Many popular kitchen products contain chemicals that may not be safe for long term or constant exposure. The truth is that these hidden toxins in well known and loved products can cause autoimmune disorders, tumors, infertility or worse. We’ve put together a list of the most common kitchen products to get rid of as well as safer alternatives to the harmful goods.
1. Plastic Food Containers
Plastic breaks down over time and can release a chemical known as BPA or bisphenol A. BPA is released when plastic is heated as plastic breaks down in heat. If you are running your plastic containers in the dishwasher, which uses extremely high heat to sanitize dishes, you are breaking down your plastic containers and in turn consuming BPA when using them. A telltale sign of this is when plastic containers become cloudy over time. The same science applies when you leave plastic containers in a vehicle or in the sun. If you are going to use plastic water bottles, which are wasteful as plastic is difficult to break down, make sure to opt for BPA-free bottles; however, a BPA-free reusable water bottle is the safest and most environmentally friendly option. Plastic products also are made with chemicals known as phthalates, which are known as endocrine-disruptors. Endocrine-disruptors are known to cause tumors, birth defects as well as a long list of developmental disorders.
Alternative: Glass Containers (available at amazon.com for $29.99 here)
2. Nonstick Pans
Nonstick pans utilize chemicals to give the pan its nonstick properties. The most harmful of these chemicals is known as perfluorooctanoic acid or PFOA. Over time, nonstick pans scratch and chip, which means you are consuming pieces of the pan itself. PFOA has been known to cause cancers when tested on laboratory animals. An alternative is to go back to the basics and to use stainless steel pans and to pair them with non-stick sprays such as an olive oil or coconut oil spray. A slightly more pricey, but well worth the investment alternative is listed below.
Alternative: Cast Iron or Ceramic PFOA-Free Pan (available at amazon.com for $32.45 here)
3. Non-Organic Pesticide-Heavy Foods
According to the Department of Agriculture, more than 70% of fruits and vegetables grown conventionally contain over 200 different types of pesticides. The fruit that tops this list is strawberries, which has, on average, been found to contain over 20 different pesticides.
The top 12 fruits and vegetables harboring a dangerous number of pesticides (known as the “dirty dozen”) are as follows:
Strawberries, Spinach, Nectarines, Apples, Grapes, Peaches, Cherries, Pears, Tomatoes, Celery, Potatoes, Sweet Bell Peppers
The list of the “Clean 15” fruits and vegetables that contain the least amount of pesticides are as follows:
Avocados, Sweet Corn, Pineapples, Cabbage, Onions, Frozen Sweet Peas, Papayas, Asparagus, Mangoes, Eggplants, Honeydews, Kiwis, Cantaloupes, Cauliflower, Broccoli
Alternative: When it comes to the “Dirty Dozen” fruits and vegetables, it is a better idea to buy organic alternatives to this produce. As with all fruits and vegetables, you should rinse them under hot water for 30 seconds or so before consuming.
We hope this list helps you make better choices when it comes to products you are utilizing in the kitchen. On behalf of the Parrish Law Firm, we wish you good health and happy eating!
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