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Coffee after lunch is simply part of it? You should reconsider this, because the tannins it contains prevent the body from properly absorbing nutrients.

Why should you avoid the cup of coffee after a meal?

Coffee contains tannins – so-called tannins. With digestive enzymes and proteins, they are able to form complexes that make it difficult to absorb vitamins and minerals from plant products. For example, the iron absorption. In this way, the iron is absorbed, but without being utilized by the body. However, iron is essential for the body because it enables it, for example, to form blood.

You should therefore make sure not to drink coffee for at least half an hour after eating. This gives the body enough time to utilize all the vitamins and minerals in the food.

However, these tannins should not be seen exclusively negatively, because some of the tannins are considered anti-cancer, antimicrobial or anti-inflammatory. It is also important that tannin does not affect the absorption of iron from animal products; the inhibition can only be seen in plant products.

This is why iron is so important for the body

Iron is so incredibly important for the body because it forms the basis for the formation of the red blood pigment. Iron also plays a significant role in transporting oxygen in the blood. Iron is indispensable for the formation of blood.

Iron is also essential for the metabolism. There it is a component of enzymes. Iron plays a particularly important role in growing children and adolescents because it is important for brain development. In principle, adolescents, pregnant women and women in general have a very high iron requirement.

consequences of iron deficiency

The consequences of iron deficiency are clear: iron deficiency clearly has a negative effect on physical performance. In addition, the number of red blood cells, in the formation of which iron is involved, decreases. This leads to impaired oxygen transport in the blood. This in turn leads to a feeling of exhaustion. In addition, the body is more susceptible to infections.

Vitamin C increases iron absorption

If you have problems absorbing iron or even suffer from an iron deficiency, you can follow a few tips to make iron absorption easier. It is important that the supporting food contains vitamin C, because this vitamin has been shown to promote the absorption of iron in the body.

A glass of orange juice with food helps with iron absorption.
Also peppers, which you can cut into the salad, for example.
We also recommend stirring sea buckthorn butter* into your muesli.
Lactic acid, which is an organic acid, also supports iron absorption. This is contained, for example, in sauerkraut and in sour fruits.

These foods inhibit iron absorption

In addition to coffee, there are other foods that have a significantly negative effect on iron absorption. These foods no longer impede iron absorption once they are soaked, fermented, or sprouted. This produces the enzyme phytase, which enables absorption. Examples of these foods are:
legumes
Black tea
Grain

Conclusion

It is better to avoid coffee with breakfast or immediately after lunch in the future: the tannins it contains inhibit iron absorption in the body. However, this only applies to iron from plant products, but not to animal products. This is all the more important for vegetarians or vegans. With the help of foods containing vitamin C, there is even the possibility of improving iron absorption.

An unhealthy diet promotes the development of pimples and blemishes. Researchers have now discovered that a certain type of milk is also said to be responsible for the annoying pimples.

This milk is to blame for pimples

The research team examined the milk consumption of 225 subjects aged 14 to 19 years. The researchers found that acne was much more common among adolescents who consumed low-fat milk at least twice a day than among those who drank a dairy product at most once a week. The reason: the glycemic index, which indicates the effect of a product on blood sugar levels, is significantly higher in low-fat milk.

In addition, if the body produces more insulin, the production of male hormones also increases. These are responsible for the development of chronic inflammatory processes.
Acne patients in particular should therefore avoid high insulin levels and refrain from consuming low-fat milk. If you are not prone to skin impurities anyway, you can still use low-fat milk without hesitation.

There are some foods that are unfairly given a bad rap by many people. Here we explain which products you are sure to have made a mistake about.

1. Potatoes

The potato. We eat them as an accompaniment to all dishes, but they are not really considered healthy. They are often labeled as fattening foods, but they are even suitable for losing weight. The potatoes have an incredibly high satiety index and are a valuable source of nutrients. The potato contains hardly any fat, but plenty of starch, fiber and, for these proportions, a lot of protein. The vegetables also contain a lot of potassium, B vitamins, phytochemicals, iron, magnesium and phosphorus.

Tip: Of course, this only applies to cooked, unprocessed potatoes. A portion of boiled potatoes with quark keeps you full for an incredibly long time and is often eaten by athletes to provide energy.

