It can be overwhelming enough to keep track of which food and drinks are healthy, and now I’m talking about your cookware too. I feel the same frustration when I hear about yet another common food, drink or everyday item that’s no longer considered healthy or safe to use. That being said, I’d rather be informed so I can make the switch, and know that I’m doing everything I can to stay healthy.
Most things that are bad for us are convenient, such as fast food, packaged food and processed food. Teflon or polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) is no different. It’s the chemical coating on most frying pans that makes it non-stick, and wonderfully easy to use.
Sadly, like most things convenient, it’s not good for human consumption when it starts to decompose at temperatures above 350 °F. Teflon toxicity can cause hormonal imbalance and cancer. (1)
“In May, 2003, the environmental research and advocacy organization Environmental Working Group filed a 14-page brief with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission petitioning for a rule requiring that cookware and heated appliances bearing non-stick coatings carry a label warning of hazards to people and to birds.” (2)
The alternative? Cook with stainless steel or cast iron pots and pans.
While John and I were in Florida we picked up the Le Creuset Iron Handle Skillet. It’s a bit different to cook with; you have to heat it slowly, and it retains heat very well so you can usually keep heat at medium, but other than that it’s great! This skillet is available in a variety of awesome colours; we got the Caribbean turquoise. Cooking with cast iron also adds a bit of extra iron to your food, which is a good thing!
Le Creuset is just one company that sells cast iron products; they’re also available at major grocery and kitchen stores, such as Superstore, The Bay and Canadian Tire, at a lower price point.
Safe cooking!
(1) http://www.naturalhealth365.com/science_news/teflon.html
(2) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polytetrafluoroethylene#Safety
