We all want to stay healthy while on the road, but most of us only think of things like healthy foods, exercise and vitamins when considering ways to maintain our health while we travel. To lead the healthiest life possible, we need to be thinking of both our short- and long-term wellness, which means avoiding harmful chemicals and toxic substances as much as possible.
Sure, we can all use natural cleaning products and avoid processed foods to limit our exposure to chemicals, but many do not realize that even the way we store our healthy foods could be harming our health. Additionally, our efforts to stay hydrated and drink plenty of water when traveling can also regularly introduce us to harmful substances, depending on the type of water bottle we use to keep that water close at hand.
One chemical that has gotten plenty of press over the last few years is bisphenol A (BPA), which is used in polycarbonate plastics used in the manufacture of food and beverage storage containers. This means that handy plastic storage container holding last night’s leftovers may have BPA that is seeping into your food as you read this. BPA is also found in the lining of many canned foods, water bottles and aluminum cans.
This industrial chemical has stirred up quite a controversy with one side saying the amount of BPA used in food storage is so small that it is completely safe and the other side pointing out that BPA is a hormone disruptor that has been linked to reproductive issues, obesity, cancer and other health issues. Part of the problem is that BPA mimics estrogen, which is believed to be a primary reason this chemical may be adversely affecting our health one tiny dose at a time.
Thankfully, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) no longer allows the use of BPA in the manufacturing of sippy cups and baby bottles, but this chemical is used in so many products that it is virtually impossible to completely avoid. The good news is that there are steps you can take to limit your exposure.
One of the best and easiest ways to avoid BPA exposure is to stop using polycarbonate plastic food storage containers and water bottles. Switching to glass food storage containers and steel water bottles, or plastic options that are labeled BPA free is an easy step we can all take. Canned foods are a convenience that is hard to let go of when traveling, but reducing your consumption of canned foods is another good way to limit your exposure to BPA while at home or on the road.
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