Reduce Plastic, Remove Toxins

You may eat organic, drink organic, filter your water, and believe you are limiting your toxin intake. However, some of the most damaging toxins come from food packaging and storage materials. In fact, there are more than 3000 potentially harmful chemicals found in food packaging. (Source, The Guardian, May 22 )

If we look at the plastics we use on a daily basis we can find chemicals including, bisphenol A (BPA), phthalates, and formaldehyde amongst many others. Such toxins can cause disruption to endocrine (hormone function and production), impaired liver function, and may even be implicated in cancer.

Despite being told that the plastics used in food packaging, storage and food prep are safe, unfortunately, there is always a level of leaching of chemicals from the plastic into the foods we eat. The levels of leaching of these toxic chemicals varies depending on the types of plastic in question, and the way in which the plastic is used. For example, heating food in plastic or storing acidic food in plastic leads to a more significant level of toxins entering the food.

How to avoid plastic at home

It is very difficult to avoid plastic packaging altogether, however, you can choose to buy unpacked fruit and vegetables in shops/supermarkets and there are positive changes we can make, especially at home. Here are just a few of these;

- NEVER heat food in plastic.

- Use stainless steel, or glass food containers to store food.

- Always take filtered water out and about in a stainless steel canister instead of buying water in plastic bottles.

- Swap cling film for wax paper or reusable wax food storage wraps.

- Don't package lunches in plastic sandwich bags, instead use wax paper sandwich bags, stainless steel lunch and bento boxes.

- BPA is also found in the lining of cans so opt for goods purchased in glass jars or in the case of beans etc, dried versions.

- Use only stainless steel cups and silicon lids for babies and toddlers instead of plastic sucky cups.

- Use porcelain instead of melamine for children as melamine contains formaldehyde.

As a nutritional therapist, both the nutrition that we get from our food, and the avoidance of environmental toxins are two of the most fundamentally important considerations.

Here are some of Surrey Centre For Nutrition’s favourite non-toxic products:

• Black and Blum water bottles and food containers, all made from stainless steel, so hard wearing and durable without using plastic. Their ranges are perfect for adults and children for lunches, snacks and on-the-go drinks. These are a favourite of our founder Libby and Julia our fertility specialist.

• If you Care paper sandwich bags, good for the environment and for your health. A simple swap from cling film or tinfoil. Libby always uses these for childrens lunches, whilst Kate, the women’s health specialist at SCfN uses beeswax wraps, which whilst a pricey purchase initially, they definitely work on a value per use basis as they are washable and reusable.

• Kilner freezer safe glass jars for storing leftover foods are a much better idea than plastic tubs to avoid any plastic derived toxins permeating your food.

• Pyrex storage dishes are also a firm favourite for the SCFN team. Angie’s tip is to look for glass storage dishes at shops such as TKMaxx and Ikea to keep costs down, whilst Sam, our fatigue specialist reuses ramekins which often come with food from the supermarket, covered with baking paper and an elastic band to seal.

• Orley notes that when choosing metal water bottles be careful to ensure you are choosing stainless steel as there are also many aluminium bottles for sale which come with their own health concerns. If it doesn’t state it is stainless steel on the bottle then assume it isn’t and don’t buy it.

For more information, or for help cleansing your own kitchen and life from toxic chemicals, please sign up to our newsletter or email enquiries@surreycentrefornutrition.com  for a consultation.