If you think you're totally safe choosing BPA-free plastic storage containers and water bottles, you're wrong. Your plastics can still release chemicals that act as endocrine disruptors. Here's why that's bad...
Choose glass water bottles and food storage containers instead.
"Endocrine disruptors are chemicals that may interfere with the body’s endocrine system and produce adverse developmental, reproductive, neurological and immune effects in both humans and wildlife," say the experts at the National Institute of Environmental Health Services.
Any system in the body controlled by hormones can be thrown out of whack by these hormone disruptors.
That's exactly why we all stopped buying plastic containers and bottles that contain BPA, which stands for Bisphenol A, a substance found in polycarbonate plastic containers.
Say It Ain't So, BPA-Free Storage Containers!
BPA-free plastic products are still releasing chemicals that act like estrogen, and sometimes have even more "estrogenic activity" than products with BPA. This is according to a study in Environmental Health Perspectives, where researchers bought more than 450 plastic items, such as baby bottles, deli packaging and flexible bags, from stores including Walmart and Whole Foods. The testing showed that more than 70 percent of the products released chemicals that acted like estrogen. And then when they exposed the stuff to real-world conditions like simulated sunlight, dishwashing and microwaving, more than 95 percent of the products tested positive. Unfortunately, even low doses of these estrogen-hormone-mimicking chemicals can have a negative effect on your body.
Buy Glass Storage Containers and Glass Water Bottles Instead
I don't know about you, but I'm giving plastics the middle finger. All of my plastic food containers and water bottles have gone into the recycling bin. Sure, there's a place for Saran Wrap in my home to cover open items that need to be refrigerated and some things I buy from the store are bound to be in plastic. But I'm certainly not sipping from creepy plastic water bottles all day or keeping leftovers in my fridge in plastic storage containers anymore. How about you?
Here are Two of My Favorite Glass Products to Try...
Purifyou Glass Water Bottles come wrapped in silicone in sleek black and gray as well as brights like my fave, chartreuse green.
Purifyou Glass Water Bottle
Why I love it: For starters, the colors make me happy. This glass water bottle is dishwasher safe/easy to clean (the silicone wrap is removable). The top stays screwed on when you carry it by the round finger hole. The lid features a stainless steel interior cap so no water touches the plastic cap. It fits in your car cup holder. Plus, I like having water bottles in two different sizes—a 20- to 22-ouncer for an exercise class or to sip during the workday and a larger 32-ounce size for a hike or road trip. Purifyou offers three sizes (12, 22 and 32 oz.). A portion of Purifyou's profits from each bottle sold is sent directly to building water wells for impoverished communities in Africa.
Rubbermaid Easy Find Lids Glass Food Storage Containers are the bomb—and stack nicely.
This 11.5-cup healthy glass food storage container houses a big bunch o' somethin'!
Rubbermaid Easy Find Lids Glass Food Storage Containers
Why I love it: This set offers 11 different stackable containers, including 3 (1 cup), 3 (1.5 cup), 3 (2.5 cup), 1 (4 cup), 1 (5.5 cup), which works well for various food storage needs. I literally use this set for everything—that half avocado that didn't go on breakfast toast, dinner leftovers, chopped veggies for tomorrow's party, frozen broth, lemon wedges for daily hot water (add honey!), and the list continues. The square design maximizes space in your cupboards, and same-sized lids snap into each other. The lids are easy to close—you push down in the center and it seals tight (just don't overfill the container). It's oven-safe to 425 degrees, in case you prefer to heat in the oven instead of the microwave, but it's also microwave and freezer safe. It's made in the USA.
I also bought a couple of Rubbermaid's 11.5-cup Easy Find Lids Glass Food Storage Containers for when I need to store a batch of soup, homemade broth or chopped melon, which, in my house, is a weekly occurrence.
And for those who have little guys or gals, check out these cute Lifefactory Glass Baby Bottles, too!
Is there a topic about healthy living or products that you want to know more about? Send in your questions!