For a health-conscious household, it’s essential to prioritize wholesome meals storage. Since we work arduous to purchase and put together entire, natural meals as a lot as attainable, we will’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 secure selection. Even BPA-free plastic has BPS and different chemical compounds that could 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 arduous to transition to non-toxic and non-scratch cookware and different home items. For meals storage, plastic meals containers and plastic luggage are the conventional fare, and it may be a tough change. It took me just a few years, however I lastly phased out all of our plastic meals storage containers. Now we use glass, steel, or silicone as an alternative. Though it might appear overwhelming at first, it’s actually essential for our household’s well being.
Why Not Use Plastic Meals Storage Containers?
Though plastic appears to be the most cost effective and best different, it’s in all probability the worst factor you’ll be able to 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 acquire.
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 damage our our bodies, nevertheless it additionally hurts the surroundings. Do you know that solely 9% of plastic is recycled? The remainder results in 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 to your well being and the surroundings, one other bonus to utilizing non-plastic storage containers is that they’re oven-safe. Meaning you’ll be able to put them straight in an oven or convection oven to reheat, which minimizes dishes in the long term. Some are even microwave-safe (although I don’t advocate utilizing one). And when you’re achieved 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! They usually cowl nearly any sort 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 preserving an actual meals kitchen. Whether or not you’re meal prepping, batch cooking, or making freezer meals, you’ll want secure storage to your meals. As an alternative of plastic luggage and containers, I now use these different meals storage containers within the fridge and freezer.
Don’t neglect, when storing liquids within the freezer, enable room for them to broaden.
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 number of the first containers I received after I made the change. These are nice to retailer leftovers.
- Glasslock Oven Protected Meals Storage– I even have this set and use it on a regular basis to retailer nearly all the pieces. 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 an alternative 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 skin retains the glass from turning into too slippery when it’s frozen.
Silicone
- Xtrema Silicone Meals Storage– I really like these collapsible fridge storage containers since they don’t take up a lot room within the cupboards when not in use and are straightforward to stack within the fridge. These are nice meal prep containers, too.
- Zip High – These food-grade silicone containers are nice as a result of they arrive in enjoyable colours and a wide selection of configurations and dimensions for storing absolutely anything. They usually’re dishwasher secure!
Stainless Metal
- Latching Stainless Metal Containers – These are nice for storing issues that my children must entry usually like minimize 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 lots.
- Stainless Metal Meals Storage Containers – This set is freezer-safe, leakproof, air-tight, BPA-free, and stackable, so it saves room if you’re not utilizing them.
Meals Wraps
One other place we use plastic meals storage however won’t give it some thought is plastic wrap, wax paper, storage luggage, and aluminum foil. I additionally ditched these once we made the change.
- Beeswax Meals Wraps – I really like these as a result of you’ll be able to mould them to the form of no matter bowl or dish you need to use. When you’ve got time, you’ll be able to even make your individual selfmade 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 could refrigerate half a lemon, lime, and even an avocado. These create a decent seal so the meals doesn’t turn into dried out or stale.
- Stasher Silicone Luggage – These are available all types of colours and sizes to retailer issues as an alternative of Ziploc luggage!
On-The-Go Storage
After we go away the home for journeys we use completely different choices than at dwelling. Glass is difficult if you’re out and about due to security (you’ll be able to’t carry 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 High – It was arduous to switch plastic luggage for snacks and sandwiches at first, however now I really like these silicone luggage.
- Silicone Collapsible Storage Containers – Once I must pack mild, I really like to make use of these BPA-free collapsible containers. After we’re achieved consuming, we simply break them down and it takes up hardly any room. I’ve even taken them in my suitcase after 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 – This can be 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 contemporary. I really 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 really like these for hummus or selfmade sauces that we have to tackle the go. They’ve nice tight-fitting lids made 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. All the dry meals together with grains, nuts, seeds, beans, flour, and so on., want a non-toxic storage place.
- Mason Jars with Hermetic Lids – I really like these glass meals storage containers with locking lids for issues I purchase in bulk.
- Zip High – Their bigger meals storage luggage are nice for storing dry items as a result of they rise up when full.
- Glass Jar with Lid – These are available bigger sizes for issues you could 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 in every of these as a result of they’ve hermetic lids.
- Glass Spice Jars – For those who purchase your dried herbs and spices in bulk, these glass containers are a good way to retailer them. I really like the bamboo lids and customizable labels.
You possibly can learn extra about easy methods to cut back plastic in your house right here.
How do you retailer meals with out plastic? What’s your favourite non-plastic meals storage choice?