How Do You Recognize Chemically Treated Food?

Just by looking at some of the external features of fruits and vegetables, we can tell whether they are natural or whether they have been subjected to chemical treatments.

Do you know how to tell the difference between chemically treated food or natural food?

As we know, fruits and vegetables are essential for a healthy and balanced diet. This is because of the many benefits they give to your body and mind.

However, the need to preserve a certain amount of crops has led to the use of pesticides and fertilisers, products that are then absorbed into the food.

For this reason, you should research certain tips that will help you make a better selection when shopping for your groceries so that you don’t buy chemically treated foods.

Pay attention to this list of ten staple foods and their characteristics to help you choose while shopping.

Keep in mind that there are good rules in the Netherlands about the use of pesticides and preservation methods, but that this is sometimes different abroad.

How to tell the difference between chemically treated foods and natural foods at a glance

1. Carrots

Don’t be fooled by those large, intense orange carrots. While they can be large and very tasty, they are not recommended.

Also pay attention to the possible spots they have.

2. Potatoes

Potatoes absorb a lot of chemicals. Therefore , it is best that you choose the medium sized tubers and do not be tempted by those smooth and large potatoes.

Another way to find out if it’s chemically treated food is to poke the skin with your fingernail. If it tears, you can buy it with confidence.

3. Tomatoes

It is easy to check that the tomatoes are natural and not chemically treated food. You do this control by touch.

If you see that the skin looks artificial and if you see white streaks, then the food contains nitrates.

The tomato should have a homogeneous color and a small stalk.

4. Cucumbers

When buying cucumbers, look for hard-ended cucumbers. Put them on your shopping list when they are in season.

If you cut a cucumber and you don’t see any seeds inside, it’s best that you throw it away.

5. Cabbage

Cabbage is another easily identifiable food. You should check that the leaves of the cabbage are clean, thin and have a uniform color.

Spots are no exception in this case that prove the rule.

6. Apples

Although the large apples seem tastier without a single spot, it is better to select those that are smaller in size, with minor imperfections, and which are semi-greenish.

To make sure it is an organic apple, you can put it in boiling water for a while.
If an oily film appears on the skin, then it is treated with paraffin, mixed with other substances. In that case, it is better not to eat it with the skin.

7. Pumpkin

The surface of this vegetable speaks for itself. If the skin is clean and smooth, then it is ideal to buy.

On the other hand, if it has fibrous streaks that are not straight or has dark spots, it could be because it contains pesticides.

8. Strawberries

To avoid risks when buying, keep in mind that the natural strawberries do not stand out because of an ideal appearance or by presenting a bright color.

One of the most obvious features of strawberries that have not been treated with chemicals is their specific smell.
Another trick is to put them in cold water. They should release their juice after a few minutes, if not, it is because they have been subjected to chemical treatments.

9. Watermelons

It is a fruit that should preferably be consumed in season. Otherwise, the food may have been exposed to certain nitrates.

When cutting, remember that if the watermelon is bright red with yellow fibers, this is already a symptom that it contains nitrates.

The fibers of a ‘good’ watermelon are white.

10. Cherries

Knowing which cherries to choose is not that complicated. Note that the color of the fruit is bright and uniform. If, on the other hand, they are dull in color with whitish spots on the skin, it is because they have been exposed to pesticides.

To check their condition, you can cover the cherries with boiling water.
If after a while the smell of the cherries does not change, then everything is fine.

Go ahead and put these tips into practice, so don’t get carried away by those fruits and vegetables that seem to come out of movies.

Weigh the food with your hand and always choose the heaviest.

Even if it seems unpleasant, if you find an insect, don’t worry: it’s an indication that it is from organic crops.

Also wash them carefully and if possible, subject the fruits to heat treatment.