For a health-conscious household, it’s vital to prioritize wholesome meals storage. Since we work exhausting to purchase and put together complete, natural meals as a lot as attainable, we are able to’t overlook our meals storage containers. Gone are the times of utilizing Tupperware to retailer meals.
Whereas plastic appears to be a handy and cheap choice, it’s not a protected alternative. Even BPA-free plastic has BPS and different chemical compounds which may be even worse. And though plastic meals storage containers usually aren’t single-use plastics, it’s nonetheless an issue to make use of plastic for meals storage.
Our household has labored exhausting to transition to non-toxic and non-scratch cookware and different home items. For meals storage, plastic meals containers and plastic baggage are the traditional fare, and it may be a tough change. It took me a couple of years, however I lastly phased out all of our plastic meals storage containers. Now we use glass, metallic, or silicone as a substitute. Though it might appear overwhelming at first, it’s actually vital for our household’s well being.
Why Not Use Plastic Meals Storage Containers?
Though plastic appears to be the most affordable and best different, it’s in all probability the worst factor you may retailer meals in. Dangerous chemical compounds like BPA (or bisphenol A) and phthalates can leach into our meals, drinks, and our bodies. BPA is an estrogen-mimicking chemical that may disrupt hormones and result in weight achieve.
You’ll additionally discover phthalates in plastic, though they’ve been banned in Europe. They’re particularly dangerous to males and boys (together with in utero).
Not solely does it harm our our bodies, nevertheless it additionally hurts the atmosphere. Do you know that solely 9% of plastic is recycled? The remaining leads to landfills. There, it breaks down within the solar, emitting poisonous chemical compounds and greenhouse gases. Or worse, the plastic floats out to sea, endangering wildlife.
Other than being higher on your well being and the atmosphere, one other bonus to utilizing non-plastic storage containers is that they’re oven-safe. Meaning you may put them instantly in an oven or convection oven to reheat, which minimizes dishes in the long term. Some are even microwave-safe (although I don’t suggest utilizing one). And when you’re accomplished consuming, the leftovers can go straight into the fridge or freezer.
Non-Poisonous Meals Storage Containers
Once I first began my transition to non-toxic meals storage, there weren’t many choices. However the nice information is that now there are many choices for high-quality plastic-free meals storage. From glass to stainless-steel to silicone, the alternatives are quite a few! And so they cowl nearly any kind of meals storage want you may need, from storing leftovers to dry meals to on-the-go meals.
Fridge and Freezer Meals Storage
Storing meals within the fridge and freezer is essential to conserving an actual meals kitchen. Whether or not you’re meal prepping, batch cooking, or making freezer meals, you’ll want protected storage on your meals. As an alternative of plastic baggage and containers, I now use these different meals storage containers within the fridge and freezer.
Don’t neglect, when storing liquids within the freezer, permit room for them to develop.
Glass
- Glass Mason Jars – These dishwasher-safe glass storage containers are my favourite as a result of they’re cheap and versatile. Quart and half-gallon-size jars work nice for storing soups, sauces, broth, and even leftover casseroles and sides.
- Pyrex Glass Containers with Lids– Though these have BPA-free plastic lids, they’re fairly cheap and a few of the first containers I received once I made the change. These are nice to retailer leftovers.
- Glasslock Oven Secure Meals Storage– I even have this set and use it on a regular basis to retailer nearly every part. They’re nice as a result of they’re BPA-free.
- Glass Meals Storage Containers with Bamboo Lids – This meals storage container set has bamboo lids as a substitute of plastic. They’re leakproof too!
- Ello Duraglass – These are nice glass meals storage containers as a result of the lids lock into place. They’re freezer-safe and the silicone sleeve on the surface retains the glass from changing into too slippery when it’s frozen.
Silicone
- Xtrema Silicone Meals Storage– I like these collapsible fridge storage containers since they don’t take up a lot room within the cupboards when not in use and are simple to stack within the fridge. These are nice meal prep containers, too.
- Zip Prime – These food-grade silicone containers are nice as a result of they arrive in enjoyable colours and a big selection of styles and sizes for storing absolutely anything. And so they’re dishwasher protected!
Stainless Metal
- Latching Stainless Metal Containers – These are nice for storing issues that my children have to entry usually like lower veggies or fruit as a result of they don’t break! These are additionally nice for freezer storage since they’re non-breakable and match so much.
- Stainless Metal Meals Storage Containers – This set is freezer-safe, leakproof, air-tight, BPA-free, and stackable, so it saves room while you’re not utilizing them.
Meals Wraps
One other place we use plastic meals storage however may not give it some thought is plastic wrap, wax paper, storage baggage, and aluminum foil. I additionally ditched these once we made the change.
- Beeswax Meals Wraps – I like these as a result of you may mould them to the form of no matter bowl or dish you need to use. If in case you have time, you may even make your personal do-it-yourself reusable meals wrap.
- Pure Parchment Paper – Pure parchment paper is nice for wrapping meats, fish, and so on., earlier than storing.
- Silicone Lids – I additionally not too long ago found these silicon suction lids that flip bowls you have already got into fridge storage.
- Meals Huggers – These are nice when you must refrigerate half a lemon, lime, and even an avocado. These create a good seal so the meals doesn’t grow to be dried out or stale.
- Stasher Silicone Luggage – These are available in all kinds of colours and sizes to retailer issues as a substitute of Ziploc baggage!
On-The-Go Storage
After we go away the home for journeys we use totally different choices than at residence. Glass is difficult while you’re out and about due to security (you may’t convey glass to the pool!). It’s additionally heavier than different non-plastic meals storage containers. These are the containers we use to take meals with us once we go away.
- Zip Prime – It was exhausting to exchange plastic baggage for snacks and sandwiches at first, however now I like these silicone baggage.
- Silicone Collapsible Storage Containers – Once I have to pack gentle, I like to make use of these BPA-free collapsible containers. After we’re accomplished consuming, we simply break them down and it takes up hardly any room. I’ve even taken them in my suitcase once I’ve traveled to make my very own meals as soon as I get there.
- Zipper Sandwich and Snack Bag – Nice for dry snacks on the go.!
- Stainless Metal Thermos – It is a nice choice to take liquids on the go! It’s leakproof and can be utilized with room-temperature, chilly, or scorching meals to maintain them recent. I like this one as a result of the lid doesn’t have the inside lip that collects meals and will get nasty.!
- U Konserve Condiment Storage – I like these for hummus or do-it-yourself sauces that we have to tackle the go. They’ve nice tight-fitting lids fabricated from silicone.
- Lunchbots Bento Field – These lunch containers are nice for lunch (or dinner!) on the go.
Pantry Storage
One other place the place you’ll want non-plastic meals storage containers is the pantry. The entire dry meals together with grains, nuts, seeds, beans, flour, and so on., want a non-toxic storage place.
- Mason Jars with Hermetic Lids – I like these glass meals storage containers with locking lids for issues I purchase in bulk.
- Zip Prime – Their bigger meals storage baggage are nice for storing dry items as a result of they get up when full.
- Glass Jar with Lid – These are available in bigger sizes for issues you must retailer a number of.
- Stainless Metal Canister Set – These are nice as a result of they aren’t breakable! I retailer my espresso beans in one among these as a result of they’ve hermetic lids.
- Glass Spice Jars – When you purchase your dried herbs and spices in bulk, these glass containers are an effective way to retailer them. I like the bamboo lids and customizable labels.
How do you retailer meals with out plastic? What’s your favourite non-plastic meals storage choice?