As we strive to lead healthier lives, many of us turn to 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.
While there is no strong evidence linking aluminum cookware to an increased risk of dementia, concerns have been raised 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.
If you are looking for alternatives to Teflon, non-coated options such as stainless steel, carbon steel, and cast iron are good choices. While they may not prevent food from sticking as well as Teflon does, they are free of harmful chemicals. Ceramic-coated cookware is another option that is unlikely to contain harmful substances. In tests conducted by Consumer Reports, brands like Caraway and Greenpan received top ratings for their ceramic coatings, while Tramontina and Staub stood out among cast-iron pans.
When selecting cookware, it is important to choose products that are PFAS-free 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.
In addition to cookware, it’s also important to be mindful of potential harmful substances that can enter our food through packaging or storage containers. Microplastics and plastic chemicals like BPA are just a few examples of substances that can leach into our food if we’re not careful. To reduce exposure to these harmful substances, consider switching to glass or stainless-steel food storage containers and using utensils made from other materials when storing or handling food.