What you put on the end of your fork makes such a big difference for your health, but the information about what’s okay to eat versus what isn’t can be really confusing.
What you put on the end of your fork makes such a big difference for your health. Click To TweetYou probably already know that two of the most basic components of a good diet include fresh produce in a rainbow of colors and high-quality protein. Sounds pretty simple, right?
Ideally it should be, but unfortunately it’s easy to be misled because some things we automatically assume to be healthy can have hidden toxins in them. Since this is an important issue, I want to highlight a few of them so you don’t make the same mistakes I did many years ago when I started on my journey to become healthier.
3 Types of Food With Hidden Toxins
To help keep your diet as healthy as possible, make sure you know the story behind the products you eat, including the ones in the following categories.
1. Veggies and Fruits
As much as produce is a critical part of a healthy diet, commercially raised fruits and vegetables often contain pesticides that are essentially toxic to our body and brain. And sadly, some of our favorites are on the Environmental Working Group’s list of the “Dirty Dozen.” Among others, the produce that is highest in pesticides includes:
- Cherries
- Strawberries
- Tomatoes
- Spinach
- Kale
- Collard and mustard greens
So, if these are staples in your household—like they are in mine—buy them organic whenever you can.
2. Fish
We need adequate amounts of protein in our diet for the healthy functioning of our cells, tissues, and organs. However, if you’re a seafood fan you need to know that certain big fish, like shark, tilefish, swordfish, king mackerel, and some species of tuna have been found to have concerning levels of mercury, which is known to be toxic to our nervous system, including our brain.
On the other hand, eating fish like wild-caught salmon is usually a good choice, especially because of its high content of omega-3 fatty acids. However, salmon that comes from fish farming can be tainted with the antibiotics that are used to help manage disease in the crowded pools they live in.
3. Poultry and Meat
Similarly, antibiotics are often added to the feed given to poultry and livestock, so check your labels to make sure the products you’re buying are antibiotic-free. Better yet, try to find ones that are also labeled free-range, grass-fed, and hormone-free. Yes, the meat and dairy industries are known for giving hormones like estrogen and rBGH (a growth hormone) to their animals, traces of which get into our system after we consume those products.
One more thought on the meat topic: I recommend minimizing your consumption of cured meats or cold cuts because they are usually loaded with sodium, and too much salt can raise your blood pressure. Additionally, a lot of deli meats have unhealthy chemical preservatives like nitrites and nitrates and many cold cuts are not gluten-free. So again, check your labels!
Choose Clean Whenever You Can
In a nutshell, we are what we eat, which is why it’s so important to make sure the foods we consume are as clean as possible. I know organic produce and animal proteins raised without antibiotics and hormones can be a little more expensive, but if you can swing it I highly recommend you switch to them.
You—and your brain and body—are well worth having the healthiest nourishment possible so you can feel your best and avoid the potential consequences of hidden toxins on your plate each day.
For more inspiration, order my newest book, The Relentless Courage of a Scared Child: How Persistence, Grit, and Faith Created a Reluctant Healer.
If you’re struggling and need professional help, Amen Clinics is here for you. We offer in-clinic brain scanning and appointments, as well as mental telehealth, remote clinical evaluations, and video therapy for adults, children, and couples. Find out more by speaking to a specialist today at 888-288-9834 or visit our contact page here.
