Here’s a question for you: how do you store your leftovers and other food in the fridge / freezer?

Maybe it’s time to treat yourself (and your body!) to an UPGRADE in your food storage arsenal! Especially if you’ve been using plastic containers.

Here are some things you might want to know if you’re still using reusable plastic containers to store your food. Scientists are looking into their impact on our long-term health… and also the health of our future children and here are some suggestions that are currently recommended by them. 

First: it’s suggested NEVER reuse plastic water bottles or other plastic containers that food comes in (like yogurt containers). They weren’t manufactured to withstand reuse and there are concerns their chemicals can leach into your system, especially if they’ve been exposed to heat or sunlight!

Second: while plastic containers that have the recycling codes 2, 4 or 5 on the bottom are generally considered safe, the second they start to show signs of wear (if they become cracked, scratched, scuffed or discolored/cloudy) you need to send them out for recycling. The more often they’re exposed to temperature extremes (like the freezer or microwave), the shorter their lifespan.

That being said, many researchers are now questioning whether plastics labeled “BPA-free” are even safe, and they are studying the long-term health effects of the alternative plastics. You can read an article about it here.

This is why it’s highly recommended you think about making the switch to using glass containers.

Why take the risk?

With glass, you don’t have to worry about any chemical residues leaching into your food from the plastic, plus they last pretty much forever and can safely go into both the freezer and microwave. They’re also less wasteful, and if you do some shopping around, they are surprisingly inexpensive, which means in the long run you will save $$$.

You can pick up a starter set on Amazon or big box stores like Walmart for $10 to $20, and they will last you for YEARS!