Straight to the goods? You can skip ahead here.
Where Small Changes Begin
The kitchen is easily the busiest space in my home. That is obvious for many reasons. It is where meals are prepared, where everyone naturally gathers, where snacks seem to disappear minutes after I buy them, and where much of our daily life happens without us even realizing it.
As I began to educate myself more, I came to understand that the kitchen is not just the heart of the home. It is also one of the most influential spaces when it comes to our health and overall wellness. Our routines are shaped here, our habits are formed here, and many of the choices we make every day begin in this room.
When I look at the kitchen now, I see more than cabinets and appliances. I see a place where small, intentional changes can make a meaningful difference. From what we store in our cabinets, to what we keep in our refrigerator, to what sits under the sink, and most importantly, to the food we consume, the question becomes simple and necessary.
Where do we start?
Where to Begin
Go open that cabinet where you keep all your food containers. You know the one. The mess of mismatched lids, random containers, and pieces you have had so long you barely notice them anymore.
Let’s start there, because that little cabinet matters more than you might think.
For a lot of us, plastic food containers have just been the normal choice for years. They are convenient, lightweight, and easy to grab when life is busy. But they are also one of those everyday things worth looking at more closely, especially when they are holding the food we eat.
The more I learned, the more I realized this is not as simple as it seems. Public health guidance says heat can increase the leaching of certain chemicals from some plastics. And while I could go down the rabbit hole of all the different plastics and why some raise more concerns than others, the bigger point is this: researchers have identified thousands of chemicals associated with plastic food contact materials, and many of them are still not fully understood.
For me, that was reason enough to start paying closer attention to what I was using every day.
Reheating Food in Plastic
This was one of those things I did for years without a second thought. Leftovers went into a plastic container, straight into the microwave, and dinner was ready. Easy. Familiar. Convenient.
But plastic does not stay unchanged when it is heated, especially in the microwave. Heat can weaken the structure of the container and cause tiny particles and chemicals to transfer into the food. Some studies suggest that even a few minutes of microwaving can release microplastics, along with even smaller particles called nanoplastics, into what you are about to eat.
On top of that, plastics can contain or interact with thousands of different chemicals. Substances like BPA, phthalates, and other additives are still being studied, and some are known to interfere with hormones. That was never something I considered when I was simply reheating last night’s dinner.
It is also important to understand that a container labeled “microwave safe” does not necessarily mean it is risk free. In most cases, it only means the container will not melt or warp. It does not mean nothing transfers into your food.
Now, I am not telling you to throw away all of your plastic containers. I still use them. I just use them more intentionally. Plastic is reserved for cold foods in my house. A peanut butter and jelly sandwich for my child is a perfect example. There is no chance I am sending my third grader to school with a glass container.
But It’s BPA Free, Right?
For a long time, I was completely sold on that label. BPA free. I would see it and think, this must be the better choice. It felt like a green light without much thought beyond that.
The more I learned, the more I realized it is not that simple.
BPA free means one specific chemical was removed. That is it. It does not mean the product is non toxic, and it certainly does not tell the full story. That was a shift for me, realizing how easy it is to trust a label without really understanding what it does and does not mean.
Personally, I do not believe there is a plastic food container I would consider non toxic. Some are likely better than others, but for me, glass is the safest and simplest option. Even glass containers usually come with a plastic lid, so when reheating, I just place a paper towel over the food instead.
Again, I am not asking you to pull your trash can over and dump every plastic container you own. I still have plastic in my cabinet too. I simply use it differently. Those containers are for cold foods like my kids’ lunches, because who is sending a third grader to school with glass? Not me. That container would be gone or broken in a day.
What I am encouraging you to do is take a closer look at what you already have. If your containers have been repeatedly heated, used for hot food over and over, or stained with that tomato sauce tint that never seems to disappear, it may be time to let them go.
Better Storage Options
Glass containers were the first switch I made. They are durable, easy to clean, and do not absorb odors or stains. More importantly, glass does not leach chemicals into food, even when heated. It felt like the most straightforward choice, especially for leftovers, meal prep, and anything that might end up in the microwave or oven.
Stainless steel is another option worth considering. While it is not suitable for microwaving, it works well for dry goods, packed lunches, and refrigerated food. It is lightweight, long lasting, and does not carry the same concerns as plastic when it comes to chemical transfer.
You might be thinking, okay, but what about ceramic? Trust me, I get it. I love ceramic, especially those beautiful dishes that feel like they came straight from Grandma’s cabinet. I am obsessed. But then I had to go and ruin it for myself by falling down that rabbit hole too.
As beautiful as antique or heavily decorated ceramic dishes can be, the design and glaze are not always harmless. FDA guidance warns that some ceramic foodware can leach lead, and some glazes and decorations can also involve cadmium, which is why I am a lot more careful now about older, handmade, imported, or heavily decorated pieces when food is involved.
Step One Is That Simple
You might be thinking, is that really it? Get rid of the old plastic and buy glass containers? Yes. Step one really can be that simple.
By making this change, you are cutting down on repeated plastic contact with your food, especially when heat is involved. It may feel small, but small steps are often where real change begins.
At the end of the day, this was one of the first changes that helped me stop feeling so overwhelmed. I did not need to redo my whole kitchen overnight, and I did not need to have every answer right away. I just needed one place to begin.
For me, that place was that messy cabinet full of food containers I had stopped noticing a long time ago.
Swapping out what I could, using plastic differently, and paying more attention to what was touching our food felt like a small change at first. But sometimes that is exactly how these shifts begin. One cabinet. One habit. One better choice at a time.
And honestly, that is enough for now.
Next, I want to talk about something else in the kitchen that deserves a closer look: the products we are spraying, wiping, and washing with every single day. Because once I started paying attention to what was touching our food, it only made sense to start paying attention to what I was cleaning my kitchen with too.
My Kitchen Storage Picks
If you are ready to make this switch too, here are a few of the glass storage containers and kitchen basics I personally like and would recommend starting with.
Glass food storage set: CLICK HERE
Glass food storage set (on a budget): CLICK HERE
Glass tall microwave cover: CLICK HERE
Glass microwave cover: CLICK HERE
A quick note: links below are affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission.
If you take anything from this post, let it be this:
Plastic food containers are one of those everyday things most of us never stop to question. They are convenient, familiar, and easy to keep using without a second thought. But once I started learning more about heat, chemical transfer, and what “BPA-free” actually means, I knew this was one of the first places I wanted to make a change.
A simple place to begin:
• Replace your most used plastic leftover containers first
• Keep plastic for cold food if you need to
• Use glass for anything that may be reheated
• Toss old containers that are stained, scratched, or have been heated over and over
• Do not assume “microwave-safe” means chemical-free
• Do not assume “BPA-free” tells the whole story
That is it.
That is step one.
And honestly, sometimes that is how real change starts. Not with a total overhaul. Just one step at a time.
Thank you for being here and taking these small steps with me.
Love, Andrea