The Hidden Cost of Non-Stick Cookware

Hi Growing Friend,

Happy November! I cannot believe it's already countdown to the holiday season! With Thanksgiving around the corner—including Black Friday—I thought it would be a great time to discuss our cookware! I completely understand we aren't out here buying new cookware regularly, but this is honestly so important, especially if you cook at home even just a little bit!

I remember the first time I learned about non-stick cookware—watching the Netflix documentary on Teflon. You can watch the documentary The Devil We Know or the movie Dark Waters, which tells the same story. I highly recommend both, but I also understand the purpose isn't to bring more anxiety or stress to your life. It's to bring education and knowledge so you can make informed decisions in the future.

On that note—let's dive into what's actually in your pans!

PFAS: The "Forever Chemicals"

Non-stick pans (not just Teflon) use chemicals called PFAS—per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances. These are synthetic chemicals used to make products resistant to heat, water, and grease. They earned the nickname "forever chemicals" because they don't break down. Not in your body, not in the environment. Once they're in your system, they accumulate over time.

The Gut Health Connection

Your gut lining is supposed to be selectively permeable—letting nutrients in while keeping toxins out. PFAS disrupt this delicate balance. They damage the protective layer in your intestines and weaken gut cells, contributing to what we know as leaky gut.

When your gut barrier is compromised, partially digested food particles and toxins slip into your bloodstream, triggering inflammation throughout your body. This means all the effort you're putting into eating whole foods and supporting your microbiome can be undermined by what you're cooking in.

The Hormone Disruption Factor

PFAS are endocrine disruptors—they interfere with your body's hormone production and signaling. Here's how:

• Thyroid interference: PFAS compete with thyroid hormones, potentially slowing metabolism and causing fatigue, weight gain, and brain fog.

• Reproductive hormone imbalance: They can affect estrogen and testosterone levels, contributing to irregular cycles, fertility challenges, and hormonal acne.

• Cortisol dysregulation: PFAS may impact stress hormone production, affecting your body's ability to manage stress and inflammation.

Women are particularly vulnerable because hormonal fluctuations during menstrual cycles, pregnancy, and menopause affect how these chemicals are processed and stored.

The Ripple Effect: Beyond the Kitchen

Here's the thing about environmental toxins—they work quietly in the background, accumulating over time.

PFAS exposure doesn't happen in isolation. You're getting low-dose exposure from your cookware, your takeout containers, your raincoat, and more. Individually, each exposure might seem small. But they compound. Your body is dealing with the cumulative burden.

This is why that non-stick pan matters more than you think. It's not just about one source of exposure—it's about reducing your total toxic load so your body can actually heal and function optimally.

The Solution: Making the Switch to Non-Toxic Pans

Personally, we only use stainless steel or cast iron. I find these to be the most affordable with the best durability long term. They're not going to match aesthetics or be super cute, but for us, the priority was cooking in non-toxic pans and being cost-effective by not having to replace them constantly.

There are non-stick, non-toxic brands being promoted out there. I personally haven't looked into them, so I don't want to speak on something I'm not actually using. I'm simply sharing what works for us!

To make sure not to overload you—in our next newsletter, I'll share the exact links to the pans we use. Hopefully there will be some good Black Friday sales! I'll also share our monthly challenge and hear about your questions and wins!

As always, please send in your questions—I love hearing from you! And if you're enjoying the newsletter, please share it with a friend so we can grow our community and help more people on their wellness journey.

Rooted in Wellness & Rising Together,
Erica