If you’re looking for a way to help clean out years of build up from chemicals and toxins from all the gung, this guide is for you!

We encounter exposure to heavy metals daily from the products we use on our bodies, cleaners, and even in our water supply and environment.

As we now know with research, breast implants are filled with over 45 chemicals and heavy metals.
These toxins build up over time in our system and can stay for years, causing harm to until we clean them out.

Click here to learn more about Breast Implant Illness and here for a free guide!

There are several ways to detox your body from heavy metals, since we’re focusing on foods, you’re going to learn which foods help fight and break down the build-up. The extra bonus here is that all these foods also help repair and heal our bodies from the way our organs function to our mental health.

To put it simply, aim to eat whole unprocessed foods by following the 90/10 rule.

Meaning, eliminate processed foods and 90% of your diet comes from plants:
fruits,
veggies,
greens,
berries,
nuts,
seeds,
beans,
 legumes,
& whole grains
The remaining 10% may come from another source like meat or dairy.

If you’re thinking this is a vegan diet, think again. This focuses on eliminating processed foods, (which as we all know plays a major role in our poor health) and fuels our body with pure whole foods. Foods in the 90%, all carry benefits relating to every part of our being, from helping combat illness and disease, the way our heart beats, our lungs, kidneys, bowels, hormones…..they support the most crucial part of our body, our gut health.

Also, I encourage you to read this article about The Brain-Gut Connection.

Gut. Health. Is. Key.

(Photo from unicity.com)

Heavy metal toxicity is related to chronic diseases and a list of symptoms including:

-Joint Pain
-Headaches
-Fatigue
-GI Issues
-Female issues (period, hormones, infertility)
-Anxiety & Depression
-Night sweats
-Low Energy
– Abdominal Pain
-Visual Disturbances
-Chronic Infections

There are yummy foods out there that are cost friendly and packed with superhero benefits that carry probiotics, antioxidants, vitamins and minerals.

Heavy Metal Cleaning Foods:

– Leafy greens
– Flax & Chia Seeds
– Garlic
– Onion
– Lemon
– Wild Berries
– Tomatoes
– Cilantro
– Basil
– Rosemary
– Oregano
– Thyme
– Ginger
– Cinnamon
– Turmeric
– Spinach
– Kale
– Grapefruit
– Nuts
– Seeds
– Chorella
– Spirulina

Incorporate these foods as much as possible into your 90/10 daily food intake.
You can start your morning with a glass of lemon water and avocado toast with tomatoes, onion, cilantro, basil, and choice of seeds. Add greens and berries to your smoothies and make a salad for lunch. You can also make a tomato-based sauce using crushed tomatoes, garlic, onion, oregano, & basil. Chili is another amazing recipe that you can use many heavy metal detox foods to. Stir in some hemp seeds to hide an extra boost!

Foods to Avoid:

– Rice (even though rice has beneficial nutrients, the lead levels are high for detoxing. If you do cook rice, make sure to rinse it under cold water for 3 minutes to reduce the arsenic exposure.
– Fish (fish contains high levels of mercury)
– Processed foods are called processed for a reason. They go through a process of fillers and unnatural ingredients added, raising our exposure and levels of harmful chemicals. These foods do not contain nutrients our bodies need to thrive and “gets in the way” of whole foods doing their job.
– Dairy & Meat should not be avoided but consumed with awareness. This is because most meat and dairy products these days are not what the farmers had 80 years ago. The added fillers and chemicals are a biproduct to one of the reasons why so many struggle. When consuming meat or dairy, choose products that are as close to farm as you can get, fresh. Don’t worry, plant based foods carry all the protein and nutrients you need!

Where to begin:

Start by looking at what you’re eating. Track your daily food intake for 24-72 hours, you can do this by keeping a note in your phone or even by taking photos. Focus on how much (& many different kinds) fruit, veggies, whole grains, berries, greens, seeds, nuts, beans, and legumes. Compare to the amount of dairy and meat, as well as your processed foods.

Tracking your food is a way to really see what’s going because you literally see it on paper. Keep track of your daily food and drink intake by keeping a note in your phone or snapping a photo. This will allow you to reflect on what you’re getting in and show you where small changes can be made to create a big difference.

Meal Planning and Tips:

-Meal prepping will save you on time and frustration. This also allows you to have more control over what you’re going to eat and plan. You can make ready-to-go smoothie bags to keep in the freezer and cook beans, baked veggies, and other meals to keep in the refrigerator.

-Have at least one fruit or vegetable at every meal.

-Make your own trail mix with nuts, seeds, and dried fruit.

-You can make numerous detox smoothies using recipes with ingredients like berries, lemon, cilantro, parsley, apples, seeds, coconut water, and greens.

-Add seeds like hemp, chia, and flax to smoothies, oatmeal, and toast.

(photo deliciously provided by Kelly Jilson)

-Spices and herbs like cilantro and turmeric are packed with powers that help break down heavy metals. Look for ways to add them to your dishes like making a tomato sauce with basic, oregano, garlic, and onion.

–Variety is key! Since each different plant food is unique, they all have unique benefits. An apple and a banana are both a fruit but help our bodies in different ways.

-Drink plenty of water. First thing in the morning, at your meals, and sipping in between. Water hydrates all 37.2 trillion cells in our bodies, helping us cleanse and repair.

This is not a strict diet that tracks calories, carbs, or protein. This looks at the benefits of the food as a whole. If you consume veggies, greens, fruits, berries, seeds, nuts, beans, and legumes, also whole grains, you will receive all the vitamins, minerals, and nutrients that you need, including your protein! The body is magic like that with plant-based foods!

This is a lifestyle of eating that protects and fuels our bodies while helping us become the happiest and healthiest version of ourselves.

This change isn’t expected to happen over night and I want to make sure you know one thing:  you are amazing just for reading this far in an article about nutrition. Maybe you’re curious or ready for change, whatever the reason is, I hope you’re able to take something away from this.

I must also note, all of our bodies work differently, if you feel this isn’t for you, that is okay!

Have fun in the kitchen, get creative with your foods, and know that what you’re eating plays a big part in you charging and maintaining your super powers!

***If you have any serious medical issue, consult with your doctor before making major lifestyle dietary changes to track medication.

Every small change creates a big difference in our health and our happiness. ❤

Your Happy Helper,
Chelsie Brooke
Certified Holistic Nutritionist