Clean Vegetables And Fruits –Tips And Suggestions

Wellness

oi-Suparna Chakaraborthy

By Suparna Chakaraborthy

Wednesday, November 17, 2010, 17:39

When you shop for fruits and vegetables, you often look for bright, deeply colored ones. But, do you know why they are so colorful, well, it is the artificial colors, the Coal tar and the petrochemicals that make them look colorful and have dangerous effects on our body. It is not just the artificial colors, your fruits and vegetables grow up in fields covered in pesticides and herbicides which are really not safe for consumption.

Fruits and vegetables are handled by several different pairs of hands in the fields and orchards, then in the warehouses, and finally again in your grocery store. Bacteria such as Listeria, Salmonella and E. Coli may all be lurking on your fruits and vegetables, whether they are organically grown or conventionally grown. These bacteria all cause food-borne illness and need to be washed away from your produce.

You need to get those fresh fruits and vegetables in your diet, but not the insects, chemicals and bacteria that come along with them so make sure you clean your fruits and vegetables naturally before you eat them. Here are a few tips on how to clean vegetables and fruits naturally.

Tips To Clean Fruits and Vegetables -

1.Start by keeping your kitchen countertops, refrigerator, cookware and cutlery clean.

2.Always wash your hands before preparing meals and handling fruits and vegetables.

3.Keep fresh greens, fruits and vegetables away from uncooked meats to avoid cross-contamination.

4.Choose healthy looking, ripe fruits and vegetables when you shop. Avoid bruised, moldy and mushy produce.

5.Wait until just before you eat or prepare your fruits and vegetables to wash them. Fruits and vegetables have natural coatings that keep moisture inside, and washing them will make them spoil sooner.

6.Wash all pre-packaged fruits and vegetables, even if the label claims they are pre-washed.

7.Wash all parts of your fruits and vegetables, even if you don't plan on eating them. Bacteria can live on the rind of an orange or the skin of a cucumber, for example. Though you may peel them away and toss them in the trash, the bacteria can be transferred from the outside of the fruit or vegetable to the knife you use to cut them, and then onto the parts you will be eating.

8.Gently rub fruits and vegetables under running water. Don't use any soaps, detergents, bleaches or other toxic cleaning chemicals. This tip to clean vegetables and fruits is good as the chemicals will leave a residue of their own on your produce.

9.Commercial sprays and washes sold for cleaning vegetables really aren't any better than cleaning thoroughly with plain water, so don't waste your money on them.

10.Firmer fruits and vegetables, such as apples and potatoes, can be scrubbed with a vegetable brush (buy direct) while rinsing with clean water to remove dirt and residues.

11.Remove and discard the outer leaves of lettuce and cabbage heads, and thoroughly rinse the rest of the leaves.

12.Rinse berries and other small fruits thoroughly and allow them to drain in a colander.

Remember these natural tips to clean vegetables and fruits as the vegetables you buy may look clean in the grocery store but may have lot of chemicals and bacteria which are not visible to your eyes. Your fruits and vegetables still need to be cleaned before you eat them or served to guests or family members. This tip is especially important for vegetables and greens that are eaten raw.

Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for general informational and educational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or a qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.