How to Pick the Best Fruits and Vegetables

Fruits and vegetables are the cornerstone of a healthy diet. Skipping them can increase the risk of illness due to the lack of antioxidants.

It's crucial to eat fruits and vegetables at their peak ripeness. Underripe produce lacks the converted sugars from organic acids, possibly leading to stomach aches, inflammation, and even tooth damage.

These days, it's common to harvest fruits and vegetables before they ripen. But some fruits, like avocado, banana, and mango, continue to ripen even after being picked.

Overripe fruits aren't recommended either, as fermentation turns their sugars to alcohol, rendering them unfit for consumption.

So how do you avoid tasteless or unripened fruits?

Firstly, buy seasonally, and steer clear of those that have been cold-stored.

Lemons should be yellow; the green ones are underripe. Other citrus fruits like clementines and oranges should be orange, too.

Choose apples that are firm. Sour apples aren't lower in sugar; they contain organic acids masking the sweetness. Don't store apples with other fruits and veggies, as they emit gases that can cause spoilage.

A fresh eggplant has a shiny, dark skin and is lightweight. Lighter-skinned, heavier eggplants can be bitter and contain more of the harmful compound solanine.

When selecting tomatoes, the redder and heavier, the better - they'll have more vitamins and lycopene. Green or not fully red tomatoes aren't suggested.

Green patches on potatoes are toxic and should be removed. Sprouting potatoes are past their prime and best avoided.

Peppers should be red, orange, or yellow - green ones are underripe, picked too early, containing solanine. Even hot peppers should be red, as green ones can be harmful.

Pick zucchinis that are smaller and heavier, with a shiny color.

Opt for onions that are firm and smooth with no sprouting stem. Soft onions are decaying and should also be checked for insects between layers.

Choose cucumbers that are bright in color, not too large, and ideally with a withered flower at the end.

Occasionally, you'll find deals on cheap vegetables. Be sure to check the quality to see if it's worth it.

Zehora Sharvit is a naturopath N.D and an iridologist with many years of experience in treatment, counseling, and workshop facilitation. To book a free workshop, call 073-2221290