Goin' All Veggies

Fruits and vegetables are an important part of a well-balanced diet. The United States Department of Agriculture advises diners to fill half their plate with fruits and veggies at every meal. Adult women should eat about 1 1/2 to 2 cups of fruit and 2 to 2 1/2 cups of vegetables every day. Adult men should eat about 2 cups of fruit and 2 1/2 to 3 cups of vegetables per day. Eating a diet rich in fruits and vegetables can help lower your risk of many health conditions, including high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, and certain kinds of cancers. But if they’re not handled properly, fruits and veggies can also become a source of food-borne pathogens. For example, they can become contaminated with listeria, salmonella, or other bacteria. Their taste, texture, and appearance can also suffer if they’re not stored properly. That’s why it’s so important to learn how to clean and store fruits and veggies.