Wash your Fruits & Veggies!!
Should you be washing your fruits & Veggies?
The simple answer- YES. Always! And this goes for organically bought veggies and conventional!
Why? The goal with washing your produce is to decrease bacteria and prevent any illness, such as E. Coli! Washing all fruits and vegetables before eating them will help decrease the chances of such illness and exposure to bacteria. I personally, choose to wash produce that I will also be peeling.
This is always an important topic, yet I found myself realizing the need to spread awareness about something so simple. During these times when we feel more worried about exposure to illnesses, we can be doing so much more to protect ourselves. For me, this is one of them.
How to wash your fruits and vegetables?
Timing, due to produce not lasting as long, if washed too far ahead of use and a slight chance of bacteria to grow if moisture is left on the said product. So- possibly best to wash immediately prior to cooking or using.
Is just water enough? NO! Sadly, it is not.
What to use?
Personally, I love a simple mixture of : Water + Apple Cider Vinegar + sea salt !
That easy!
I fill a bowl- usually my salad spinner, so i can drain nicely and also spin any leafy greens. I fill with water, a splash of ACV and a dash of salt. Let soak for 5 or so minutes! Rinse, spin if you have any leafy greens or such.
NOTE: This mixture works GREAT for organic produce such as; cauliflower and broccoli which if bought locally at your farmers market during the summer tends to have those cute little bugs that like to stick around. Which, I am grateful they are there as they are a nice reminder the product was grown with out being sprayed- yet I still just can't stomach to eat them. This will help knock them off.
Pay special attention to washing products that fall under the dirty dozen list. Below, Updated 2020.
Strawberries
Spinach
Kale
Nectarines
Apples
Grapes
Peaches
Cherries
Pears
Tomatoes
Celery
Potatoes
Also, Berries; I would not soak as this could make them too soggy- so be mindful of that. Potatoes/beets/, I also give them a little scrub as well to knock dirt.
And wash your hands- always.
If you have any questions please feel free to reach out!
In health,
Amanda