2. Eggs

There is a lot of power in eggs. They contain a lot of protein, which athletes in particular take advantage of. They also contain various vitamins, such as vitamins B, A, D and K. The key point with eggs is the natural protein that our body can fully utilize. In combination with the amino acids, the interaction is optimal, and they also fill you up for a long time.

Eggs were notorious for a long time because of their high cholesterol level, but this is only a concern for people who already have high levels in this area anyway. For healthy people this is not relevant.

3. Coffee

A morning without coffee is unthinkable for many people. It helps us to start the day fit or to get us out of the midday slump. Three to four cups of coffee are considered normal daily consumption. The drink is said to promote our performance and reduce the risk of diabetes. In addition, coffee stimulates intestinal activity, thus promoting the intestinal flora and reducing the risk of colon cancer. Even the liver function is said to be significantly improved by the caffeine drink.

4. Chocolate

It is already known to have a high magnesium content. So it is good for nerves and muscles. It helps with stress and tastes great too. Cocoa even contains iron and zinc. But the digestion also benefits from the sweets, because in moderation they have an anti-inflammatory effect and boost the metabolism. The higher the cocoa content, the healthier the chocolate. Instead of a chocolate biscuit, simply snack on a bit of dark chocolate.

5. Peanut Butter

More than just fat – the peanut butter. It sounds incredibly unhealthy at first. The newfangled, delicious, sweet spread from the USA. Unfortunately, the unhealthy stereotype also applies to some varieties, but as soon as you reach for a product that consists only of peanuts and a little salt, you are supplying your body with vitamin E, fiber and proteins. Vitamin E, for example, helps to preserve cognitive abilities, especially in older people.

6. Popcorn

Of course, this doesn’t mean the sweetened, caramel-covered XXL popcorn bucket from the cinema, but popcorn is actually not as unhealthy as many people think. However, there are also salty or natural variants. Because popcorn contains medium- and long-chain carbohydrates, which provide energy over a long period of time. The popped corn contains fiber and the volume of the grains ensures a long saturation phase, which is why it is sometimes even used to lose weight – this certainly sounds utopian to some, but many athletes use popcorn as a source of energy.

7. Corn

Even in its pure form, corn is a great food. It is often avoided due to its starch content, but it is actually packed with proteins, fiber and B vitamins. For example, corn is ideal for very thin or weak people, because the starch it contains in large quantities helps to build up weight and body mass.

8. Burritos

The Mexican dish has long since arrived in Germany and is eaten here at least as much as in its home country. However, they are not exactly considered “healthy”. But it depends on the filling, because if you adjust it, the burrito is anything but unhealthy. For example, choose brown rice, chicken, beans and avocado and this meal will give you everything you need for the day. This dish is full of carbohydrates, fiber, vitamins, minerals and trace elements. However, you have to do without sour cream and cheese for the healthy version.

9. Bananas

Although the banana is a fruit, it is often considered unhealthy because of its high carbohydrate and sugar content. But due to its vitamin C, B6 and potassium content, it is actually very healthy. By the way, if it is a small fruit, it does not contain more calories than an apple.

10. Butter

She doesn’t have to let herself be taken away from bread. Butter contains saturated fatty acids, but also polyunsaturated fatty acids, such as the healthy omega-3 fatty acids. As many people think, saturated fat has not been shown to be bad for heart or cholesterol.

Thanks to vitamins A, D, E, omega-3 fatty acids and linoleic acid, the butter is anything but unhealthy. The butter is just right for people with stomach problems because it is easy to digest. Due to the milk fat it contains, the food also has a positive effect on the risk of heart attack.

Foods that never go bad: We all have these products in the fridge or in the pantry. Looking at the best-before date often causes uncertainty that shouldn’t be there. Because they exist: foods that don’t go bad.

foods high in sugar

The golden nectar, the honey, never goes bad by itself. But you have to make sure that it is tightly closed and stored in a cool and dry place. You should also make sure that no foreign bodies such as breadcrumbs get into the pure honey and, above all, no liquid, because this makes it sour. If the honey does crystallize, simply heat it up slightly and it will become liquid and lump-free again.

Maple syrup also has a high sugar content, which is why it has a long shelf life. Once maple syrup is open, it is best to put it in the refrigerator, as this will greatly increase its shelf life. As with honey, if maple syrup clumps, simply place in warm water and enjoy again.

