Make Every Bite Count
Choose Fruit World for fresh, nutrition rich fruit and vegetables
In today’s age of convenience foods, we’re overrun with empty calorie options. So when we do eat fruit and vegetables, let’s make every bite count!
When choosing an orange in place of a cookie, make sure it's crammed full of Vitamin C, and not just sucrose and fiber!
The freshest fruit and vegetables contain the most nutrients. This is because as soon as they’re picked or plucked they start deteriorating. Did you know that:
- 15% - 77% of vitamin C can be lost within a week of harvest*
- Green peas can lose 15% of vitamin C within a week
- Green beans can lose 77%of vitamin C within a week
- Spinach can lose 90% of vitamin C percent within 24 hours
- Washed, pre-cut and peeled fruit and vegetables lose nutrients much faster, as they are exposed to oxygen. Oxygen increases the decomposition rate of fruit and vegetables
So what can you do to avoid nutrient depletion in fruit and vegetables? Here are a few ideas.
Tips for avoiding nutrient depletion in fruit and vegetables
Preparation methods can have a big impact on nutrient quality. These handy tips will help keep the vitamins in fruits and vegetables at their peak.
- Quickly but thoroughly rinse fruits or vegetables under cold running water before cooking or serving. Use a soft brush to remove dirt that clings. Avoid soaking, which can leach out the water-soluble vitamins.
- Wait to cut up vegetables and fruits until the last minute. Exposure to air can increase loss of some vitamins.
- Keep peels on if you can, because many nutrients are found just underneath. If possible, cook vegetables with the skin on and peel them afterward.
- Keep fresh vegetables at the coldest possible temperature without freezing in the vegetable crisper of your refrigerator. Spinach, broccoli, and salad greens retain their nutrients best in high humidity.
- Carrots, sweet potatoes, potatoes, and other root vegetables keep their key nutrients reasonably well if kept cool and moist.
- Ripen fruits at room temperature; then refrigerate or use immediately.
- Keep fresh fruits and vegetables away from light.
- Buy fresh foods in smaller quantities so you can use them quickly. Share with a friend. Or use some fresh and freeze the rest. Freezing is an excellent way of retaining nutrients, including vitamins.
Choose Fruit World for the freshest produce; from farm gates to stores each day.
