How To Wash Produce

I am frequently asked how to wash produce and remove pesticides. Washing produce in plain tap water has been shown to be as almost as effective as the special sprays that are available in the produce section of your grocery store. It is important to wash your produce well before eating, even if it says pre-washed or organic.

Make Your Own Fruit and Vegetable Wash

Make your own produce wash using a botanically-based dish washing liquid.  One small drop in a gallon of cold water will help to remove pesticides. Wash fruits and vegetables quickly by rubbing the outside with your fingers then rinse and dry with towel. Do not soak your produce in the soapy water.

Another technique which has been shown to be more effective than commercial produce washers is lemon juice and/or vinegar washes.  Make your own wash by dipping your produce in vinegar or lemon juice, followed by rubbing for 5 seconds, rinsing with running water, and drying with a paper towel.

Washing Vegetables and Fruits

• Before working with any foods, wash hands with soap and water.
• Under clean running water, rub fruits and vegetables briskly with your hands to remove dirt and surface germs.
• Wash produce just before serving but not before storing. Washed produce spoils quicker.
• Remove outer leaves of leafy vegetables before washing.
• Always wash bananas, melons or squashes before cutting even if you are not going to eat the rind.
• DO NOT wash produce with conventional detergent or bleach solutions.

Eat More Fruits And Veggies

In order to maintain a healthy lifestyle everyone should eat 8-10 fruits and vegetables a day. Visit the Wow You Are Really Lucky, healthy living blog for more fruit and vegetable recipes and tips from Deb Bixler.

Holistic Health and Wellness columnist, Deb Bixler is a natural diet and lifestyle educator who focuses on small daily choices that add up to big results. If there are any specific topics of interest that you want her to cover, please contact us and let us know.

Past articles written by Deb Bixler include:

• Children Need More Dietary Fiber – Fool Recipe

• Kids Healthy Eating Test

• Healthy Children’s Eating Habits Last A Lifetime!

How to Wash Fruit And Vegetable is a post from: American Muslim Mom Blog