Updated August 27th 2025, 19:17 IST

Many individuals unknowingly make mistakes in how they prepare and consume foods, which can significantly impact their nutritional value. Everyday habits, like adding honey to boiling water or peeling fruits unnecessarily or storing foods incorrectly, can strip essential nutrients and even lead to harmful effects.
Adding honey to boiling water or milk can destroy its natural enzymes and antioxidants. It may even create harm when overheated.
Tip: Add honey to lukewarm or room-temperature drinks to preserve its health benefits.
Apple skins are packed with fibre, antioxidants, and vitamins essential for health. Peeling removes many of these vital nutrients and reduces overall nutritional value.
Tip: Wash apples thoroughly to eliminate wax, pesticides, or chemicals before eating. Consuming them unpeeled supports digestion and heart health and helps maintain stable blood sugar levels.
Many people overcook tomatoes, which can reduce the essential nutrients present in them.
Tip: Light cooking tomatoes enhances lycopene absorption, a key antioxidant for heart and skin health.
Refrigerating raw potatoes converts starch into sugar, altering taste and cooking quality.
Tip: Store potatoes in a cool, dark place, as it helps to maintain their natural texture, flavour, and nutrient content for longer freshness.
Steeping tea for too long can make it bitter and reduce its beneficial antioxidants.
Tip: Brew tea for 2-3 minutes for the perfect cup. Using freshly boiled water enhances flavour and preserves maximum nutrients.
Adding ice dilutes your smoothie, which reduces flavour and nutrients.
Tip: Use frozen fruits instead for a thicker, nutrient-rich blend.
Refrigerating avocados too early slows the ripening process and affects texture and flavour quality.
Tip: Keep them at room temperature until fully ripe for the best taste and consistency. Once it's ripe, refrigerate to prolong freshness for up to a few days, preventing overripening and reducing food waste effectively.
Published August 27th 2025, 19:10 IST