The best way to store prepped or prepared meals is in BPA free storage containers, and I’ll share everything you need to know about why this is important and my three recommended BPA free containers for any storage need.
One of the biggest factors that can sabotage a healthy diet is convenience. You can always grab takeout, but it’s not usually as wholesome as something that you could have made from home. If your fridge is stocked with prepped meals, you have readymade options that you don’t have to leave your house to get your hands on.
I’m a big fan of meal plans that include recipes that you can prep ahead for the week. For example, make the breakfasts, lunch and dinners in this spicy one-week Paleo meal plan ahead of time and portion them out in separate boxes. You want to make sure that you’re keeping your food in BPA free storage containers.
What are BPA free soup & storage containers?
If you live in this century, you probably store your food in some kind of container. If you’re using old or cheap plastic storage, chances are you might be using products that contain BPA.
BPA, or Bisphenol A, is a chemical used in the production of certain plastics. This substance doesn’t always get sealed in the plastic. BPA can mix with the food that is stored in the container and ultimately end up in your body.
BPA isn’t only found in plastic storage containers. It has been detected in the lining of canned goods, baby bottles and beauty products. However, most people who have BPA in their systems get it from their diet.
According to ABC News, one study showed that when people stopped eating packaged foods for three days, BPA levels in their urine went down by 66 percent. Harvard School of Public Health reports that in another study, people who ate canned soup for five days had BPA levels that were more than 1,000 percent higher than levels in people who ate fresh soup for the same amount of time. Breastfed babies have lower BPA levels than those who eat formula, according to the New York State Department of Health.
Is BPA harmful?
Some experts say that BPA is toxic. However, its health effects are controversial, according to WebMD.
BPA has the same structure as estrogen. It can mimic this hormone in the body, producing effects that are associated with elevated estrogen levels. BPA interacts with other hormone receptors, impairing the body’s natural balance. The chemical has also been linked to major organ dysfunction, cancer, immune and reproductive problems.
Some experts say that the substance poses no danger at the levels that are presented in food storage containers, though. In 2015, the European Food Safety Authority found that BPA intake from the diet was lower than the tolerable daily intake.
Glass vs. Plastic Containers
Plastic food storage containers usually have a number on the bottom within the recycling symbol. Those with codes of 3 or 7 are most likely to contain BPA.
Even though the debate over BPA continues, many manufacturers have stopped using the chemical. Look for “BPA-free” on the label if you’re concerned. Still, many BPA alternatives haven’t been extensively tested. When they have, they have shown to leach toxins into foods when heated.
Therefore, if you’re making healthy crock pot meals but reheating them in plastic containers, you might be counteracting some of the benefits of the nutritious foods by ingesting toxins. If you want to avoid BPA altogether, you can use glass, stone or ceramic containers. These don’t react with heat or acids or leach chemicals into your food.
BPA free storage containers: Where to start?
Now that you know a little more about BPA in your food storage containers, you can start thinking about the best options to make meal planning easier.
If you’re not sure what sizes you’ll use the most, start with an assortment. If you find that you reach for one size more often than not, you might want to stock up on more of that size. It’s nice to have a variety of sizes for those times that you need to marinate a whole piece of meat, have company over or need to store smaller portions.
Locking lids prevent leaks when you transport containers to work. You might need containers with an airtight seal when you’re bringing portions of crockpot lentil soup and crock pot beans to work.
If glass is too heavy to cart around with you, though, you might want to look into portable plastic containers for work days. You can always save the glass for at-home dinners.
Below, we’ll detail a few specific products. This set of storage containers comes in assorted sizes. The smaller bowls are great for snacks, sauces and soups. The larger ones are ideal for holding full meals. The airtight lids prevent your food from leaking. You can vent the lids to make them easier to open. The glass pieces are safe for the microwave and oven. You can put the tops and the bases in the freezer or dishwasher. Buy the Jalousie 20-Piece Glass Storage Container Set here. Easy Lunchboxes are plastic containers with three separate compartments and a lid. They’re great for helping you add variety to your lunches. You might actually add more vegetables just to fill up each segment of the container. Easy Lunchboxes are made from #5 polypropylene plastic and are safe for the microwave, freezer and dishwasher. The tops aren’t completely tight. This makes them useful for children, who can open the containers easily. It does make them prone to leaks. You can’t use these for soups, sauces or other liquidy foods. Buy a pack of four Easy Lunchboxes here. If you prefer a consistent container size without a separated compartment, these Symbom glass food storage containers are ideal. The uniform size stacks nicely in the refrigerator. The containers have BPA-free plastic lids that seal in liquids. They won’t leak even if you use them for soups. Symbom BPA free storage containers with cutlery can be stored in the lid for on-the-go eating. They can go in the oven or microwave without the lid. The thick glass is resistant to shattering and can be stored in the freezer. The dishwasher-safe pieces are easy to clean. The silicone seal around the lid can even be removed if you need to clean out food residue. Buy a 3-pack of Symbom Glass Food Storage Containers with Locking Lids here. You can download your own PDF copy so it’s easy to access anytime!
3 BPA-Free Food Storage Container Recommendations
Jalousie 20-Piece Glass Storage Container Set
Easy Lunchboxes 3-Compartment Bento Lunch Box Containers
Symbom Glass Food Storage Containers With Locking Lids
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