Trying to reduce your toxin load can be a bit overwhelming. While some love to go all in and just do it all at once, others find it easier to take a slower, more methodical approach. This might mean choosing one product or category to work through at a time, or replacing items with cleaner options as you run out of your current stash. I like to look at specific rooms in the house, and today we’re going to talk about the kitchen.
There are a number of items to think about when it comes to this important gathering place for friends and family.
Food
Most of us think of the kitchen first when we are hungry. However, many kitchens these days are filled with imposters – food counterfeits that are really just chemicals and products made to look like a food item. Okay, it’s not actually that bad… but almost. Check out the ingredients on a dumb dumb sucker: sugar, corn syrup, citric acid, malic acid, salt, artificial flavor, color added (includes: Red 40, Yellow 6, Yellow 5, Blue 1). We had angel food cake the other day and the strawberry syrup on top had the following: High fructose corn syrup, water, corn syrup, artificial flavor, citric acid, sodium benzoate, xanthan gum, and Red 40. Not a speck of strawberry.
Highly processed sugary “foods” like that are pretty obviously not great for you. But what else might you want to consider when it comes to the food in your kitchen?
Organic – This means the food was made without the use of pesticides and similar chemicals that are known carcinogens and endocrine disruptors. Especially with things like produce, legumes, and grains, you might want to look into organic options so you can reduce your exposure to unnecessary levels of pesticides.
Non GMO – GMO stands for genetically modified organism. One of the biggest concerns with these products is that they are modified in order to more effectively stand up against the harsh chemicals and pesticides frequently used on them. Meaning they are often more heavily sprayed with chemicals than their non-GMO counterparts. However, don’t fall for the “non-GMO” gimmicky labeling. Some products are never genetically modified in the first place, but producers use the label to try to appear as more “healthy” than they really are. Do a little research to know if the foods you buy are often genetically modified and where you can get a non-modified version.
Whole-food – As a general rule, the closer the food is to its original whole form, the more nutrient dense it will be. As things get processed and cooked and canned, etc. they lose their nutritional value.
Free-range, grass fed animal products – When animals such as chickens and cows are allowed to wander about freely, consuming grasses and other natural substances, their meat (and other by-products including eggs, milk, etc.) have lower inflammatory properties (such as Omega 6 fatty acids) and higher vitamin and nutrient content. Plus, conventionally raised food animals are regularly injected with antibiotics and hormones to artificially enhance their growth and protect them from the unsanitary environment they are contained in. These medications are then passed on to you as you consume the meat. Yuck! Opting for free-range, grass fed and finished (beef) is the best option when it comes to reducing toxins coming from animal products.
Dishes and Food Storage
We’ve known for a long time now that the dishes we use to eat and store our food can affect what is in the food itself!
For example, plastic dishes and storage containers can leach chemicals into the food. Plastics are known to mess with hormones and cause other health issues. Opt for glass or stainless steel dishes and storage containers to reduce your exposure to these toxins. As a bonus, they are higher quality and last longer as well!
Cookware
Non-stick pans and cooking items are not your friend if you’re looking to reduce toxins in the kitchen. The chemicals used to make the item non-stick are prone to degradation and get into your food, and thus into your body. These chemicals are, you guessed it, carcinogenic. Stainless steel or ceramic cookware would be a better alternative.
Additionally, aluminum has been shown to be toxic as it accumulates in the body, so it’s a good idea to avoid cooking with aluminum. Where you would normally use aluminum foil, try parchment paper, instead!
Soap
Many popular brand name soaps contain a variety of toxic substances such as phthalates, fragrances, and more that are known to cause health issues! Fortunately, there are many options out there that are more health-conscious and also effective at cleaning. My favorite kitchen soap is from Puracy! They have some great dishwasher pods and dish soap for handwashing dishes. I have a subscription with them so every couple months dishwasher pods show up at my door and I never run out. It’s great.
Start today
While there are many things you can do to reduce your toxin exposure, the best thing to do is do something today! It’s easy to put this off when there’s not an immediate health concern, but it’s the build up over time that really gets you. You don’t need to do it all at once, but just pick something today and make that one change for better health. It will be worth it!
If you have any favorite ways of reducing toxins in the kitchen, I’d love to hear about it!
Resources
Impact of Microplastics and Nanoplastics on Human Health – PMC (nih.gov)
