Have you switched from conventional to organic produce? Great! But are you undoing your good work by packing that delicious organic lunch in a toxic tub, or filling your drinks bottle with water that contains hormone disruptors? Here are 3 ways to keep toxins out of your packed lunch:
Eliminate Plastic
Plastic tubs, food wrap and bottles often contain bisphenol A (BPA), which is a known endocrine disruptor and human carcinogen. It can leach into your food and can also be absorbed through your skin. BPA-free plastic food storage products are available, but a recent study found that these products still leach hormone disrupting chemicals.
Opt for these safer alternatives:
- Reusable fabric food bags
- Glass storage containers
- Stainless steel bottles
- Bamboo or metal cutlery
Filter Your Water
Chlorinated tap water has been linked to birth defects, but that's not all you need to worry about when you turn on the tap. There may also be traces of heavy metals from corroded pipes, bacteria,and pesticides from agricultural run-off.
Using a home water filter is an effective way of ensuring your drinking water is free from common toxins. Simply pick the best filter for your needs and budget and fill up your glass or stainless steel drinking bottle with freshly filtered water. Here's an overview of 3 common types of water filters:
Distilled Water Filters
Distilled water filters turn water into steam by generating heat. The steam rises into a cooling chamber, leaving contaminants behind, and then reverts back into liquid. Distilled water filters are ideal for removing large particles and killing bacteria, but they don't remove endocrine disruptors.
Jug Water Filters
Jug filters use activated charcoal cartridges to remove toxins. As you pour water into the cartridge compartment of the jug, the charcoal pulls contaminants out of the water before it flows into the main section of the jug. This type of water filter tends to hold 1-2 litres of water, so you will have to refill the jug regularly and the cartridges also need replaced every couple of months. Jug water filters are good for reducing chlorine, but are not effective at removing fluoride.
Reverse Osmosis Water Filters
Reverse osmosis is a process whereby water is forced through a semi-permeable membrane in the opposite direction required for natural osmosis. Reverse osmosis water filters are usually connected to the pipes under your sink, and the membranes separate heavy metals, endocrine disruptors and fluoride from the water. They do not remove chlorine, but some models can be paired with an activated charcoal filter.
For more information, talk to the experts at a company like Water Filter Warehouse.
Leave The Aluminium Cans On The Shelf
Thinking of adding canned beans to your salad? Did you know that most cans are lined with BPA or that aluminium is regarded as a neurotoxin and has been linked to Alzheimer's disease? Despite their convenience, cans are best left on the shelf.
3 Easy Swaps For Popular Canned Foods:
- Opt for glass jars of passata instead of canned tomatoes.
- Cook a large batch of dried beans, spilt into portions and freeze for convenience.
- Ditch the fizzy drinks and pack a fresh smoothie or vegetable juice.
Incorporating these tips can help you and your family to stay healthy, but try not to feel overwhelmed. You don't have to make all these changes at once, so decide on what's most important to you and start from there.
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