Eating salads every day can be one of the most healthy eating habits you can adopt.
They’re quick and simple to prepare at home and to order at your favourite restaurant when dining out.
Salads are loaded with nutritional benefits that are good for your health. Add fruits, veggies and a hint of honey dressing or any that you prefer.
Leafy green salads are a good choice for a healthy diet because they are low in calories and sodium and do not contain cholesterol.
They make a solid contribution to disease prevention, healthy weight and energy.
However, not every salad is good for you and may lead to negative health consequences.
Why eating raw salad can be risky?
Fresh vegetables and fruits are essential to maintain good health. The leafy greens and vegetables are a good source of natural fibre which helps to reduce bad cholesterol and control blood sugar. A daily serving of salad aids your intake of healthy fats. There are endless benefits of having salads, however, eating raw salads can be a risk. Vegetables that grow on the ground can be contaminated with bacteria. To be sure that your healthy bowl of salad is ready to be eaten, here are a few things you need to keep in mind.
1. Wash the vegetables
While preparing salads at home, remember to wash the vegetables properly before you peel and cut them. The same goes for leafy greens as well. Lettuce, spinach or any other salad greens should be washed thoroughly before eating raw. This will help remove bacteria which is on the vegetables
2. Don’t eat pre-cut salads
Salads that have been peeled and cut for a long time can be contaminated with bacteria present in the air. Many street vendors serve side salads like sliced tomatoes and onions with your meal. These salads are not 100% safe and healthy. They could give you an upset stomach because they might be infected.
3. Avoid pre-packaged salad
You must have seen pre-made salad at grocery stores but did you ever wonder if they are safe? Fresh vegetables tend to spoil quickly. The packed salad leaves can lose a significant amount of nutrients every hour after being packed. The pre-made packaged salads could give you food poisoning due to contamination as they are packaged with a mixture of gases known as modified atmosphere.
4. Refrigerate veggies
Keep them cool. Heat contributes to the spread of bacteria. To keep the vegetables and salad greens fresh, keep them refrigerated. Do not buy or use veggies which have been sitting at room temperature for hours.
5. Eat freshly made salad
If you are making a salad with your favourite toppings, be sure to use fresh vegetables and peel them, cut them at the time of preparing the salad. While dining out, be sure to eat salad at a good restaurant that can guarantee the nutrition and cleanliness.
