yogurt with active cultures provides excellent protection from yeast infections. If you’re not a fan, then take probiotic supplements instead. Going for a diet that’s low in sugar will also keep the yeast beast at bay.

Related: 10 Facts You Didn’t Know About Vaginas

Clean up your diet: Candidiasis is by far the most common type of yeast infection. While it hasn’t been proven that a full-blown candida cleanse diet clears up infections, many in the holistic health community believe that cutting out sugar, white flour, yeast, and cheese can drastically clear up major candida overgrowth issues. For those suffering from consistent yeast infections, cleaning up your diet might be something to consider.

Slow down: According to the US Department of Health and Human Services Office on Women’s Health, even stress and lack of sleep can cause yeast infections?¡ª just another reason to slow down, take time to relax, and get at least seven hours of sleep every night.

When you’re dealing with a yeast infection, don’t let it go untreated or expect it to clear up on its own. As soon as you’ve identified your symptoms, you’ll want to treat it right away. Otherwise, you could be dealing with a far more gnarly situation later.

Go to the doctor: If you’re not sure that you’re working with a yeast infection, then head to your doctor as soon as possible. Your doctor will be able confirm the issue and prescribe antibiotics to clear things up ASAP.Go over-the-counter: When heading to the doctor is not an option, there are a few messier over-the-counter treatments available. Most likely you’ll choose a vaginal antifungal cream that comes with an applicator so you can measure the right dose. Follow the instructions very carefully, and be sure to finish your entire treatment.Image Source: POPSUGAR Photography / THEM TOO

Every woman has a small number of healthy yeast cells in her vagina| but when there’s an overgrowth of these| it’s likely that she’s experiencing a yeast infection. With symptoms like unusual discharge| pain| or irritation| a yeast infection may be a big bother| but the issue is very common| relatively easy to treat| and may be preventable if you take the right measures.

Stay dry: Wearing wet bathing suits or staying in sweaty workout clothing is not a good idea| since excess moisture causes yeast (candida) to flourish. Always have a change of underwear when possible; this is especially important if you’ve been in a hot tub| lake| or river| since bacteria flourishes in these environments.

Don’t douche: It may seem like douching would help the cause| but it’s just not the case. The process flushes out the good bacteria that keep your pH in balance.

Related: What You Need to Know Before Quitting the Pill

Learn about lube: All personal lubricants are not created equally. If you’re prone to yeast infections| then stay away from glycerin-based choices. Yeast thrives on sugar| and since glycerin is a sugar-based liquid| you’re better off choosing a different option.

Pick up probiotics: Eating yogurt with active cultures provides excellent protection from yeast infections. If you’re not a fan| then take probiotic supplements instead. Going for a diet that’s low in sugar will also keep the yeast beast at bay.

Related: 10 Facts You Didn’t Know About Vaginas

Clean up your diet: Candidiasis is by far the most common type of yeast infection. While it hasn’t been proven that a full-blown candida cleanse diet clears up infections| many in the holistic health community believe that cutting out sugar| white flour| yeast| and cheese can drastically clear up major candida overgrowth issues. For those suffering from consistent yeast infections| cleaning up your diet might be something to consider.

Slow down: According to the US Department of Health and Human Services Office on Women’s Health| even stress and lack of sleep can cause yeast infections?¡ª just another reason to slow down| take time to relax| and get at least seven hours of sleep every night.

When you’re dealing with a yeast infection| don’t let it go untreated or expect it to clear up on its own. As soon as you’ve identified your symptoms| you’ll want to treat it right away. Otherwise| you could be dealing with a far more gnarly situation later.

