Have you thought about what you cook your food in? If you were like me 10 years ago you are cooking in non-stick pans because they are easy to clean and fast to use.

However, what most of us are unaware of is that the materials used in the manufacture of non-stick pans have been associated with all sorts of health problems.

Nonstick cookware refers to metal pans and pots that have a non-stick coating. This coating contains Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) and Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA). Although PTFE doesn’t pose much danger to the environment at normal temperatures, it can be harmful at high temperatures.

The manufacturer label usually warns the users not to cook on high heat; however, according to reports and tests, only 2 to 5 minutes of cooking time can cause the coating to break apart and emit toxic gases and particles. When these gases and particles are breathed in, it increases your risk of developing Teflon flu.

These fumes are especially harmful to pregnant women and newborn babies as it can lead to liver inflammation, unusual thyroid hormone level, enhanced cholesterol, and a weakened immune system.

Here are the health concerns caused by PFOA :

• Children’s development and health.
• Increased risk of the mammary gland, testicular, pancreatic, and liver tumors.
• Abnormal hormone regulations.
• Birth defects and reproduction problems
• Low immune system.

The Solution?

The best solution is to simply avoid using the nonstick cookware and upgrade your cookware to increase safety for the entire family.

10 years ago we were told about the dangers in non-stick cookware at a Salad Master party.  We hadn’t even thought about it before then.

We could actually taste the difference when we sampled food cooked in aluminum, Teflon and cheap steal pots! By the end of the party, we bought the whole set.

I was pregnant with our first child and had already learned about some of the problems associated with toxins in medications and drugs related to childbirth so we both agreed it would give us one less thing to worry about after Sydney was born.

Fast forward and we are still using these same pots and pans. They are actually quite easy to clean and they still look almost new.

I don’t recommend spending $3,000 on a set of cookware but I don’t regret my purchase either. I’ve heard this is a good brand easily shipped by Amazon that is a fraction of the cost of what I paid.

When I bake I usually use a glass dish and I have a cast iron griddle for frying eggs and various breakfast foods.

If this isn’t a switch you’ve made yet, take some time to do your own research. My favorite research site for toxins is EWG.org.