Food storage containers can be easily seen in every kitchen household. Whether you keep them to store some kitchen essentials, leftovers, cut some fruits and vegetables or pack lunch and snacks that you can have at work or for kids, storage containers not just help in the safe food storage but also gives a clean and aesthetic look.
If you’re into healthy eating, the type of food container that you choose is equally important as choosing the right food for you. It won’t come as a surprise that plastic is harmful for the environment but when it comes to containers, we often get confused between glass or plastic. Both of the materials have their places in the kitchen. So, what is better for us? The answer has never been easy. Right?
If you are also stuck in this dilemma of choosing between glass and plastic food containers, there are a few things that you should know to carefully choose between them as per your needs and for the planet too.
Let’s get started!
Glass is Free from Toxins
The most important reason to pick glass containers over plastic ones is their toxic-free property, which means it doesn’t give exposure to toxins for your body. On the other hand, many of the plastic containers have the presence of BPA, a harmful chemical which can transport into your body if you eat the food stored in them. As per Mayoclinic, plastics marked with recycle code 3 or 7 may contain BPA, so highly avoid them. It also trespasses the flavour which makes the food taste different than what it actually is.
Glass Can be Recycled
Glass is truly 100% recyclable over and over again without any loss in quality and property. Although a high amount of energy is needed for its recycling, it can be transformed into a new product over and over again infinitely. In the case of Plastic, it loses its quality each time it gets recycled that’s why it needs to be turned into something else each time it is recycled. It is also not possible every time to recycle plastic.
Glass is Safe for Heating
Image source: femina.in
Re-heating the leftover or the lunch packed in tiffin is a day-to-day task. Thankfully, when it comes to glass containers heating is not an issue, unlike plastic ones. Glass is generally safe for cooking, storing, and microwaving food and keeps the food fresh by retaining the nutrient-quotient because they don’t leach chemicals while heating.
Meanwhile, plastic containers even termed as “microwave-safe” might not melt when kept in the oven however it does transfer chemicals to your food. As per an article of Harvard Health Publishing, plastic consists of certain chemicals that can cause health problems like metabolic disorders, and reduced fertility.
Glass Looks Appealing
If you are an organizer fanatic, glass containers should be in your grocery list the next time. It looks beautiful and aesthetically pleasing too. They also take up less space in the fridge, pantry, and cabinets due to their varied shape and sizes. Mason jars, containers, utensils, or crockery are some of the many glass products that look gorgeous and give a luxurious look to any of your storage areas.
Glass Can be Used for Longer Periods
Investing in glass jars and containers is a great deal because they can be used for a longer period. Sure they need more care because they are more prone to breakage. Some precautionary measures like being careful while handling glass containers as they are fragile should be taken into account while handling glass containers and you’re good to go. However, they remain the same throughout no matter how much you put them to use.
While plastic loses the colour due to excess usage and heat content, this doesn’t make them a good idea to use in the long run.
Glass Can’t be Stained
Glass containers don’t store oils or spices due to their nonporous surface. As a result, it doesn’t stain or grow bacteria and can be cleaned easily too. While certain food items get trapped in the pores of plastic and get stained so easily. Excessive usage of microwave safe plastic containers makes it prone for sauces to get trapped because the size of pores kept on increasing due to heat. The colour of the containers also fades off which doesn’t make them look good.
Glass Can be Put in Freezer
You should always freeze your food in glass because glass can handle the freezing temperature. On the other hand, plastics can deteriorate due to freezing temperatures and BPA will enter your body as you eat the food. Just be careful while putting glass in freezers, cool glass slowly if it’s been exposed to hot food or beverages before keeping it inside else it might cause the glass to break.
Final Thoughts
Both types of containers are widely used in the kitchen department and also for food packaging. However, Glass should definitely remain your top pick if you want to lower your body’s exposure to toxins and lead a healthy life. It is a one-safer step not just for the well-being of your body but for the environment too.
At OMKITCHEN, we use food-grade glass containers for our range of home-style organic meals to serve you the best experience at home, office, or corporate events while taking care of your health and the planet as a whole. That’s what makes us the most trustable healthy tiffin and corporate catering service provider in Delhi and NCR. Hope now you know what will work for you in the long run!
