xtream and cast iron skillet

Non-Toxic Cookware Concerns

In this blog post, I’ll share some amazing non-toxic cookware products and why it’s important to your health to make the switch.

Say it isn’t so, I know! I’ll admit when I first started to hear about the topic of cookware and how most brands on the market are made with harmful chemicals… I was blown away. Who knew that we (consumers) not only need to be cautious about what we eat and the products we use, but now we need to be cautious about what we use to make our food? I mean, can we catch a break and maybe have some level of FDA regulation in place? It’s unbelievable.


Choosing the right pots and pans to cook with is just as important as the healthy food we eat. Even the healthiest of diets can lead to poor health issues which is why I wanted to dive more into this topic.


Which cookware should you stay away from?

Teflon: Don’t you love it when you can fry an egg and nothing sticks to the pan? Oh, the joys of a nonstick pan…but did you know the non-toxic properties of Teflon contains a coating of PTFE?

  • Nonstick cookware, such as frypans and saucepans, have been coated with a material called polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), commonly known as Teflon.
  • The concerns have centered on a chemical called perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), which is used to produce nonstick cookware. When this chemical begins to reach a certain degree in heat, it releases those toxins into your food.
  • PFOA unfortunately, has been linked in newborns as well. How can that be? A study shown by a scientist at John Hopkins took over 300 samples of umbilical cords and found that 99% of those samples detected PFOAs while in the womb. (Source)

Aluminum: Aluminum is a neurotoxic metal which can be found in your cookware, drinking water, aluminum foil, cans, etc.. (Source)

It is also used in:

  • Processed foods
  • Materials and articles such as:
    • Aluminum-containing food packaging
    • Cooking utensils and baking trays
  • Cosmetic products (including antiperspirants, sun creams, toothpaste)
  • Drugs (antacid agents).

Health Effects from Aluminum

  • Aluminum can cause (in the case of extreme exposure) specific encephalopathy with a dementia syndrome. (Source)
  • Elevated aluminum concentrations can be detected in the brains of Alzheimer’s patients.
  • Aluminum leaches the heavy metal into food through pots, pans, drinking water, foil, etc..
  • Elevated levels of aluminum in the body have been linked to several central nervous system diseases, including Alzheimer’s and ALS.

Copper:

  • Copper cookware, especially when it isn’t coated, can easily send you to the ER with a bad case of metal poisoning. And that’s because it can release copper when you cook acidic foods causing foodborne illnesses.
  • You’ll also run into the risk of having your copper cookware contain some nickel. Nickel helps distribute even heat and releases toxic heavy metals into your food.

Stainless steel:

  • This can leach into our food and have negative effects on our health. Stainless steel is made from a metal that contains iron, chromium, titanium, and nickel. If your pan is scratched and worn, those heavy metals can easily leach into your food.
  • If you own stainless steel, be cautious when cooking acidic food, as it can release very high amounts of metal.

Ceramic:

  • Don’t get this confused because I do recommend ceramic (100% only), but, not all ceramic is created equal. There is some ceramic-coated metal cookware that’s being advertised as “green.” Don’t be fooled and Greenwashed.
  • They contain synthetic bonding materials and PFOA, which has also been shown to cause cancer and other serious health problems.
  • They may be manufactured with lead.

Non-Toxic Cookware Options

Ceramic:

Xtrema Cookware: So I know I mentioned to be cautious with ceramic and there is only one brand I 100% trust. Xtrema Cookware is made with 100% ceramic and is one of the safest options on the market.

Completely all-natural, non-toxic, inorganic, and nonreactive containing no PFOA, PTFE, polymers, coatings, and more. You won’t have to worry one bit about chemicals, metal, or lead leaching into your food. Can I get an amen?!

To make things even better, every item made is tested for the presence of heavy metals. It’s also free of more than 800 compounds that may cause cancer, birth defects or reproductive harm. (Source)

I will say this, because it’s made of ceramic and not non-stick, it will take some time getting used to the cooking methods of using this pan. But what’s great is with every order, you get a card with tips on how to properly care and use for the items. Did I mention it’s oven-safe, dish-wash safe, microwave safe, and non-scratch.

teapot

The Xtrema items I have are:

  • Teapot (very important because I make tea every single night)
  • 4.5 Traditional Skillet
  • 8 inch Traditional Skillet
  • 2.5 Quart Steamer Basket

Shop all Xtrema here and use code: PRECIOUS10

Non-Toxic Cast Iron Skillet:

Thank goodness this is a clean product to use because a cast iron skillet works sooo well. Gives your meats a nice crisp grill, easy to clean and use. You really can’t go wrong. Plus, it’s a natural source of iron! I use Lodge; they come pre-seasoned in soybean oil which I’m not crazy about, but, it’s what I got. As I always say…baby steps to a cleaner lifestyle. Small steps equal large changes. This is the one I use.

Other safe kitchen items:

  • Glass Containers and Storage: I have a ton of pyrex lasagna bake pans that are glass and it’s a great option to use for anything you need to bake. Plus it’s very budget-friendly.
  • Unbleached parchment paper: As I mentioned earlier under the topic of aluminum, avoid foil like the plague. Seriously, there’s another option that works just as amazing. Unbleached parchment paper. Does the work without the toxins.
  • Beeswax Wraps: Looking for something to mimic foil when covering food to place in the fridge besides glass storage containers? Beeswax wraps are amazing. I talk about these all the time on my Instagram and love them. You can even use it to wrap a sandwich if needed.
  • Stasher Bags: I love stasher bags to store all my leftover chopped lettuce, fruits, veggies, etc…They are dishwasher safe, come in several shapes, sizes, colors, and completely non-toxic. Did I mention they are dishwasher safe? YES!


More sources: Watch the Netflix movie called The Devil We Know for a detailed story about what’s in our cookware. This will blow your mind.

In Conclusion…

Pots and pans, or any kitchen tools and items for that matter, are a HUGE investment. Trust me, I know. It’s taken me years to build up what I currently have now. So, baby steps as always. But hopefully, after reading this, you’ll see the importance it is to make the switch to non-toxic cookware.

Luckily for you, I have a 10% off discount code. So get your shop on in baby steps. Shop all Xtrema Cookware here. Use code: PRECIOUS10

XO,

Natalie

Related Posts: Natural Products for Cleaning Your Home

Disclaimer: This post includes affiliate links, and I will earn a commission if you purchase through these links. Please note that I’ve linked to these products purely because I recommend them and they are from companies I trust. There is no additional cost to you.