Non-Toxic Kitchen Swaps
When it comes to adopting a non-toxic lifestyle, I recommend initiating changes in the spaces where you spend the most time. Following the bedroom and the office, the kitchen takes center stage. For those new to non-toxic living and feeling the need to make significant swaps, I propose starting with these areas (one at a time) to avoid overwhelm. Remember that there's no rush to make all these swaps at once.
Let’s chat about a few areas of concern in the kitchen and what to do about it! Listen to Are Your Kitchen Gadgets Toxic? Creating A Healthy Kitchen to learn more.
Air Fryers:
Concerns: Many air fryers can be made from toxic PFAs (forever chemicals) linked with a wide variety of health concerns.
PFAs education podcast episodes: 58 (Solo) and 17 with Leah Segedie.
Solutions: Look for small kitchen appliances made from healthier materials like pure stainless steel and glass.
#HWHApproved Brands: Homelabs, Big Boss, Breville, Aria, Cusinart, Oster
Cutting Boards:
Concerns: Use of plastic cutting boards can expose you to microplastics and endocrine disruptors like phthalates.
Solutions: The gold standard is a solid wood cutting board free of glues and finishes. Bamboo and patched wood ones can be great options as well depending on the source/materials used.
#HWHApproved Brands: Adirondack Kitchen, Bambu, Maple Landmark, Treeboard, Caraway, Etsy
Note: To keep wooden boards nice, it’s best to coat them with oil from time to time. Fractionated coconut oil is a great non-toxic option.
Pots & Pans:
Concerns: Nonstick expose you to toxic forever chemicals PFAs
Solutions: Look for pure ceramic (not ceramic coated), pure stainless steel and beware of extra nonstick finishes. There are more brands popping up with “non-toxic” non-stick but it has been tricky to dig into what materials those contain, so I always defer to stainless steel, pure ceramic (I really only trust Xtrema currently), cast iron and possibly carbon steel
#HWHApproved Brands: Xtrema, All Clad stainless steel line, Pyrex glass baking dishes, Lodge cast iron pans, 360 Cookware (best stainless steel pans)
Blenders:
Concerns: Plastic blenders pose health concerns, as they can expose users to microplastics and Bisphenols (such as BPA) through potential leaching into food or beverages during blending, especially when components are worn or damaged
Solutions: Minimize risks by choosing high-quality, BPA-free materials, regularly inspecting blender components for wear, avoiding blending hot ingredients in plastic containers, and considering alternatives such as glass or stainless steel containers.
#HWHApproved Brands: Black + Decker PowerCrush Multi Function, Vitamix Stainless Steel, Tribest Dynablend, Luvele, Instant Pot Ace Nova, Oster Beehive
Coffee Makers:
Concerns: When plastic coffee makers are exposed to hot water during the brewing process, there is a possibility that BPA, phthalates, and other chemicals in the plastic may leach into the coffee.
Solutions: Look for pour overs, percolators, and fresh presses made out of pure stainless steel or glass.
#HWHApproved Brands: Moka Pot, Pure Over Pour-over, Bodum French Press, Harlo Woodneck Drip Pot, Chemex Pour-over, Bunn models, Cuisinart Percolator, Ovalware Pour-over
Other Kitchen Faves:
Weck jars: these are fantastic, aesthetic food storage containers made out of 100% glass
W&P food storage: they make great glass food storage containers, ceramic to-go mugs, silicone bags, and more!
Cotton/linen towels and napkins: no particular brand, just read the fabric contents tag!
Brach Basics: their concentrate is multifaceted and comes with a pump for dish soap!
To find out about more non-toxic kitchen swaps, listen to Lifelong Podcast episode 75 Are Your Kitchen Gadgets Toxic? Creating A Healthy Kitchen to learn more.
Thanks for being here!