Healthy News

Household plastics courtesy of ImmortalGoddezz at wikipedia.org

Plastic is definitely a great invention that has changed human lives for the better in many ways. However, even though most of us cannot remember life without plastics, the truth is that plastic has not been in existence long enough for us to know its effects in our bodies. It is only in the last few years that we have begun to hear and question what detrimental effects plastics can have in our bodies.

The bottom line is that plastic is:
- potentially harming our bodies;
- trashing our environment;
- a petroleum derivative (yes that is oil!).

Scientists do not question the fact that chemicals migrate out of plastics. What we do not know for sure is how chemicals migrating into our bodies affect our health. Maybe a certain level is okay, but who’s to know? Perhaps in 10-20 years we will have conclusive evidence of what plastics do to human health, but in the mean time who wants to be a guinea pig?

What to do
The answer is simple, use less plastics. Obviously this is easier said than done. Let’s see, I buy all my dairy products in plastic containers or wrapping, the lotion I put on my body, as well as the shampoo and makeup I use come in plastic bottles, the canned goods that I eat have a plastic film inside them, the water bottles that I buy by the case come in plastic bottles, and the list goes on and on. It is a fact, that migration from plastics is more likely if heat or citric acid is involved.

Here are some easy tips to make some changes:

1. Use reusable bags when shopping for groceries.
2. Skip the sandwich baggies (find an alternative here).
3. Cook foods in stainless steel or cast iron pots and pans.
4. Use reusable water bottles (find some stainless steel bottles here).
5. Do not leave a plastic water bottle out in the sun.
6. Do not heat food in plastic containers in the microwave.
7. Use glass baby bottles instead of plastic ones (find some here).
8. Do not put warm or hot food in plastic plates or cups.
9. Do not store tomato based foods in plastic containers, since it contains citric acid.
10. Store foods in glass containers (find glass storage containers here).

You want to keep it simple. After all, stressing about it is not going to help. We do know that stress is not good for your health! Good luck.