toxins

Sep 17 2025

5 Hormone Disruptors You Might Be Living With

Hormone Disruptors don’t come with warning labels.

Hormone disruptors show up in the smell of your laundry. The convenience of plastic containers. The sheen of your favorite nonstick pan.

These chemicals work by mimicking, blocking, or interfering with hormones. Over time, those small interruptions can start to affect how your body manages everything from energy to fertility to blood sugar.

Here are five hidden hormone disruptors you might be living with – without even realizing it.

Plastics That Interact with Heat

The container you microwave your dinner in. The plastic water bottle rolling around in the car. Many of these still contain chemicals like BPA, BPS, or BPF. Even BPA-free does not mean risk-free. The chemical substitutes often act similarly in the body.

When heated, these plastics become more likely to leach compounds that mimic estrogen. You won’t feel the shift overnight, but over time, this can contribute to fatigue, bloating, mood swings, and hormonal irregularity.

Small swap: Use glass for storage, especially for reheating. Keep a stainless steel or glass bottle for daily use.

Scented Products with Undefined “Fragrance”

The dryer sheet that smells like vacation. The candle labeled “linen breeze”. The shampoo that leaves a scent lingering for hours. Those products likely contain phthalates…chemicals that make scent stick.

Phthalates are known to disrupt the endocrine system, particularly impacting testosterone levels and the nervous system’s stress response. They can enter through the skin or the air you breathe.

Small shift: Try a fragrance-free version of something you use daily, like detergent, body wash, or lotion. You likely will find you stop missing the artificial scent after a few weeks.

Parabens in Everyday Personal Care

Parabens are used to preserve moisture-rich products: lotion, sunscreen, face wash, and shampoo. They are effective at preventing mold, but they also mimic estrogen in the body and are easily absorbed through skin, especially right after a hot shower.

This isn’t about avoiding every product with a complicated label. It is about reducing exposure where it counts, like things you use on large surface areas or every single day.

Small shift: Replace your moisturizer or body lotion first. Look for brands that say clearly what they don’t include.

Nonstick Pans and “Performance ” Fabrics

The coating that keeps food from sticking. The jacket that repels water. The rug that resists stains.

Many of those use PFAS, often called “forever chemicals” because they do not break down easily in the body or the environment.

PFAS have been linked to thyroid disruption and immune suppression.

Small shift: If you are already replacing pans, choose stainless steel or cast iron. Over time, move away from stain- and water-resistant fabrics where you can.

Pesticide Residue on Frequently Eaten Produce

Even when washed, certain fruits and vegetables carry a residue of pesticides that can interfere with hormone signaling.

Small shift: Buy the organic version of 2-3 things you eat multiple times per week, Berries, apples, spinach, potatoes – whatever is already in your rotation.

This isn’t about fear or control; it is about reducing the background noise your body has to filter every day. You do not need to replace everything all at once. In fact, the most sustainable changes typically occur gradually.

Making one product swap, establishing one new habit, or removing one layer of interference can all make a difference.

Lifestyle and nutrition go hand-in-hand. The right foods can help support hormone health naturally.

The Hormone Reset Meal Map is a practical guide to help you make small, consistent habits that support more balanced hormones.

Discover how blood sugar impacts hormones

Learn the basics of balanced meals

Get a practical 3-day meal plan

Learn mindful eating practices

CLICK HERE to get your copy of the Hormone Reset Meal Map FREE

Dec 29 2017

How Clean Eating Creates Positive Changes in Your Life

Clean eating creates positive changes in your health.

The New Year is fast approaching. We likely will be bombarded with suggestions about how to keep our Resolution to lose weight, get fit, eat better, (start a clean eating plan) etc.

Research shows that the most common New Year’s resolution is to lose weight. Unfortunately, keeping a resolution for more than one month is rare. Quick fixes do not work.

So, what is the solution?

Let me tell you what I found that helped many of my clients reach their goals – healthy weight, better sleep, renewed energy, healthier skin, hair, and nails.

Clean eating will create positive changes in your health.

