It’s time to talk toxins! It’s my birthday month, so I picked a topic that gets me excited to talk about- TOXINS!
Each day, we ingest thousands of toxins, many of which exist in our own homes. In fact, there are over 10,000 FDA-approved chemicals added to food and packaging materials in the US. Interestingly enough, the European Union bans significantly more toxins from food, personal care and other products.
So what are some things to think about when we go to pick something off the shelf? While each category is vast, I’ll bullet a few things to consider in some top areas.
Food– This is probably the most discussed, and the category that comes to mind first for most.
Produce- Look to buy organic when it comes to produce that have a skin you’d eat (i.e.- peppers, tomatoes, peaches). Items you’d peel before eating, such as watermelon or kiwi, would be less of a priority to buy organic. Also make sure to rinse under water to remove pesticides and residue.
Pro tip- The closer you buy from the source, the better the shelf life and less likelihood of pesticides. Buying local at places like farmers markets, fish markets and butchers typically provide higher quality products that are more nutrient-dense.
Poultry (chicken, beef, eggs)- Prioritize labels that say “pasture-raised” or “grass-fed,” as well as “no hormones or antibiotics” on beef, chicken, pork and other meat. When eating meat, stick to fresh cuts, rather than smoked or cured since these can contain nitrates (I know this is hard for the bacon lovers to hear!)
Also, make your own marinades since store-bought ones are often full of preservatives. Start with an olive oil base and add fresh herbs and spices. You can find recipes online.
Packaged- Some ingredients to try and stay away from are:
- Artificial Colors (Red 40, Yellow 5, etc.)- Typically found in candy, cereals, snacks, drinks. Also be weary about children’s items! (unfortunately kids products aren’t protected)
- High-Fructose Corn Syrup (HFCS)- Sodas, condiments, baked goods (Keep in mind, corn syrup itself is not toxic, but more so how it’s produced, so specifically avoid high-fructose)
- Sodium nitrate- Found in cold cuts, bacon, hot dogs (Opt for nitrate-free versions, or alternatives)
Personal Care items–
The average person applies 12 products per day with a cocktail of about 168 different chemicals. You may have your favorite deodorant, shampoo or body lotion which may be hard to give up, so look at the things you use daily and start with one item you can opt for a cleaner swap.
While you may be thinking “how bad can this bar of body soap really be for me?” but we have 2 things working against us- 1) quantity and 2) time. If you were using one harmful product, perhaps it wouldn’t greatly affect you, but sadly, so much of what we’re putting on our skin (our largest organ) contains harmful ingredients so it’s not one item we’re worried about, it’s the collective. Second, when you think about using something every day, even for 5 years lets say…that’s 365 * 5 = 1,825 times you are putting that product on, and chances are you’ve been using your favorites for well over 5 years! So, we’re not as worried about a one-time use, rather, the consistent “repeat offenders” over time.
Some of the biggest culprits:
- Deodorant
- Sunscreen
- Hand soap
- Body lotion
- Toothpaste
The list goes on, and this isn’t to overwhelm you, rather, to increase your awareness. To learn about specific ingredients in your products, visit the EWG. https://www.ewg.org/skindeep/
Scented products–
- GET RID OF YOUR DRYER SHEETS! Bet you didn’t think I would start with this one, but yes, dryer sheets are one of the most toxic household items clocking in 10 harmful ingredients in every sheet. Instead opt for dryer balls. You can find inexpensive ones online. Or if you’d like to upgrade your full laundry hygiene, try Norwex’s set of dryer balls and detergent.
- doTerra also makes toxin-free laundry pods & detergent. Plus you can choose your favorite essential oils like “Purify,” “Wild Orange” or “Lavender” to add to dryer balls for your own clean scent.
- Not all candles are created equal. Avoid paraffin (I know, a lot of the popular delicious smelling brands are made from this) and instead opt for:
- Beeswax
- Coconut
- Soy
- Perfume/Cologne- I loved perfume, before I realized how harmful it was to my endocrine system, which helps regulate our hormones. Did you know a single artificial fragrance can contain as many as 3,000-5,000 different chemicals that can contribute to reproductive disruption and birth defects?! These include formaldehyde, esters, alcohol, and petroleum distillates. Beware when you see the phrases “parfum” or “natural fragrance” since natural is not a regulated word and can still contain undisclosed (harmful) ingredients. Do some research for toxic-free scented products.
Water– Water is probably one of the most overlooked, uncontrolled elements we consume on a daily basis. Think about it, how many times are you grabbing a bottle of water from somewhere (especially in these summer months) or a glass of tap water from a friend’s house or public restaurant?
We all know how important hydration is, but now we have to think about a 2nd step to that and where the water is coming from?? I know, this can feel daunting, but the intent is to have the knowledge to make decisions to better your health.
Some things to keep in mind with water intake:
– Plastic bottles- Although the water is filtered, toxins in plastic are detrimental to your health. So if you are only drinking bottled water, it’s probably a good idea to use another filtration method. Especially in the summertime when plastics are heated being in the sun, the material from the plastic bottles can leak into your water.
– Refrigerator filters- All filters are not created equal! Fridge filters often remove chlorine which can improve the taste, but may still have heavy metals. Look at a more in depth filtration system to put on your kitchen tap (and also shower head). In the meantime, store bought portable filters can remove some of these metals. Just be sure to research your methods to fully understand what toxins they do (and do not) address.
I hope you found this month’s blog to be eye-opening instead of overwhelming. This isn’t to suggest you completely overhaul your household at once (although you are welcome to if you’re feeling inspired!) Rather, start small and pick 1 area to focus on each week or month with your toxic cleanup. As my 8th grade teacher used to say- “Knowledge is power!”
If you’d like to receive DAILY DOSE’s Detox Series for more info. and some other tips, email us at info@dailydose-wellness.com.
Author: Georgia Homsany is the owner of DAILY DOSE Wellness, author of “You’re Not Lazy- Change Your Words to Change Your Worth” and a mental health & wellness speaker.
