Hidden Nasties in Your Pantry That Could Be Harming Your Gut Health
When we think about living low-tox, we often focus on cleaning products and skincare, but what about the food in your pantry? Even the healthiest-looking products can hide ingredients that may challenge your gut and overall well-being. In this post, we’ll explore common pantry items and ingredients to watch out for, along with simple swaps to help support your gut health.
Always read the label
Just because a product says “natural,” “plant-based,” or “organic” on the front doesn’t always mean what’s inside is good for your body. The real story is on the back. Get into the habit of reading the ingredients list, not just the marketing claims.
Even if you’ve checked a product in the past, take another look at it the next time you’re restocking. Sometimes, to cut costs, cheaper ingredients can sneak into your favourite clean products.
Common hidden nasties to watch for:
Many everyday pantry products contain ingredients that can stress the gut, inflame the body, and disrupt the microbiome. Watch out for:
Natural flavours: This vague term can still include lab-created ingredients that affect gut and brain health.
Artificial colours and flavours: Often listed as numbers or vague terms like “flavour”—these can impact mood, digestion, and trigger sensitivities.
Preservatives (e.g. 220, 202, sodium benzoate, potassium sorbate): Linked to gut irritation and microbiome disruption.
Emulsifiers and thickeners (e.g. soy lecithin, carrageenan, polysorbate 80): Can alter the gut lining and microbiome balance.
Added sugars and sweeteners (e.g. high fructose corn syrup, aspartame, sucralose): Hidden in “healthy” granola or sauces—these can feed the wrong gut bugs and spike inflammation.
Vegetable oils (e.g. canola, soybean, sunflower oil): Often highly processed and inflammatory, especially when heated.
Even “natural” or “organic” products can contain these ingredients, so always check the fine print.
Tip: If you don’t recognise an ingredient or wouldn’t cook with it at home, reconsider having it in your pantry.
The problem with plastics
It’s not just what’s in your food, how you store and heat it matters too.
Storing or microwaving food in plastic containers can cause chemicals like BPA and phthalates to leach into your food. These are known hormone disruptors and can impact gut and immune health.
Drinking from plastic water bottles—especially when left in a hot car or reused—can also expose you to these chemicals.
A better way: filtered water & safer storage
Switch to glass, stainless steel, or ceramic containers for storing and reheating food. (Even BPA-free isn’t necessarily safe. BPA is just the best-known compound, but there are other harmful plastics still present in “BPA-free” items.)
Opt for glass jarred goods over canned goods where possible. The linings of cans often contain plastics that are heated during processing.
Use a glass or stainless steel water bottle for on-the-go hydration.
Tip: Never microwave food in plastic, even if the label says it’s safe.
What’s in your water?
Even if your food is clean, your water might not be. Tap water can contain:
Chlorine and fluoride – known to disrupt gut flora
Heavy metals – depending on pipes and infrastructure
Microplastics – now found in most municipal water supplies
Tip: Investing in a good quality water filter is one of the easiest low-tox swaps that benefits the whole family. Southern Cross Water Filters with fluoride removal or Zazen Water Filters are a great place to start, or you can take it a step further by installing a whole-house filtration system.
Low-tox living isn’t about perfection
We’re not here to make you scared of your pantry—but we are here to help you feel empowered. Every small swap makes a difference.
And the truth is, even with the best efforts, we can’t avoid exposure altogether. That’s why supporting your detox pathways is just as important as reducing the toxins coming in.
How we can help at Gut Recovery Centre
Whether you’re just starting your low-tox journey or looking to take it to the next level, we’re here to support you:
Colonics: Flush out built-up waste and toxins that may be slowing down your system.
Naturopathy: Get personalised support to reduce your toxic load and help your body detox effectively.
Microbiome Testing: See how your gut is coping with your current lifestyle—and what you can do to improve resilience.
Sauna: Consider adding a sauna before your colonic appointment to help sweat out toxins.
We also stock low-tox pantry, personal care, and detox support products in our clinic and online to help make the switch easier.
