Plastic and the forever chemicals that come with it are incredibly problematic to your health. …You’ve trusted Mamavation to cover topics like safest small kitchen appliances, 10 of our favorite plastic-free products, safest cookware investigation, now join us as we bring you Dr. Daria, Author of Mom Hacks, for tips and tricks on how you can protect your family from the dangers of plastics.
Disclosure: This post was written by Dr. Daria, Author of Mom Hacks. It contains affiliate links.
Plastic. It’s what’s for dinner.
Wait. What?
We spend time thinking about what’s IN our food. But have you ever thought about what’s in the food container? Because science is increasingly showing us that it’s not only what we eat, but what we eat it on (and in what we store, cook, and serve it) that can have drastic effects on our health – and especially on that of our children. The good news? If you know what to eliminate, you can remove the majority of the exposure, meaning that you can then take this off of your list of OhCrapMoreThingsINeedToWorryAbout. {Phew. Wipes brow}
OK. I’m ready. Tell me more.
The same chemicals that make plastic bendy, flexible, and not-going-to-break-when-your-toddler-smashes-it also leach into our food. And our body is not cool with that. In fact, many of these chemicals are in a group labeled as “Endocrine Disruptors” (high school flashback: Endocrine = the network of hormones regulating our metabolism and development and fertility and…pretty much everything). Which is why children and adults who have high levels of endocrine disruptor chemicals in their blood are shown to have higher rates of obesity, diabetes, fertility problems, and even behavioral changes. NOT good.
Does this mean that you need to eliminate EVERY source of endocrine disruptors? Nah. But if you take the steps below, then it’s OK if your child drinks water from a sippy cup here or there. You don’t have to let it make you crazy. Because your kids do a good enough job of that, right?
Here’s how I keep it my kiddos from a daily serving of plastic:
Table of Contents
Know Where To Find It (and Therefore What to Try to Limit)
Find these chemicals in plastic food containers. plastic bottles and sippy cups, can linings, takeout packages/wrappers, plastic storage containers, and even receipts. (As a separate note, you can also find these chemicals in many toiletry and cosmetic products, but that’s’ for another blog, another day, or you can watch my HLN clip here). These chemicals seep into our food directly or rub onto our hands and transfer to food when we touch it. And if you want to say their name, say their name, they include BPA, DINP, DIDP, parabens, phthalates, and plastic chemicals that you needn’t bother memorizing.
BPA-free or BPA-alternative is Not Good Enough
When we discovered the dangers of BPA, every manufacturer rushed to make “BPA-free” plastic products. Except, now we’re learning that BPA-free alternatives are just as harmful. (Yeah, I know. It’s like when you learned that your fat-free cookie really wasn’t any better for you than the real thing. Le sigh). I avoid “BPA-free” labeled products as well – really the best way to avoid them is to minimize your use of plastic containers and plates, period.
So, What Can You Use Instead?
As much as possible, I store and serve food and beverages in glass or stainless steel (a plastic lid is okay). That includes sippy cups and bottles; glass or metal versions are more expensive, but they’re more durable. I’ve also gotten extra use out of my glass baby bottles by buying sippy cup-type lids that screw on top (instead of the nipple), thereby turning them into sippy cups. For those times that munchkin wants to hold their sippy cup, I’ll hand them a stainless steel one. I’m obsessed with my glass containers that I use for food storage and send my kiddos’ snacks to school in small stainless-steel containers.
Mamavation loves some of these brands for food storage!
More recommendations here.
Avoid Plastic in the Dishwasher
Unless a plastic piece has touched meat or dairy (or is just gross), I try to wash plastic by hand. Minimize putting plastics in your dishwasher, as the high heat makes chemicals seep out of the plastic and onto your other dishware. Plastic can also melt into the dishwasher, causing damage—plus an awful burning smell.
Microwave in Glass or China
Never heat foods in plastic containers, including thin takeout containers. The heat causes them to melt – I mean, have you ever seen one of those things literally melt in front of you? Doesn’t instill a lot of confidence in its food-safeness. Transfer to a glass or microwave-safe china plate.
Avoid Cutesy Plastic Plates
I know that a cute Minnie Mouse plate may be tempting, but these cutesy plastic dishes are another source of these chemicals. As soon as your child is old enough to not throw dishes on the floor (or you know, at your head) swap them to adult china.
Watch Your Receipts
This always surprises people – receipts are laden with BPA, and we often grab the receipt when we get takeout, food from the grocery store, or fast food and then use that same hand to handle our food. Decline the receipt if you don’t need it or wash your hands before touching food. Definitely also keep receipts away from children, particularly infants and toddlers who love to nom nom on anything they touch.
Want more? Check out my newly book, Mom Hacks! Mom Hacks takes the best scientific evidence to help all of us find our “I’ve GOT this”. Finally, you can take control of your health (and that of your family) once and for all – one hack at a time. It’s not just possible, it’s easy. You’ve GOT this.
Godspeed, my friend.
-Dr. Darria
Dr. Darria is a board-certified Harvard- and Yale-trained Emergency physician, a favorite expert on national TV shows including CNN, HLN, The Dr. Oz Show, and The Doctors, mom of two, and author of the upcoming book Mom Hacks (Hachette Book Group). Mom Hacks hits shelves on February 19th, sharing 100+ super-charged hacks to make good health simpler for mom and baby. Grab Mom Hacks and find your “I’ve GOT this”, today.
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Thank you very much for all this powerful information!
May I ask if the plastic n.7 can be as dangerous as a not bpa free receipt by just touching it? Many of my cooking utensiles are made from P7.
Thanking you in advance for your kind answer.
The bisphenols inside plastic are bonded and harder to escape. Leaching needs to happen which can be an issue if heat, fat or acid is present. When it comes to the bisphenols from receipts, they aren’t bonded so they easily get off on your hands and into your body.
Hello, my ame is Patsy Wmig, I have a question. What drinking water is safw for my family? Tried water bottles and they cuse stomch pains and my family doesn’t like the flavor. Also, what type of juices are safe that doesn’t contain chemicals and metals. Our family are gluten sensitivity and allergic to dairy. Please help!
How does one know whether refill water containers are also dangerous since we keep on reusing them?
very interesting https://bit.ly/2FvEyO4
Really informative i take this on board, for i’ve been looking at reducing that amount of plastic waste i have.