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Food packaging is an essential aspect to consider in a detox program. Nowadays, many foods are packaged in cans, cellophane, foil, boxes, cardboard, metal, and plastic, all of which can impart chemicals to what we eat and drink. In ICC we try to be specific with our food packaging. We aim for whole foods with minimal packaging or in higher-quality materials (e.g., non-BPA lined cans). Special attention should be placed on keeping plastic water bottles out of the heat.

Minimizing exposure to pesticides, insecticides, herbicides, and GMOs is the reason to buy organically grown food, especially when it comes to animal-based foods. They may be more expensive; however, the health effects from these toxins can be far more costly. Buy foods in season and from local farmers to keep the costs down.

When it comes to detox, many forms of fasting have been tried—juice or liquid fasting, intermittent fasting, caloric restriction, and many others. Each person should discuss this topic with their functional medicine practitioner to see whether fasting in any form would be helpful. As protein is key for healthy detoxification, most healthcare providers will continue to include quality protein during a break from ingesting food.

Detoxification requires energy. Calories are needed to fuel the pathways to move toxins through the system. Therefore, this food plan is not limited in calories. A specific calorie level may be recommended if other aspects of your health are being addressed (e.g., high blood sugar, weight loss). Furthermore, there may be times during a detox when nutritional supplements or powdered formulas may be used by a functional medicine provider to improve and balance the organs of elimination and detoxification, if this cannot be achieved with food alone.

An ideal detox meal would have a small bowl of soup as the appetizer. Next, the entrée would be presented as half a plate of steamed green leafy greens and cruciferous vegetables, together with a small serving of a high-protein grain like quinoa could accompany the meal. Lastly, a fruit with a cup of tea would serve as a dessert.

Raw cruciferous vegetables contain the highest amount of detoxifying phytonutrients. However, raw cruciferous vegetables are difficult for some people to digest. Steaming cruciferous vegetables like broccoli for about 90 seconds (to the point they become bright green) is best for digestion, yet does not cook the vegetables to the point where detoxifying compounds are destroyed.

As previously mentioned, protein is an essential component of detoxification processes. If an individual does not eat animal protein and does not eat soy protein for personal or health reasons, they can choose nuts, seeds, and other legumes, all of which provide quality protein for detoxification.

Bisphenol A, commonly referred to as “BPA” is a chemical used in plastics. It is often used in plastic food storage and disposable food containers. Environmental toxins, like bisphenol A (BPA) can interfere with the body’s hormone receptors. Reduce your exposure to these hormone-disrupting substances by limiting how many packaged foods you eat, avoid plastic food containers and water bottles as much as possible, and never microwave foods in plastic.