Stop Eating Plastic
Plastic containers have become so much a part of our lives that it’s hard to imagine a world without them. We store food in them, we cook in them, we eat from them. And therein lies the problem.
According to recent studies, 93% of Americans – let me say that again so you don’t miss the percentage – 93%, that’s almost every one of us, has detectable levels of bisphenol A (BPA) in our bodies. 93%! Isn’t that insane? Doesn’t that statistic simply blow you away? It does me.
And if that wasn’t bad enough, over 75% of Americans have detectable levels of phthalates in their urine.
Bisphenol A? Phthalates? Where does that stuff come from? Plastics.
Now before you get too upset, understand that “detectable levels” does not necessarily mean that you’ve got a toxic dose, or that you’re going to get cancer, or anything like that. “Detectable Levels” are the lowest amounts of a chemical that an analytical instrument can reliably detect. These levels are probably way below what the FDA says is permissible. Probably. However, one thing I do know is that “detectable levels” are not zero, and zero amount is what I’d prefer to have.
So how does this stuff get into our bodies? Primarily from the food and beverage containers that have become so much a part of our lives. Everything from the plastic soda containers you buy at the grocery store to the PVC water pipes in your home. Plastics are everywhere – and in constant contact with our foods and beverages. Little wonder some of the chemicals in the plastics end up in our bodies.
Think you’re safe because you buy all of your foods, even sodas, in cans? Think again. Most cans, especially those containing acidic foods like baby formula, chicken soup, and ravioli (all found by the Environmental Working Group to be of highest concern), have a plastic lining inside of the can. It’s what prevents the can from rusting. Quick check of your soda can – yep, plastic lining.
To matters worse, much worse, most of us have been conditioned by all the TV commercials to buy foods in those easy-to-use plastic containers that you simply pop into the microwave and eat. So let’s think through that last statement. If these plastic chemicals leach into our foods just sitting on the shelf, how much more of those chemicals are we “baking off” when we heat them in the microwave?
You’re probably already aware of all the adverse health effects that plastic-related chemicals have been linked to. Here’s one more that modern research is just not beginning to study. Turns out that BPA and phthalates in our bodies mimic the behavior of estrogen disrupting normal hormonal functions and leading to weight gain. Some researchers think that this might explain why it is that the old formula of “eat less and exercise more” just doesn’t seem to be as effective in helping people lose weight as it used to be.
Regardless of the claims (which are still being researched), I think we can all agree that having less plastic chemicals and byproducts in your body is a good thing. Here are a couple of suggestions to help limit these chemicals from being absorbed into your foods:
1. Never, never, ever, heat food in plastic containers in the microwave. You already know that after you’ve done this a couple of times, the plastic gets all “crudy-looking” and maybe even a little brittle. Well, that’s because some of the chemicals in the plastic have been “cooked off” by the microwaves. And yes, you guessed it, these chemicals then get absorbed by your food. So no matter how inconvenient it might be, always take food out of the plastic container and put it into a glass bowl before microwaving.
2. Toss out any water bottles or baby bottles with a 7 on the bottom. You should have already done this when the first BPA stories surfaced at the end of 2009. Still, this might be a good time to take another look in order to make sure you didn’t miss any.
3. Rotate your food stocks regularly. Clean out your pantry and don’t leave any foods on your shelves, especially those in cans and plastic bottles, for more than a couple of months. The longer you leave a food in its container, the more chemicals leach into the food.
4. Buy frozen or fresh foods instead of canned.
5. Chunk the plastic coffee mug and soup bowl. And for God’s sake, stay away from putting hot liquids like soups or coffee in styrofoam, a product that can leach styrene.
So in general, use plastic to store cold foods (like milk) or at room temperature for relatively short periods (cans, etc, in your pantry) and avoid using plastic containers for hot foods (like coffee, tea or soups). In all cases, don’t use plastic containers in the microwave.
I know there’s no realistic way to completely avoid the use of plastic containers, nor should you try. The benefits of plastic do outweigh many of the risks after all. However, you can take steps to reduce your family’s exposure by using the tips listed above.
Certified Fitness Nutrition Coach andPersonal Fitness Trainer (NESTA)
P.S. Be sure to get my latest Fitness Blueprint called “Little Things That Improve Your Health.” This ebook is packed with loads of helpful information on how to build a better body and you can get it FREE – no email, no cookies, no catch. Download and enjoy!
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Related posts:
Seems that the BPA controversy is heating back up again with Coke and Pepsi getting caught up in it as well, as this article from The Environmental Group explains: http://www.ewg.org/coke-pepsi
Although the marketing companies can seemingly spin the evidence one way or the other, the best alternative continues to be taking steps to reducing your exposure.
Hiram
Here a Washington Post article talking about how difficult it is to remove BPA from our food supply since plastics are used in pretty much every step of the food production and distribution chains.
Article at: http://bit.ly/aX4fX4