Chemicals like PVC, BPA, and Phthalates, which are used to make plastics consumed often, can lead to cancer, hormone imbalance, and other chronic diseases - says Dr Sanjay Wazir, Gurgaon-based Neonatologist and Pediatrician.
For parents, children should complete their tiffin box, no matter how. And children are brilliant these days. They eat food only in a specific box with their favorite Marvel and Disney characters. It prompts the mothers to purchase creative, artsy, and attractive plastic tiffin boxes, which are ultimately dangerous for your kids.
Those plastic boxes that are "BPA-free" are made with substitutes like BPS and BPF. These dangerous chemicals, also called endocrine disruptors, can lead to hormonal imbalance and reproductive issues. It is high time mothers realized this and avoided plastic tiffin boxes. Instead, they can opt for a stainless steel tiffin box.
Luckily, people started to avoid plastic tiffin boxes as they realized this. They are gradually shifting towards stainless steel tiffin boxes and other alternatives. If you are still using those poisonous plastic boxes, don't worry; after reading this blog, you will avoid plastic tiffin boxes and shift towards better alternatives, like stainless steel ones.
Key takeaways
- Adverse effects of plastic tiffin boxes
- Why should you avoid plastic tiffin boxes to store food?
- Best alternatives you can look for.
How is storing food in plastic harmful?
Research said that in 2016, more than 322 million plastics were produced, and 60% of them were used for packing food and drinks. And it is no universal secret that plastics contain BPA (Bisphenol A). The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has found that 90% of us have visible BPA in our bodies. This unwanted guest can disrupt our peaceful body by causing reproductive developmental issues and more.
Microwaving foods in plastic boxes and storing hot food in plastic boxes not only slowly destroys our food but also our environment. Heating breaks the plastic into microparticles, which seep into us as bits and ends up harming our system. Here are five reasons why you should avoid plastic tiffin boxes.
#1. Disrupt Your Hormones
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Chemicals used in making plastic are considered to be endocrine disruptors. Endocrine disruptors, usually mimic or block interferers with your normal functioning hormones like estrogen, testosterone, and insulin, resulting in chronic illnesses. Not just that, the harsh chemicals in plastic tiffin boxes can also cause Polycystic ovary syndrome in young women. This further disrupts the reproductive organs of both men and women, causing infertility, as these chemicals fight with estrogen and testosterone.
#2. It can create Immunity problems
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Plastics made with phthalates and BPA can disrupt the natural hormonal functions of the human body, leading to immuno toxic effects. Microplastics in plastic boxes contain harmful bacteria that can adversely affect gut health. Almost 70-80% of your immune cells are in your gut, and heavy exposure to microplastics can disrupt gut health and immunity. When you use plastic boxes, the chemicals in the plastic can trigger conditions like asthma or skin allergies. Humans often feel sick or infected. Recent studies suggest that plastic boxes and bottles can cause autoimmune diseases.
#3. Vulnerable to high temperature
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Even though many plastic boxes are branded as "heat-friendly," they are not. Heat and plastics can never be friends. Heating foods at high temperatures in plastic containers can result in chemical migration. Heating foods to more than 50 degrees C makes the infusion faster and easier. Doctors and experts suggest avoiding plastic tiffin boxes and other plastic items and migrating to healthier alternatives. Researchers prohibit heating heavy fried or fatty foods, as fat easily attracts chemicals. When heated just for 3 minutes in the microwave, one square centimeter of plastic releases 4.22 million microplastic and 2.11 billion nonaplastic.
#4. Affects the taste and quality of food
Exposing plastic-packed foods to heat can melt the plastic and release the chemicals inside the food. These harsh chemicals can fight the natural flavors of the food while altering the taste. Plastic boxes contain additional colors, antioxidants, and stabilizers. When these penetrate food, they easily change its taste and quality. Plastic boxes don't have a moisture barrier, which changes the texture of the food—for example, making the crisps food soggy. Looking for better alternatives like glassware or stainless steel tiffin boxes is beneficial.
#4. Enemy for our beautiful world
Plastics affect your health and the environment. They are not biodegradable, which results in environmental pollution, wastewater retention, and more. Wild and marine animals mistakenly eat plastic, which may kill them as it gets stuck in their stomachs and respiratory organs, causing breathing problems.
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Alternatives to plastic tiffin boxes
So many better, more beautiful, healthy, and environmentally friendly alternatives are available. Avoid plastic tiffin boxes and opt for these better options.
1.Stainless Steel tiffin boxes - They don't leach chemicals, are long-lasting, and can easily store hot and cold food.
2. Glassware - Glassware doesn't disrupt the aroma or flavor of the food. Also, these days, glassware comes in heat and is microwave-proof.
3. Copper/Brass - They are healthy and nutritious. Also, this will give an aesthetic and cultural vibe.
Conclusion
Exposing your baby to plastic tiffin boxes could be your worst decision. Even though brands often label their plastic boxes as "BPA-free," you have to know they use substitutes like BPS and BPF, which can also have the same effect. So, avoiding plastic tiffin boxes and shifting towards stainless steel ones is better. And if you are on the lookout for aesthetic, kid-favorite stainless steel tiffin boxes, what can be better than Pepxo's stainless steel tiffin box? Trust me, just like other mothers, you can't stop yourself from ordering as soon as you see it.