(NC) Many of us know that a diet which is rich in high-quality, fresh vegetables and fruits can have a very positive effect on our overall health, but finding the tastiest, ripest and best produce isn’t as easy as you may think. It can help to shop with your senses.
From apples to zucchini, and everything in between, here are four tips on how to pick the best fruits and vegetables.
ㆍ Pick produce with vibrant colour
Choose produce that has vibrant, consistent colour. Avoid fruits and vegetables that are dull or pale or show signs of discolouration. Brown or black spots could mean produce is starting to rot.
ㆍ Choose food that stands firm
High quality, fresh produce is firm to the touch. When shopping for fruits and vegetables, be sure to give them a little squeeze to test their firmness. If produce if soft to the touch or feels mushy, it could be a sign that it is beginning to go bad.
ㆍ Shop for locally grown items
Certain fruits or vegetables begin to lose their nutrients just 24 hours after they are picked. Local food does not have to travel as far as food imported from other countries. Shopping locally is also great for the environment as it helps reduce our carbon footprint. Plus it supports local farmers and producers, benefitting the local economy.
ㆍ Opt for organic options
Organic produce contains fewer pesticides than conventionally grown fruits and vegetables, therefore reducing the number of chemicals you put into your body. This is especially true for foods in The Dirty Dozen – the 12 crops on which farmers typically use the most pesticides. This list includes strawberries, spinach, apples, grapes and tomatoes among others. Organic produce may also contain more vitamins, minerals, enzymes and micronutrients. Most natural health food stores like Nature’s Emporium carry organic produce exclusively, making shopping for the freshest produce simple.
Find more tips and information at naturesemporium.com. (Source: News Canada)
