What Toxins Are In Your Life?
by Joyce Dillon
When embarking on a detoxification program, it is advised to begin by taking stock of the toxins you are encountering. Once you have pinpointed them, you will be in a position to eliminate or minimize those exposures.
Removing toxins from your everyday environment, diet, etc. will be a crucial step in detoxifying. In fact, it is an essential one. Yet this sort of effort is overlooked in many of the programs that are currently available. Too frequently, people are encouraged to jump headfirst into a one-day, one-weekend, or one-week "cleansing" regimen without being advised to first assess the toxins they're exposed to every single day.
The questionnaire ahead will help you discover toxins in many areas of your food.
DIET:
The foods and liquids you consume daily can be major sources of toxins. If you piled up all the meals you ate in one year, the mound formed would be huge. Can you imagine if all the food you ate in a lifetime were heaped in one place? The average American eats 25 tons of food by the time they hit age 65. Considering this amount, it's quite apparent that the foods you take in can either be a major contributor to your well-being or to ill health. Answering the questions below will help you detect which foods may be adding to your toxic load.
Diet Questionnaire
- When you shop for groceries, do you toss convenience/processed foods into your cart?
- Do you also purchase non-organic produce, meat, and/or dairy?
- Are you aware that the foods you buy might be genetically engineered or irradiated?
- Is red meat on your plate more than once a week?
- Do you add commercial salt rather than sea salt to your food?
- Do you cook with aluminum pots and pans?
- Are you unsure if your plates, bowls and cups might be tinted with lead paint?
- Do you eat fried foods regularly at home or at restaurants?
- Are fast foods a part of your regular diet?
- Do you order take-out foods or eat in restaurants frequently?
- Are barbecued foods on your plate often during warm weather?
- Do you snack on junk foods?
- Do you experience food cravings?
- Do you have a sweet tooth and regularly consume candies and desserts?
- Do you buy foods or soft drinks that contain artificial sweeteners?
- Do you add artificial sweeteners to your hot beverages?
- Are sodas one of the main liquids you drink?
- Do you regularly consume caffeinated drinks, such as coffee, tea, or colas?
- Do you rely on coffee to provide extra energy to get you through the day?
- Do you drink alcohol regularly?
- Do you consume less than eight 8-10 ounce glasses of water each day?
- Is the water you drink from the tap or plastic bottles?
- Is the environment where you eat hectic and stressful rather than relaxed and nurturing?
- Do you swallow your food without chewing it thoroughly?
If you answered yes to three or more questions, then diet could be a significant part of your toxic load.
© 2006 Joyce Dillon, R.N., M.N. health coach and wellness practitioner works with individuals and groups who want to dramatically improve their health, reduce stress and live a more balanced lifestyle. Learn more at www.healthylivingandbalance.com or contact Joyce directly at 404-881-1322 or jjdillon@mindspring.com
 |
 |
 |
 |