When it comes to foods containing sugar, pure sugar should of course not be missing. It is non-perishable as bacteria cannot survive on pure sugar. In order to store it in the best possible way, you should seal the sugar airtight. Rock-hard lumps can form if liquid gets into the vessel.

dry foods

Rice is also always a good choice when it comes to storing long-life foods. Basmati rice, wild rice and jasmine rice in particular do not go bad if stored dry and airtight (e.g. in a screw-top jar). Note, however, that this does not apply to brown, oblong natural rice, which does not keep forever due to its high fat content. If you like a little more variety, you can also use bulgur, quinoa, couscous or buckwheat. Not only can they be used to conjure up great dishes, they can also be stored dry for several years.

Unsurprisingly, salt never goes bad and doesn’t lose its potency. It should only be protected from getting wet, otherwise it will clump together. Just close it tightly and you can always use it.

Commonly used to thicken sauces, the versatile cornstarch won’t spoil even when tightly sealed.

Non-perishable liquids

Vinegar, more precisely distilled white wine vinegar, is almost imperishable. So don’t mind if you’re happy to store lots of bottles to make sauces, marinades, and dressings. The uncomplicated storage, namely tightly closed in a cool, dark place, makes it a must-have in every kitchen.

If you often get one or the other schnapps as a gift and can’t use it up as quickly as you get it, you don’t have to worry. Even after opening, it takes several decades for the aroma to slowly fade.

Water is also a classic when it comes to long-lasting products. Most of the time, a best-before date is printed on the water. However, this does not refer to the water, but to the plastic bottle. Over time, the plastic bottle releases plasticizers into the water. It is therefore more advantageous to use water in glass bottles, because this can be stored in a cool and dark place forever.

Conscious handling of food

One likes to fetch full preserves from the farthest corner of the pantry. But don’t worry, even if there is a best-before date, they can be kept indefinitely. While the texture, color, and flavor may change, that doesn’t mean the canned food is bad. But you should be careful with bulging cans. This can be a sign that bacteria are active there and a fermentation process is taking place. Then, of course, full preserves are inedible.

Preservation of food in jars

Not only do these foods have a long shelf life, you can also ensure that foods last longer yourself. There are a number of preservation methods* for this, including boiling, pickling and drying. Preserving is particularly suitable for fresh fruit and vegetables and for ready-cooked dishes. In addition to cucumbers, you can also pickle beans, carrots, onions or peppers. One of the oldest and simplest methods of preserving food is drying. This works with fruit, vegetables, herbs, seeds, nuts, fish and meat.

to boil down food

To avoid that so much still good food ends up in the trash, note that food is often still safe to eat after the best-before date has passed. The prerequisite for this is that the pack is sealed and stored correctly. Food may therefore be resold after the best-before date has expired. On the other hand, the use-by date, which is usually found in more sensitive foods, indicates the last day on which it can be sold and consumed.

Asparagus is delicious and, thanks to valuable ingredients, also healthy. But as soon as you eat it, the delicious dish turns into a pungent smell in the toilet. Why is that?

The problem: Urine smells bad after eating asparagus

If only it weren’t for that unpleasant acrid smell when you go to the toilet, shortly after eating asparagus. However, fewer people are affected by this than is commonly thought.

The phenomenon of asparagus urine only occurs with every second person. The reasons can be very different. “Methanethiol, dimethyl sulfide and dimethyl disulphide compete in asparagus urine for the most unpleasant note,” says an article in the magazine Chemie in our time.
The foul-smelling substance trio is quite familiar to our nose: It also gives human biogases such as flatulence, mouth and athlete’s foot odor unpleasant notes.

Why does urine smell after eating asparagus?

Asparagus, whether white or green, contains asparagusic acid, which is initially odorless. However, if this is broken down, a sulphur-containing compound is formed which is excreted in the urine – with a corresponding odour.

However, this breakdown product only occurs if you have a certain enzyme – and not everyone does that. The genes decide who has this enzyme and who doesn’t. Only about 40 percent of people have such a gene that is able to produce the enzyme.

Still others can’t even smell the smell. The Apotheken Umschau writes that those affected then probably have a mutation in an odor receptor gene. But don’t worry, it’s neither bad nor dangerous.

