I cook a lot especially lately. I attempt to buy the best quality foods that I can afford. I often purchase organic especially if it is on sale. I always buy non-GMO. I do this cause as you know one way that I try to keep my family healthy is by monitoring what we consume. With the increase in prices of groceries and health care, the last thing I want to cause problems for us is toxic pots and pans.
Being mindful about the quality of food we buy; we must be just as mindful about the pots and pans we use to prepare our food. If possible, we should stay away from nonstick and aluminum cookware. The chemicals used to make nonstick pans are problematic. These chemicals have been linked to health issues like early menopause, cancer, liver damage and thyroid disease to name a few. If you are preparing a dish that contains acidic elements like lemons, tomatoes, or vinegar in an aluminum pot the aluminum can leach into the dish. Yes, aluminum can find its way into your dish altering the taste and negating the health benefits. High levels of aluminum in your body can cause neurological problems and bone loss.
In place of nonstick and aluminum pans, try stainless steel, cast iron, glass and lead-free pots and pans. Ceramic cookware is really popular right now. Coated ceramic pots and pans are generally safe. Whatever style of cookware you decide to use, be sure to heed the manufacturer's warnings about how to safely use that cookware. From what I've read, all pots and pans can have their issues. None are meant to be used forever. Whether its stainless, ceramic, glass or nonstick, if it’s scratched, chipped, starts to peel or is damaged in some way then it is time to toss that cookware into the garbage.
What you store your leftovers in is also important; store them in glass containers. If you haven’t started to already, replace your plastic containers with glass. It is better for you and our planet.
In closing, don’t let bad cookware be the undoing of all your healthy food choices in the kitchen. Put thought and research into the preparation and storage of your food.
Teresa