#1 – Avoid Microwaves
Microwaving results in reduced or altered minerals, vitamins, and nutrients in food products. Moreover, by-products are often formed in microwaving which are then absorbed, but unable to be broken down in the body. Never microwave food in plastic because it results in leaching of the harmful chemicals and estrogens from the plastic into the food.
Be Healthy! Tip: Use a toaster oven or convection oven that can heat foods quickly and almost as easily as a microwave.
#2 – Avoid Frying
Do not eat or make any fried foods. Fried foods have been cooked at temperatures so high that it alters the food constituents and creates harmful free radicals. Free radicals are damaging to the cells and tissues of the body.
Be Healthy! Tip: Try other types of cooking such as baking, steaming, or sautéing.
#3 – Avoid Aluminum
Aluminum is a highly toxic metal. Large numbers of aluminum molecules enter food that is cooked, covered by, or stored in aluminum pots, pans, cans, and foil. Teflon coatings (also toxic) do not prevent aluminum from leaching into foods. Aluminum toxicity has been linked to memory loss and Alzheimer’s disease.
Be Healthy! Tip: Buy stainless steel or cast iron pots and pans to cook with. Use parchment to cover items you are baking instead of foil. Also, you can use parchment paper or unbleached waxed paper to wrap foods for storage before placing into plastic bags..
#4 – Avoid Plastic
Plastic can contain estrogens and some plastics also have chemicals that can leach into the food and lead to imbalance in the body. It is especially harmful when the plastic is heated and is touching food. Avoid heating items in plastic or covered with plastic. Microwave-safe simply means the item will not crack or melt, but does not mean it will not leach chemicals into your food.
Be Healthy! Tip: Buy Pyrex® glass dishes for reheating. Store items in either the Pyrex® glass dishes or in glass mason jars. Buy a container that is not made of plastic to carry your water, such as a glass or stainless steel water bottle. Try www.sigg.com
