This is the best way to clean your fruits and vegetables
While most of us may not give too much thought into washing produce, experts say we should be thoroughly rinsing all fruits and vegetables before eating them.
The Environmental Working Group recently published a list of the dirtiest produce on the market. Strawberries topped that list, and both apples and blueberries weren’t far behind.
While it’s no surprise that pesticides are used while growing fruit, it’s up to us as to how much bacteria we actually consume.
Registered dietitian and president of www.80twentynutrition.com Christy Brissette says washing fruit is essential because it removes some of the pesticides along with antibiotics and any germs from people touching it at the store.
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“The best way to clean fruit is with plain old water. Put the fruit under running water for at least 30 seconds and scrub with vegetable brush on tougher fruits like apples.”
Even when eating fruits like watermelon or cantaloupe, Brissette recommends washing it before removing the peel.
“It’s still a good idea to wash the fruit on the outside. Any bacteria, pesticides, etc. could be transferred from your knife to the inside of the fruit.”
Many websites suggest using produce sprays to get the dirt off, but Brissette notes they’re unnecessary.
“I don’t recommend using sprays. These aren’t shown to help more than water and could even contaminate your food. Don’t use soap for the same reason: you don’t want to be eating soap!”
While organic produce does tend to cost more, it’s not a bad idea to stock up on fruit and vegetables that tend to be the most heavily contaminated with pesticides. However, just because it’s organic doesn’t mean it’s bacteria-free. Brissette notes it should always be rinsed, no matter where you purchased the produce.
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You should also think about your local farmers market as a source for finding fresh fruits and vegetables.
“Farmers markets are great because you can typically speak to the farmer about how he or she grows the food. Some smaller farms may not be certified organic but still use organic practices.”
Although there’s no immediate danger in occasionally consuming pesticides, it’s best to limit your exposure as best you can.
How do you clean your fruits and vegetables? Let us know your thoughts by tweeting to @YahooStyleCA.
