Every January, we are told it is time to detox. Juice cleanses, restrictive plans, and elimination diets promise a fresh start, as if our bodies are something to be fixed after a few festive meals.

But the idea that we need to detox through restriction is not only misleading, but it is also often counterproductive.

Our bodies already detox themselves. The liver, kidneys and digestive system work around the clock to remove waste and keep us healthy. What they need to function well is not fewer nutrients, but better ones.

At Hampshire Market Garden, we believe the healthiest way to start January is not by cutting food out, but by putting the right food back in. Seasonal, locally grown organic vegetables provide fibre, vitamins and minerals that support digestion, immunity and stable energy levels through the winter. They nourish the body rather than stressing it.

Detox-style diets often do the opposite. By removing fibre-rich foods and relying on liquids or ultra-restrictive rules, they deprive the gut of what it needs to function properly. Many people experience fatigue, irritability and rebound eating, all signs that the body is being pushed rather than supported.

Good health is not built in a week. It is built meal by meal.

According to Hampshire Market Garden's Director and Head Grower, Chris Huskins, a Certified Soil Scientist, the process starts beneath our feet. "Healthy soil grows healthier food. When soil is cared for through organic and regenerative methods, it produces crops with greater resilience, depth of flavour and nutritional value. It also supports wildlife, stores carbon, and strengthens local food systems. Looking after soil is not a niche environmental concern; it is a public health issue."

Choosing local, seasonal produce in January is one of the simplest ways to support both personal and planetary health. It reduces food miles, supports Hampshire growers and reconnects us with food that is grown with care rather than designed for shelf life.

This is not about perfection or moralising food choices. It is about rejecting the idea that health comes from punishment. Real health comes from nourishment, consistency and connection to where our food comes from.

This January, perhaps the healthiest thing we can do is stop detoxing and start eating properly again.

No detox. Just real food.

-ENDS-

About Hampshire Market Garden CIC
Hampshire Market Garden is a not-for-profit social enterprise working to show the world that healthy soil can protect our future. From food security to climate resilience, it demonstrates that caring for what lies beneath our feet is key to a sustainable future.

It does this by growing organic vegetables with a focus on soil health, educating communities about its importance, and collaborating with farmers, organisations, and policymakers to drive change and promote sustainable land stewardship.

As well as selling wholesale, they sell their produce to consumers via a fast-growing veg box scheme that delivers directly to homes and to collection points across Hampshire. They also donate healthy organic food to local pantries, food projects, night shelters and more.

Hampshire Market Garden's Director and Head Grower, Chris Huskins, is a Certified Soil Scientist and a great presenter and interviewee. Watch his TEDx talk proving that healthy soil is the solution for both productive farming and a sustainable future here