In past challenges we have talked quite a bit about the link between toxic chemicals and major diseases. But what do they have to do with fat?
Many of these chemicals can alter your genes and cause you to create more fat cells. Fat cells serve as a storage location for toxic chemicals in the body.
These chemicals have been dubbed ‘obesogens’ because they are believed to reprogram metabolism, disrupt hormones, and promote the development of fat cells. If you seem to be ‘doing everything right’ and still can’t lose those stubborn pounds, this may be the reason why.
These chemicals number in the hundreds of thousands and they are everywhere. They are in most plastics, foods, water, cleaning supplies, personal products, even in the air. Avoiding them isn’t possible, but there is a lot you can do to reduce your exposure.
Even if you do not want to lose weight, you would be wise to limit these offenders in your food and in your environment.
Your challenge for this week is to reduce or eliminate at least one of the following obesogens from your food supply.
- Plastic beverage containers – milk jugs, juice bottles, water bottles. Look for containers that say Bisphenol or BPA free. Number 3 and 7 plastics most likely contain BPA. These containers are okay for dry good storage (flour, cereal, etc.), but not liquids.
- Plastic wrap – if you buy meat at the deli ask for it to be wrapped in paper.
- Lined food cans – especially when the food is acidic like tomatoes. Choose glass containers instead.
- Microwave popcorn – the bags are lined and usually contain plastic softeners. To make matters worse, the oil is often rancid.
While eliminating microwave popcorn may be relatively easy, the other items on the list may be more challenging. Just do your best. Every little bit helps.
Watch for the next issue when we will target obesogens lurking around your home.
Do you accept the challenge? If so, tell us your plan in the comments below.
I wish manufactures were required to state their cans are lined on the label! My diet is basically raw but I do the grocery shopping for my hubby who enjoys cooked foods. One thing I have been doing for years is freezing whole tomatoes. When it is time to use, simply hold the tomatoes under hot water to quickly and easily remove the skin and then proceed with your recipe. When freezing cherry tomatoes, take them out of the freezer 10 minutes or so before dinner and they will be like eating them fresh off the vine! This helps eliminate most of the need for buying them canned at the store. However, if we run out of frozen I will make a conscious decision to only buy those in glass jars.
Another way to avoid the linings in cans is to buy fresh, dried or frozen.
Thanks for the tips Kathy. Do you have to blanch the tomatoes first or do you just freeze them raw?