In our quest for a healthier lifestyle, many of us turn to organic and unprocessed foods to avoid harmful ingredients. However, it’s not just about what we eat but also the materials we cook with that can be potentially harmful.
While aluminum cookware is not directly linked to an increased risk of dementia, there are concerns about non-stick coatings like Teflon. Teflon is made with PFAS chemicals, which are known as forever chemicals because they break down slowly in the environment and can accumulate in the body, leading to serious health issues such as cancer and reproductive problems.
In contrast, non-coated cookware options such as stainless steel, carbon steel, and cast iron can be good alternatives to Teflon. Ceramic-coated cookware is another option that is unlikely to contain harmful chemicals. Brands like Caraway and Greenpan received top ratings from Consumer Reports for their ceramic coatings, while Tramontina and Staub stood out among cast-iron pans.
Regardless of the type of cookware you choose, it’s important to ensure it’s PFAS or PTFE free and follow the manufacturer’s use and care instructions. Using soft utensils and avoiding stacking can help prolong the life of your cookware.
But it doesn’t stop there; we also need to be mindful of potential harmful substances that can enter our food through storage containers or utensils made from certain materials. Glass or stainless-steel food storage containers are better alternatives than plastic ones as they don’t contain microplastics or BPA which are known to leach into food over time. Utensils made from silicone or bamboo are also safer options than those made from plastic or metal.
By making informed choices about what we eat and what we use to cook with, we can significantly reduce the risk of harmful substances entering our food supply chain and impacting our health negatively.