Hi! If you’re new here, welcome to my wellness journey! Most of you who follow my daily stories on instagram @purejoy_lifetyle know that I’m on a Wellness Journey and learning and enjoy sharing with you, as I go. One thing I’ve learned recently ,is how important it is to always rinse your fruits and veggies before consuming them. According to the Food and Drug Administration, an average of 48 million people got sick from contaminated food in 2019. You do not want to join these statistics! It’s especially concerning for those with compromised immune systems and also with the pandemic our country is dealing with this past year. Fruits and vegetables may contain dirt, pesticides and food borne illnesses that can be avoided by rinsing your produce. Unless you enjoy eating dirt, the 10 extra minutes you’ll be spending cleaning your produce will be well worth it.
The FDA and CDC recommend washing your hands thoroughly first and then rinsing your produce under running water, rubbing the surface with your fingers. This will rid it of most of the dirt and surface micro organisms that may be on it.
Foods such as berries and broccoli have many crevices where funghi and bacteria can hide. Vinegar will help remove this. In a bowl, mix 3 parts water and 1 part vinegar . Rinse the berries (or broccoli ) first and then let them soak in the bowl for 10 to 15 minutes. Remove and rinse again, gently in a collander , under running water, before consuming. I do this every morning that we have oatmeal. I let the fruits and berries soak while I’m prepping my oatmeal.
Root vegetables may contain more dirt and pesticides, so I recommend using a food brush to scrub them under running water first and then soak them. I also like using Trader Joe’s produce wash for Root vegetables and thicker skinned veggies (Potatoes, Bell Peppers, Cucumbers, Zucchini).
It is also key to scrub harder skinned produce such as oranges, lemons, even pineapples and other produce with inedible rinds, as cutting into them may transfer contaminants to the edible flesh you’re about to consume.
Always wash your hands thoroughly before rinsing your fruits and vegetables under running water. (room temperature water is best) Use your thumbs and fingers while rinsing them. ( except the delicate berries.) The Vinegar solution ( 3 parts water to 1 part vinegar ), is my daily go to, but if you don’t have vinegar on hand you can also use baking soda and water to soak your produce. I also recommend peeling away the thick, waxy skin of cucumbers and zucchini to be extra careful about consuming pesticides and heavy waxes. One last tip for your health is to check the dirty dozen list and make sure that you’re only buying organic especially the produce that’s on the list ! I’m so happy you found me and I hope this info helps keep you healthy. Come follow me on Instagram @Purejoy_Lifestyle and leave a comment there ( on any post you choose) so I can say hello or answer any questions you may have! Follow my instagram stories and join me in my daily journey, too ! See you there 🙂
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