Go to the doctor: If you’re not sure that you’re working with a yeast infection| then head to your doctor as soon as possible. Your doctor will be able confirm the issue and prescribe antibiotics to clear things up ASAP.Go over-the-counter: When heading to the doctor is not an option| there are a few messier over-the-counter treatments available. Most likely you’ll choose a vaginal antifungal cream that comes with an applicator so you can measure the right dose. Follow the instructions very carefully| and be sure to finish your entire treatment.Image Source: POPSUGAR Photography / THEM TOO

When you’re trying to get your health back on track, there are many ways to detox your way to feeling better. The best way to flush out toxins, however, is simple: lots and lots of water. But you don’t have to drink it plain; you can add a little flavor as well with these delicious (and detoxifying) additions. Add all of these to a large pitcher or bottle full of ice and water and drink throughout the next day for an effective way to detox! It helps to let these pieces soak overnight in your fridge to let the flavors meld.

Related: A Ginger Smoothie Full of Detox Power

Lemon: Lemon water makes for a powerful detox drink; lemon juice helps to cleanse and alkalize the body. Add one thinly sliced lemon to a large pitcher, or squeeze fresh lemon juice into your glass.Mint: Mint adds a touch of sweetness without the sugar to your water, and it also helps settle your stomach and aids in digestion as well.Cucumber: Cucumber water isn’t just for spas. Adding a few slices of cucumber to your water makes for excellent rehydration, and cucumber also contains anti-inflammatory properties.Ginger: The spicy root helps cleanse out your system, aids in digestion, and settles your stomach. A little goes a long way, so start with a few thin slices or grate a tiny piece into your water and taste before adding more as necessary.

Related: 10 Natural Ways to Help Detoxify the Body

To make one serving of detox water, add three to five slices of cucumber, half a lemon, and a few sprigs of mint leaves to 24 ounces of ice-cold water. You can also add sliced peeled ginger (about a one-inch piece of ginger root, or to taste) for a spicy kick.

Related: This 1-Day Cleanse Will Reset Your Body ASAP

Image Source: POPSUGAR Photography / Anna Monette Roberts

When you’re trying to get your health back on track| there are many ways to detox your way to feeling better. The best way to flush out toxins| however| is simple: lots and lots of water. But you don’t have to drink it plain; you can add a little flavor as well with these delicious (and detoxifying) additions. Add all of these to a large pitcher or bottle full of ice and water and drink throughout the next day for an effective way to detox! It helps to let these pieces soak overnight in your fridge to let the flavors meld.

Related: A Ginger Smoothie Full of Detox Power

Lemon: Lemon water makes for a powerful detox drink; lemon juice helps to cleanse and alkalize the body. Add one thinly sliced lemon to a large pitcher| or squeeze fresh lemon juice into your glass.Mint: Mint adds a touch of sweetness without the sugar to your water| and it also helps settle your stomach and aids in digestion as well.Cucumber: Cucumber water isn’t just for spas. Adding a few slices of cucumber to your water makes for excellent rehydration| and cucumber also contains anti-inflammatory properties.Ginger: The spicy root helps cleanse out your system| aids in digestion| and settles your stomach. A little goes a long way| so start with a few thin slices or grate a tiny piece into your water and taste before adding more as necessary.

Related: 10 Natural Ways to Help Detoxify the Body

To make one serving of detox water| add three to five slices of cucumber| half a lemon| and a few sprigs of mint leaves to 24 ounces of ice-cold water. You can also add sliced peeled ginger (about a one-inch piece of ginger root| or to taste) for a spicy kick.

Related: This 1-Day Cleanse Will Reset Your Body ASAP

Image Source: POPSUGAR Photography / Anna Monette Roberts

17 Thrilled Women Eating the Saddest Salads Ever

We just can’t figure out what these models are so excited about. Serving up a bowl of fresh produce is a great foundation for a meal, but these teeny, tiny sad salads are simply not enough. We’ve never seen women so thrilled to eat something so plain, boring, and unsatisfying. Whip up one of our filling salads, check out these photos, and be glad that you know there’s a better way.

17 Thrilled Women Eating the Saddest Salads Ever

We just can’t figure out what these models are so excited about. Serving up a bowl of fresh produce is a great foundation for a meal| but these teeny| tiny sad salads are simply not enough. We’ve never seen women so thrilled to eat something so plain| boring| and unsatisfying. Whip up one of our filling salads| check out these photos| and be glad that you know there’s a better way.