BPA (aka. bisphenol A) is a type of plastic that’s used to line most cans that contain food. Sounds innocuous enough, right? It’s just plasic.
But it’s also one of many “endocrine disruptors” found in the food supply (can lining, bottle lid lining- even on shiny store receipts!) And, it’s a non-human estrogen lookalike (called “xenoestrogen”). Does all that make you raise an eyebrow and want to know more? Smart of you.
“Endocrine disruptors” block hormonal communication in your body… It’s a lot like this:
- Say your body has its own radio station, Healthy 101.8. When you feel good and strong, the station is blaring loud, clear, invigorating, always playing your favorite songs.
- Then something comes along and twists the tuning knob ever so slightly… The station is still sending its fantastically healthy signals, but your radio can’t receive its signal. So, now you hear your favorite songs but interrupted by tinges of static.
- Then that thing comes along again and twists it a bit further away from your healthy station… now you hear static and a different station nips in every once in a while. Sounds like the strength of the station itself is faltering and letting some other tunes leak through.
- Over and over again, this thing twists your tuning knob and eventually the station changes completely… and it’s playing YANNI! AHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The horror!!!!!
That is what BPA & other endocrine disruptors do to you. Please try to avoid them, okay? Especially when you’re feeding the foods to a youngster (ESPECIALLY if you can’t breast feed and are using a formula!) Best that growing happens with no disruption of endocrines, or anything else, right? PS. Little boys and girls make their own estrogen to direct development… xenoestrogens can really confuse this delicate, newly-laid wiring.
Here’s how to avoid BPA for starters (if you have any concerns, always confirm with the manufacturer!):
- Choose fresh produce! Duh. But, I know- sometimes there’s just no time or the dish you’re craving has ingredients that are out of season.
- Choose dried beans. Soak them overnight and cook in a slow cooker.
- Choose products in glass jars (lids may be lined with BPA, but at least it’s just the lid).
- Eden organic beans (all of them, including chili, rice & beans, etc.).
- Trader Joe’s canned corn, beans, meat products, canned fruits and vegetables (including tomatoes, and organic pumpkin, but NOT mandarins, hatch chilies, artichokes, organic baked beans) and lite coconut milk. All canned soups and stews are still in BPA-lined cans.
- Vital Choice Seafood (salmon, albacore tuna, sardines and mackerel; they test for all endocrine disruptors, not just BPA)
- Muir Glen tomatoes
- Bionaturae Tomato Paste and Strained Tomatoes (the products packaged in glass jars only; lids are lined with a BPA-free epoxy)
- Aseptic packaging (like Tetra Pak cartons/bricks).
- Oregon’s Choice (6oz lightly salted albacore and the company is working toward going BPA-free with their crab and shrimp too)
- Wild Planet (5oz skipjack tuna and its 5oz albacore tuna)
- Native Forest/Native Factor
- Crown Prince (see full list here)
- Edward & Sons brand Native Forest Fruit & Vegetables
- Hunt’s Tomatoes (plain tomatoes only)
- Nature’s One Organic powdered baby formula
- Aroy-D Coconut Milk and Cream
- Don’t drink canned soda (or any soda, really- the sugar and artificial sweetners wreak havoc). Better to drink something sweetened with stevia or fizzy mineral water flavored with mint, ginger or cucumber!
BPA-Free Canned Foods (source: http://guide.thesoftlanding.com/bpa-free-canned-food-options/)
