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I think most of us who are trying to live a more natural life and eliminate toxins are either in the process of replacing our plastic storage containers, or may be looking for healthy alternatives to plastic. I have eliminated most of the plastic in my kitchen, though I still have some remaining pieces lingering around. I know how bad plastic is for us, so I am motivated to go completely plastic free this year!
When it comes to replacing our plastic containers, there are two options: glass and stainless steel. I use a lot of glass storage containers in my kitchen, but glass is not always the best option for everything, so I need something else. Enter stainless steel. LunchBots was kind enough to send me two of their stainless steel containers to try out and review and I have to say, I really love them. I have been admiring their containers ever since I saw Chris Kresser post about them on his Facebook page. So many people commented about how they loved stainless steel that I knew I had to give it a try! I was super excited to receive a set of the Clicks Medium Leak Proof containers, just like the ones below, for review on this site. I know you’re going to love them!
DISCLOSURE: I was provided a set of the LunchBots Leak Proof containers free of charge for review on this site. I received no monetary compensation for this review, nor was I under any obligation to post a review.This post contains affiliate links and/or ads. I only recommend products that I have personally tried and love. For these products, I am part of their affiliate program and when you make a purchase through any of these links, I earn a small commission on each sale. This has no effect on your sale price and is simply a cost of doing business for the company you are purchasing from. Read our full terms and conditions here.
So, What’s the Big Deal With Plastic?
Plastic is everywhere. If you start thinking about it, we use plastic in almost every aspect of our lives, from our kitchen to our toys to our sports equipment to our bathroom and everything in between. While it is virtually impossible to eliminate ALL plastic from our homes, we can eliminate it from areas that have the most impact, starting with the kitchen. We all work hard to protect and improve our health (and our environment), but plastic is not so healthy. The LunchBot’s website has some great information on why we should avoid plastic and how we can make more sustainable choices.
Plastic can come in a wide range of colors, textures, durability etc. All of those require the use of chemicals and additives, many of which can be hazardous to our health. One commonly used additive to plastic is a “plasticizer”, called adipates and phthalates. These additives are used to make plastics softer, so think food packaging, baby teethers, many toys, and other household products. The main issue with these additives is when they come in contact with food or our mouths. The chemicals can leach out into the food and present danger to the human body. Think how dangerous this is for a little baby using a pacifier or a teething ring made of plastic, or when we use plastic to store our food or to eat with.
In addition to plasticizers, we also need to be cautious of Bisphenol A (BPA). There has been A LOT of discussion about BPA over the last couple years, so I am sure you are familiar with this additive. BPA is a toxic chemical that is found in plastics and epoxy resins and very easily leaches into our foods. It is often used in baby bottles, water bottles, and sports equipment. Also, it is often used to line the inside of canned foods. Another reason to skip the canned products and purchase glass whenever possible. There are some companies out there who are now offering BPA-free versions of their canned products. Canada has already banned the use of BPA in baby bottles and both Europe and the United States are looking at phasing out the use of phthalates in consumer products. Hopefully BPA and the other toxins will be next on the list to be evaluated.
While some people may never experience any negative side effects from using product that contain these toxins, studies have shown that additives like these can have damaging effects on human health from allergies to hormonal dysregulation to metabolism issues and more. More and more studies are being done, and I expect that it won’t be long before the list of side effects from plastics is even longer.
When it comes to our environment, plastic is also a danger. The environmental impact of plastics can be scary when you really stop to think about how much plastic is used around the world every day. We often don’t stop to think about how much we use, but once you do, you will realize that making changes now is the best way to ensure we don’t ruin our planet for future generations. Unlike paper, wood, or glass, plastic does not biodegrade, nor is is easily reusable. While plastic recycling is quite common and widely available, did you know that only a fraction of all of the plastic can actually be recycled?
Why Should I Switch to Stainless Steel?
Like I mentioned above, when it comes to food storage, there really are only a few options, with glass and stainless steel being the most common. While I use glass and love it, there are times when it’s not a good option. Glass can be heavy and bulky, plus you always run the risk of breaking it and not only ruining your food, but causing injury to yourself or someone else.
Stainless steel is a great alternative. It’s durable, light-weight, and won’t leech harmful chemicals into your food. If properly taken care of, stainless steel containers will last for years, if not decades. Heck, I may even pass them on to my kids! 🙂
LunchBot Stainless Steel containers are:
- Durable enough to last a lifetime. They are more practical and lightweight than glass and virtually indestructible.
- They are easy to clean.
- They help keep your sandwiches and crackers from being smashed in a backpack or purse.
- They are BPA and phthalate free, so your food, and your body, stay safe.
- They won’t retain funky food smells or stain, unlike plastic.
- They are made of the highest quality, food-grade 18/8 stainless steel and contain no chemical linings.
- They are dishwasher safe and easy to clean.
- They are 100% reusable and 100% recyclable.
- They look pretty cool too!
I love the set that I received. I plan on investing in a variety of these containers, but for this review, I got to try the Medium Leak Proof Set. I wanted the leak proof ones so that I could store both dry and wet foods and not have to worry about juices or broth leaking out if it got turned on its side. I also love that the lid is clear, so I can easily see what I have in there. The set has BPA-free polypropylene lids with a silicone seal (I know, I know, plastic), that lock on all four sides to prevent leaks and spills. The set contains a 2.5 cup container and a 4.5 cup container. Another thing I loved is that the lids easily snap into place, unlike a set of glass containers I have, where you practically have to hammer the snap closed.
If you’re looking to avoid plastic completely, they carry a variety of storage containers with metal lids that might suit your needs. In addition to those, they also have some insulated containers to help keep your food hot. These would be especially nice if you work in an office and want to avoid the microwave. I want to look into these for my husband and for traveling.
All in all, I am so pleased with these containers from LunchBots. I can’t wait to stock up on more of them, and finally kick those last few pieces of plastic out the door!