Best Alternatives To Plastic Utensils And Their Health Benefits
ABSTRACT
When you are given a set of utensils, you may be hard pressed to decide whether to use them or not. You see your fork and spoon, but which one should you really use? The obvious answer is both! But the truth is that most sets of cutlery are made from plastic — and that plastic can leach chemicals into your food, causing it to become unhealthy. Luckily there are a number of alternatives that put an end to this problem. They are the best alternatives to plastic cutlery, and they are made from natural materials. They will not leach chemicals into your food, and they will be healthier for your body. In this article we will share with you some of the best alternatives to plastic cutlery in India. We will look at copper cutlery, stainless steel cutlery, and banana leaf, etc. as alternatives to plastic cutlery.
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INTRODUCTION
Plastic cutlery is a ubiquitous item that’s difficult to avoid. But the extensive use of plastics in our society comes with some serious consequences, and we have yet to realize the true extent of their impact on our health. Plastic is made up predominantly of fossil fuels, which means that their manufacture releases toxic substances into the atmosphere. Unfortunately, many people have been led to believe that plastic is a better option, as disposable cutlery has come to be seen as “disposable”. Many people choose to take away a fork and spoon when dining out or at restaurants, or carry them separately from the restaurant, simply because it is a habit. In fact, there are many who only use disposable cutlery when eating at fast food establishments and airports. There are a lot of drawbacks of plastic utensils. Let us discuss a few of the drawbacks through the following content.
SETBACKS OF PLASTIC UTENSILS
Plastic cutlery is now basically unwanted. In fact, it has been so bad that plastic cutlery is being removed from restaurants and resorts in the US. According to recent statistics, most of the plastic used in American cities was disposed of by burning. In the case of food businesses, they were either taken away or simply tossed out (due to lack of storage). All plastic cutlery that is not recycled can be burnt, as it gives more than 800 degrees heat. But this burning will lead to toxic fumes and ash. As the material burns, it turns into toxic gasses that can cause health problems in humans and animals. But there are alternatives to plastic cutlery which is free of any toxins and has a lot of health benefits. Some researches even show the effect of plastic in triggering various health related abnormalities, the most common being cancer. Cooking food in plastic utensils can contaminate the food with toxic byproducts and carcinogenic agents also.
ALTERNATIVES TO PLASTIC UTENSILS
As we have already seen, plastic cutlery is one of the causes of pollution in the world. It is not only harmful to health but it can also have a devastating effect on the environment. Plastic cutlery is largely made of plastic and this creates a problem when these types of products are thrown away after a single use. Plastics are not biodegradable and generally take millions or even billions of years to degrade in the environment. This is why we will start by looking at the best alternative to plastic cutlery. Few of the various alternatives available are as follows –
- Copper cutlery
- Banana leaf
- Clay utensils
- Wooden cutlery
- Bamboo cutlery
- Stainless steel cutlery, etc.
HEALTH BENEFITS OF USING ALTERNATIVE UTENSILS
The above-mentioned alternatives to the plastic utensils exhibit a variety of benefits to the environment as well as our health. Some of these benefits are mentioned as follows.
- Benefits of Copper utensils – Copper cutlery is one of the best alternatives to plastic cutlery, with many health benefits. It can be healthy, safe, durable and efficient. Copper makes no chemical reactions with food and it has antibacterial properties. It is very beneficial for health as it is known to reduce the risk of cancer. Daily use of copper utensils helps in improvement of brain function. It is also helpful in improving the health of the heart. Copper utensils exhibit various other health benefits such as managing hypertension, obesity, etc. and contain anti-aging properties also.
- Benefits of eating on banana leaves – Banana leaves have been used traditionally for serving food in India. It contains numerous health benefits. It is rich in antioxidants, food served on the banana leaves absorbs polyphenols which are known to protect the body from a variety of diseases. Banana leaf also contains antibacterial properties which can potentially kill germs if present in food. It is an economical and hygienic option.
- Benefits of eating in clay utensils – The use of clay utensils for cooking purpose enhance the nutritional value of the food. It is also useful in killing the germs upto some extent because of the antibacterial properties. When food is cooked in a clay pot, it adds up minerals such as magnesium, iron, copper, etc. It also helps to neutralize the acidic property of food. Less oil is needed to cook in a clay pot and this will improve the health quotient of the food item.
- Benefits of Wooden utensils – Wooden cutlery is in trend these days. The virus threat is on rise these days and maintaining proper hygiene is very important. The choice of wooden utensils will be a healthier alternative because of its antibacterial properties. Wood possesses a natural ability to kill germs and bacteria present on the surface. Hence, making it a healthier substitute.
The above alternatives to plastic utensils can also be used for several months or even many years, depending on how well you take care of them. They are also very easy to clean and maintain. In addition, they are also made from natural materials like bamboo or wood. Some of them even have an attractive design which makes them look very fashionable.This means that you can use them at your home or restaurants without worrying about wasting too much money on cleaning products.
CONCLUSION
As we have already seen, plastic cutlery is one of the causes of pollution in the world. It is not only harmful to health but it can also have a devastating effect on the environment. Plastic cutlery is largely made of plastic and this creates a problem when these types of products are thrown away after a single use. Putting it briefly, it can be stated that plastics are not biodegradable and generally take millions or even billions of years to degrade in the environment. Copper cutlery and other above described alternatives are an eco friendly alternative to plastic cutlery and do not cause any harm to the environment when thrown away. These types of utensils can be cleaned, polished and sterilized using chlorine and can be used numerous times. If you really want to enjoy your meal while being safe from the harmful effects of plastic, then you should start with using these alternatives as soon as possible.