Still Using Plastic Containers For Leftovers Gastroenterologist Shares 6 Health Purchases That Are Worth Every Penny

Still storing your leftovers in plastic takeaway containers? Or buying fresh fruit only to watch it spoil before you get around to eating it? Every once in a while, you come across a simple purchase that seems insignificant at first, but once you start using it, you wonder how you ever managed without it. From healthier food storage to easier ways of staying hydrated and getting enough fibre, certain everyday purchases can make it easier to build healthier habits.

Dr Joseph Salhab, a Florida-based gastroenterologist and health content creator who specialises in digestive, liver, pancreatic, and nutritional health, has shared six health-focused purchases that are worth every penny and can make everyday life a whole lot easier.

Many people may hesitate to buy frozen fruit, preferring fresh produce instead, because they assume frozen fruit has been sitting on supermarket shelves for weeks. However, this is a common misconception. Frozen fruit is cheaper and can have a longer shelf life while retaining its nutritional value.

Dr Salhab explains, “Convenient, lasts longer, and makes it much easier to get more berries, mango, dragon fruit, and other fibre-rich fruits into smoothies, yoghurt bowls, and meals without constantly throwing spoiled fruit away.”

If you own a good smoothie blender, healthy eating can become a whole lot smoother. Simply throw in your favourite healthy ingredients, give them a quick whizz and you have a nutritious drink ready to go, making it a convenient, time-saving and cost-effective way to add more nutrient-rich foods to your diet.

Dr Salhab highlights, “A decent smoothie blender. You don’t need anything fancy. A blender makes it ridiculously easy to combine fruit, kefir, yoghurt, chia, flax, oats, and other high-fibre foods into something you’ll actually consume.”

Owning a water filter can make staying hydrated easier while reducing your reliance on plastic water bottles. It can help you save money, cut down on plastic waste and reduce potential exposure to microplastics, while ensuring you have clean drinking water readily available throughout the day.

Fibre is an essential part of a balanced diet, yet many people struggle to meet even half of their daily requirements. To help bridge that gap, Dr Salhab recommends keeping a fibre supplement handy, since they can be easily incorporated into meals when needed.

The gastroenterologist highlights, “Psyllium husk, chia seeds, ground flax, and hemp seeds are easy ways to add fibre to yoghurt, oatmeal, smoothies, baked goods, and meals.”

Did you know that if you use a commode to poop, you might be doing it wrong? Your body is naturally designed to pass stool in more of a squatting position, so raising your feet on a bathroom stool can help you get into a more natural posture and make bowel movements smoother. Moreover, if frequent wiping leaves you with irritation, a bidet can be a game-change.

Dr Salhab points out, “A bathroom footstool. Raising your feet changes your toileting position and can make it easier to have a bowel movement with less straining. If you poop frequently, have haemorrhoids, or get irritation from constantly wiping, this (a bidet) can be a game changer.”

Still storing your leftovers in those plastic takeaway boxes? You might want to rethink that habit. Reheating food in some plastic containers can increase the potential for chemicals and microplastics to leach into your food, which is why Dr Salhab recommends opting for glass containers instead.

He emphasises, “Glass food-storage containers are especially useful if you regularly reheat leftovers. I prefer reheating food in glass rather than plastic.”

Note to readers: This article is for informational purposes only and not a substitute for professional medical advice. It is based on user-generated content from social media. HT.com has not independently verified the claims and does not endorse them.

Dr Joseph Salhab is a gastroenterologist providing services in central Florida. He received his medical degree from Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine, Bradenton Campus, and has been in practice for over a decade. He has expertise in treating gastroenteritis and upper GI endoscopy, among other conditions.

Eshana Saha is a fresh face in lifestyle and cultural journalism, bringing a refined, multidisciplinary perspective to the intersection of entertainment, fashion and holistic wellbeing. With less than a year of professional experience, she has quickly adapted to high-pressure editorial environments and currently works full-time with HT Media. Prior to this, she interned for nearly six months with Hindustan Times’ entertainment and lifestyle vertical, where she gained hands-on experience in digital reporting, trend analysis and editorial storytelling. Based in New Delhi, Eshana specialises in comprehensive coverage of major cultural moments — from international film press tours to the curated aesthetics of global fashion showcases, award shows and music-centred events. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in English from St Xavier’s University, Kolkata, and a Master’s degree in English from the University of Delhi, equipping her with a strong academic foundation and a keen ability to deconstruct complex cultural trends into clear, high-impact narratives. Beyond the red carpet, Eshana has developed a growing focus on health and wellbeing reporting. She bridges the gap between celebrity-driven trends and practical, evidence-informed lifestyle advice, ensuring her work remains both aspirational and grounded in editorial rigour. She has extensively covered the health implications of Delhi’s air pollution crisis, while also playing a key role in amplifying expert-led insights on women’s health and mental wellbeing, helping translate complex medical perspectives into informed, impactful public awareness. An artist at heart, she explores multiple creative forms — from visual arts and music to culinary experiments — and brings a creative’s eye for nuance, texture and detail to every story. Whether analysing runway dynamics or examining emerging wellness movements, she remains committed to accuracy and the highest standards of contemporary journalistic ethics.Read More