At this time of year it seems that almost everyone is on some kind of health kick, and reporter Lesley Bates is no different – although hers was in the name of investigative journalism.

With the help of nutritionist Rowena Paxton, the Salisbury Journal reporter attempted to ‘cleanse the system’ with a seven-day detox programme.

To prepare for the detox Lesley had a short consultation with Rowena to talk through the plan and check she had no medical conditions that would make the programme unsuitable – unfortunately for Lesley, she hadn’t!

For the next seven days she could eat as much fruit and veg as she wanted – but not much else. Tea, coffee and alcohol were all strictly forbidden, along with bananas (too much sugar), and avocados (too much fat).

She was also allowed virtually no carbohydrate or protein, except for a strictly rationed five tablespoons of yoghurt.

To start her first day of detox, Lesley woke up to the juice of half a lemon in hot water followed by 8oz of fruit.

Lesley’s diary said: “I couldn’t face the detox tea just yet. Took it into office to share experience with colleagues. General opinion is that it smells like an old haystack. General opinion is that it tastes like one, too.”

After going home to boil up mountains of veg in vats of water and drinking masses of khaki-coloured liquid, her first day of detox was over, quite painlessly, although she was a bit jumpy through lack of caffeine.

By day three, Lesley was beginning to feel worse – raging headache, feeling nauseous and aching all over – not exactly what she was aiming for.

However, apparently this is all normal as the toxins are beginning to be eliminated and are fighting to get out.

Lesley said: “I sneeze, my nose is running and so am I – to the loo every five minutes.

“All very unpleasant and go to bed feeling lousy and looking forward to the promised surge of energy on day five.”

However on day five the surge of energy she was hoping for didn’t materialise and she was feeling worse than ever – but Rowena is convinced that the detox has worked and has shifted all sorts of unsavoury things previously lurking in the system.

Six days after finishing the detox, Lesley was just starting to feel as well as she did before the detox, and is not convinced it went well.

She said: “Perhaps not all of us are good subjects for this kind of regime or perhaps some of us are so toxic that it takes more than a few days of deprivation to sort it out.

“On the plus side, I lost half a stone (not sustainable but I’ll enjoy it while it lasts), my sugar cravings seemed to have disappeared and I’m still off tea, coffee and alcohol (the latter also unsustainable – there are limits).”

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