Healthy Eating: Reducing Everyday Exposure to Food Contaminants
Healthy Eating Isn't Just About Nutrition
When we think about healthy eating, we usually focus on getting enough protein, healthy fats, vitamins, minerals, and fiber. But there's another piece of the puzzle that's often overlooked: environmental contaminants that can sometimes be found in our food.
These may include:
Arsenic in rice
Mercury in certain fish
Heavy metals
Mold and mycotoxins
Pesticide residues, including glyphosate
The reality is that no food source is perfect. Even foods that are considered healthy can sometimes contain naturally occurring contaminants or residues from the environment or agricultural practices.
For example, some independent testing has detected glyphosate residues in certain organic chickpea products. While organic farming standards generally prohibit the use of glyphosate, environmental contamination and other factors can still result in detectable residues in some cases. It's a reminder that "organic" doesn't necessarily mean completely free of contaminants.
My Personal Approach
One practice I've personally adopted is adding Clean Slate (CS) when I cook rice because I want to support my body when it comes to potential arsenic exposure.
Another habit I've found helpful is rotating the brands I buy. Rather than purchasing the same foods from the same company every time, I like to switch things up. My thinking is that if one source happens to have higher levels of a particular contaminant, rotating products may help avoid relying on that same source repeatedly.
It's About Awareness, Not Fear
None of this is meant to create fear around food.
We can't eliminate every environmental toxin from our lives, nor should we expect to. Instead, I believe in making practical, informed choices wherever possible. Small habits, practiced consistently, can add up over time.
For me, healthy living isn't just about choosing nutritious foods—it's also about being mindful of the environment those foods come from and taking simple steps to support my body's overall well-being.
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