The fuzz and buzz about staying away from plastic might not have made sense to you, at least up until now.
But if your health is as important to you as you say it is, then you’d have to consider staying away from something that might prevent you from living a long, healthy life: yes, plastic!
One of the commonest ways we use plastic is in storing our food. If you haven’t used any other storage methods, the thought of storing your food elsewhere might not be practicable, with plastic seeming like the only readily available option.
That’s not true. You only have to open your eyes to see several other amazing options, besides the use of plastic, in storing your food.
Here are some overwhelming reasons you should consider ditching plastic for a newfound love:
Your Health
Plastic exposes you to certain potential toxins, of which the most notorious are Bisphenol-A (BPA) and Bisphenol-S (BPS). These toxins in plastic can leach into the food stored in those containers and cause hormonal disruption in the bodies of people who consume the food stored there! It’s scary to think you can expose yourself to medical problems simply because you ate out of a plastic container.
The Environment
Plastic is certainly not eco-friendly except, of course, you recycle it. With less use of plastic, there is less of a negative environmental impact that typically occurs from its use.
Durability
Plastic containers typically do not last for very long. Since there are other durable products on the market, you need to look into getting these kinds of products, for practical use and to save money over a period of time.
Finesse
Plastic might not be particularly unattractive, but can you, in good faith, call a plastic container an enthralling sight? I’m guessing not. And you should have cool stuff in your corner, not just some barely acceptable container. Give yourself some class, some style and some panache with a better choice of food storage material.
Which Plastic-Free Storage Containers Are Healthier Choices?
There are lots of unique and practical options for food storage other than plastic, which also has the bonus effect of promoting health.
1. Stainless Steel Containers
Stainless steel has proven itself to be trans-generational, just that with changing times and seasons, it is repackaged to suit a newer generation. Some of its excellent properties include its durability, the fact that it can fall to the ground severally without as much as a scratch, and the class it exudes.
One other major advantage it has over plastic is that no chemicals are leached from steel into food, no matter how long you store food in it for. Food kept in it can also be trusted to remain fresh and maintain its natural taste. Alongside your reusable stainless steel insulated water bottle, a lunchbox made of stainless steel is a minimalistic way to make a statement.
2. Glass Containers
Another super cool plastic-free food storage idea is to use glass containers. The only grudge you can possibly carry against glass is its fragility, meaning its use would have to be limited to adults; and you’d need to be very careful.
However, you can totally use these cool glass containers to keep yourself safe, while using silicone, bamboo or at worst BPA-free plastic lids to cover the containers. The good thing about glass storage containers is that you can utilize them as well for bulk food storage- such as pasta, cookies, flour, etc.
3. Food Wraps: Beeswax Wrap
I know, they sound a bit weird- but if your focus is on healthy alternatives to the use of plastic, beeswax food wraps are super cool, and lack the chemical additives plastic is known for.
You know, with plastic wraps, the food is in direct contact with the plastic, facilitating leaching of chemicals directly into the food. Avoid this sad scenario by the use of beeswax wraps which are typically made with beeswax, jojoba oil, resin, and cotton. Natural, yeah?
4. Food Wraps: Paper Wrap
Paper does not sound like a very cool means of storing food, but hear me out.
Heard of butcher paper? Yeah. With unbleached food grade paper, you get to use a healthy food storage option to plastic and keep yourself and your family healthy. Microwave or freeze it, wrap sandwich, meat or vegetables in it, the paper is a really good option.
5. Silicon Food Bags
Silicone food bags are well-loved because they can be reused over and over again, unlike their plastic counterparts. Need to store ‘wet’ or liquid foods? Silicone bags are some of the best options around the block; as they lack PVC, petroleum, latex and of course, BPA/BPS.
Wrapping Up
Going plastic-free sounds unachievable until you get conversant with all the other fabulous options to plastic. Now that you’re familiar with them, it’s time for a change!
