This is an archived article and the information in the story may be outdated. Please check the time stamp on the story to see when it was updated last.
Going out to eat at a restaurant can be a fun outing, but it can also be a very unhealthy outing. We all know that many foods on a restaurant’s menu can be a lot unhealthier than making the same dish at home, but what a lot of people don’t realize is that restaurants can also be unhealthy for us in other ways.
Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, we have all been paying more attention to the spread of germs and cleanliness practices. And there is one food that many experts say you should avoid ordering from restaurants because they run the risk of perpetuating the spread of germs.
We’re talking about lemons. Right now, you’re probably thinking that you never order lemons at a restaurant, but in reality most of us do - we often get a lemon mixed in with a glass of water.
According to research from the Journal of Environmental Health, 70% of lemons in restaurants may be contaminated with bacteria. This is because oftentimes a server or bartender throws the lemon into a drink after touching other surfaces.
Next time you’re out to eat, opt for a plain glass of water with no lemon or lime wedges. Even with enhanced health and safety protocols implemented at just about every restaurant in the country, you can never be too careful.
