Buzz
1. Thawing Meat in a Sink – A Common Mistake Homemakers Make When Storing Food
To preserve meat for a longer period, many people in Vietnam choose to freeze it in the freezer to prevent damage at low temperatures. When they need to use it, most homemakers thaw the meat by submerging it in water. Unfortunately, this method exposes the meat to bacteria as the sink often harbors harmful germs. Additionally, the bacteria from the sink can contaminate the meat during thawing, spreading bacteria through cross-contamination.
2. Storing Food Without Sorting It in the Fridge
The fridge, with its adjustable temperature settings, is considered one of the most effective tools for preserving fresh food. However, when storing a large number of items in the fridge, it's important to organize them to maintain the right temperature and humidity.
For example, meat, fish, or other raw animal products should be stored in the coldest section, wrapped in plastic wrap to prevent bacterial contamination. Meanwhile, fruits and vegetables should be placed in a warmer compartment and cleaned thoroughly before storage.
3. Letting Vegetables Cool Before Use – A Mistake in Food Storage
Vegetables are a fresh source of vitamins, minerals, and fiber, all essential for the body. Using vegetables properly in daily meals helps boost health and prevent diseases such as obesity, diabetes, and heart disease.
Common ways to prepare vegetables include stir-frying, boiling, or cooking them in soups. However, a common mistake is using vegetables after they have cooled. According to nutrition experts, when vegetables are left at room temperature for too long after cooking, they lose more nutrients.
Specifically, if you wait 1 hour after cooking, vitamin loss is 15%. After another hour, the nutrient loss increases to 25%, and if left for 3 to 4 hours, the nutrient loss doubles. It’s best to consume vegetables immediately after cooking to ensure you get the maximum nutrients. This way, you also avoid the hassle of storing food unnecessarily.
4. Washing Raw Chicken Under Strong Running Water - A Mistake in Food Storage
Raw chicken often carries bacteria that can harm your health. Washing it under strong running water can spread harmful bacteria due to water's force. In reality, cooking chicken thoroughly at 100°C will eliminate up to 90% of bacteria. If washing is necessary, do so gently with a light stream of water to prevent contamination from spreading. This is an easy food storage tip.
5. Storing Potatoes in Warm, Humid Conditions - A Food Storage Mistake
Potatoes are highly susceptible to sprouting and growing in warm, humid conditions. Doctors warn that potato sprouts are a leading cause of food poisoning when consumed. Therefore, when storing potatoes, it's crucial to keep them in a cool, dry place to prevent harmful sprouting. Avoid storing potatoes in plastic bags or sealed containers for extended periods as this can lead to mold growth and sprouting.
6. Bỏ qua bước sơ chế, làm sạch trước khi bảo quản thực phẩm
Việc sơ chế, làm sạch trước khi bảo quản thực phẩm là bước rất cần thiết và quan trọng. Nó hạn chế một phần sự xâm nhập của vi khuẩn, phân loại đồ ăn thức uống và giúp bạn có cách bảo quản hợp lí với từng loại thực phẩm khác nhau.
Chẳng hạn, trước khi bảo quản rau củ, hãy phân loại và rửa chúng sơ qua cho sạch sẽ, khô ráo rồi mới đem và ngăn lạnh. Thực hiện nghiêm túc cách này là phương pháp an toàn bảo vệ sức khỏe bạn.
7. Xem nhẹ việc bảo quản thực phẩm
Bảo quản thực phẩm hợp lí và đúng đắn giúp bạn tiết kiệm chi phí tiền bạc, đồng thời bảo vệ sức khỏe tốt hơn khi tiêu thụ đồ ăn nước uống. Bên cạnh đó, vì một số lí do chủ quan, không ít người vẫn xe nhẹ việc bảo vệ thực phẩm vì cho rằng nó không quan trọng.
Sử dụng đồ ăn thừa không che đậy cẩn thận, không biết cách bảo quản đồ ăn, nước uống trong tủ lạnh là sai lầm rất nhiều người vẫn còn gặp phải. Điều này gây ảnh hưởng không nhỏ đến chất lượng cuộc sống của bạn cũng như của chính những người xung quanh.
8. Washing Food but Forgetting to Wash Your Hands - A Common Mistake in Food Storage
Did you know that your hands are a breeding ground for harmful bacteria, posing significant risks to your health? Through contact with various objects, your hands can accumulate bacteria directly. Washing food before preparation is a good habit for food storage. However, forgetting to wash your hands before doing so is a serious oversight. No matter how thoroughly food is cleaned, unwashed hands full of bacteria can undo all your efforts by transferring harmful germs onto the food.
9. Judging Food Quality Based on Its Taste or Appearance
Many people still have the habit of judging food or drinks based on their taste or external appearance. However, in reality, many foods may be spoiled or deteriorated despite looking perfectly fine. For example, some food items and vegetables in the fridge may not show any signs of change in taste or appearance even after 3 or 4 days. Housewives often mistake this for freshness, not realizing that these foods may harbor bacteria that could lead to food poisoning, without altering the taste or color. This is a very common mistake when storing food.
10. Storing Eggs in the Refrigerator's Dedicated Egg Compartment
Storing eggs in the fridge is convenient, but if you don't pay attention to how long the eggs have been in there, you may unknowingly use eggs that are spoiled or contaminated with bacteria, which can be hard to detect by just looking at them. It's important to track how long eggs have been stored and discard them when they are no longer safe to consume.
