Toxins in food: why the label lies (and how to eat well without cooking everything from scratch)

We're told to eat "healthy", but food labels don't always tell the full story. Many everyday products that look virtuous on the front can still contain ingredients that quietly add to your toxic load - and in mid-life, that matters more than ever.

In this episode, I'm breaking down where food toxins are hiding, examples of what to look for, and how they can interfere with hormone balance, digestion and energy levels. Most importantly, I'll show you how to reduce exposure in a realistic way – without cooking everything from scratch or feeling overwhelmed.

This isn't about fear, perfection, or cutting everything out. It's about understanding what actually matters, so your body can focus on doing what it's meant to do.

In this episode we cover:

• Why food toxins affect hormones, digestion and energy

• How ingredient lists can be more important than front-of-pack claims

• The difference between ultra-processed foods and helpful convenience foods

• Common additives that increase liver and gut burden

• Why preservatives in packaged and sliced meats matter

• How batch cooking supports hormone health and saves money

• Practical high-street swaps that fit real life

Reducing toxic load is often one of the missing pieces when women feel tired, stuck or hormonally out of balance – even when they're "eating quite well".

🎧 This is the first episode in the February toxin series. Next week we'll move into kitchen toxins – the pans, plastics and storage habits you probably don't think twice about.

Shout out to our podcast sponsors - Revive Active. One of the reasons I'm so aligned with Revive Active is their focus on clean, well-formulated supplements. When we're talking about reducing toxic load, it's not just about food and the environment — it's also about being mindful of what we're taking in supplement form.

Their multivitamin complexes are designed to support the body without unnecessary fillers, artificial colours or additives, which is especially important when you're supporting liver function, hormones and overall resilience.

They have options that work really well for:

• Busy adults who want solid nutritional foundations

• Teenagers and older children who may have gaps in their diet

• Families who want one trusted brand rather than a cupboard full of different products

I often say to clients, a good quality multivitamin is like nutritional insurance — it doesn't replace good food, but it helps cover the basics, especially during busy or stressful periods.

If you'd like to have a look, you can explore the range from Revive Active, and you can use my code WENDY10 for a discount.