The cookware you use to cook your food is as important in defining the quality of your meal as the ingredients you use to cook it. The healthier your cookware, the healthier your food will be. Quality cookware ensures that your food is free from harmful chemicals and toxins can not leach into your meals during cooking. With so many options on the market, from non-stick pans to cast iron skillets, knowing which materials are safe and healthy can make a huge difference to the quality of your food.
But what makes cookware "healthy"? Is it the material, or the way you use it? Or something completely different? Let’s explore that in this article.
What Makes Cookware Healthy?
Healthy cookware is defined by the materials and other features of the cookware that minimise the risk of harmful chemicals or toxins leaching into your food during the cooking process. The safest cookware options are typically made from non-reactive materials that do not release chemicals when exposed to heat.
Key Features of Healthy Cookware
Here are some factors that define what makes cookware "healthy":
Non-Reactive Materials: Healthy cookware is made from non-reactive materials that do not break down when exposed to high temperatures or acidic ingredients. Stainless steel, cast iron, ceramic, and glass are examples of non-reactive options.
Even Heat Distribution: A healthy cookware has proper heat distribution so that your food is cooked evenly without burning. Cookware that heats evenly helps avoid "hot spots" that can cause food to burn.
Low Toxicity: Healthy cookware should be free of harmful chemicals like PFAS, and also free from harmful heavy metals like lead and cadmium. These chemicals and metals can leach into food during cooking and pose potential health risks.
Durability: Quality cookware remains non-toxic even after frequent use. Durable materials are less likely to degrade over time, and they remain safe for years.
Materials to Look For in Healthy Cookware
A healthy cookware is often made from these materials:
Ceramic: Ceramic cookware is non-toxic and free of harmful chemicals and is a great choice for low to medium heat cooking. Ceramic can be applied to materials like stainless steel and aluminium for increased durability with the non-stick result.
Stainless Steel: Stainless steel has non-reactive nature, scratch resistant and dishwasher safe. It is long-lasting and distributes heat evenly. But some skill of heating and seasoning stainless steel is required, otherwise it can get quite messy as food sticks very easily to the surface.
Aluminium: Hard anodised aluminium creates an impenetrable surface over the aluminium, that is good for the health as it can not leach into foods. Non-Anodised aluminium has been found to have harmful effects on the body, with some research finding links with aluminium and dementia, so make sure that your aluminium cookware is hard-anodised.
Glass: Glass cookware is completely non-reactive, which makes it one of the safest options in the market. It’s ideal for baking and stove top cooking at lower temperatures, but is not very suitable for high-heat cooking.
Cast Iron: When properly seasoned, cast iron can be made non-stick, and it is free from harmful chemicals. Cast iron is durable and can handle high heat, but it needs regular maintenance to prevent rust and is usually very heavy to use.
Health Risks Associated with Common Cookware Materials
While many cookware materials are considered safe, some commonly used materials have been linked to potential health risks. By knowing about these risks, you can make more informed decisions about the cookware you want to use in your kitchen.
Traditional Non-stick Coatings (PTFE/Teflon): Teflon, or PTFE, is a popular non-stick coating. But when it is overheated (above 260°C), it begins to break down and release toxic fumes, which can cause flu-like symptoms known as polymer fume fever. Although modern Teflon products claim that they are made without PFOA, the risk of fumes still remains.
Aluminium: Aluminium cookware is lightweight and inexpensive, but it can react with acidic or salty foods, which can cause small amounts of aluminium to leach into your meals. High aluminium intake can cause neurological conditions, like Alzheimer’s disease. However, hard anodised aluminium cookware has an impenetrable protective layer that ensures that nothing can leach into foods. It is so safe to use that if a coating like ceramic is applied over the hard anodised aluminium pan, and the coating chips or scratches, the pan is still safe to use.
Copper: Copper cookware has excellent heat conductivity, but unlined copper can be dangerous. When heated, copper can leach into food and lead to potential copper toxicity. Too much of copper can cause gastrointestinal issues and, in severe cases, liver or kidney damage.
Uncoated Cast Iron: Cast iron is a popular and safe material when properly seasoned. Without proper knowledge of heating and seasoning cast iron, it can be quite difficult to cook with cast iron. Cast iron pants can help leach iron into food, which can be beneficial. But for people with hemochromatosis, cooking with cast iron may increase iron intake to unhealthy levels. Another thing to note is that cast iron is over very heavy to use, which is a disadvantage for people with mobility issues.
Innovations in Healthy Cookware
To replace Teflon, several new materials for cookware coating are now available in the market. These coatings are focused on being healthy for your body, preserving the nutrition of food, and to be eco-friendly.
One such innovation is our cookware range: Blu. We have experimented with different materials for nearly 7 years and worked with certified chefs to create a cookware range that is non-stick, 100% PFAS free and made from hard anodised aluminium which is coated in ceramic.
Known for its high quality coating, our cookware performs best for years while maintaining a non-toxic cooking surface. This makes it an ideal choice to keep up with changing cookware technologies and to provide healthy cookware for kitchens of all sizes.
Conclusion
Other than just ingredients, a quality cookware is also important to maintain healthy food choices. Low quality cookware that releases toxins when heated can ruin even the best quality ingredients and deteriorate your health. That is why it is super important to choose a cookware that is free from harmful chemicals and is durable. By selecting non-toxic, high-quality cookware and maintaining it properly, you can make a lasting investment in both your health and your kitchen.
FAQs about Healthiest Cookware
What is the healthiest material for cookware?
The healthiest materials for cookware are stainless steel, ceramic, cast iron, and glass. These materials are non-reactive, and don’t release harmful chemicals or toxins into your food during cooking.
Can cookware really impact your health?
Yes, the cookware you use significantly impacts your health. Toxic materials, like Teflon when overheated, or uncoated aluminium, can leach harmful chemicals or metals into your food, and increase health risks over time. While Using non-toxic, safe materials can retain the nutrients of your food.
How do I choose the best cooking pan for my health?
Look for materials that are free from harmful chemicals like PTFE, PFOA, and PFAS. Stainless steel, ceramic, and cast iron are good options. You should also consider how you’ll use the pan.
