TWENTY WAYS TO REDUCE YOUR TOXIC LOAD

Baby steps does it...

1. Reduce your intake of pesticides and herbicides from vegetables, fruits, grains, seeds and legumes by eating more organic foods if possible

The Environmental Working Group selected the following foods as least contaminated with pesticides. You can opt to eat these as non-organic.

The Environmental Working Group selected the following foods as most contaminated with pesticides. It is better to eat these as organic.

2. Reduce your intake of hormones, antibiotics and heavy metals by choosing lean grass-fed, pasture-raised and free-range sources of animal protein, wild caught fish and fish low in mercury (halibut, herring, mackerel, salmon, sardines, tuna)

3. Eat enough proteins from animal sources (1g of protein per ideal body weight). This is essential for detoxification. Most toxins have to be combined with amino acids (the building blocks of proteins) in order to be excreted from the body

4. Reduce your intake of harmful chemicals (artificial colouring, flavouring, additives) by avoiding processed foods 

5. Remove toxins like alcohol, caffeine, nicotine, recreational drugs and sugar from your lifestyle

6. Avoid GMO Foods. Eat whole foods provided to you by mother nature.

7. Eat lots of non-starchy vegetables (all the colours of the rainbow)- (10-12 servings- 1 serving= ½ cup of vegetables or 1 cup of raw leafy greens). They provide phytonutrients and antioxidants that help in the detoxification process.

8. Avoid high temperature cooking (broiling, frying and grilling) that results in the browning of food (this creates inflammatory compounds). INSTEAD, use slow cooking methods (steaming, baking, sautéing). 

9. Avoid trans-fats found in processed fats (like Canola oil, Corn oil, Cottonseed oil, Grape seed oil, Safflower oil, Soybean oil, Sunflower oil) and hydrogenated fats like margarine. INSTEAD, use healthy fats (refined, cold-press, organic like coconut oil, Ghee, butter, olive oil, Avocado oil, walnut oil, almond oil, flaxseed oil, hemp seed oil…)

10. Eliminate any trigger foods that give you adverse symptoms. Try the elimination diet. (Substack coming soon)

11. Drink enough filtered or spring water and decaffeinated herbal teas (1.5-2 L)

12. Sweat it out (many toxins are excreted through sweat)- Try sauna, exercise

13. Make sure you have a bowel movement every day (take 400-600 mg/day of magnesium citrate if needed)

14. Reduce environmental toxins by opting for: 

    non-fluoride toothpaste

    shea butter or coconut oil for skin care

    non-toxic hair shampoo and deodorants

    glass or stainless steel cookware and containers instead of using plastic containers, non-stick cookware, metal cans, cellophane and aluminium foil (their chemicals seep into your food)

    non-toxic biodegradable detergents (pure Castile soap, vinegar, baking soda) 

    essential oils as air fresheners

    furniture free of toxic flame retardant

    mould free indoor space

    clean AC filters if applicable

15. Try fasting. It activates autophagy (the self-cleaning process of damaged cells). Have one meal in 24 hrs that covers your daily requirement of protein and as many non-starchy vegetables as you want. Make sure to drink enough water.

16. Avoid/reduce toxic stress by having work-life balance and counter it with breathing exercises, yoga, meditation, prayer…

17. Avoid toxic self-defeating talk.  INSTEAD, exercise self-compassion.

18. Avoid toxic social media interactions, videos, news.  INSTEAD, spend time with your loved ones.

19. Avoid toxic people or focus on their good qualities 

20. Avoid toxic feelings like resentment, grudges, hate, envy … LET GO…

I apologise for taking the joy out of life with these 20 ways to reduce your toxic load.

But what can I do?… I love humans and I believe that if you take the joy out of your lives with my 20 tips, you’ll be happier eventually.  😉

Take care of yourselves.

About the author

Abir Ballan has a Masters in Public Health, a graduate degree in special needs education and a BA in psychology. She is a children’s author with 27 books. 

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