But times have changed and we're a bit more particular about our foods and food safety. With headlines everyday about e Coli and other dangerous germs in foods, your best line of defense begins in the same place your recipes do.
Everything Has Germs
Right now, your hands have germs on them. That knob you just turned to wash your hands at the sink? Germs there too. For a moment, let's be realistic. Everything has germs on it. But while this is the case, that doesn't mean we should give up. Here are some easy ways to keep germs at a minimum:
- Wash your hands with warm soapy water for the same length of time as - Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star. Dry them completely with a paper towel and don't touch anything. - Don't touch your face with your hands or cross contaminate your hands in any way. - Wash down your utensils and cutting board with warm soapy water too. - Wash the board between food groups. - Choose non-porous kitchen equipment, thermometers, etc. When things are made of glass, pyrex, or silicone, they are easier to clean and do not harbor germs. - Rinse all vegetable and fruits before preparing.
Meats are the Worst Offenders
You probably already know this, but meat is your enemy when it comes to germ fighting. It contains hundreds of possible bacteria right from the start and it's an uphill battle from then. Here are the ways you can reduce your risk of food poisoning and infection:
- Never store raw meat above fresh produce. The juices can drip onto the clean product. - If meat looks or smells spoiled, throw it out. Better to waste some money than to make your guests sick. - Always check expiration dates. - Wear gloves when handling meat and then throw the gloves away when done.
Temperature Rules to Follow
To make sure your meats are safe to eat, they should be cooking to an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit, at least. This ensures that any bacteria are dead and gone from your meals. You can use long digital thermometers to check this, wiping the thermometer down with a sanitizer or washing it thoroughly between temp checks. Cold foods should be kept between 35 and 45 degrees, helping to keep germs from growing.
Meats can not sit out for longer than two hours, so if you have a buffet arrangement, you need to make sure to check the meat temperature to make sure it's consistent or bring the food off the table after two hours. Cold foods should also checked regularly and placed into bowls of ice to help keep the temperature low.
Tens of millions of people try to lose weight every year. Thousands of businesses try to sell the on the best way to do it. This leads to competing claims, so many that it is difficult to tell what is true and what is not. Let's take a closer look.
Whatever you do, definitely don't eat that. Wait, says another weight loss guru, do eat it. A body builder can tell you the stark truth. The issue is calories, not what you eat. Eat fewer calories than you expend and you will lose weight.
The type of food you eat is important because of its caloric density. Certain foods like vegetables have low calorie counts. An entire head of lettuce has about 100 calories. A fast food specialty cheeseburger may have 700 to 1,000 calories.
Eat your last meal before five in the afternoon and you will lose weight. That's the old folks tale. It isn't accurate. The issue is what you eat, not when and the total amount of calories you take in during a 24 hour period.
Lose a billion pounds in the next 24 hours! Ah, we've all read the ads and hype. Can you lose a bunch of weight quickly. The truth is you can. The problem is almost all the weight is water, which you will gain when you end the diet.
You should avoid fats like the plague. While most of us eat way too much fat, you should not avoid all fat. The body needs some as part of a balanced diet. No, not junk food fat. Monounsaturated fats found in olive oil or seeds and nuts are best.
The next myth to be debunked is the meal strategy. The story goes that if you skip just one meal a day, you will lose weight. Skipping a meal is not going to help if you make up for it by feasting during your other daily meals.
The water before the meal myth is one that actually is true. If you drink a full glass of water prior to any meal, the water will help induce a full feeling in your stomach. You will stop eating sooner and take in fewer calories.
Ultimately, losing weight comes down to calories eaten versus expended. Exercise can make a world of difference. Cut down on calories and work out. You will see the pounds drop off in a slow and steady manner.
Both Art Gib & Sol Ferdinand are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
Art Gib has sinced written about articles on various topics from Supplements, Teachers and self improvement and motivation. Able Kitchen () sells and other restauran. Art Gib's top article generates over 1830000 views. to your Favourites.
Sol Ferdinand has sinced written about articles on various topics from Food And Drink, Lose Weight. Sol Ferdinand writes for WeightLossLodge.com - where you can read free online.. Sol Ferdinand's top article generates over 9900 views. to your Favourites.