Kitchen Detox

Alright, here we go... KITCHEN DETOX. What does that mean? It means you go through your kitchen and rid it of food items that are not health promoting. I mean throw it away! If you cannot stand waste, like my husband, then donate it to the food shelves or give it to a neighbor. What ever, just get rid of it!

It is true that there are Health promoting foods and disease promoting foods.  

Here is a general recommendation taken from THE TEXTBOOK OF FUNCTIONAL MEDICINE that gives you a very good place to start.

So, let's start with getting rid of foods that contain the following:

1. Eliminate Trans Fat (margarine, vegetable shortening, commercially baked goods, deep-fried foods, fast foods and many restaurant foods)

2.  Eliminate Artificial Sweeteners (NutraSweet, saccharin, etc.)  and High Fructose Corn Syrup! 

3.  Non- Organic plant and animals foods, which increase risk of ingesting petrochemicals, hormones and antibiotics.

4.  Eliminate large predatory fish such as tuna, swordfish, tile fish and shark. These all have high mercury content.

5.  Minimize your intake of Genetically Modified Foods (GMO) until further data clarifies the safety profile.

I know, this might be hard for many of us. Especially if you were raised with on the Standard American Diet. This is a verybig step towards your health. Maybe you've known that you needed to change your eating habits and you just didn't know where to start. In the long run, you will be better off. I promise.

For those who eat out every meal: STOP EATING OUT! You'll feel better and save money.If you don't know how to cook, it may be a good idea to brush up on these essential skills. Just get in the kitchen and learn as you go. Have some fun with it!

Why are we doing this? So we can rid our diets of foods that may be toxic to our bodies. After years of an unhealthy diet, you will have built up toxins in your body that may prohibit you from living a life full of vitality. Many of you have high cholesterol, high glucose, pre-diabetes or  high blood pressure.  This is a perfect start in reversing these disease processes in your body.  

Restore your cupboards with:

Fresh, Whole, UN-processed Foods.

Organic meats and produce -  Locally Grown when possible

Include a wide variety of colorful plant foods to maximize the intake of phytonutrients, vitamins and minerals.

Avoid overcooking - when you cook your vegetables until they are soggy, you are cooking away many of the nutrients.

Do not microwave food.

Keep Oils, Nuts and Seeds in dark, airtight containers in cool storage.

Below you will find the Menu Plan I use with patients that I treat with FirstLine Therapy. Every food on this list has health promoting qualities. These foods are taken from the Mediterranean diet and Low Glycemic Index foods that support balanced blood sugar and help promote health in your body.  

 Food should be the foundation of your health. This list should be your grocery shopping list.    

Also, here is a great guide for grocery shopping if you don't have a Health Food Store. If your local town doesn't carry Organics then how about you and 10 other people sign a petition and ASK for it. You'd be surprised at the fact that products are CONSUMER driven. If more people want it, then more stores will start to carry it. Perfect example is how Walmart started carrying Organics this last year.

So I hope this provides a great place to start.  Don't forget to email me with questions if you have them!

Good luck to you and yours!  

To a healthier Kitchen and a even healthier YOU!!

Dr. Shamanie Haneca