Thursday, January 5, 2012

Healthy Foods That Can Kill You - Part 2








Most everyone admits that they don’t eat enough fruits and vegetables, but before you start trying to increase your daily intake, there are a few things you should know—especially if you like to grow-your-own food or if you're a start-from-scratch cook. Some of the healthiest vegetables have relatives that could kill you.

 “Green” Potatoes
Another common toxin found in our kitchens includes potatoes that have turned green.  Solanine, a natural glycoalkaloid, can occur when potatoes are exposed to too much light.  The green color just under the skin strongly suggests that toxic build-up may have occurred. If you notice a slight green layer just under the potato skin, cut away the green portions of the potato skin before cooking and eating. There is no need to discard your favorite tuber since the non-green portion is safe to eat.  It is recommended not to consume potatoes with a bright green layer just under the potato’s skin since it may cause headache, nausea, fatigue and GI issues. You can avoid this problem by storing potatoes in a dark, cool, dry place.


(I've seen "Green" Potatoes but had no idea they were toxic.  I thought they were just not quite ripe.)

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