The new year, for many, is a good time to clean up the diet and improve one's health. But most of us are not ready to follow a strict fasting program -- and, in fact, some would argue that strict fasts such as the Master Cleanse are not even good for you.

Dr. Alejandro Junger  is one of the experts who argue that you should feed your body and not deprive it of nutrients while you are trying to detoxify your liver. His popular book "Clean," goes into great detail on how to follow a three-week detoxification diet. 

If you're intrigued by the idea of a detoxification diet but not ready to commit to three weeks, check out the seven-day menu suggested by actress-blogger Gwyneth Paltrow, based on Junger's "Clean" plan.

Here are the general guidelines of Junger's plan, which you can read about, in detail, on his website:

• Liquid meal in morning and in evening, with a big lunch of salad or soup; include protein at lunch if morning liquid is not a protein shake; liquid meal can be 1) a blended smoothie of raw ingredients, 2) vegetable/fruit juice made with the juicer or 3) a blended soup -- raw or cooked; choose from 21 liquid meal recipes in the book or make up your own meals based on the allowed foods.
• Limit the content of the liquids and the solid meal to "approved foods" (which are listed in the book) and on Junger's website. 
• Put 12 hours between the evening liquid meal and the next morning liquid meal.
• Drink enough water and noncaffeinated tea to create the urge to urinate once an hour.
• Take supplements for probiotics.
• Take 2 tblsp of psyllium husk or other natural laxative to compensate for less fiber due to juicing part of the diet.
• Take 2 tblsp of olive oil at bedtime, chased by a squeeze of lemon and water. The idea is that the olive oil flushes gallstones out of the gallbladder and the bile duct.