6 Ways to Create a Non-Toxic Kitchen

10 Jun 6 Ways to Create a Non-Toxic Kitchen

Creating a non-toxic kitchen requires a few simple swaps and changes, including: cookware, food, cleaning products, and more.

The kitchen is the heart of the home. It’s where we gather, cook meals, break bread, do homework, and so much more. It’s easily the most used room in any home! For this reason, it’s essential that we keep it a healthy, safe place for our friends and family. With a handful of simple swaps, a latently toxic kitchen can be upgraded to toxic-free!

Benefits of a Non-Toxic Kitchen

All toxins, even those that are hidden or unknown, have a negative effect on your mind and body. Removing toxins from the kitchen is a great way to start building an overall non-toxic home for the sake of your family’s health.

Creating a non-toxic kitchen can lead to the following health benefits:

• • • • • Reduced inflammation
        • Balanced hormones
        • Improved sleep
        • Healthier gut microbiome

In addition, you’ll likely experience improvements in common hormonal imbalance symptoms, like PMS, skin problems, stubborn weight gain, and more.

Common Causes of Kitchen Toxicity

Unfortunately, the kitchen is often filled with hidden toxins- found in places you would never guess. As a result, we typically come into contact with these sneaky toxins on a daily basis- without even knowing it. So, when it comes to the health of you and your family, the kitchen plays a large role- from the foods you eat and how you cook them to the spray you use to clean the countertops.  Luckily, with a little awareness and intention, a toxic kitchen can be easily cleaned up.

The most common toxic sources in the kitchen, include:

• • • • • Cookware 
        • Dishware and utensils
        • Food storage bags
        • Food containers
        • Produce and other foods
        • Cooking oils
        • Cleaning supplies
        • Water

While this list serves as a great start, it’s not exhaustive. I recommend visiting the EWG to learn more about other household and kitchen toxins.

6 Ways to Create a Non-Toxic Kitchen 

Creating a non-toxic kitchen starts with awareness. Over time, you can make the necessary swaps and replacements to clean-up the kitchen for good. Here are six ways to get started:

1. Cookware

Nonstick cooking pans and other cookware items are made from polytetrafluoroethylene (or PTFE). This toxic chemical has been linked to cancer, hormonal imbalances, high cholesterol, and more. One study actually detected these chemicals in the bloodstream of 98% of the study participants! For this reason, I recommend avoiding all non-stick pans, even those labeled ”green” or “ceramic non-stick”.

Non-Toxic Alternative: Instead of toxic non-stick cookware, opt for any of these non-toxic alternatives:

• • • • • Stainless steel (All-Clad or Tramontina 3-ply)
        • Cast iron/enameled cast iron (Lodge or Le Creuset)
        • Carbon steel (Taylor & Ng)
        • Glass (Pyrex or Ikea 365)
        • Stoneware/true ceramics (not “ceramic non-stick”)

2. Food Storage

Storing in plastic baggies and tupperware is a common practice today. However, plastic is a known endocrine disruptor. Meaning, it mimics hormones within the body and creates hormonal imbalances. When food is stored in plastic, the plastic chemicals leak into our food and absorbed by the bloodstream. Note: NEVER heat food in plastic containers. Needless to say, plastic is a big no-no in the kitchen!

Non-Toxic Alternative: Always store foods in glass or stainless steel. If glass is unavailable, opt for silicone. Instead of plastic wrap, use parchment paper or reusable beeswax wraps.

3. Cooking Fats

Many unsaturated and unstable oils are used in the kitchen for cooking.  These oils include: canola oil, margarine, other vegetable oils, peanut oil, grapeseed oil, sunflower oil, safflower oil, and more. Since these oils have a low burn capacity, they turn rancid and toxic at low temperatures.

Non-Toxic Alternative: Oils with a higher burning temperature, and a less toxic effect on the body, include:

• • • • • Avocado oil
        • Coconut oil
        • Olive oil (for low temperature cooking only)
        • Organic sesame oil (for low temperature cooking only)
        • Grass-fed lard or tallow
        • Leftover bacon fat
        • Duck fat

When it comes to animal fats, quality always matters. Toxins are stored in the animal’s fat. So, if you can’t find a high quality option (pastured, grass-fed, etc), opt for another cooking oil. Note: ghee, or clarified butter, can be an option for those who can tolerate it. Although, I don’t generally recommend it, especially for anyone with any thyroid, autoimmune condition or chronic illness.

4. Pantry Staples

Crackers, pastas, chips, cookies, seasonings, dressings, and other pantry staples are filled with processed or artificial ingredients. As we know, these processed food options lack any nutritional value.

Non-Toxic Alternative: Next time you grocery shop, look for these non-toxic alternatives to your favorite pantry items (or as I like to call them, “healthy junks”):

• • • • • Rice crackers (instead of Ritz crackers)
        • GF tamari or coconut aminos (instead of soy sauce)
        • Brown rice pasta (instead of wheat pasta)
        • Raw honey (instead of syrup)

Stay tuned for more “healthy junks” coming soon!

5. Cleaning Supplies

Most cleaning products are filled with toxic chemicals and ingredients, like formaldehyde, bleach, ammonia, chloride, triethanolamine, and synthetic fragrances. Not only are they toxic when used on surfaces, but they also emit chemicals into the air. Furthermore, the toxins in household cleaners have been linked to autoimmunity.

Non-Toxic Alternative: When cleaning your kitchen, try these non-toxic cleaning options:

• • • • • DIY counter spray (made with vinegar, lemon, or essential oils)
        • 7th Generation brand
        • Branch Basics brand

As always, make sure to read the ingredient labels. Try to stick to products with minimal ingredients that you can pronounce.

6. Water

Most tap water is filled with toxins and heavy metals, like chlorine, mercury, fluoride, and more. For this reason, I recommend never drinking straight tap water or plastic bottled water.

Non-Toxic Alternative: Your best option is to purchase a high-quality water filter, like the stainless steel Berkey Purification system. However, if you’re in a bind or on a budget, try AquaPail or ZeroWater. Look for a kitchen sink water filter or natural Spring water sources. And remember, avoid plastic water bottles. Instead, use a reusable stainless steel bottle.

It’s often easy to feel overwhelmed and rushed to make all these non-toxic improvements. However, I encourage you to take it slow with baby steps. To be budget-friendly, try replacing your current products as needed. Wait until you’re running low on a specific item before making the non-toxic switch.

By intentionally selecting non-toxic items for your kitchen, you and your family can enjoy a healthy, safe, toxin-free environment. For more expert guidance on creating a non-toxic lifestyle, consider working with me one-on-one!