• Refrigerators should be set to maintain a temperature of 40°F or below. Some refrigerators have digital built-in thermometers to measure their internal temperature. If your refrigerator doesn’t have this feature, keep an appliance thermometer in the refrigerator to monitor the temperature.
• Freezers should maintain a temperature of -10º to 0ºF. Do not keep the doors to your refrigerator or freezer open any longer than to take out or put away food. Why…because it raises the air temperature in the unit and stored foods may be exposed to the temperature danger zone. For the same reason, never store hot foods in the refrigerator or freezer.

This is a debate that has been going on for a very long time. Always buy organic, but if you can’t buy conventional.

According to Renée Loux Underkoffler, more than 800 million pounds of toxic chemicals was used in pesticides on American farmland. I am sure by now those statistics have probably grown exponentially. Therefore to reduce your risk of pesticides infiltration, eat organic. If you must purchase conventional fruits and vegetables make sure to wash the fruits and vegetables with a few drops of apple cider vinegar in a bowl of water for rinsing or scrubbing vegetables and fruits. Always peel produce if it is not organic. Certain fruits and vegetables can be peeled to remove pesticides on the skin and to avoid waxes, which cannot be washed off. Unfortunately, peeling produce removes the vitamins and minerals in and under the skin. Peel conventional produce such as apples, cucumbers, carrots, beets, peaches, plums, nectarines, pears, eggplant, parsnips, potatoes, turnips, yams, squash, etc.

Organically grown food must meet accepted parameters in order to be labeled organic. Organic farming requires the responsible maintenance of healthy, fertile soil. Soil must be rested and fed through natural methods and without the use of chemical fertilizers, pesticides, fungicides, herbicides, and rodenticides.

You should at least four fresh fruits daily for the maximum variety of phytochemicals. Frozen fruit is a good substitute, but definitely avoid canned since they often have added sweeteners.

For weight loss and diabetes or prediabetes management, eat only two fruits a day…and focus on lower-sugar options such as berries, green or Granny Smith apples, melons (always eat separately) grapefruit, oranges, kiwi, and papaya.

• Strawberries contain vitamin C, potassium, fiber, folate and flavonoids. Strawberries may also have an anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer effects and promote brain health. They may also lower cholesterol.
• Pomegranate Juice contains antioxidants, flavonoids, potassium, fiber, calcium.  Studies have indicated that pomegranate juice protects against plaque in the arteries. Pomegranate juice has antioxidant, anti-hypertensive, and anti-inflammatory effects that help fight heart disease, certain types of cancer, and brain degeneration.
• Tomatoes contain vitamins A, B,  and C. Potassium, iron, folic acid, phosphorus, carotenoids, fiber.  Tomatoes are loaded with lycopene, which may prevent certain cancers, protect your skin from UV rays, and promote prostate health.
• Plums are loaded with fiber, vitamins A and C. Plums help support immunity and may help slow down the development of atherosclerosis. Did you know that Polyphenols from dried plums may promote bone strength and density?
• Raspberries contain manganese, vitamin C and fiber. Raspberries may protect your eyes and improve heart health by preventing artery hardening and reducing blood pressure.

As you can see, these yummy fruits are loaded with vitamins, potassium, fiber, folate, flavonoids, Polyphenols, manganese, etc. However always do your due diligence especially if you are diabetic where fruits are concerned.