Make sure to wash those fruits and veggies
What could be better for your health than fresh fruits and vegetables? But even the ripest apple or the leafiest lettuce can carry dirt and nasty bacteria that need to be thoroughly washed off before it’s safe to eat. Follow these tips for making sure your produce is untainted:
- Start with a clean slate. Wipe down your kitchen counter, scrub your knives and cutting boards, and wash your hands before cleaning your food.
- Water is best. Don’t use soap or detergents to wash your produce; they can seep into the items and potentially make people sick. Use cool water and wash for 30 to 60 seconds in most cases. Some nutritionists say that a mixture of three parts water and one part white vinegar or lemon juice is even more effective, as long as you thoroughly rinse the produce when you’re done.
- Wash peeled food, too. Dirt and microbes can hide in the crevices of such fruits and orange and bananas, so even though you don’t eat the skin, washing it prevents the spread of harmful material from the peel to the fruit through contact with your fingers.
- Don’t wash and store. Wait until you’re ready to eat the item in question. If you wash it and then stick it in the refrigerator, it will retain moisture and spoil faster.
Use a brush. For firmer fruits and vegetables such as apples and potatoes, a stiff vegetable brush can do a good job of removing dirt and particles you don’t want to eat.