While you may be working on getting your diet in the right direction, you might be harming your body in other ways. No, we’re not talking about having a drink on the weekends or skipping the gym when you’re just not feeling it; we’re talking about the cookware you’re using to prepare your nutritious meals. Yes, you heard that right.
What you know as “non-stick” cookware is covered in perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), chemicals the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) have deemed as harmful for the environment as they break down over time. Likewise, polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) better known as Teflon, is another harmful substance found within cookware that is released into the very food you’re cooking that can lead to things such as liver and kidney disease, reproductive harm, cancer, and more. Read up on the 10 Healthiest Cookware Health Fitness Revolution has curated to replace your unsafe cookware.
Stainless Steel
Good for all kinds of cooking, a stainless steel pan is a great alternative to non-stick pans. Not only do they last long, but the nickel and chromium in it allows it to be strong enough not to rust or corrode over time. It’s even safe to use on all stove tops at high temperatures!
Ceramic Coated
Non-stick and doesn’t leach substances into your foods, this pan has non-stick qualities that aren’t harmful to one’s self (like Teflon!). Although they can be pricey, investing in a higher-end ceramic coated pan would be a better option as low-end can wear and tear quickly. Easy to clean, won’t rust, and heats food evenly in a timely manner.
Aluminum
A great conductor of heat, aluminum pots and pans are a great way to heat your food evenly at an affordable price. If you can spend a little more, get a set that has been anodized to protect it for longer and allow the use of it without leaching aluminum metals into your meals.
Cast Iron
Very popular within the kitchen, cast iron pans are a great way of cooking meals (especially if your body is low on iron). People who have anemia often prepare their meals in cast iron pans in order for it to release iron into their foods to be able to reach a healthy intake. On the contrary, if you have hemochromatosis, you want to stay away from this due to the amount of iron that is being released. They last long, are naturally non-stick, and conduct heat well, cast iron pans are a great alternative to non-stick pans with harmful chemicals.
Pure Ceramic
Made from 100% natural resources (clay, minerals, and quartz sand), this cookware is a great choice for slower cooks and as a bonus, will leave the smallest carbon footprint!
Copper
Liked most by chefs, copper is a beautiful and healthy addition to add to your cookware. Lined with tin, these pans have non-stick qualities (thanks to the tin) and don’t react to acidity! While they are on the pricey side, make sure you are getting tin-lined pans to make sure no substances are being leached into your foods.
Porcelain Enamel
An easy way to think of what type of cookware this is, imagine a cast iron pan glazed over with porcelain. The glaze helps fight against the stick and doesn’t allow any metals to leach, it’s safe to use on stovetops and in ovens, and easy to clean!
Glass
As we know, glass is non-toxic (cups, jars, containers, etc.). Great to use when dealing with acidic foods, glass cookware is microwave safe, dishwasher safe, and sometimes stovetop safe. You can even store leftovers in the fridge!
Titanium
Pure titanium is non-toxic cookware that is great to use in lieu of non-stick pans. Just like ceramic cookware, titanium is a safer non-stick option, the plus that titanium has is that it lasts longer!
Carbon Steel
Similar to cast iron, carbon steel is yet another good alternative to toxic non-stick cookware. Great for everyday use, this fast heating pan is good to use when cooking things that you’re hoping the carbon steel will hold strong non-stick qualities with. When using this pan, make sure you read up on how to properly clean it to not damage its qualities.
