Healthy Cookware Choices
By Sara Butler
You read a lot about what kind of cookware you shouldn’t use for your health, but what should you use instead? If you’re searching for cookware that isn’t a hazard to you and your family’s health, then look at these options -- pros and cons and all!
Aluminum
It’s easy to find cookware made of sheet or cast aluminum. It’s inexpensive, has good conductivity, won’t corrode or rust, and is lightweight. You may have heard some claims in the past linking the use of aluminum cookware to Alzheimer’s disease or other health problems, but now research has been able to substantiate any harm to using cookware made of aluminum.
The only downside to using aluminum is that it can be reactive to some foods, especially acidic ones. That means it can alter the taste of what you’re cooking in it. So, find another pot for your homemade tomato sauce. You also want to make sure never to use aluminum cookware that is damaged and never use it to store food.
Stainless Steel
This type of cookware is made from a combination of nickel, chromium, and steel -- which work together to form corrosion-resistant cookware. Look for a composition that is 18 parts chromium and 10 parts nickel in the easy to clean yet sturdy cookware.
As with any other cookware you have, do not use if it is worn or scratched since it can allow the nickel or chromium to leach into the food you’re cooking. It’s best to use nonabrasive materials to clean stainless steel cookware.
Copper
You should never use any kind of copper that doesn’t have a stainless steel lining or a coating to prevent copper from coming into contact with any food you’re cooking. Copper in and of itself is a great thermal conductor, but you have to take really good care of it and only use nonabrasive cleaners on the cookware. Also try to avoid cooking acidic foods in it, since they can wear away the protective coatings or react with the stainless steel linings.
Glass
Glass cookware is very safe, it’s easy to clean, and it’s inexpensive. The only downside is that it’s glass, so it’s breakable. But if you’re careful with it, this type of cookware will help protect your health and last your entire life.
Your cookware is a very important choice for your health, so make an informed decision!
To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Fontana, Calif.