Is that a thing? Yes! In my opinion, non-toxic cookware is one of the easiest switches that you can make in your home to improve your health. It is an easy process, and doesn’t always have to cost a lot. Why should we do that? Certain plastic and non-stick cookware when heated or not properly maintained may release chemicals into the air, or into your food. There is also some interesting research about environmental toxins and healthy hormones, so decreasing our exposure in regards to the foods we eat is a great first step! A stainless steel or a cast iron pan is around 20$ and you can definitely get them at garage sales. Cast iron is beautiful for that as it can almost always be salvaged. Jared and I found an old one left at a campsite once, surrounded by weeds, it was completely rusted and worse for wear - we scrubbed it will steel wool and a wire brush, seasoned it and its now one of my favourite pans!
What should you replace? Any Teflon that has deep scratches. You shouldn’t use metal utensils in non-stick cookware. So use wood or silicone – those are my 2 favourites.
What should you keep? Any non-stick cookware that you love, that is in good condition. Anything handed down to you. Plastic Tupperware containers that you have and like (just do not heat them up). Stainless steel, enameled cast iron, and regular cast iron.
Extra bonus? Non-enameled Cast iron cookware gives you trace amounts of iron in your food. This is means it’s a good vegetarian source of iron – great for menstruators, anyone with anemia, and soon to be mamas/parents!
In Health,
Dr. Larissa Wheeler, ND, BHS
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