Summer is a great time for eating fresh and in season.
Some of the delicious foods that come into season during summer are apricots, bell peppers, beets, cantaloupe, cherries, cucumbers, figs, nectarines, passion fruit, watermelon, and so much more.
However, fresh fruits and vegetables tend to spoil easily, especially when not properly stored.
Let’s take a look at 3 common food storage mistakes, and how to fix them.
1. Wash all fruits and vegetables right away:
Washing everything right away is actually the wrong way to go.
Foods that are wet are more susceptible to bacterial growth. It is a better practice to wash right before cooking or eating foods to avoid bacteria. “I know many folks are concerned about food poisoning, but as long as you wash them prior to consuming, you’re fine, says John Whyte, M.D., MPH, former Chief Medical Expert and VP, Health and Medical Education at Discovery Channel.
2. Store all fruits and veggies next to each other:
This is the wrong thing to do, whether the foods are stored in the fridge, on the counter, or in a cupboard. Storing foods this way may be the wrong thing to do. “Many fruits produce ethylene gas,” says Whyte. “It’s the same gas that commercial growers use to ripen tomatoes, bananas, pears, and a few other fruits after they’ve been harvested. So when your fruits emit ethylene gas, it can speed spoilage to surrounding produce.”
Keep you foods separate, in different containers.
3. Put everything in airtight bags:
There is a common notion that storing fruits and vegetables in tight Ziploc bags or plastic with no air is the right thing to do.
However, fruits and vegetables actually need breathing room and space. “An airtight plastic bag is about the worst thing you can do to your vegetables,” Whyte explains.
Tips:
Poke holes in the plastic bag, or better yet, store them in mesh bags.
Use crispers, colanders, ceramic bowls wether your store food in your refrigerator or at room temperature.
Note: None of the information in our website is intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any illness or disease. The content on our website is for educational purposes only.
Best weight loss foods for the summer season.
Iced apple lemonade for a slimmer summer body.
Five daily servings of fruits and vegetables are key to a longer life.
REFERENCES:
1. “3 Mistakes You Are Making in Storing Fruits and Vegetables.” The Huffington Post. TheHuffingtonPost.com, 4 June 2015.