Asparagus urine resembles skunk secretion

“The smell is harmless and not a sign of illness or poisoning,” reports Stefan Lorkowski, Professor of Nutritional Biochemistry at the University of Jena, to the Apotheken-Umschau. Stuffing when going to the toilet is still unpleasant. No wonder, since the substance is similar to the chemical compounds in the dreaded skunk secretion.

Only 15 minutes after enjoying an asparagus meal, it starts to smell. Nothing can be done about it. However, drinking plenty of water helps flush the breakdown products out of the body quickly.

Incidentally, the problem that the pee gives off a strange smell after eating asparagus is not new: reports of smelly asparagus urine have been around since the middle of the 17th century – a time when sulfur and sulfates were used as fertilizers for the first time.

For a long time, eggs were considered unhealthy: Harmful to the body, bad for blood lipid levels – but is that really true? A study has now shown that eggs are much better than their reputation. Here you can find out how healthy they are and what other myths you should know about.

Study from China: One egg a day reduces risk of stroke by a quarter

So far, eggs have had a reputation for promoting diseases such as heart attacks or strokes. They have been blamed for raising cholesterol levels in the body. The study by the researchers led by Liming Li contradicts this picture. Test persons who ate one egg a day had a 26 percent lower risk of suffering a stroke caused by a cerebral hemorrhage. The risk of cardiovascular disease fell by 18 percent in the experiment.

The researchers examined the data of 461,000 study participants. The result of the study contradicts earlier results and thus also the recommendations that the German Society for Nutrition (DGE), for example, adhered to for a long time.

For a long time, it was always advised to keep egg consumption low and eat a maximum of three eggs per week. This did not only mean the breakfast eggs, but any form of eggs, including processed ones, for example in pasta or mayonnaise.

Doubts about egg skepticism: “Currently no upper limit”

The study by the Chinese scientists is one of the more recent studies, all of which raise doubts about egg skepticism. While egg consumption alone has not been proven to reduce the risk of serious illnesses, such as heart attacks, the damage is unlikely to be as great as previously thought.

In the new rules for wholesome nutrition, which were updated in 2019, the DGE experts therefore deleted the egg warning. “Based on current scientific findings in connection with disease risks, no upper limit for egg consumption can currently be derived.

Eaten in moderation, eggs can complement the diet and be part of a wholesome diet,” explains the DGE on its website. If healthy people – for example at Easter – eat several eggs a day, this is probably not a health concern.

Egg Myths: Is Cholesterol Dangerous?

Some foods or their ingredients simply have a bad image – they are considered unhealthy or even harmful. One such substance is cholesterol – it is said to be dangerous. But is that actually true? Not per se, says Prof. Elisabeth Steinhagen-Thiessen, head of the nutritional sciences department at the Medical Clinic for Endocrinology and Metabolic Medicine at the Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin.

Cholesterol is a vital substance that is formed by the body itself. It is used for hormone and vitamin D formation. Cholesterol only becomes a problem when there is too much of it, explains Steinhagen-Thiessen. The recommendation for healthy people is: “No more than 300 milligrams of cholesterol a day” – that’s about the equivalent of a hen’s egg. The body needs cholesterol. Among other things, it smuggles messenger substances into the cell membrane. This is why the body produces its own cholesterol, especially in the liver.

It becomes problematic “if someone takes in between 600 and 800 milligrams a day”. Eggs, butter, meat or sausage contain a lot of cholesterol: depending on its size, an egg contains around 250 milligrams.

Is egg white made of proteins – and is the color of the yolk important?

Yes, but not exclusively. Because the thin egg white – also known colloquially as albumen – contains 90 percent water. The rest are vitamins, minerals and proteins, which are also often called proteins. However, the protein content in the yolk is even higher than in the egg white.

The color of the yolk ranges from bright yellow to deep orange, depending on what the hen is feeding. However, this does not change anything in terms of taste, freshness, nutritional value or quality. For a dark egg yolk, which is particularly appreciated by consumers, producers sometimes mix natural colorings – so-called carotenoids – into the green fodder.

Why do hens lay white or brown eggs?

This is genetic. Eggs can be white, brown, greenish or reddish – depending on which color pigments are embedded in the calcareous shell. These come from special glands in the chicken that are responsible for shell formation. Red pigments come from the blood, yellow ones from the bile. If they mix, the result is brown.

