Should you peel fruits and vegetables?

The peel of many fruits and vegetables is often unappetizing.

However, according to Gabe Zarumskit, licensed dietitian, peeling certain foods isn’t a must, because peeling often has many health benefits.

I don’t peel some of my fruits and vegetables. She explains that I eat potatoes, carrots and kiwi with the skin on. Not only does the skin feed different types of gut microbes than the flesh, but it also contains fiber. Fiber is essential for a healthy gut microbiome. Washing the fruits with apple cider vinegar or salt water can help remove excess pesticides. »

Although it may be controversial, it is entirely possible to eat the pulp of apples and pears. To make them more edible, Gabi cuts them out from the core and removes the seeds.

“This way I have a little bit of pulp in every slice of apple or pear. I do this because the fruit’s peel, outer flesh, and pulp all feed different gut microbes. This is important because a diverse gut microbiome is associated with a wide range of physical and mental health benefits,” the expert explained.

In addition, the specialist points out that fermented foods should not only be used in savory dishes. “Yogurt, kefir, sauerkraut, kimchi, other pickled vegetables, as well as high-quality sourdough bread or kombucha are all fermented foods. They contain live bacteria, called probiotics, which play an important role in gut health, and therefore overall health,” she added. More fermented foods in your diet, for example, you can add kefir to your bowl of muesli or your morning porridge, or even add a variety of pickled vegetables to enhance the flavor of your meals. »