A nutritious packed lunch can fuel your body and mind - and help your wallet!
Meal prepping and packing lunch can boost your healthy eating habits, but did you know how you prepare and store your food could possibly be doing more harm than good? Harmful chemicals lurk in your plastic sandwich bags, utensils, food storage containers, and more. The good news? Swapping to non-toxic food storage for packing lunches is easier than you think. Keep reading to learn about creating low-tox lunches to enhance your health and wellness!
Understanding Toxic Materials in Packed Lunches
Many people conveniently turn to plastic containers and wraps for packing lunches. These options are typically lightweight, durable, and affordable. However, these seemingly harmless materials often contain chemicals that can pose significant health risks. Plastics are made using various chemical compounds that are known to disrupt hormones, potentially leading to a range of health issues such as hormonal imbalances, reproductive problems, and increased risk of certain cancers. Here are some chemicals to stay away from when packing lunches.
PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride)
Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) is commonly used in lunch bags and containers to extend their lifetime and durability. However, the trade-offs for this seemingly versatile chemical can have harmful effects on your health.
PVC chemicals can leach into foods, which we can swallow down with the rest of our lunch. Associated health risks with PVC exposure include endocrine disruption, which can interfere with hormone function. Repeated exposure to PVC can lead to developmental issues in children [1].
Phthalates
Many people appreciate the flexibility of sandwich bags and cling wraps. They may not appreciate that these seemingly beneficial qualities are due to phthalates, a common harmful chemical used to make PVC.
These chemicals are often used to “soften” plastics. Phthalates are commonly used in plastic containers and cooking utensils.
However, exposure to phthalates can cause asthma, respiratory issues, and skin problems in children [2]. Like many other toxic chemicals, repeated exposure to phthalates can impact hormones and health and can interfere with puberty [3]. So, using food storage that doesn’t contain phthalates is a good idea for packing a healthy lunch!
Bisphenols
Bisphenol-A (BPA) is the chemical you’re probably most familiar with. It’s one of a class of chemicals called bisphenols that are found in certain plastics and resins, and it can sneak into plastic meal-prepping containers and cooking utensils.
Exposure to these chemicals can lead to metabolic disorders such as obesity and Type 2 diabetes. Like many of these other chemicals we’ve discussed, bisphenols can also disrupt hormones, which can have harmful reproductive and health effects.
PFAS
Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) are a large group of synthetic chemicals found in food packaging and nonstick cookware. These chemicals can leach into food while cooking with nonstick cookware or through packaging.
PFAS are known as “forever chemicals” because they don’t easily break down. They can also have lifelong impacts on our health. Repeated exposure to forever chemicals has been linked to reproductive problems and cancer [4][5]. They could even impact vaccine efficacy.
Pesticides
Eating healthy isn’t just about how you pack food. The foods you eat play a significant role in supporting your health and detoxing harmful chemicals from your body!
However, even the healthiest foods can be contaminated by pesticides, which are widely used in conventional farming to protect crops from pests and diseases.
Pesticides can linger on fruits and vegetables, potentially posing health risks when consumed in significant quantities. To minimize exposure, it is advisable to buy organic produce whenever possible.
However, organic produce can be more expensive, which may not be feasible for everyone. In such cases, the Environmental Working Group (EWG) provides a helpful resource known as the "Dirty Dozen" and "Clean Fifteen" lists. The Dirty Dozen includes fruits and vegetables with the highest levels of pesticide residues, such as strawberries, spinach, and apples, while the Clean Fifteen lists those with the lowest, like avocados, sweet corn, and pineapples. Buy the organic versions of foods that are on the Dirty Dozen whenever possible.
Choosing Non-Toxic Lunch Gear
Now that you know more about these toxic chemicals, you can make informed decisions about making easy swaps! With these toxic-free storage and meal prep products, you can make your lunch and eat it too.
Stainless Steel Lunch Boxes
Keep things warm and cool with stainless steel containers. Stainless steel containers are durable without being harmful to your health. They are long-lasting and a great investment for your kitchen and wellness.
We recommend the Stainless Steel Lunch Boxes by U Konserve. These low-tox lunch boxes are stylish, BPA-free, and dishwasher-safe.
Glass Containers
Why store food in plastic containers that will wear down with time and contaminate your food with harmful chemicals? Pack up lunch for the day in a glass container!
If you’re anything like us, you need a glass container for things as small as baby food and as large as a week’s worth of leftovers! We love Wean Green’s glass containers with BPA-free lids. They snap on securely for mess-free travels.
Platinum-Grade Silicone Bags
Don’t eat your sandwich with a side of phthalates. Store lunches in platinum-grade silicone bags to keep them fresh.
We highly recommend checking out Zip Top to pack low-tox snacks and lunches for the day ahead!
Beeswax Wraps
Keep food fresh on the go without using plastic wraps. Feel good about packing lunch to go by wrapping it up in beeswax wraps.
Try Bee’s Wraps for last-minute sandwich lunches or mid-morning snack breaks!
Non-Toxic Lunch Bags
Chemicals in lunch bags can absorb into our skin while we carry them. To make lunch even healthier, carry it in a bag made of paper, organic cotton, canvas, or hemp.
Packing Tips for a Non-Toxic Lunch
A holistic approach to lunch involves ensuring that all mealtime components are low-tox. Discover the peace of mind that comes with packing your meals in a way that helps, not harms, your health.
Use Reusable Utensils
Many single-use utensils contain toxic chemicals, such as BPA and phthalates. Make each scoop a little healthier by using stainless steel or bamboo utensils.
Avoid Single-Use Plastics
Single-use plastic products are bad for your health, environment, and wallet. They have no place in your lunch box. Invest in reusable bags and containers.
These options may cost more up front than single-use products, but you won’t have to worry about replacing them every time the box runs out…because it never will!
Repurpose Old Jars
Repurposing containers can spark joy and innovation in your daily routine while protecting the environment and your health. Make an activity out of turning glass jars into parfait or chia seed pudding containers for a sustainable solution to toxic food storage.
Cleaning and Maintenance
Packing your health is the first step to a healthy meal. What about the clean-up?
Cleaning reusable products can expose us to harmful chemicals if they’re in our cleaning supplies. Say goodbye to harsh chemicals and choose low-tox cleaning solutions that help your home, health, and the environment.
Low Tox Lunch For the Win!
Don’t let toxic chemicals sabotage your meal time. We encourage homemade cooking supported by products not formulated with harmful chemicals. Lifestyle changes don’t happen overnight, so be gentle with yourself as you transition to using low-tox cookware and food storage.
Want to discover more food storage and preparation products that can help your health? Visit our curated list of Food Storage Products to start nourishing your body with food prepared and stored in containers that love you back.
Want even more personalized tips for reducing your harmful chemical exposures? Test your body for bisphenols, phthalates, and other harmful chemicals with Million Marker’s Detect & Detox Test Kit.
Discover what’s causing your highest harmful chemical exposures and receive personalized suggestions for reducing them!
Resources
[1] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10779931/
[2] https://ehjournal.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12940-020-00586-x
[3] https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0303720715001288
[4] https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0048969723008835
[5] https://dceg.cancer.gov/research/what-we-study/pfas