What’s the ultimate storage solution
Plastics have dominated our lives for many generations. Don’t get me wrong they form incredibly useful things like a bag, a spatula, a fly swatter, a takeaway box and even the case for my AirPods. What a lot of people don’t like about plastic is how eco-unfriendly it is, if it is non-recyclable it will probably take 500 years to degrade and adds to our environmental pollution when they are sitting in landfills. We also know that bad plastics are health hazards. Storing your food in a bad plastic container composed of chemical compounds BPA (bisphenol A) or Pthalates will leach into your food when heated. Not only that, oily or acidic foods also react with these compounds and cause leaching. Which is why nowadays BPA-free products are heavily marketed. Nobody want’s to live with the detrimental effects of these endocrine disruptors in which we are seeing in hormonal imbalances, reproductive problems and increased risk of certain cancers. We can all make good choices about which plastic product to buy, this includes the one made from recycled material or is recyclable and the one that is BPA-free. If you’re not a fan of plastic, there are plenty of other great options that are safer for your health. Now concerning food storage, I recommend the following.
1| BPA-free Plastic
Fine to store food in cold or in room temperature.
Microwavable: Yes and No. Best to avoid heat altogether whether reheating or having it washed in the dishwasher. Since high temperature over a period of time may compromise the integrity of the container.
2| Glass
The clear winner. It can withstand anything (though it could break when dropped) and won’t react with your food which makes it so versatile. I know it’s heavier in weight but that’s how you know your health is in good hands. Great to have a stash of glass containers in your drawers for the leftovers or the lunchbox. It’s also really easy to clean by hand or throw it in your dishwasher.
Microwavable: Yes. In the oven too.
3| Stainless Steel
Food grade stainless steel is also a wonderful option. It does not react with food, has excellent heat resistance and does not retain odours or flavours. It is more lightweight and more durable than glass and dishwasher-safe. Some come with insulation like in a thermos, and you can extend the heat/cold retention by simply pre-warming or pre-cooling it. Bento box, travel mug, flask, water bottle, just get them all.
Microwavable: No.
4| Silicone
Free of harmful chemicals, food-grade silicone is lightweight, flexible, withstands up to 260°C and easy to clean (dishwasher safe). However it may retain strong odours. Not everyone will fancy silicone and I can understand that, but if weight matters to you this is a clear winner.
Microwavable: Yes.
Now that you are an expert on the ultimate storage solution, head to my other articles for more quick reads.
