Deconstruct Your Plastic Living: A Healthier Kitchen Starts Here
Let’s talk about something that’s quietly working against all your hard-earned progress—plastic.
We use it every day without thinking: to store leftovers, pack lunch, heat up meals, and sometimes even to eat off of. But here’s the truth: plastic is toxic to your health, especially when it’s tied to your food.
Here’s why plastic in the kitchen is dangerous:
🧪 When plastic meets heat, harmful chemicals like BPA, phthalates, and microplastics can leach directly into your food and drinks. That includes microwaving leftovers in plastic containers or using plastic wrap in the oven—yes, even if it's labeled “microwave-safe.”
🥡 Storing hot or acidic foods in plastic? That speeds up chemical leaching too. Even the "BPA-free" products often contain substitute chemicals that may be just as dangerous to your hormones and long-term health.
🍽️ Eating off of plastic plates or with plastic utensils may feel harmless, but you're slowly exposing your body to toxins over time—some of which are linked to reproductive issues, endocrine disruption, cancer, and even developmental problems in children.
📚 Here’s what clinical studies have shown:
🔬 A 2023 study published in Environment International found that microplastics were present in 80% of human blood samples tested. These tiny plastic particles enter the body through food, drinks, and even the air—and they’re not just passing through. They’re accumulating in our organs.
🧠 Phthalates and BPA, commonly found in food-grade plastics, are now classified as endocrine disruptors, which interfere with hormone production and regulation. According to the Endocrine Society, long-term exposure is linked to:
Reproductive issues (fertility struggles, hormone imbalance)
Increased risk of breast and prostate cancer
Metabolic disorders like insulin resistance
👶 A landmark study in JAMA Pediatrics showed that prenatal exposure to phthalates was associated with lower IQ scores in children by age 7. These chemicals are often leached from plastics used to store or microwave food.
🍽️ And yes—heating plastic makes it worse. A Toxicology Reports study confirmed that microwaving plastic containers releases higher concentrations of BPA and other toxins into your food, especially when the plastic is old, scratched, or worn.
The takeaway? Plastic isn’t neutral. It’s active—and harmful—in your system.
But there’s good news: by reducing plastic exposure, especially in the kitchen, you give your body a real chance to recover and thrive.
✅ Here’s what you can do starting today:
Swap out plastic food containers for glass or stainless steel.
Use beeswax wraps or silicone lids instead of plastic wrap.
Avoid microwaving food in plastic—transfer it to a ceramic or glass dish.
Drink from glass or metal water bottles (ditch the plastic ones for good!).
🔥 Thrive Challenge of the Week: Deconstruct the Plastic
This week, I challenge you to remove all plastic from your kitchen—yep, all of it. Go drawer by drawer, cabinet by cabinet. Donate, recycle, or toss anything plastic that touches your food: Tupperware, utensils, measuring cups, plates, water bottles… all of it. Then, prep your space for a healthier swap with glass and stainless steel. If you’re unsure what to buy, reach out—I’m happy to help. I ordered my mason jars in various sizes on Amazon and love how functional (and cute!) they are. Next week I’ll be sharing “Mason Jar Living” — my go-to tools for a plastic-free kitchen and a healthier home.
Let’s do this together!
