Most of the emphasis on nutrition and culinary information is on the healthfulness of food. A secondary concern that has received media attention in recent years is the materials that cooking utensils are made from. Pots, pans, ladles and spatulas may transmit minuscule amounts of harmful materials that over time may cause health problems. Using healthy utensils ensures that the entirety of your kitchen is healthy, from the pot rack to the utensil canister.
Lead
Lead is a harmful compound that can cause brain malfunctioning. It exists in some older ceramic glazes. Avoiding craft and antique dishes and cookware that may contain lead is important to prevent food contamination. The Food and Drug Administration has not approved these utensils for kitchen use. Home test kits may detect lead levels in kitchen utensils, according to "The New York Times." Acidic foods, such as tomatoes and citrus, react with ceramic glazes and may absorb lead molecules.
Non-stick
Non-stick cookware has advantages. It's easy to clean and facilitates food removal. It also often contains perfluorinated compounds, substances that break down following long-term heat exposure and leach into foods. In the body, they cause immune system problems and may contribute to the development of some diseases, according to the website of Dr. Joseph Mercola, alternative health specialist. These chemicals generally release at 500 degrees Fahrenheit, according to
Kurunthachalam Kannan, Ph.D., an environmental scientist at the New York State Department of Health.
Iron
Cast-iron pots, skillets and griddles provide an excellent option for making stews, soups, breakfast casseroles and heating tortillas. This type of cookware lasts for many years if cared for properly, which includes avoiding rust and conditioning it periodically. Foods cooked in cast iron absorb some of the iron, and over time, this additional iron from cast iron can improve health. Iron is important for energy because it provides oxygen to the cells and tissues in the human body.
Spoons and Ladles
Metal utensils last longer than wooden utensils, but many of them contain harmful compounds, such as aluminum. Using wooden utensils and preserving them is the most healthy and environmentally friendly kitchen utensil option. Preserve wooden kitchen utensils by washing them by hand, avoiding soaking them in water and treating them with warm oil periodically to condition the wood fibers.
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