In our quest for healthier eating habits, many of us choose organic and unprocessed foods to avoid harmful additives. However, it is equally important to be mindful of the materials used in our cookware, which may also pose potential health risks.
One such concern is the non-stick coating Teflon, which is made with PFAS chemicals. These forever chemicals break down slowly in the environment and can accumulate in the body, leading to serious health problems such as cancer and reproductive issues. While there isn’t strong evidence linking aluminum cookware to dementia, it is still a potential risk that should be considered.
If you’re looking for alternatives to Teflon, non-coated options like stainless steel, carbon steel, and cast iron are good choices. However, these may not prevent food from sticking as well as non-stick coatings. Ceramic-coated cookware is another option that is unlikely to contain harmful chemicals and has received positive reviews in Consumer Reports tests. Brands like Caraway and Greenpan have received top ratings for their ceramic coatings, while Tramontina and Staub stand out among cast-iron pans.
When selecting your cookware, make sure it’s PFAS or PTFE-free and follow the manufacturer’s use and care instructions properly. Using soft utensils and avoiding stacking can help prolong the life of your cookware.
It’s not just about our cookware; we also need to consider other potential harmful substances that can enter our food through packaging or storage containers. Microplastics and plastic chemicals like BPA are some examples of substances we should avoid when storing or consuming food. Switching to glass or stainless-steel food storage containers and using utensils made from other materials can help reduce exposure to these harmful substances.
In summary, by being mindful of what we put into our bodies as well as what we use to prepare them, we can make informed choices that promote better health outcomes.