Monday, December 12, 2011

If you do one thing this week...

Wash your fruits and vegetables before you eat them.

An apple a day won't keep the doctor away if that apple has pesticides, chemicals, bacteria, and (brace yourself) animal feces clinging to it's skin. That's the sort of nasty stuff that's been found on unwashed food, making produce a common cause of foodborne illnesses.

According to Lauren Slayton, director of foodtrainers.net, you need to give your fruits and vegetables more than the typical one-second shake under water. Rinse produce for at least 15 seconds and you'll get rid of 98% of the bacteria.

And if you're second guessing if it needs to be washed in the first place, just do it. It never hurts. Spinach, peaches, bell peppers, nectarines, strawberries, pears, grapes, cherries, lettuce, potatoes, celery and pears are some fruits and vegetables with a high potential for pesticides residues.

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