How to Stop eating plastic!

Micro plastics are everywhere! They’re in the air, in our food and in our drinks. Researchers have shown that the average person ingest as much 5g of plastic a week, that’s the equivalent to eating a credit card a week. I’m not sure about you, but that’s a disturbing number to me. Unfortunately, micro plastics are nearly impossible to avoid but that being said lets have a look at strategies to reduce exposure. Let’s have a look at how to stop eating plastic.

Why ingesting plastic is an issue

Scientists are still studying the exact connections between these teeny tiny pieces of plastic and human health. But it’s clear that exposure to plastic—whether it’s those tiny particles, the chemicals they leach, or a combination—is being linked to a variety of worrying health issues.

Recent studies have linked these minuscule bits of plastic found in our food, drinks and the air we breathe to heart disease, lung disorders.

Colon cancer, metabolic function and disruption to the endocrine system are just a few other health concerns on a long list

I certainly don’t want to increase my chance of stroke or heart attack!

Taking care of your overall health is the first line of defence but let’s look at other strategies

How to stop eating plastic!

Drink Tap Water

I want to acknowledge that I am fortunate enough to make this choice. Not everyone has endless flow of potable water. Maybe your water source comes from old lead pipes or maybe you live somewhere that has no water infrastructure. No judgement here, just do the best with what you have.

If you can, don’t rely on bottled water. Water from plastic bottles has about double the micro plastic content of tap water on average.

Heading out from home, then consider filling up a stainless or glass water bottle.

Consider a water filter

A certified water filter can reduce the amount of micro plastics that make it to your glass.

It’s ironic that many water filters contain plastic, remember that reducing exposure is the goal. Avoid running hot water through the filter as heat accelerates plastic degradation.

Buy or Store Food in Glass, silicone or foil

Well this can be a tough one when it comes to buying food, so many things these days are wrapped in plastic. Have you ever seen fruit and veggies on a styrofoam tray wrapped in cellophane?

Think about buying loose fruits and veggies, meat and deli products wrapped in wax paper as a few easy examples. Plastic is so common that it is nearly impossible to avoid entirely, just do the best that you can with what is available to you. Minimizing is the goal.

Don’t store your food in plastic, instead use glass, ceramic and silicone containers. Aluminium foil and beeswax wrap are other good options.

Some plastic food containers contain more harmful chemicals than others but it is always best to minimize exposure. Heat, sunlight, acids and physical erosion can degrade the plastic.

Eat fresh food as much as possible

This is a no brainer, fresher is better. Processed food already has worrisome chemicals in it, never mind all the plastic packaging that it often comes in.

Stick to whole foods and prioritize your health.

Heat food in the oven, on on the stove top or by microwaving in glass

Simply don’t microwave food in plastic, it’s been known for years that it can leach chemicals into your food. If you are going to microwave, use a glass or ceramic container. Otherwise use a pan on the stovetop or reheat in the oven.

Wash plastic by hand

Avoid putting plastic in the dishwasher. They run very hot and can degrade plastic -“even dishwasher safe plastic”- and lead to micro plastic shedding.

Use wooden cutting boards

There is just something about age old wooden cutting boards, maintain them properly and they will last forever. They just don’t stain permanently, they are better for your knives and harbour less bacteria.

Avoid the plastic ones as research has shown that they can be a significant source of micro plastics in your diet. Repeated cutting on their surface can dislodge particle that adhere to food.

Vacuum and dust regularly

The dust in the air we breathe has been shown to be a source of micro plastics.

Reduce the dust, reduce the amount of plastic you inhale. Simple as that.

It might be boring to dust, mop and vacuum but a clean house will the bonus.

Aim for a vacuum with a sealed bag or a HEPA filter, they’re the best at trapping dust.

To wrap things up

It is virtually impossible to avoid micro plastics in this day and age but we can certainly reduce how much we ingest with these easy steps.

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Thanks for reading,

Pat