Is Your Dinner Coming with a Side of Plastic?

​

Hello Reader,

Today, I want to chat about something that might surprise you.. Have you ever thought about how much plastic you might be eating? Yes, you heard that right—eating! Turns out it's about one credit card size amount of plastic per week potentially.

Let’s take a moment to visualize a typical morning in your kitchen. You wake up, head to the fridge, and pull out a carton of eggs and some vegetables—both wrapped in plastic. Your coffee beans are in a plastic bag, your blender is made of plastic, and so is your favorite cereal box liner. Even the milk container is plastic. Before you even have breakfast, you've touched more than a dozen plastic items!

Why should you care? Well, besides the unsettling idea of eating plastic, these tiny particles can carry harmful chemicals like BPA and phthalates. These substances are not just hard to pronounce; they’re known to disrupt our hormones and increase our risk for serious health issues, including heart disease and Alzheimer’s.

Sources of Plastic in Food:

• Food packaging: Plastic wraps, Styrofoam containers, and food trays.
• Processed and packaged foods: Especially items stored in plastic for long periods.
• Bottled water: A significant source of microplastics.
• Heating food in plastic: Microwaving in plastic containers or Styrofoam.
• Cooking utensils: Plastic spatulas and spoons that can degrade into food during cooking.

So, what can we do about it?
A lot, actually! Here are a few simple swaps to help reduce your plastic intake:

Choose Safer Storage Options

• Use glass or stainless-steel containers instead of plastic.
• Avoid plastic wrap; use beeswax wraps or reusable silicone lids.

Skip the Teflon and Be Wary of Air Fryers

Teflon-coated cookware and reconsidering the use of air fryers, as they often contain non-stick components that can release harmful chemicals when heated, contributing further to our toxic load

Say No to Single-Use Plastics:

• Opt for reusable bags and containers when shopping or storing food.

Be Cautious with Takeout and Delivery:

• Request no Styrofoam containers and bring your own reusable options when possible.
  That said, plastic is even in pizza and Chinese food boxes, so this gets a bit tricky to avoid.

Avoid Heating in Plastic:

• Never microwave food in plastic or Styrofoam containers.
• Use microwave-safe glass or ceramic dishes instead.

Choose Fresh, Unpackaged Whole Foods:

• Buy unpackaged produce and bulk items using your own containers.

Limit Plastic Bottled Beverages:

• Switch to filtered tap water and reusable water bottles made from stainless steel or glass.

Read Labels Carefully:

• Look for "BPA-free" or similar claims on packaging but be aware that alternatives like BPS may also be harmful.

​

Imagine if our morning routine could be virtually plastic-free. How much healthier would our meals—and our planet—be?

I know it can feel like a drop in the ocean (pun intended), but each small change adds up to a big difference!

Let’s not wrap our planet—or our dinner—in plastic.
​
Ready to join me in cutting down on plastic?
​
​Hit reply and tell me one change you’re excited to make or share any tips you might have!

Here's to healthier meals and a happier planet,

​

Amy