Healthy Foods In Your Kitchen  

Eliminate Pesticides 

Familiarize yourself with the Dirty Dozen, the 12 fruits and vegetables (apples, strawberries, peaches, nectarines, grapes, blueberries, lettuce, kale, potatoes, sweet bell peppers, spinach, celery)  that contain the highest level of dangerous pesticides.

Being exposed to pesticides increases the risk of developing a host of health problems, including nervous system diseases, cell growth problems, reproductive disorders and certain cancers. It's so bad you should be surprised that stuff is even legal. Organic produce, though free from harmful pesticides, can be expensive. For those who want to cut their exposure to pesticides but cannot afford to purchase all organic foods, replacing just the dirty dozen can help significantly reduce pesticide exposure, reduce their risk of health problems related to it, and boost their overall health.  

Choose Healthy Dairy and Meat  

Dairy products and meats are a healthy addition to your diet that can help you meet your daily protein requirements easily. But not all dairy products and meat are created equal. Cancer-causing dioxins are stored in animal fat, so fatty meats from animals that were exposed to dangerous chemicals essentially means eating them directly. By selecting low-fat dairy and lean meats, you can decrease your risk of contact with harmful dioxins by as much as 90 percent. Opt for skim milk, low-fat dairy, lean cuts of meat, and skinned chicken to improve your health.

Watch Out for Mercury in Fish

Eating fish is an effective way to boost your intake of healthy omega-3 fatty acids and protein, and because of that, fish is universally known as healthy. To get the most out of your meal, though, it is important to select fish that does not contain high levels of mercury. Mercury is harmful to the nervous system and has the potential to damage the lungs, kidneys and heart, and it can cause impairment of the immune system. It is especially dangerous to pregnant women and young children.

Use a Filter For Tap Water

Tap water that is not filtered can contain over 300 harmful chemicals, pesticides and other pollutants. Switching to bottled water is not the answer, as many bottled waters contain the same harmful ingredients. In fact, bottled water is not nearly as regulated as tap water, so there is no guarantee that what you are paying for is any better than what you could get out of your own faucet. The simple solution is to use a filter for your tap water.

There are a variety of options to choose from, including filtered pitchers that you fill and place in the refrigerator, filters that are placed in water bottles, filters that attach to the kitchen sink or refrigerator itself, and even filters that can be placed into the plumbing system and filter all of the water that is used in the home. Prices vary depending on the filtration system, and can range anywhere from under $40 to over $2000.

Purchase a Juicer

Though it can be expensive, a juicer is an excellent way to incorporate more fruits and vegetables into your diet and improve your overall health. Many people complain that is almost impossible to eat enough fruits and vegetables to meet their daily nutritional needs. The juicer makes it easy to get half a day’s worth of produce or more in just one glass. Advocates of juicing claim a host of health benefits, including improved skin and eyesight, better quality sleep, more energy, weight loss and an overall improvement in health.

Unwrap your Grains

Keeping your healthy pasta, rice, beans and other grains in their original container makes them less appealing to the eye and more likely to get lost somewhere in the back of your pantry. Organize your grains in individual containers and showcase them on your kitchen counter. Not only are they pleasing to the eye, but seeing them on your counter will make you more likely to incorporate them into your daily meals.