Don't store food or liquids in plastic

Plastics leach chemicals into food and beverages. In April, the Environmental Health Perspectives Journal published an article that raised serious questions about low dosage exposure to bisphenol A - a chemical found in plastics and in the lining of canned food and drinks - and urged more in-depth studies.

The article examined 115 studies; the 11 studies funded by the chemical industry found no harm from low dosages of bisphenol A, while 98 non-industry studies had starkly different results, linking exposure to reproductive problems, obesity, early maturation and hyper activity. Since it appears research science is trying to catch up to the many advances in plastic, we'd recommend erring on the side of caution. Use glass of ceramic instead of plastic whenever possible. Consider metal water bottles from Klean Kanteen.

How to Minimize Your Exposure to Toxic Plastic

• Only use glass baby bottles and dishes for your baby. Give your baby natural fabric toys instead of plastic ones.

• Prepare or store food, especially hot foods and liquids, in glass, porcelain, or stainless steel dishes or containers.

• If you choose to use a microwave, don't microwave food in a plastic container. And never microwave anything covered in plastic wrap even if it is labeled "microwave safe".

• Avoid using plastic made with the No. 3 recycling symbol (PVC or V). Polyvinyl chloride is another toxic plastic used for cling wrap, some plastic squeeze bottles, cooking oil and peanut butter jars, detergent and window cleaner bottles.

PVC is the least recyclable plastic and poses risks to both the environment and human health. PVC contains chlorine, so its manufacture can release highly dangerous dioxins. If you must cook with PVC, don't let the plastic touch the food. Never burn PVC, because it releases toxins.

• Avoid using plastic made with the No. 6 recycling symbol (PS). Polystyrene is used in Styrofoam food trays, egg cartons, disposable cups and bowls, carry-out containers and opaque plastic cutlery.

Polystyrene can leach potential toxins into foods. Never microwave food in polystyrene containers. Safer Plastic Choices For Foods And Beverages If you do choose to use plastic with your food, it is relatively safer to use those with recycling symbols No. 1 (PETE) 2 (HDPE), 4 (LDPE) and 5 (PP). Water bottles from No. 1 and 2 are recommended for single use only.

What to do - Replace plastics that touch your food or drink

1. Identify all the plastic that you use to store food or beverages. Recycle it. BPA should be identified with a 7 on the bottom of your containers in the triangle - however, not all 7's have BPA. Regardless, recycle all the plastic that holds anything you are going to ingest.

2. Figure out what food storage you need, and replace it with glass or stainless steel alternatives. You can recycle used jam and preserve jars, which is smart and thrifty. You probably already have sets of ceramic or stainless mixing bowls, which do the trick. Get a set if you don't have any. If you pack lunch (which you should, since you are becoming a healthy eater), you will need a glass or metal lunch box.

3. As for beverages, you may need to replace water bottles with glass, steel, or aluminum. While you're at home, use glass and recycle all those plastic cups you have with the names of sports teams on the sides. See this post for bottle alternatives.

4. If you are using plastic baby bottles, replace with PBA-free bottles immediately. Dr. Brown's makes 3.5 oz. glass bottles. My discerning friend Suzi likes Dr. Brown's bPA free polypropolene since she finds glass to be too heavy. She likes the 4 oz. version, but there is also an 8 oz. version. Replace plastic sippy cups with metal.

5. Cut down on your canned food use. BPA is in nearly all the linings of canned food. There are a few canned goods that have BPA-free liners, and these will be marked. While I am still going to use canned tomatoes, I am going to be more mindful about fresh alternatives whenever possible.

6. A lot of take-out and prepared food comes in plastic containers. Don't put them in the microwave, and after you're finished with them, don't store food items in them.

More Careful

Don't buy water in plastic bottles; not only is this habit wasteful, but there's no evidence that bottled water is any safer overall than tap water (see Healthy Water Filter Tips). Single-use water bottles can also be havens for bacteria if you refill and reuse them. Many reusable plastic water bottles are made of polycarbonate, so to reduce possible leaching, do not fill them with warm or hot liquids, and recycle old or scratched bottles. Your safest bet is probably a refillable metal water bottle, such as one from SIGG or Klean Kanteen.

Avoid any type of plastic in your kitchen whenever possible. Food packaged in plastic should be rewrapped in parchment or stored in glass or ceramic containers.

Tip Invest in a metal water bottle to keep hydrated on the go.