Adapted from Detox For Dummies

A toxic lifestyle consists of one (and maybe all) of the following:

• Poor diet- high in fat and refined starches and sugars and low in fibre, vitamins, minerals, and trace elements (minerals required in tiny quantities).
• Exposure to cigarette smoke- which most people inhale whether they are smokers or not.
• Heavy drinking- this depends upon the individual, but basically it means drinking more than the Government-recommended amount (14 units per week for women, 21 units per week for men, with 1 unit being a 100 mls standard strength wine, half a pint of beer, a schooner of sherry, or a single measure of spirits.) Heavy drinking is also taking more than 2 -3 units per day, and drinking every day without an alcohol break.
• Caffeine- from highly caffeinated coffee and fizzy drinks.
• Stress- gives rise to toxic free radicals - hyperactive oxygen molecules that attack the immune system, hastening the development of degenerative disorders.
• Environmental pollutants- such as chlorine in drinking water, traffic emissions, and so on.

How to avoid the need for salt

You can also grow accustomed to 'saltlessness' by doctoring vegetables, eggs, meat and other savouries with fresh or dried herbs, condiments, and spices. Here are some suggestions:

• Add a little English mustard to boiled or mashed potatoes just before serving.
• Use garlic for potatoes, spinach, peas, beans, and other pulses.
• Sprinkle caraway seeds on cabbage and spring greens.
• Try low sodium tomato ketchup or salsa with cauliflower.
• Spice up root vegetables with nutmeg or cinnamon.

Use low-sodium soy sauce in practically everything.

Glycaemic Index of Select Foods

Food G.I. Rating