Toxin-less: Ingestion
There are three primary ways in which we are exposed to toxic chemicals, and ingestion is one of them, probably the most important. Ingestion is anything we consume, foods, beverages, supplements, IV drips. Ingestion is also probably the hardest to manage, because we are a food motivated culture, and you may be surprised to learn that almost everything in the grocery store, includes toxic chemicals.
Essentially, eating from nature, anything that lives on earth, i.e. fruits, vegetables, animals, is the goal. How I teach kids is the question, does it live on earth or is it made in a building? But even if it lives on earth, there can be toxic chemicals used in the growing and processing, for example most crops in the US are sprayed with glysophate, a pesticide that has known cancer risk with human consumption, and most livestock is fed corn, wheat and oats that have been sprayed with glysophate, so that poison gets into the animal, and then they’re pumped full of antibiotics to create an inflammatory response making them bigger, the more pounds of meat, the higher the price tag.
And, who can truly sustain a live on earth mentality, it’s hard. I am known to grab a bag of chips or crackers from time to time, so when it comes to ultra processed foods, this is where it gets really tricky. (Ultra processed food is anything made in a building, technically, packaged meat is processed, as you’re not taking a bite out of the cow, like you take a bite of an apple freshly picked from a tree. So ultra processed is something that has to be assembled, made and packaged). Essentially, you need to read labels, or use an app like Healthy Living to get guidelines on toxic exposure.
Here are some helpful tips to eliminate toxic exposure with Ingestion:
Opt for organic, always. Organic is the most important label, this means the product could not have been sprayed or treated with any toxic chemicals. Buy organic produce, but also bread, flour, wheat products, rice, etc.
Attempt to eat from nature, fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, beans, legumes, meat
With meat, always choose the following:
Red meat - grass fed and finished, pasture raised
Poultry - has lived entire life in a pasture (fun fact, poultry are omnivores, they love bugs and worms which provide them protein, which makes the meat and eggs we eat healthier and more nutrient packed!)
Fish - always, always buy wild caught fish. Farm raised fish uses chemicals and man made food
When eating ultra processed foods, read the label and find minimal ingredients, i.e. Masa Chips, have organic corn, beef tallow and salt - that. is. it. They are an actual food source, fueling your body vs. an ultra processed toxic chemical bag of chips
Attempt to steer clear of flour and wheat based products, not only are they sprayed with glysophate (unless you buy organic), most wheat in America has been genetically modified removing all the natural nutrients, then they add folic acid which 50% of Americans cannot process. (called the MTHFR gene mutation). If you have any gastro issues at all, bloating, constipation, diarrhea, heart burn, pains, there is a good chance flour based foods are the reason. - see me for some health coaching! As alternatives, you can buy whole grains and mill them yourself to make bread, pasta, pizza dough (I will also be doing this and selling on my site - coming soon!), you can use alternative flours like almond, coconut, casava, and these alternate flours are becoming more popular with ultra processed foods - look at my Safer Swaps section
Filter your water, filter recommendations in my Safer Swaps section
Attempt to limit or avoid sugar and alcohol - both are toxic to the body and will add to your toxic load