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Oko-Test Explains Why You Should Enjoy Strawberries Seasonally

Strawberries are a real summer highlight. Then we’re really lucky that we can enjoy Spanish strawberries as early as January, right? OKO-TEST explains why you should enjoy strawberries seasonally and why you should choose German fruit.

Thanks to large strawberry plantations in Spain, we can enjoy the red fruit all year round at reasonable prices. Actually sounds pretty perfect. But exactly the opposite is the case, as Oko-Test proves.

Strawberries are in season from May to August. However, as a rule, strawberries can be found on fruit shelves all year round as they are grown in Huelva in southern Spain. In this region, it is pleasantly warm all year round, but there is not much precipitation there. And that’s where the problem lies.

A whopping 276 liters of water are needed to grow one kilogram of strawberries. But since water is a scarce commodity in southern Spain, farmers dig illegal wells to irrigate the fields. Due to large-scale agriculture, the water consumption in southern Spain is significantly greater than the proportion that can be obtained naturally.

The consequences are dramatic: the groundwater level drops by ten meters every year, rivers dry up and many regions are threatened by desertification.

Oko-Test recommends seasonal strawberries from Germany

Another problem with Spanish strawberries is the high pesticide load. In Germany, much stricter guidelines apply and many pesticides are banned. Although Spain sells the majority of strawberries to Germany, its own regulations apply and not the German ones.

It is gratifying that the current pesticide load is lower than in previous years. However, the pesticides that are used are of particular concern as they are carcinogenic or toxic to reproduction.

The test results

A total of ten strawberries from Spain were tested in different supermarkets. Whether it’s Aldi, Edeka, Rewe, Lidl, Kaufland, Norma, Real, or Penny: All strawberries come from extremely dry regions and are contaminated with pesticides. Only in the case of the strawberries from Aldi Nord were no particularly questionable pesticides found. The overall rating was sufficient for all strawberries. Rewe’s strawberries were even rated unsatisfactory.

Oko-Test recommendations

Enjoy local strawberries. Not only are they less contaminated with pesticides, but they also taste even better. In addition, the high water consumption in Germany is less of a concern because they are grown in regions where there is no risk of desertification.

Strawberries from Spain or Morocco are ecologically extremely questionable because a large amount of water is used for cultivation.

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health

Skipping Breakfast as a Meltdown: An Expert Explains Why It’s so Important – Five Tips

More and more people are skipping breakfast. They either grab a quick bite to eat or just a small espresso. Nutrition expert and sports lecturer Ingo Froboese now explains that this is anything but healthy.

“Breakfast is essential for the organism,” says the expert

In addition, you would trigger the metabolic rhythm with a boisterous and nutritious breakfast. In addition, the expert advises to compensate for the loss of fluids. “We lose around 1.5 liters of fluids during the night. That’s why before you eat anything, you should drink a lukewarm glass of water to replenish fluids and cleanse the body.”

After the alarm clock rings, the happiness hormone “serotonin” and the drive-enhancing hormone “adrenaline” are ready to push you through the day. These effects can be further intensified with a carbohydrate-rich breakfast, because the hormones can be supplied with the necessary nutrients. If you skip breakfast, for example to save calories, this can lead to a lack of energy and also to listlessness. “The body then shuts down on the back burner,” explains Froboese in his blog.

The need for energy is particularly high after getting up. The brain, muscles and organs would need “fuel” to function. “A healthy and balanced breakfast gets your metabolism out of the basement and lets you start the day with vigour. Your body is dependent on the energy it needs for breakfast, if you deny it this energy this can lead to ravenous hunger attacks or an increased desire for unhealthy ones Snacks before it’s time for lunch,” explains the expert.

His five best tips for a balanced breakfast:

1. Whole grains are better than white flour. Whole grain is an essential source of fiber that fills you up and also regulates intestinal activity. In addition, complex carbohydrates are found in whole grain products. That means you have a low “glycemic index”. This gives you more energy in the long run. In comparison, white flour products are rich in carbohydrates and therefore have a high “glycemic index”. Therefore, these products get into the blood much faster and only provide the body with energy for a short time. Once this first phase has subsided, ravenous hunger attacks can increase, because white flour does not have a filling effect in the long term.