And no, there is no connection between plumage and egg color. In order to be able to deduce the color of the shell from the appearance of the chickens, you have to take a closer look. Namely on the flaps of skin under the ear, the earlobes.

If these are white in purebred chickens, these are usually their eggs too. If they have red earlobes, the shell is usually brown.

Are brown eggs healthier – and are organic eggs mostly brown?

The variants do not differ in the composition of the nutrients. The fact that there are mainly brown organic eggs is mainly due to consumer habits: they still mostly associate white shells with cage farming.

This assumption is used by the poultry industry, in that mostly brown eggs are sold, while white eggs are more likely to be found in bakeries, canteen kitchens and food processing companies. In general, there are fewer white specimens in Germany anyway – according to the Central Association of the German Poultry Industry, seven out of ten eggs are brown.
It is different in many Scandinavian countries, for example: According to the association, buyers there prefer white eggs.

Good news for egg lovers: hormones make you feel full

One advantage of eggs cannot be denied: They keep you full for longer because the body releases a satiety hormone when you eat eggs.

Eating healthy can be easier than you think. Even doing without a few products can give you a more positive body feeling. We show you 5 foods that you should avoid in the future.

Eat healthier: These 5 foods should disappear from the kitchen

This lowers the risk of diabetes and tooth decay. And it also gives you a good feeling overall: homemade is best after all. This applies to ketchup, ready-to-eat salads and “sweet” muesli in the morning.

But there is also a solution in areas where it is difficult to produce your own food – meat, for example – organic and from the region. The closer you are to the producer, the healthier the meat. In many cases, cheap meat comes from fattening farms that administer antibiotics and other harmful substances to their animals. It’s not healthy for us humans either.

Ketchup
ready-made salads
Sugary breakfast cereal
soft drinks
cheap meat

This is certainly not new. But often it’s the simplest things that you don’t think of – and that make so much difference. It’s worth trying.

Over time, unpleasant odors settle in every trash can that can no longer be removed by simply washing out. In this case, a solution with soda is simply a remedy.

Clean the trash can with a solution of 1 part baking soda, 1 part dish soap, and 10 parts warm water.

Put the solution in the trash can and let it sit for at least 5 minutes. Then clean the bin with a brush and warm water and the bad smells will be a thing of the past.

Here’s a little tip: Add a few drops of scented oil to the cleaning solution to create a great scent. Depending on how intense the fragrance may be according to your personal preferences.

Many natural home remedies for bad breath help to get rid of the bad odor coming from your mouth. Avoid and drive away bad breath with useful tips.

Simple home remedies for bad breath

Good oral hygiene is fundamental. Dentists recommend brushing your teeth thoroughly twice a day and also cleaning the spaces between your teeth. In addition to gargling with mouthwash, a tongue scraper is useful, since odors are often caused by the coating on the tongue.

If you are out and about and notice bad breath, you should always have dental care chewing gum or candies with eucalyptus, fennel, or anise on hand. In this way, one is equipped with a “first aid kit” against this unpleasant problem. But what home remedies are there for prevention?

1) Fight bad breath with apple cider vinegar

You can find naturally cloudy apple cider vinegar in any well-stocked supermarket. Now put a teaspoonful in a glass of lukewarm water, gargle with a sip, spit it out and drink the rest.

2) Mouthwashes with sage tea

The anti-inflammatory effects of sage tea are well known. To prevent bad breath, add a teaspoon of sage tea to a quarter-liter of water and let it steep for 8 – 10 minutes. Then rinse your mouth thoroughly with the lukewarm tea.

3) Combat bad breath with myrrh

Myrrh tincture has a beneficial effect on the oral mucosa, prevents inflammation, and is a traditional household remedy. If you put five drops in a glass of water and gargle with this solution several times a day, you are definitely doing yourself a favor.

4) Propolis cure to prevent bad breath

Propolis protects bees from diseases in the hive. This putty resin is antibacterial and inhibits inflammation. To prevent bad breath, several drops are added to a glass of water. Rinse and gargle your mouth with it.

5) Tea tree oil for gargling

Using the home remedy tea tree oil has a similar effect to the remedies mentioned above. Here, too, you put two to three drops in a glass of water and gargle with it.

