RIO Fitness Chicago® Exercise & Nutrition Blog

RIO Fitness Chicago® Tip:

With these below freezing temps we're having in Chicago do NOT leave anything plastic (bottles, food containers, etc.) you plan on eating/drinking from in your car. When we freeze or heat up plastic (microwave, dishwasher, etc.) the chemicals in the plastic containers and other dishware leach into our foods/drinks. This can disrupt hormone/reproductive system function and prevent body fat loss because these chemicals mimic estrogen.

Five simple steps to avoid eating/drinking PLASTIC unintentionally:

1) KNOW THE CODE. Look on the bottom of your plastic to find the recycling symbol (a number between 1 and 7 enclosed in a triangle of arrows). 1, 2, 4 and 5 are considered to be the safest. 3, 6, and 7 leach chemicals that may be harmful.

2) DO NOT HEAT PLASTIC IN THE MICROWAVE. Heat can increase the rate at which chemicals like BPA leach from plastic. Containers labeled "microwave safe" have been tested by the U.S. FDA and found to leach extremely small amounts.

3) IF IT SAY ONCE USE, USE IT ONCE. Plastic breaks down over time and some aren't designed to withstand heating and cooling.

4) WASH BY HAND. Only put plastics into the dishwasher if they have a dishwasher safe label. If you want to be extra-cautious, wash all plastics by hand. In the dishwasher, plastics are exposed to detergents and heat, which may accelerate the leaching of BPA from food containers.

5) DO NOT FREEZE PLASTIC. Only put plastics in the freezer if they have a freezer-safe label. Freezer temperatures can cause plastics to deteriorate, which increases the leaching of chemicals into the food.