5 Top Shopping Tips When Buying Fruit and Veg
More and more people are choosing convenient, processed foods over more natural, healthy options. When we think about the impact these types of food can have on our health, it’s worrying. It’s of little wonder that rates of heart disease, obesity, diabetes, and other metabolic disorders are on the increase. We must ensure we eat enough fruit and veg to avoid being part of these statistics.
However, while this may be true, finding good quality fruit and veg can be difficult. If you want to know how to spot good quality fruit and veg, keep reading below. We’ve made a list of some of our top shopping tips:
1. Look for Seasonal Fruit and Veg
Buying produce that is in season is not only cheaper but also more nutritious and fresher too. When you go shopping and see fruit and vegetables that are not in season, it’s safe to assume that these products have been grown abroad and shipped to the US. The longer it takes to get these items on the shelves, the less nutritious they become. As well as this, we have to pay extra to have them transported.
Nowadays, there are services that help you find fresh, seasonal produce more easily. Many shoppers check out food4less near me to discover local stores that offer high-quality fruits and vegetables at affordable prices. This way, you can enjoy fresh, nutritious food without the added costs and delays associated with out-of-season items.
2. Don’t Buy Bruised or Damaged Items
Another great tip is to avoid buying damaged or bruised items. This is because damaged fruit and vegetables are much more likely to contain harmful bacteria. The bruised or damaged part is the ideal place for bacteria to hide. It is also less nutritious.
It may come as no surprise that many businesses are looking at ways to reduce the chances of damage occurring. One way they are doing this is by installing a rotary lobe pump. This type of pump can move items like olives or cherries in food processing applications without damaging them.
3. Perform a Smell Test
If you want to purchase ripe fruit and vegetables, giving them a smell test is a great idea. Fruit and veg with a sweeter fragrance are usually riper than those without.
4. Choose Produce at the Back
If you’ve ever worked in a supermarket, you will know the importance of rotating stock. Supermarket employees are told to put the old stock near the front of the shelves and the new stock behind. If you want to find fruit and veg with a good sell-by-date, you will need to search at the back of the shelves.
5. Consider Buying Frozen
Contrary to popular belief, frozen veg is much more nutritious than fresh. This is because most frozen fruit and veg are flash-frozen almost as soon as it is picked, locking in all nutrients.
We all know that eating enough fruit and veg is vital to a long and healthy life. However, despite this, most of us don’t consume enough. One of the main reasons we purchase processed foods over more natural ones is because they have a more extended sell-by date. The good news is that if you select the right fruit and veg, it will last a long time. When shopping next, try out some of our shopping tips for choosing good quality fruit and veg.
