Cookware is a super important topic and one that I have been educating myself on over the last few years. Unfortunately, we don’t only have to be vigilant about the food we’re consuming but also about the pots and pans we are cooking with. Most of us move out, get a good set of pots and pans (generally suggested to us by family or store clerks) and use them for years and years. The issue is, many of the pots and pans we are cooking with are hazardous for our health and over time can cause some serious issues.
“The main issues with traditional bakeware like non-stick and aluminum are that they can leach hormone-disrupting chemicals and heavy metals into food. The research is divided on the newer non-stick options and some of them fall into the “better than before and maybe safe but we don’t know yet” category. There are also recent concerns with lead and other heavy metals in ceramic.” This information is taken from Wellness Mama Website. I am going to link the entire article on the materials that are NOT safe to cook with on Wellness Mama’s website. She has written this out perfectly and gives all the information needed on what to avoid.
Here is the cookware that I use and consider safe:
Cast Iron
You can’t go wrong with cast iron, it is a great option. I also find that food tastes best when cooked with cast iron. Cast iron also literally will stand the test of time and will outlive you! Only downside with cast iron is it can be annoying to clean because you want to avoid using soap. I like to use kosher salt all over, add a little water, scrub off any dirt or grime, rinse and then dry. I then take a piece of paper towel, add a dab of olive oil and wipe down my skillet. This removes excess dirt and keeps your cast iron pieces in great condition.
My favourite brands are Le Creuset, Lodge and Ricardo.
Enamel Coated Cast Iron
This is ideal because you get the cast iron taste, without having to fuss over your food sticking and the whole cleaning issue. I have a lot of enamel coated cast iron items from Le Creuset and they are some of my favourite items in my kitchen. It is important to go with a high-quality enamel coated brand like Le Creuset because you don’t want to get chips or pieces of that enamel transferring into your food.
Ceramic Non-Stick Greenpan
I found Greenpan cookware at Linen Chest a few years back when transitioning to healthier cookware. I am obsessed! This is the brand I use most for my day to day cooking. It is super easy to cook with, clean and it’s super durable and versatile. Also, pretty affordable compared to other brands.
Stainless Steel
When I got married, we were gifted a full All-Clad stainless-steel set. My parents still have and use theirs from when they got married. Stainless steel cookware is a staple in many people’s homes and is a good option. I rarely use my stainless-steel pans or skillets because they’re so annoying to clean, cook slower and everything sticks to it…it’s just too high maintenance for me. I do however use my pots daily and love them for soups, pasta, steaming etc…
These are really the ones I use most, I am sure there are other good options out there and if I am not mentioning them please drop a comment below to let me know!
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Thank you so much for posting this article… really appreciate it.