POINTS TO REMEMBER WHILE SELECTING FOOD

 INTRODUCTION

We all go to market for purchasing food items. While selecting food items we should take care of our family members likes and dislikes how to fulfil their nutritional requirement. In a limited amount how to select healthy food i.e. full of nutrition. And while having meal your family enjoy it too.

It requires knowledge and information about food, the choice that are available to you, and the ability to obtain the maximum value for the money you spend.  

In this blog we will learn about the points to remember while selecting food items.

SELECTION OF CEREALS AND MILLETS

. While purchasing cereals and millets ensure that the grains are clean free from gravel and dirt.

. Cereals are not infested with fungus, insects or molds.

. While buying wheat look for plump kernels are not broken.

. Buy rice at least a year old.

SELECTION OF ROOTS AND TUBERS

. While buying potatoes ensure that they are not of green color and any cut on it.

. Select roots and tuber which are firm, heavy, free from sprout and without green discoloration.

. Excessive dirt, sunburn, hollow and decay are objectionable qualities of potato.

SELECTION OF FATS AND OILS

. Ensure that the fat and oil you buy is free from any solid particle, dust and bad odour.

. Do not buy oil and fat loose from market.

. Ensure that oil and fats have natural color and flavour.

. Use more of vegetable oils as compared to vegetable ghee because they are rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids.

SELECTION OF SUGAR, JAGGERY AND HONEY

. Buy sugar only according to your needs. Crystal sugar for tea and coffee and icing sugar for cake, biscuits and other baked products.

. Prefer jaggery in place of sugar because it is more nutritious and cheaper.

. Honey should have natural color, texture and flavour.

. Ensure that the sugar is free of lumps and adulterants.

SELECTION OF PULSES

. While purchasing pulses make sure the free from insects.

. Pulses should be dry otherwise molds and fungus may grow.

. Inspect grains are of uniform size and absence of broken piece.

SELECTION OF MILK AND MILK PRODUCTS

. Make sure that butter is wrapped in hygiene package and fresh in flavour.

. Paneer should be almost white in color, moist and free from fungus.

. Prefer pasteurized milk because it is safe and do not spoil fast.

. Ghee should have natural delicate flavour.

. Curd should not be very sour and pungent.

. Buy khoa which is firm and free from any unpleasant odor.

SELECTION OF FLESH FOODS

. Select meat which is pinkish in color and free from fat. Avoid dark red meat with fat.

. Make sure meat you buy do not have any strong smell and flavour. Any bad odor is an indication of poor quality meat.

. Select fresh fish which is bright in color, has red gills, stiff body and firm fresh.

. Buy clean eggs with unbroken shell.

. Buy female birds as they are more juicy and less tough.

SELECTION OF NUTS

. Ensure that the color of nuts is natural and bright. 

. Nuts should be free from insects, dirt and stones.

. Nuts should have natural flavour. 

. Avoid selecting shrivelled nuts.

SELECTION OF FRUITS AND VEGETABLES

. Select fresh fruits and vegetables, which are firm, crisp and bright in color.

. Buy seasonal fruits and vegetables because quality is high and price is low.

. Select clean leafy vegetables, which are tender and bright in color.

. While buying head vegetables like cabbage and cauliflower look out for hard, heavy and compact, free from bruises and insect injuries.

. While buying citrus fruits select firm and ripe ones which are thin skinned and heavy in relation to size.

. Buy only as much as you need because fruits and vegetables perish easily.

SELECTION OF FOOD ACCESSORIES

. Ensure that the spices are free from moisture, fungus and bad artificial smell.

. Buy whole spices. Get them ground yourself as far as possible this will prevent your from buying adulterated spices.

. While buying spices make sure they are free from gravel and dirt.

SELECTION OF TEA AND COFFEE

. Always try whole leaf variety if you want light cup of tea full of fragrance and flavour. On the other hand for strong tea select granular tea.

. Always buy tea/coffee which is sealed and packed in air tight container.

. Avoid buying loose tea from market.

CONCLUSION

From this blog we conclude that purchasing food items carefully is the first step in healthier lifestyle. Always buy seasonal fruits and vegetables cheap and best. While buying processed food read label carefully. And proper selection of food can give us full nutrition in limited amount.