For a health-conscious household, it is vital to prioritize wholesome meals storage. As we attempt to purchase and cook dinner natural and entire meals each time potential, meals storage containers cannot be ignored. Gone are the times of utilizing Tupperware to retailer meals.
Whereas plastic looks as if a handy and low-cost choice, it isn’t a secure choice. Even BPA-free plastics include BPS and different extra dangerous chemical compounds. And whereas plastic meals storage containers are sometimes not single-use plastics, utilizing plastic to retailer meals continues to be problematic.
Our household has labored exhausting to transition to non-toxic, non-scratch cookware and different family merchandise. Plastic meals containers and plastic luggage are widespread for meals storage and the swap will be tough. It took just a few years, however we lastly phased out all of our plastic meals storage containers. We now use glass, steel, or silicone as an alternative. It might have appeared exhausting at first, nevertheless it’s actually vital for our household’s well being.
Why not use plastic meals storage containers?
Whereas plastic looks as if the most cost effective and best various, it is in all probability the worst for storing meals. It might probably leach dangerous chemical compounds like BPA (bisphenol A) and phthalates into your meals, drinks, and your physique. BPA is a chemical that mimics estrogen, which might disrupt hormones and result in weight acquire.
Though banned in Europe, plastics additionally include phthalates, that are notably dangerous to males and boys (together with the unborn child).
It not solely harms our our bodies but in addition the atmosphere. 9% of plastic is recycledThe remaining leads to landfills, the place it breaks down within the solar, releasing poisonous chemical compounds and greenhouse gases. Worse but, it leads to the ocean, placing wildlife in danger.
Along with being more healthy and extra environmentally pleasant, one other advantage of utilizing non-plastic storage containers is that they’re oven-safe, which means you’ll be able to put them immediately within the oven or convection oven to reheat, minimizing the pressure in your dishes in the long term. Some are even microwave-safe (though we do not advocate utilizing a microwave). When you’re completed consuming, you’ll be able to simply pop any leftovers straight into the fridge or freezer.
Non-Poisonous Meals Storage Containers
Once I first began transitioning to non-toxic meals storage containers, there weren’t many choices. However now, I am pleased to say that there are such a lot of choices for high-quality plastic-free meals storage containers. There are numerous choices, together with glass, chrome steel, and silicone. There’s one thing for each kind of meals storage want, from storing leftovers to dry meals to meals on the go.
Fridge and freezer meals storage
Storing meals within the fridge and freezer is important to sustaining an actual meals kitchen. Whether or not you are meal prepping, batch cooking, or making frozen meals, you could preserve your meals secure. I now use these various meals storage containers in my fridge and freezer as an alternative of plastic luggage and containers.
When storing liquids within the freezer, keep in mind to depart room for the liquid to broaden.
Glass
- Glass Mason Jar – Dishwasher-safe glass storage containers are my favorites as a result of they’re cheap and versatile. Quart and half-gallon measurement jars are excellent for storing soups, sauces, broths, leftover casseroles, and facet dishes.
- Pyrex glass container with lid– They’ve BPA free plastic lids, are fairly cheap, and have been one of many first containers I purchased after I switched. Excellent for storing leftovers.
- Glass Rock oven-safe food storage container– I’ve this set too and use it on a regular basis to retailer nearly every part. It’s BPA free so it’s tremendous handy.
- Glass Food Storage Container with Bamboo Lid – This meals storage container set comes with bamboo lids as an alternative of plastic, and they’re leak-proof too.
- Elo Duraglass – The locking lids make them the proper glass meals storage containers. They’re freezer secure and the outer silicone sleeve prevents the glass from slipping an excessive amount of when frozen.
silicone
- Xtrema Silicone Food Storage Containers– We love these collapsible fridge storage containers as a result of they take up little house in your cupboard when not in use and stack simply in your fridge. They’re additionally nice containers for meal prep.
- Zip High – These food-grade silicone containers are available in enjoyable colours and a wide range of styles and sizes to retailer absolutely anything, and so they’re dishwasher secure.
chrome steel
- Latch-type stainless steel container – It will not break, so it is excellent for storing issues your children use steadily, like lower greens and fruits. It is also excellent for storing within the freezer, as a result of it will not break and it holds loads.
- Stainless Steel Food Storage Containers – This set is freezer secure, leak-proof, hermetic, BPA-free and stackable to save lots of house when not in use.
Meals wrap
One other place we use plastic meals storage containers and will not understand it’s plastic wrap, wax paper, storage luggage, and aluminum foil, which I additionally threw out after I made the swap.
- Beeswax Food Wrap – I really like that they are often molded to suit the form of any bowl or dish you wish to use them in. In case you have the time, it’s also possible to make your personal reusable meals wraps.
- Natural Parchment Paper – Pure parchment paper is ideal for wrapping meat, fish, and so forth. earlier than storing.
- Silicone Lid – I additionally not too long ago found these silicone suction cup lids that flip bowls I already personal into storage for my fridge.
- Food Hugger – Excellent for when you could retailer lemons, limes, or avocado halves within the fridge. The hermetic seal retains meals from drying out or going stale.
- Stasher Silicone Bag – They arrive in a wide range of colours and sizes to retailer issues in as an alternative of Ziploc luggage.
Storage on the go
Once I journey, I exploit completely different containers than I do at dwelling. Glass is difficult to make use of after I’m on the go for security (no glass on the pool!) and is heavier than non-plastic meals storage containers. These are the containers I exploit to take meals with me after I’m on the go.
- Zip Top – At first it was exhausting to interchange the plastic luggage for snacks and sandwiches, however now I really like these silicone luggage.
- Silicone collapsible storage container – Once I wish to pack mild, I like to make use of BPA-free collapsible containers. Once I’m completed consuming, I simply disassemble the containers and so they take up little or no house. Once I journey, I generally throw them in my suitcase and put together my very own meals after I get there.
- Resealable Sandwich & Snack Bags – Excellent for dry snacks on the go.
- Stainless steel thermos – Excellent for carrying liquids on the go. It’s leak-proof and can be utilized to maintain room temperature, chilly or sizzling meals recent. The lid of this container has no inside rim the place meals can accumulate and get soiled.
- U Konserve Seasoning Storage – This container is ideal for storing hummus or home made sauces while you’re on the go. It comes with a silicone tight-fitting lid.
- Lunchbot Lunch Box – These lunch containers are excellent for lunch (or dinner) on the go.
Pantry Storage
One other place you will want non-plastic meals storage containers is the pantry: dry meals like grains, nuts, seeds, beans, and flour all want a non-toxic storage location.
- Mason jar with airtight lid – I like glass meals storage containers with locking lids for bulk purchases.
- Zip Top – Bigger meals storage luggage are nice for storing dry items as they stand upright even when full.
- Glass jar with lid – If you could retailer quite a lot of stuff, we advocate the bigger measurement.
- Stainless Steel Canister Set – It’s nice as a result of it’s unbreakable! It has an hermetic lid so I retailer my espresso beans in it.
- Glass Spice Jars – If you happen to purchase dried herbs and spices in bulk, these glass containers are the proper approach to retailer them. We love the bamboo lids and customizable labels.
How can I retailer meals with out utilizing plastic? What are your favourite plastic-free meals storage strategies?
