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Pearls Perfected Institute

Before You Reheat That Leftover: The Plastic Exposure Hiding in Plain Sight

Apr 16 / Dr. Janice R. Love

Have you ever been out somewhere, needed a drink of water, and had to decide whether to use what was available or go without?

 

Just the other day, I was riding along with my husband when I got a tickle in my throat. I had forgotten to bring my favorite stainless steel bottle with me as we were heading to a restaurant. I needed something to drink so I could stop coughing, but the only thing available was half of a mini water bottle that had been sitting in my husband’s car.

I hesitated. Knowing what I know about plastic exposure, especially after a bottle has been sitting in a hot car, I really did not want to drink it. But that cough was working on my nerves. So I said, “Lord, help me,” and took a swig just to clear my throat.

 

That little moment reminded me of something: plastics are so woven into daily life that we often do not think about them until we are forced to.

 

Plastic is everywhere. It is in food packaging, water bottles, storage containers, straws, receipts, clothing, and more. Many of us are using it every single day without stopping to think about what may be touching our food, our water, and ultimately our bodies.

 

I’m not trying to scare you, but some researchers have likened the amount of microplastics we ingest to eating a credit card worth of plastic each week. I hope that’s not true, but just in case, I want you to pay attention.

 

Researchers have raised concerns about chemicals found in some plastics, including BPA and phthalates, because of their possible effects on the body, especially hormone function. Scientists are also continuing to study microplastics and nanoplastics, which have been found in food, water, human tissue and even wastewater. We may not know everything yet, but we already know enough to be more mindful.

Take this simple inventory

·      How are you drinking your water?

·      What are you storing your leftovers in?

·      Are you reheating food in plastic containers?

·      Do you keep bottled water in the car?

·      Do you regularly rely on plastic straws, plastic containers, and highly packaged foods?


Sometimes the problem is not one big dramatic thing. Sometimes it is the steady buildup of little habits we have never questioned.


10 simple ways to reduce the plastics touching your food, water, and body:

  1. Drink from glass or stainless steel when possible.
  2. Take an insulated water bottle with you when you leave home.
  3. Store leftovers in glass containers.
  4. Never microwave food in plastic.
  5. Do not drink bottled water that has been sitting in a hot car.
  6. Choose fresh or less-packaged foods more often.
  7. Reduce your use of single-use plastic bottles and straws.
  8. Be mindful when handling cash register receipts, especially before eating.
  9. Avoid letting hot food sit in plastic containers any longer than necessary.
  10. Use filtered water and pour it into glass or stainless steel bottles when possible.

None of this requires perfection. But it does require awareness.

In midlife many of us are already dealing with enough. Brain fog, fatigue, hormonal shifts, stress, inflammation, and feeling like our bodies are changing faster than we can keep up. The last thing we need is to be careless about exposures we can reduce.

Before you reheat that leftover, pause.

Before you grab that plastic bottle from the car, think twice.

Before you automatically store another meal in plastic, ask yourself whether there is a better option.

Small changes matter. Wise habits matter. Paying attention matters.


And from now on, wherever I go, my insulated bottle is going with me.

 

With care,

Dr. Janice


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