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Healthy Produce

Are you eating healthy produce daily? Have you ever read food labels on the food products you purchase? How about considering what chemicals have been used on your fruit and vegetables?

With so much of our food being processed, there are many hidden chemicals and toxins in our foods, so it is important that you take into consideration these things. There are many things you can do, to help eliminate toxins and chemicals that we are unconsciously digesting and inhaling. Outlined below are just a few simple things you can do to help you to ensure you are consuming healthy produce.

Reading Food Labels Effectively

Although the majority of food in your diet will come from fresh wholefoods, there may still be some foods that come in a jar or packet. It is important to understand what a food label means and below is information on elements contained on a food label.

1. The nutritional information panel:

This is where you will find a breakdown of macronutrients such as carbohydrates, sugars, fats and protein in the product. Comparing the figures in the column per 100 g serve allows you to easily contrast different products.

2. The ingredients list:

This is where you will find a complete list of ingredients used in the product. These ingredients are listed in order of weight. Knowing that ingredients listed first are in the greatest quantities, can help you to avoid products with higher amounts of sugars or other ingredients you want to avoid.

3. Food additives:

Food additives such as colours, flavours and preservatives may have adverse effects on health and are included in the ingredient list by number. Be aware of the main food additives to avoid and choose not to consume products containing these additives during your detox program.

Specific additives to look out for include:

  • monosodium glutamate (MSG/E621),

  • artificial sweeteners (E950, E951, E954),

  • trans fats, food dyes [blue (E133), red (124), yellow (E102)],<

  • sodium sulphite (E221, 222, 223, 228),

  • sodium nitrite (251, 250), BHA/BHT (E320),

  • sulphur dioxide (E220) and<

  • potassium bromate.

Fruits & Vegetables

There are certain fruits and vegetables that use higher levels of harmful chemicals when grown and should ideally be consumed as organic in order to reduce your toxin burden. Below are lists of fruits and vegetables that use the most, and least, amount of chemicals to grow. When eating fruits and vegetables that may contain higher amounts of chemicals, it is recommended that you choose organic produce. However, if this is not feasible do not avoid this produce, as it is still healthier and more beneficial to consume them in any form possible. Produce that contains the lowest level of chemicals are safe to consume as non-organic without significant exposure to chemicals. The benefits of organic extend beyond their reduction of chemicals. Ideally foods should be consumed as organic as much as possible.

Many commercially sourced fruits and vegetables contain chemicals, some more than others. When purchasing fruit and vegetables from supermarkets, keep in mind the following list. They are listed in order of most and least contaminated.

High In Chemicals

  • Apples

  • Strawberries

  • Grapes

  • Celery

  • Peaches

  • Spinach

  • Capsicum

  • Nectarines (imported)

  • Cucumbers

  • Cherry Tomatoes

  • Potatoes

Lower in Chemicals

  • Avocadoes

  • Sweet corn

  • Pineapple

  • Cabbage

  • Sweet peas (frozen)

  • Onions

  • Asparagus

  • Mangoes

  • Paw Paw

  • Kiwi Fruit

  • Eggplant

  • Grapefruit

  • Rockmelon

  • Cauliflower

  • Sweet potato

 

Eating healthy produce is just one way of helping you to having a cleaner, healthier lifestyle. If you are wanting more information, contact myself or a qualified health professional.