Whether you are just starting your journey to healthier living or you are already well on your way, this article has something for everyone. This is a diverse list of easy swaps you can make in your daily life to feel better! I would love to hear which swaps you have already made or are most interested in making. Please use the comments section below or feel free to contact me directly using my contact page. I want to hear your story!
10 Easy Swaps You Can Make Today
- Toothpaste – making the switch to non-toxic toothpaste is at the top of this list for a reason. It’s because almost all of us use toothpaste multiple times per day. Whether we mean to or not, at least trace amounts are ingested and what’s not is still absorbed into our skin. Some pretty nasty ingredients are lurking in the popular brands of toothpaste. One hormone-disrupting ingredient called triclosan is especially bad and though many big brand name companies have removed it from their products, Colgate still hasn’t. Read more here. My top toothpaste pick is this one made by Dr. Bronner’s. It has no synthetic detergent foaming agents, fluoride, no artificial colors, flavors, carrageenan, or preservatives.
- Deodorant – natural deodorants have been becoming a hot topic for the last couple of years and the market is surely expanding for them. I would recommend staying away from brands containing aluminum, fragrances, parabens and other harmful ingredients. Antiperspirant is also something to stay away from because as much as not sweating may sound like a good idea, our bodies need to sweat to release toxins. Before switching to natural deodorant it’s a good idea to detox your armpits using a clay mask. I used this method to detox. My personal favorite natural deodorant is made by Piper Wai. It contains charcoal which helps absorb moisture and is free from any harmful ingredients.
- Coconut Oil & Shea Butter for Body lotion – most lotions on the market have 20+ ingredients in them with fragrances, preservatives and a host of other not-so-great ingredients. Coconut oil is a very inexpensive way to swap your lotion for something hydrating and nourishing that also naturally smells good. I recommend adding shea butter to the coconut oil during the winter months for added hydration.
- Essential oils for Artificial fragrances – candles and plug-ins filled with artificial fragrances are bad for your health. They can cause headaches, breathing issues and they’ve even been linked to causing cancer. Check out this blog post to learn more. Pure essential oils provide many health benefits acting completely opposite of artificial fragrances. Make sure you only select the purest oils derived right from nature. This is one of my favorite reputable brands.
- Bike Rides for Car Rides – Being out in nature boosts your mood and staying active can make you live longer. Try to think of places nearby it would be fun to bike to instead of drive to. Fire up Google Maps or just hop on your bike and see where the ride takes you. You’ll be glad you did!
- Glass for Plastic – BPA (a hormone-disrupting chemical) is the most well-known problem with drinking from water bottles. Just like most everything else, once there becomes enough noise about something, it becomes removed. Unfortunately, a replacement for it may be just as harmful. Read more here and invest in a refillable glass or stainless steel water bottle (just in case😉) These are some of my favorite options: Ello glass water bottle & Pyrex Simply Store glass containers
- Coconut Water for Flavored Sports Drinks – popular flavored sports drinks contain artificial coloring, flavoring and tons of added sugar, yet most people think you “need” them to stay hydrated in the heat or during/after sports. This super simple swap could add tons of value to your health with little to no additional time required. Harmless Harvest is my absolute favorite brand of coconut water. Fair warning – it is more expensive and you may not want to drink any other brand after you try it! Don’t feel like you have to break the bank though, there are other great and less expensive coconut water options on the market (just head to Trader Joe’s for their reasonably priced house brand!)
- Black Coffee for Coffee with Creamers – coffee creamers are filled with natural/artificial flavorings, colors, and sugar. One easy way to consume less junk is by starting to slowly wean yourself off of coffee creamers. You don’t need to go cold turkey, you could start by adding half the amount and work your way towards black coffee. I never used the flavored variety, but I once was a “splash of half & half never hurt anybody” kind of coffee drinker. Now that I’ve been drinking it black for years it is so good. Added bonus: spend the money you are spending on creamer on better quality coffee and enjoy the actual taste of it in its purest form!
- Whole Foods for Processed Foods – food is at it’s most nutrient-dense state when it is raw and fresh. I recommend storing cut up vegetables in your refrigerator on a weekly basis. It gets you into a routine so you have plenty of healthy options to pick from when hunger strikes. If fruits and vegetables aren’t filling enough on their own pair them with hard-boiled eggs, nuts or nut butters. I also recommend you invest in a small cooler and ice pack. I take one out with me all the time and it’s a lifesaver!
- Polished Nails for All-natural – I saved this one for last because this is the very last swap I’ve made. I never thought I could go without polish… especially on my toes… especially during the summertime. But guess what? I was wrong! I actually love and embrace all natural nails and now that I’m used to it, I don’t want to go back to polish. Nail polish is full of toxic chemicals and the fumes in the nail salon are harsh to breathe in. I’m not saying I’ll never get my nails done again, but I’m shocked how much I love them plain so don’t be afraid to give it a try.
Related posts you might be interested in…
How To Pick Safe All Natural Skin Care Products
How To Clean Your House Without Using Harsh Chemicals
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The best swap I made the detox and natural deodorant! I’ve been contimplating the nail thing…maybe this will give me the push!
That is great to hear! Going all-natural on your nails may pleasantly surprise you and with winter coming, it could be perfect timing.
Wow! Super informative post! I guess I have never really looked at all the chemicals in toothpaste!
Thank you for reading, Amanda. Sadly, we have to look very closely at ingredient lists these days and not pay attention to some of the false marketing that occurs. An excellent trusted resource to use is the Environmental Working Group (EWG). They have a wealth of information and product safety ratings.
I’ve done most all of these and have seen a huge change in my health and happiness! I still haven’t switched out my deodorant or nail polish, but that is definitely happening after reading this 🙂 great article!
Thank you and that’s wonderful you’ve seen such a difference! You will love switching deodorant and going sans nail polish if you’ve had such great results with everything else.
really nice post about healthy swaps. Toothpaste can be a very icky product when its full of harmful chemicals.
Thank you, I’m glad you found it helpful. Yes, toothpaste is one of the most important swaps to make in my opinion.
Great suggestions! I only drink water and black coffee and eat mostly whole foods. I need to check out the toothpaste.
That’s great you’re already living such a healthy lifestyle!! Switching to a safe toothpaste sounds like the perfect next step.
Hi! I love these ideas! I know since I started using essential oils I feel much better. Less chemically based medications! Plus I use them to replace candles! And the essential oil company I use even sells a toothpaste and dental floss so I’ve been able to switch those as well! Such a great feeling.
That is wonderful! I’m so glad you’ve already made so many healthy swaps. Thank you for reading and sharing your story as well!
Very informative post. I knew some of this already but learned several things that I wasn’t aware of. Good stuff!
That’s great! I’m glad this information was helpful to you. Thank you for reading the post!
These are all such great suggestions! I’ve made most of these swaps already, but I will admit I’ve been procrastinating the switch to natural toothpaste for a while now…but you’ve convinced me to give it a try!!
I’m so glad this post convinced you to give safer toothpaste a try. Once you make the switch and find one you like, you’ll never turn back!