2. Muesli with fruit. This combination supplies the body and in particular the brain and muscles with energy and increases resistance to the hustle and bustle of everyday life. With increased tension, the liver produces more sugar, which is supposed to mobilize the activity hormone adrenaline. The muesli with fruit would reduce this adrenaline release and thus prevent stress and hectic.

3. Good fats matter. Fats in general stimulate the most important metabolic activities in the body. Namely, this is the carbohydrate and fat metabolism. Nuts in particular or a little butter accelerate the processing of fat throughout the day. Hence Frobo’s recommendation: “Cover 30 percent of your daily fat requirement with breakfast!”

4. Protein is a must. Proteins are essential fuel suppliers for the brain and muscles. So we only remain efficient if we eat enough protein. However, the expert advises against powder. “You will find sufficient sources on a balanced diet.” Particularly good sources of protein are: eggs, cream cheese, quark, milk or soy milk, yoghurt and nuts. Getting enough protein not only benefits the brain, but also digestion, detoxification, and cell repair. About 15 percent of the daily requirement should already be covered with breakfast.

5. Drink water. The expert considers a glass of water, preferably right after getting up, to be useful. It is particularly important for “filling up the liquid storage”. He also has a tip for people who don’t like the water that much per se. “You can give the drink a flavorful touch by adding some ginger or lime. It will give the metabolism an extra boost.”

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Food

Expert Explains: This is Why Fish is so Healthy

It is said that eating fish is healthy. Rosina Püttmann from the Competence Center for Nutrition in Kulmbach explains why this is actually the case and which fish also score in terms of sustainability and regionality.

Rosina Püttmann: Regular consumption of fish can, for example, reduce the risk of heart disease, stroke or dyslipidemia. In addition to high-quality protein and omega-3 fatty acids, fish also provides vitamin D, selenium and iodine. High-fat sea fish such as salmon, mackerel or herring are particularly rich in long-chain omega-3 fatty acids. But domestic freshwater fish such as trout or carp also contain the same amount of omega-3 fatty acids as low-fat sea fish (saithe, hake, plaice or redfish).

How often should we eat fish – and how much?

The German Society for Nutrition (DGE) recommends one to two portions of fish per week, ideally 70 g of high-fat sea fish such as salmon, mackerel or herring and 150 g of low-fat fish. In reality, however, significantly less fish is eaten.

As part of its quality standards for community catering, the DGE recommends e.g. For example, sea fish should be included in the menu four times within 20 catering days (i.e. once a week) in day-care centers and schools.

Franconia is considered a fish region: which local species is the healthiest?

Trout, char and especially carp can be found most often on the menu in the Franconian region. These freshwater fish also contain the nutrients mentioned that make fish so valuable as food. A weekly fish meal of 200 g of trout or char fillet can cover the need for omega-3 fatty acids.

The carp, which is popular in Franconia, is in no way inferior to the ingredients of its freshwater colleagues. The fat content of the carp depends on its feeding. The natural fat content is around 4-5%, similar to that of trout.

How do I get the best out of the fish?

Whether roasting, baking, boiling, poaching, grilling, stewing or steaming, all cooking methods are suitable for fish. In general, nutrient-friendly cooking methods such as stewing or steaming should be preferred. The additional addition of fat can be dispensed with here.

For fat-free steaming, you can place the fish with herbs in a roasting foil and then cook in the oven. Herbs and spices such as basil, dill, curry, thyme, pepper, mustard, mustard seeds, ginger and garlic go well with the fish.

Anyone who likes to eat the fish fried and/or breaded or deep-fried should be aware of the higher fat content, which is then hidden in the breading.

Keyword sustainability: What do consumers have to consider?

More and more fish stocks are affected by overfishing. It is therefore important to pay attention to a sustainable origin and to select fish from stock-preserving and environmentally friendly fisheries or aquaculture. Seals from various organizations and associations, such as the MSC seal or the ASC seal, offer help with purchasing. For orientation, there are also checklists and guides for buying fish that show which fish are a good choice. Local fish such as Franconian carp score points in terms of sustainability with shorter transport routes and their freshness.

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