The Healthiest and Safest Cookware Options For Your Kitchen

Cooking is an important part of any healthy diet, but it’s crucial to use the right cookware to avoid harmful chemicals and toxins. Some cookware is known to release harmful compounds when heated, which can damage our health over time. Non-stick cookware is a good example of this, while it makes cooking and cleanup much easier, the fumes released from these pots and pans can be toxic.

In this resource, I take a look at science-backed healthy cookware materials to use, and those to avoid. Let's take a look, shall we?

There are a variety of cookware materials on the market, but which one is the healthiest and safest? The answer may surprise you.

According to a study published in the journal Environmental Science: Processes & Impacts, stainless steel is the safest option, followed by cast iron. Aluminum came in third place, with non-stick coatings (such as Teflon) at the bottom of the list.

What is the healthiest cookware? With the cookware market saturated with new gimmicky cookware, healthy cookware takes a back seat.

To make things worse, manufacturers and distributors are not even honest about labeling their cookware as toxic.

Thankfully there is a lot of information that is available on healthy cooking online. Here is a listing of some of the healthiest cookware listed in order of preference based on research.

Hopefully, this list will help serve you well when you purchase your healthy pots and pans.

Before you see the top 10 healthiest cookware, I wanted you to know the main problems with traditional cookware such as traditional Teflon coated non-stick pots and pans, pure aluminum cookware, and copper cookware.

What Cookware Materials To Avoid?

Here's a quick list of what to avoid backed by science:

All of the below mentioned have harmful chemicals that release hormone-altering chemicals into your food. I stress the need for using the safest cookware.

Pure Aluminum Cookware - Aluminum cookware was popular a few decades ago. The benefits are ease of use, ease to clean, and lightweight cookware. It was considered a breakthrough. However, recent research by Mount Sinai Hospital and Agency for Toxic Substances & Disease Registry has listed aluminum exposure as a possible link to Alzheimer's disease and human reproduction illnesses.
Cookware with Teflon, PFOA, and PTFE - PFOA and PTFE are toxic chemicals that were developed by DuPont in 1938. It's trademarked just like Teflon. From a historical perspective, Teflon was game-changing and allowed cleaning to become easier. However, there were certain diseases that arose from the PFOA (see Environmental Working Group and American Cancer Society research). The resulting symptoms of these chemicals are flu-like symptoms when heated at high temperatures.
Copper Cookware - Copper cookware was popular a few decades ago because of the high conductivity of heat. This naturally abundant material was of great value for lots of people. However, copper can leach into your food and cause mental disorders, nausea / vomiting, hyperactivity, heart problems, and arthritis. However, if the copper is contained in the base of the cookware, the cookware can be safe.

A lot of the cookware from the previous generations contains one of the above materials and is harmful to cook with. Luckily, some of the newest healthy cookware on the market are tremendously improved and create healthy alternatives.

What Are Safe Cookware Materials?

The new age kitchenware available on the market right now has been improved drastically and healthy cookware is now a norm. There are many cookware materials available on the market currently.

Here's a list of the safest cookware materials:

Safe Stainless Steel - Stainless steel is a very common type of cookware. However, there are different grades and compositions of stainless steel according to the Finish Institute of Occupational Health. For example, some stainless steel cookware contains nickel and chromium that can leach into the food, particularly when cooking acidic foods. Stainless steel made with 18/8 or 18/10 stamped on the bottom are least likely to leach into food.
Safe Ceramic - A safer alternative to chemical-heavy nonstick pans. However, there are some ceramic pans that contain harmful chemicals. That's why I stated "safe" ceramic is healthy. If you're unsure of whether a chemical is healthy or not, check out the FDA's import alert list as well as Proposition 65 which requires a list of chemicals known to cause people harm.
Cast Iron - Generally safe and one of the heaviest types of cookware. Numerous studies have pointed out that iron cookware combats anemia. In addition, research has pointed out that cast iron cookware can increase the iron content in foods such as eggs and applesauce, but not hamburger patties.
Stoneware - Mostly used in baking, stoneware can last a considerable amount of time. Since most stoneware, is composed of different, it's best to check the FDA's import alert list as well as Proposition 65 for a list of chemicals known to harm people.
Glass - Is a good option but is generally more expensive. If new, it's quite safe and both Canada and USA have strict production standards to avoid the use of lead and cadmium in the cookware.
Titanium - One of the safer nonstick surfaces available according to the book Toxic Home / Conscious Home. In this book, he has researched titanium as being a cookware material that helps you live healthier lives.

Without a doubt, new cookware materials have advantages and disadvantages and so it’s up to the consumer to distinguish between the toxic and healthy pots and pans to purchase.

Here are some ideas for choices of healthier cookware when looking for cookware in the future:

Best Overall Frying Pan - Ozeri Stone Earth Frying Pans
"The best frying pan that there is on the market. No more sticking, scratch-resistant surface for an easy clean."
Best Induction Ceramic Set -GreenPan Valencia Pro 11-piece Cookware Set
"The best induction set available - evenly heated pans, no hot spots, and safe to use."
Best Soft Grips - GreenLife 14-piece Non-stick Cookware Set
"Heat resistant grips so you don't have to worry about burns while cooking and no more slippery pans."
Best Stainless Steel - Made In Cookware
"Dishwasher and oven safe as well as induction compatible, making cooking go a whole lot quicker and easier."
Best Durability - Calphalon Commercial Hard-Anodized 13-piece Cookware Set
"The most durable frying pan for frequent use."
Best Overall Cookware Set - WearEver Pure Living Cookware Set
"Enhance your cooking experience with this high-quality, durable, and easy to use cookware set."
Best On A Budget - Rachael Ray Hard Anodized 10-piece Cookware Set
"Durable and budget-friendly, it'll last for ages."
Best Nonstick - Anolon Advanced Bronze Hard Anodized Nonstick Cookware Set
"Quality you can depend on, but without the price tag. Get all your cooking needs met with this one easy purchase."
Best For Home Cooks - Tramontina 15-piece Hard Anodized Cookware Set
"Enjoy easy cleanup with this set's nonstick surface."
Best Quality - Le Creuset Signature 5-piece Cast Iron Cookware Set
"Durable, high-quality pots and pans that will last you a lifetime, even with daily use."

Healthy eating starts with healthy cooking and the healthiest and safest cookware options can help make that happen. That said, there are a lot of cookware options on the market these days and it can be hard to determine which ones are actually good for you. hopefully, this resource will help you in making a decision.

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