For a health-conscious family, focusing on healthy food storage is essential. Since we’re committed to purchasing and preparing whole, organic foods, we can’t ignore what we use to store them. Using Tupperware for food storage is now a thing of the past.
Even though plastic is often seen as a convenient and cheap choice, it’s not the safest. Even BPA-free plastics contain BPS and other potentially harmful chemicals. Although plastic food containers aren’t typically single-use, they still pose a problem for storing food.
Our family has worked hard to switch to non-toxic and scratch-free cookware and household items. It can be challenging to move away from the plastic food containers and bags we’re used to. It took me some years, but now I’ve replaced all our plastic food containers with glass, metal, or silicone. This change is crucial for our family’s well-being, even if it feels daunting at first.
Despite seeming like the cheapest and easiest option, plastic is probably the worst material for food storage. Harmful substances like BPA and phthalates can seep into our food, drinks, and bodies. BPA mimics estrogen, disrupting hormones and potentially causing weight gain. Phthalates, also present in plastic, are especially harmful to men and boys and have been banned in Europe.
Beyond harming our health, plastic is also bad for the environment. Only a small percentage of plastic gets recycled, with the rest ending up in landfills or oceans, releasing toxic chemicals and greenhouse gases or endangering wildlife.
Switching to non-plastic storage isn’t just better for health and the environment; many options are also oven-safe, so you can reheat food directly in the oven, reducing dish cleanup. While some are microwave-safe, using them in a microwave isn’t recommended. Leftovers can easily transition from meal to fridge or freezer.
When I began moving towards non-toxic food storage, choices were limited. Thankfully, now there are numerous high-quality plastic-free options, from glass to stainless steel to silicone, meeting all sorts of food storage needs from leftovers to dry goods to meals on the go.
Proper storage in the fridge and freezer is vital for maintaining a kitchen focused on real food. Whether you’re meal prepping, batch cooking, or freezing meals, you’ll need safe storage solutions. I now use alternative containers in place of plastic for both refrigerator and freezer storage.
Remember, when freezing liquids, give them space to expand.
We often use plastics without realizing it—in wraps, wax paper, storage bags, and foil. I’ve eliminated those as well.
When we travel, we use different materials than we do at home. Glass isn’t practical for outings due to safety concerns and weight, particularly in places like pools. These are the types of containers we prefer when taking food out.
Your pantry also needs non-plastic storage solutions for dry items like grains, nuts, seeds, beans, and flour.
How do you store food without plastic? What’s your favorite non-plastic storage option?
