Saving is a beautiful virtue but it must be put in the right place. The kitchen is the heart of the home, where the family's health is nurtured, so don't let "fake saving" habits damage that precious thing. Saving a few dollars today can cost you millions in medicine later - it's not worth it.
Let's take a look at 5 blindly saving habits in the kitchen that you should stop immediately, to both live a healthy life and avoid unnecessary troubles.
1. Using the same towel all the time: A nest of bacteria right in the kitchen
In the kitchen, a towel is almost a "powerful assistant" - from wiping the kitchen counter, dining table, to washing dishes, it is needed every day. However, many people keep using the same towel for months, even years without replacing it.
Did you know that that old towel is where bacteria grow? According to research, a towel left for a long time can be dirtier than a toilet. Leftover food, grease... stick to the towel, creating an ideal environment for bacteria to grow. Even more frightening, there are types of bacteria that can withstand heat, even if you boil water, they will not all die.
Good tip: Buy a few towels, clearly classify them: table towel, dishwashing towel, cooking towel. Clean regularly and replace once a month. Don't regret a few dollars and let bacteria "attack" the whole house!
2. Reuse cooking oil: A silent "poison"
After frying fish or potatoes, many people feel sorry for the remaining oil so they buy bottles to stir-fry vegetables or cook soup next time. Especially women and mothers, seeing the pouring away of cooking oil makes them feel like "wasting their entire fortune". But in fact, used frying oil contains toxic substances such as benzene - a carcinogen - because the oil is oxidized at high temperatures. Not only that, the reused oil also loses its aroma, instead it has an unpleasant smell, making the dish less delicious.
Good tip: If you want to make use of it, you can use the oil that has just been used to mix salad, make dipping sauce or marinate meat, but absolutely do not reheat it. If you cannot use it immediately, throw it away as waste oil. Don't let regret turn your meal into a health threat.
3. Continue using a non-stick pan when the coating is peeling off: Risk of poisoning from the stove
Non-stick pans make cooking convenient and easy. But when the non-stick coating peels off, many people still keep it because they think "it's still good", "can continue cooking". The truth is, this coating (usually made from Teflon) when damaged will release toxins into food, especially when cooking at high temperatures. These substances can silently harm the body, from the digestive system to long-term health.
Tip: Switch to a durable and safe cast iron or stainless steel pan. If you still like a non-stick pan, replace it immediately when you see the coating peeling off because your health is worth more than a pan worth a few hundred thousand.
4. Using an empty plastic water bottle to store spices: Recyclable but not safe
After drinking all the soft drinks in the plastic bottle, many people want to reuse it, so they wash it and use it to store cooking oil, oyster sauce or soy sauce. This habit seems to save money but actually has great potential risks. PET plastic bottles (the type commonly used for soft drinks) when exposed to high temperatures or acidic mining agents, easily release toxic substances such as arsenic or plasticizers. These substances are found in spices, then enter the body, adversely affecting the liver and overall health.
Tip: Keep spices in their original bottles, and when they run out, buy new ones. The price is not much but in return is safety for the whole family!
5. A can of cooking oil used for half a year: Automatically harms your health slowly
Many people like to buy large barrels of cooking oil because it is cheap and convenient, but it is very dangerous to use it up after half a year or even a year. Once opened, the oil is exposed to air and oxidizes, producing fatty peroxide - which not only makes it taste bad but also harms the heart and digestive system. The longer the oil is left, the more toxins accumulate, turning the food into a "silent enemy" of health.
Good tip: Only buy enough oil for 2-3 months. Store in a cool, dry place, and lock it tightly after each use. Don't be tempted to buy cheap barrels and then harm yourself.