Ready Nutrition readers, this piece stresses the importance of finding drinking vessels that will not leach chemicals out of their very walls and poison you. Yeah! Sounds problematic, doesn’t it? Well, it is. BPAs (Bisphenol-A, a chemical used in plastics for the past 60 years). BPAs are found in both epoxy (used in food cans and even in dentistry), and in polycarbonate plastics. The latter is used in vessels that hold drinks and food. Studies have shown that BPAs affect the brain and other systems of the body. The FDA said the levels of BPA within the plastics are safe.

No. Safe is when there are no levels of such things in your food.

Fortunately, you have solutions at hand in the form of glass drinking bottles and steel bottles. I have mentioned this in the past, but there are a few things to consider here also to make your “finds” truly effective. Let’s cover them.

1. If it’s glass, make sure it’s wide-mouthed and/or freeze-resistant: The problem is in the wintertime. If that glass vessel should freeze, having it wide-mouthed, and not filling it up all the way are the solutions. Leave about ¼ or more “headspace” to provide for expansion with a freeze, if it should occur.  Suggestions here are for wide-mouth Mason jars (one-quart or larger). You can find them in stores that sell canning supplies, and also order them online. Glass also gives you another advantage: a glass jar with water inside and left in the sun will heat up almost akin to a “solar oven,” and for those old enough to remember Don Meredith and his “Sun-Tea” ads for Lipton…yes, it works. Put your tea bags inside and leave it out. The sun will do the rest.
2. Steel: Yes, to paraphrase “Rage Against the Machine,” a “fistful of steel” will knock out those BPAs. I will give you my own preference right here:  WWII issue canteens. Here’s a photo of one by itself, and also how it appears in its carrying cover:

These guys are made of steel, and their lids have a cork liner…if it’s gone, you can easily replace it.

No leaching of the plastic, and no aluminum or aluminum blends. In the wintertime, fill them up to about 2/3 capacity, and they’ll take the freeze. Even better: you can place them on the coals of a fire and your ice will then thaw out. Look for these guys in your local military surplus stores, or you can order them and the carrying covers online at Amazon.

Just pay attention, because in ‘45 Uncle Sam started making them out of aluminum. It will be stamped on the bottom (the date), and it’ll take a magnet if it’s steel and not aluminum.

Another “plus” is the fact that you can hook these guys up to your vest or military gear.  You may have to attach Alice clips in order to do it, but that’s no large feat.

Both glass and steel bottles are easier to clean and prevent “detritus” from remaining or forming a film, as is wont to do on surfaces that are made of plastic. Both stand up to heat better than plastic and will not catch on fire…another “plus” to file away. As they do not break down as readily, you don’t have to worry about chemicals leaching with the passage of time. I recommend both to you. It is trickier with glass to protect it from being broken, but why not use some of these insulated bottle-carriers you see on the market for plastic bottles?

If the glass bottle should break, the carrier will contain the glass for a short time and perhaps prevent cuts. In addition to this, the Mason jar (if used) can stand up to the heat.  You can make up some stew in a pot, and use the Mason jar to eat a nice bowl of soup.  Then it’ll clean up just fine and can go back to being used as a drinking vessel. You’re only limited by your imagination, but as the winter approaches, keep in mind: your need to drink does not decrease. Arm yourself with these tools and try them out until they become second nature and a part of your daily routine.  JJ out!