When you eat clean you eat whole, nutritionally dense foods without harmful toxins. Toxins create inflammation which can lead to many chronic symptoms and illnesses. Clean eating is a path toward attaining your goals that actually works.

That said, the truth is, it can be a challenge in today’s world to eat clean. Most of our food is loaded with toxins such as: chemical preservatives, additives, sugar, and sodium.

Here are a few easy, effective ideas to get you started toward a clean eating lifestyle:

Cut soda, including diet soda and any high-calorie drinks from your diet. Get your fluids from water, plain decaf beverages, and nutrient-packed smoothies.

Eat two extra servings of fresh, organic vegetables each day. Learn The Dirty Dozen and The Clean 15.

Learn how to portion your meals.

Cook clean, healthy recipes at home at least four nights/week. Try one new recipe each week.

When you eat out, swap carb-filled sides (potatoes, rice) with fresh vegetables or fruit.

Bring your lunch to work four days/week. Leftover dinner makes the best lunch.

Start reducing any sweetener by half in your coffee or tea.

Drink a glass of water with a slice of lemon before your coffee every morning

If you choose a clean eating lifestyle, you will be healthier for a lifetime, not just until the end of January.

The New Year is a great motivator to do better. Why not resolve to start a clean eating plan?

For more information download FREE How To Succeed On A Clean Eating Plan: Tips & Tricks

Questions? Please Contact Registered Dietitian/Nutritionist, Donna Hugues

Jul 19 2017

Toxic Chemicals and Your Gut

Do you know how toxic chemicals affect your gut health?

Chances are you come in contact with harmful, toxic chemicals hundreds of times during your day. Of course it does depend on your personal lifestyle and the items you purchase. These items include: household products, personal care products, and —yes—FOOD.

Health statistics indicate a widespread increase of chronic inflammatory diseases. Toxic chemicals, or toxins in our food appear to play a major role. Toxins such as pesticides and soil contaminants along with additives, preservatives, and artificial ingredients all influence our health. It begins in your gut.

Most of my clients have gut-related issues. They have conditions as simple as malaise or more inflammatory ones such as chronic fatigue, fibromyalgia, migraine, to name a few. None seemingly related to an unhealthy gut, right?

Your gut is your body’s gatekeeper. A healthy gut lets food compounds in and keeps harmful ones out. Approximately 80% of our immune cells line the intestinal tract and about 3 pounds of good bacteria. (more bacteria in your gut than cells in your body!) An irritated/distressed gut allows dangerous toxins to enter where they can manifest as any inflammatory condition in the body.

The good news is you can keep your gut healthy or get it healthy again if you are experiencing symptoms. Here are a few suggestion:

Avoid Processed, Packaged Foods

Processed foods are loaded with sweeteners, toxic chemicals to alter texture, “bad” fats, artificial flavors, colorings, and preservatives. These foods also lack nutrients which protect your health, such as antioxidants, “good” fats, and soluble fiber.

Always look for processed ingredients on food labels – e.g. high fructose corn syrup, lecithin, partially hydrogenated oil of any kind. At the very least, buy whole grain flours and breads instead of white (you will still need to read labels). Buy whole fresh fruits and vegetables; replace margarine or spread with organic preservative free butter, avocado, or home made hummus.

Buy USDA Certified Organic Produce, Meat, and Dairy Products

Organic produce is not treated with toxic chemicals, such as,pesticides. It is grown with natural fertilizers (manure, compost), and it does not contain preservatives.

Organic meat, dairy, and eggs are produced from organically raised animals that are not given antibiotics and growth hormones. They are fed organic food, not animal by-products and they are given access to the outdoors.

Consume Food and Beverages in Safe Containers and Packaging

Glass, ceramic or stainless steel are the safest materials to use. Buy fresh foods not packaged in plastic cling wrap and never microwave in plastic containers/wrap. Drink hot beverages from paper or glass rather than styrofoam.

These suggestions are a good place to start, however, if you currently suffer with a chronic inflammatory condition, I can help you feel better.