Detoxing Your Diet

Embarking on a journey towards a non-toxic lifestyle begins with the foundation of our well-being… our diet. Diet plays a central role in overall health and well-being. It directly affects our energy levels, mood, digestion, and even the functioning of vital organs. By addressing dietary habits first, you’re targeting a fundamental aspect of your life.

Crunchy & Co is not a grocery store, but detoxing your diet is such a vital part of going crunchy! The diet we’re discussing here goes beyond mere weight management. It’s about nourishing your body to empower you for life’s activities, whether it’s playing with your kids or engaging in sports. Think of food as the fuel that propels you forward, not as a burden that weighs you down. Good nutrition will protect you from illness.

If you're just starting to really pay attention to what you eat and drink, here are a few places we recommend you start. Some links are affiliate links. We may earn commissions from qualifying purchases, at no additional cost to you. This does not influence the products we recommend since we can recommend whatever we want ;).

Detoxing your diet can start as early as your next grocery trip. As a rule of thumb, you should focus on foods along the perimeter of your grocery store, where you are more likely to find whole foods like meat, milk, eggs, cheese, fresh bread, fruits and vegetables. These foods are more likely to be nutrient-dense and often free from harmful additives. 

The middle aisles of the grocery store are typically reserved for ultra-processed foods in bags, boxes, and cans lined with PFAS, filled with preservatives, and artificial colors and flavors meant to make the food more addicting. Skip those. The shopping you do in the middle aisles should be heavily restricted.

Make sure you are reading your labels. If you haven't really looked before, you'll be surprised to find how even the simplest products have so many unecessary additives. Download our free toxic ingredient cheat sheet so you know what to avoid.

Opt for organic produce, coffee & tea, and products when possible. Organic foods are less likely to contain synthetic pesticides, herbicides, and genetically modified organisms (GMOs) as well as most additives. If you’re on a budget, refer to the EWG’s Dirty Dozen list to prioritize which items to buy organic.

While we will always encourage you to support your local farmers, access to organic foods can vary from town to town. If you're having trouble locating a local farm in your area, check out My Health Forward's amazing local farm map. For online options, we recommend:

• Thrive Market is an excellent membership for access to organic pantry items. Get 40% off your first order!
• Amazon Prime’s Subscribe & Save is a great way to save on pantry items. Even if you live in the big city, it’s sometimes impossible to find clean crackers and snack bars. Depending on your income, you could pay half the regular price of a Prime membership if you don’t have one already.

Remember to always wash your produce, even if it’s organic, to get rid of dirt, bugs and any handling contamination. We're not a fan of many of the "fruit washes" available on the market which have many unnecessary additives. We really only recommend using one of two ingredients: good old aluminum-free baking soda, or the Renovera powder (which will last you a life time...).

The only oils you need in your life are olive oil, coconut oil, tallow and avocado oil. These oils have been around for centuries. Single-origin oils are best. Ghee butter is also a great option. For optimum quality and health, buy them in glass containers.

Choose water as your primary beverage, and get a water filter. Tap water may contain contaminants such as bacteria, viruses, parasites, heavy metals (e.g., lead, mercury), fluoride, pesticides, and industrial pollutants such as PFAS. Our recommendation is to choose an RO system that adds back minerals for optimal health benefits. You can learn more about how to shop for the best water filter for you by reading this article.

You are more likely to cook at home when you plan your meals in advance. This helps you avoid the convenience of fast food or heavily processed takeout options. Choose a few meals your family enjoys and ensure you are always stocked with those ingredients. We love toxin-free glass storage containers for storing meals. They are freezer-safe, but don’t overfill them.

Identify healthier alternatives to fast food for those times when convenience is necessary. Consider preparing and freezing homemade meals in advance or choosing healthier options from better-choice restaurants that offer nutrient-rich meals. Or stocking up on clean meal replacements.

If after-dinner clean-up is part of the reason you reach for fast food, stock up on disposable bamboo plates and wooden cutlery to avoid plastics which are usually filled with phthalates and PFAS. While using reusable diningware is optimal, don't let the post-dinner clean up be what prevents you from eating a nutritious meal.

Keep your snack drawer or pantry stocked with healthier options, such as raw nuts, seeds, whole fruit, yogurt, cheese sticks, beef sticks, cottage cheese,  vegetable sticks with hummus, or a clean protein powder. While whole foods are best, if you are choosing packaged foods, choose ones that prioritize whole food ingredients and have short ingredient lists. Having nutritious snacks readily available makes it easier to avoid processed junk. We are also big fans of making your trail mix at home. Mix your favorite ingredients in a large glass container, add a scoop, and you always have a healthy shelf-stable snack available.

Stop Buying The Processed Junk
Out of sight, out of mind. If you don't bring the Doritos and Skittles into your home, you won't reach for them because, well, you can't! Simple as that. If these types of foods are really an issue for you, start experimenting with dupes that may offer the same satisfaction. But in general, any processed food (even the better choice ones) should be consumed in limited quantities.

Get Professional Help (optional)
Our primary advice here at Crunchy & Co is to focus on whole food ingredients. But if you have specific health goals or are healing from a disease, we suggest you meet with a holistic-leaning nutritionist or dietician. Unfortunately, diet programs or "mainstream" dieticians received industry-funded education, which often does not align with real nutrition. They are taught to obsess over nutrition facts, and don't always pay attention to ingredient quality or sources. You'll want to look for someone who believes in topics like regenerative farming and is focused on whole foods (not just nutrition facts).

What other tips do you have for detoxing your diet?