Why Your Cooking Tools Might Be Hurting Your Health—And What to Do About It

Why Your Cooking Tools Might Be Hurting Your Health—And What to Do About It

Picture this: you're whipping up a quick dinner after a long day. You toss veggies into your trusty air fryer or cook your favourite meal in a non-stick pan. It’s fast, easy, and makes clean up a breeze. But what if I told you these modern kitchen tools might be quietly working against your health?

I used to think the same—who doesn’t love the convenience of these gadgets? But then I started digging into some research, and what I found was eye-opening, especially for women going through menopause or struggling with their overall health. Let’s break it down together.

The Hidden Risks of Non-Stick Coatings

Non-stick cookware has revolutionized our kitchens. But here’s the reality: those smooth surfaces often contain chemicals like PTFE (Teflon) and PFAS, known as “forever chemicals.” While they make cooking and cleaning easier, studies show that when scratched or heated to high temperatures, these coatings can release microplastics and nanoparticles directly into your food.

• Microplastics in Food: A study published in Science of the Total Environment found that a single scratch on a non-stick pan can release thousands of microplastic particles into your meal. Over time, these particles can accumulate in your gut, contributing to inflammation and disrupting digestion (ScienceAlert).

• The Hormonal Impact: PFAS chemicals are also endocrine disruptors, which means they can interfere with hormone production and balance. For women in menopause, when hormones are already fluctuating, this can exacerbate symptoms like hot flashes, mood swings, and even fatigue. (Environmental Working Group)

What About Air Fryers?

Air fryers are the kitchen craze of the decade, but they often use similar non-stick coatings that degrade over time, especially at high cooking temperatures. This can lead to the same risks as non-stick pans—microplastics in your food, hormonal interference, and a stressed digestive system.

But there’s another layer here: air fryers often cook food at very high temperatures, which can increase the production of advanced glycation end products (AGEs). AGEs are harmful compounds that form when proteins or fats combine with sugar under high heat, and they’ve been linked to inflammation, oxidative stress, and chronic diseases (National Library of Medicine).

Why This Matters More in Menopause

For women navigating menopause, these risks aren’t just theoretical—they’re practical and personal. During menopause, the body is more sensitive to inflammation and digestive health issues, and the hormonal system is already under stress. Here’s how these factors tie together:

1. Hormone Disruption: As mentioned, endocrine-disrupting chemicals like PFAS can mimic or block hormones, making symptoms like mood swings or fatigue worse.
2. Digestive Stress: Your stomach and gut health are closely tied to hormone balance. Ingesting microplastics or inflammatory compounds can lead to bloating, sluggishness, and even heightened cortisol (the stress hormone).
3. Increased Sensitivity: Menopausal women often report heightened sensitivity to environmental toxins. A stressed system has a harder time detoxing these chemicals, which can build up over time.

How to Protect Yourself (Without Tossing Everything)

So, what can you do? The good news is that you don’t have to overhaul your entire kitchen overnight. Small changes can make a big difference.

Switch to Safer Cookware

• Opt for ceramic-coated pans, stainless steel, or cast iron. They may require a little more effort to clean, but they don’t release harmful particles into your food.
• If you love your air fryer, look for models without non-stick coatings or use parchment paper to minimize contact.

Avoid High Temperatures

• Cook at moderate heat whenever possible. High heat speeds up the breakdown of non-stick coatings and contributes to the production of AGEs.

Support Your Body's Detox Pathways

• Eat cruciferous vegetables like broccoli and kale, which help the liver process toxins.
• Stay hydrated to support digestion and detoxification.
• Add foods like turmeric and ginger, which are natural anti-inflammatories.

Why Environment Matters

Here’s something I didn’t fully appreciate until I learned about the body’s stress response: our environment plays a massive role in how we feel. If your body is constantly exposed to small, cumulative stressors—whether it’s from what you’re eating or the tools you’re using to prepare food—your system is always in “fight or flight.” Over time, this wears down your immune system, digestive health, and overall resilience.

Books like The Biology of Belief by Dr. Bruce Lipton explain how these environmental triggers can influence your cells and even your genetic expression. Translation? The choices you make in your kitchen today can have long-term impacts on your health and well-being.

Let’s not aim for perfection—because who can do that? But awareness and small shifts can lead to big changes. Here’s a challenge: take a look at your cookware and consider swapping out one or two pieces for safer alternatives. Notice how these small decisions can ripple into better energy, digestion, and hormonal balance.

Want more tips on how to stay strong, balanced, and healthy through menopause? Download my free 5 Secrets Guide and start making changes today.