According to the latest surveys, more and more people are becoming aware of the importance of following a healthy diet. Modern men and women are selecting the food they eat carefully, but only a small number of them are paying attention to the kitchenware used in the process of preparation of meals. It doesn’t really matter whether most of the foods you are using are organic because even the healthiest foods can become unhealthy and potentially dangerous when you are using inadequate pans and pots.
As you are probably aware, there are many different pans and pots out there, but the fact is that their quality is different. Learning more about the basic elements of cookware, and how their properties impacts cooking, is a very important thing to do. In a worst case scenario, the use of inadequate cooking tools will not only hurt your health, but it will also affect the flavor and scent of the food you are preparing. The following is a list of cookware that you should not be using.
Cookware coated with ceramics
Cookware coated with ceramics – pans, pots, and cutlery – can definitely make your kitchen look more attractive. However, it turns out that it can make the food you are preparing there a little bit toxic. This cookware is created from different metals that are coated with a layer of synthetic polymer. This material is much softer compared to metal. The coating lasts for one year and heat can speed up corrosion.
Very high temperatures, as well as improper use, can lead to chips and cracks on the ceramic. After that, you can expect the glaze to start entering the food you are preparing. The level of lead is closely related to the model you are using, but don’t forget that even a very small amount of lead is bad for our health.
Teflon/Non-stick Cookware
Teflon pans and pots can make maintenance and cleaning as simple as possible, but quickly doesn’t necessarily mean good. Teflon cookware is based on a synthetic coating of a compound known as polytetrafluoroethylene. This is actually a plastic polymer that starts to let go toxins when exposed to a heat of 450 degrees (F) and above.
Numerous studies have confirmed that Teflon materials can support the formation of cancer in the body and they have also been related to many different reproductive issues. Breathing the toxic fumes that come from the synthetic coating can lead to polymer fume fever and this fever leads to fevers, chills, mild cough and chest tightness. Never put convenience before your health.
Aluminum foil and aluminum cookware
Almost every modern household has aluminum in the kitchen. However, only a small number of individuals know that aluminum is causing problems to our health. In order to stay safe from leaching, many pieces of aluminum cookware are coated. Even though this coating is relatively strong, you can expect to witness the occurrence of chips and cracks after a while. This problem will eventually take a toll on your health. Whenever aluminum leaches in the food, you will consume it and store it in the lungs, brain, tissues, and bones which will eventually result in muscular problems, memory loss and other health issues. Some experts claim that aluminum accumulation is one of the main reasons for the occurrence of Alzheimer’s disease. Stay away from aluminum – there are many other ways in which you can save money.
Copper cookware
Many people love copper pans due to the fact that this material has powerful conductive properties. In other words, you can heat the pan/pot quickly. However, this convenience comes at a price. Copper that is not coated will start entering the food you are preparing quickly. Additionally, protective coatings usually come with nickel and as we all know, this is a very toxic element. If the food you consume contains a significant amount of copper, this will affect the levels of zinc in the body in a negative way which will result in immune system issues. This situation can also lead to problems with the thyroid and adrenal glands.
Non-Toxic Cookware
Coated Cast-Iron cookware
Enameled cast-iron pans and pots provide the same non-stick features found in Teflon cookware, but this time you don’t have to worry about dangerous fumes. This cookware is easy to maintain and clean. On top of that, it is available in a wide range of styles, sizes, and colors.
Care cast-iron cookware
Bare cast-iron requires additional scrubbing and extra maintenance compared to coated cast-iron cookware. However, this cookware is not very expensive and provides even heating. Additionally, it allows being submerged in a grill or an oven. Although it is possible to notice small leaching of iron when using acidic compounds, this leaching will provide some positive effects for people dealing with iron deficiency. Keep in mind that too much iron is bad for the health.
Stainless steel
There is no doubt that stainless steel appears great, has non-stick properties, it is lighter compared to cast-iron, it is resistant to chipping and scratching and has an excellent life expectancy.
Glass
Similar to stainless steel and cast-iron, glass is a very durable material that doesn’t release any harmful ingredients in the food and doesn’t lose its properties over time. Try to replace your plastic containers with glass containers.
In the end, every type of cookware will release some toxins or chemicals or at least some ingredients in the food. Everything that doesn’t come directly from nature tends to do this. The main objective is to reduce the risks of the toxic activity. In order to achieve this goal, you should stay away from pans, pots, and cookware that breaks down and leaches easily and stick to more durable materials. Finally, keep in mind that you should replace every piece of cookware regardless of its composition after some time. By doing this, you can rest assured that these pieces of cookware are not affecting your health.
Source: Healthy Holistic Living