6) Oil pulling for oral flora

Oil pulling is a traditional method to rid the mouth of bacteria and thus bad breath. You start by cleaning your tongue. Then you take about a tablespoonful of organic sunflower, sesame, or coconut oil into your mouth and move it back and forth for about 20 minutes. You shouldn’t be gargling. When the time is up, it is best to spit the oil into a paper towel and then throw it in the bin so that the toxins contained in it do not get into the water. Finally, brush your teeth thoroughly.

7) Healing earth binds toxins and helps against bad breath

You can also use the miracle cure healing earth to rinse your mouth. To do this, stir a teaspoon of healing earth thoroughly in a glass of water and rinse your mouth with it. To remove the remains of the healing clay, which can be unpleasant in the mouth, you should rinse with water several times.

8) Salt brine relieves many ailments, including bad breath

First, you have to prepare the brine. That takes a day. To do this, but one or more chunks of Himalayan salt in a glass jar with a lid and then fill it up with good spring water. This is left to stand for a day and you get a 26% brine solution, which is alkaline and thus counteracts the formation of acid in the mouth. Now put a teaspoon in a glass of water and gargle with it.

9) Fight bad breath with herbs

If you have a garden, growing a few herbs in it is a nice addition to the kitchen in general. Chewing the following fresh plants also helps against the problem of bad breath: thyme, parsley, dill, aniseed, marjoram, or fennel. If you have an apple tree, eating a grated apple will also help against this annoying problem.

10) Clean coated tongue

You should also regularly clean your coated tongue if you have bad breath. This is because a film builds up over time which can cause bad breath. For this, you need a tongue scraper from the drugstore or the Internet. Then you can use this to remove the coating from your tongue every evening.

Can ice cream go bad? This question is important both the next time you visit the ice cream parlor and for ice cream in your own freezer. We explain how you can extend the shelf life of ice cream and what you should pay attention to before consuming it.

Whether as a ball of ice cream in a cone, as a bar or on a stick: ice cream is particularly popular in summer. But can ice cream go bad? Here you can find out when you should stop eating the popular candy and what role the cold chain and best-before date play in this.

What role does the cold chain play?

Maybe you know it: You just bought an ice cream in the supermarket and were stopped on the way home. Suddenly you realize you’ve been carrying the fresh ice cream around with you for an hour in the heat. Can ice go bad if the cold chain has been broken for so long?

If you transported the ice in a cooler or in a special cooler bag, you may be lucky. But: Just to be on the safe side, check whether your ice cream is still good. If ice crystals have formed on the surface, this is a clear indication of an interrupted cold chain. In this case, you should not refreeze the ice cream. This is because germs can easily develop that can cause food poisoning.

Even if you have stored the ice cream in the freezer at home, you should still pay attention to the cold chain. It is best to fill smaller portions of ice cream into a bowl instead of leaving the whole pack out for a long time. Make sure to use a clean spoon or ice cream scoop for this.

Can ice go bad in the freezer?

If the cold chain is maintained throughout, you don’t have to worry. In this case, ice will last for many months. Of course, there is also a best-before date for ice cream. But you don’t necessarily have to stick to it. As a rule, you can still eat ice cream after a week has passed.

It’s best to do a little “taste test”: If your ice cream tastes fresh, it’s still edible. On the other hand, if it tastes slightly sour or has a different consistency, you should better dispose of it.

Tips for the ice cream parlor on the shelf life of ice cream

You can also easily recognize good ice cream in the ice cream parlor with a few tips. If you like to get vanilla ice cream at the ice cream parlor around the corner, next time you should take a closer look at the ice cream parlor. Is the water in the scoop clear or stale? Are the ice tubs clean? Does the ice cream itself look smooth and creamy? These indicators already tell you whether the ice cream is good or whether it could be contaminated.

A clear red flag that indicates “bad” ice is a friable surface. Then you can be sure that the ice has definitely been thawed before. The risk is great if you ingest germs and pathogens with the ice cream.

Make ice cream yourself

If you want to be on the safe side, you can of course prepare the frozen candy yourself. Then you can also be sure that there are no additives (such as flavor enhancers or preservatives and colorings) in the ice cream. However, even with the homemade varieties, make sure to use up the dessert quickly after the cold chain has been broken. Put ice cream that you don’t need back in the freezer as quickly as possible and use clean utensils to serve.