With summertime upon us, gardens and farmers markets abound with fresh fruits and vegetables. And, while we know these foods pay dividends in terms of promoting good health, they can take quite a bit of additional time washing, slicing, dicing and generally preparing to eat.
“Kitchen injuries are among the most common reasons Americans go to the ER each year,” said Dr. Clayton Nelson, an orthopedic hand surgeon at SSM Health Bone & Joint | OSOI in Oklahoma City. “I counsel my patients that the best solution is always prevention.”
One of summer’s most popular fruits, the avocado, is notorious for causing injury when cutting. In fact, you may have even heard these injuries referred to as “avocado hand.”
Dr. Nelson has paired up with professional chef Gustavo Chang Risi to offer tips on how to use a knife safely when making guacamole, one of the most popular ways to enjoy avocados by the pool or on the patio during summer’s hottest days.
Dr. Nelson is offering the following tips for enjoying this tasty – and nutritious! – fruit this summer:
- Leave cutting to the adults. Find other ways for children to learn and help in the kitchen that do not involve knives.
- Use proper cutting tools. Only use kitchen tools as directed, and ensure knives are sharpened for maximum control.
- Use an even cutting surface. Do not cut on top of kitchen scraps or using your opposite hand as a cutting surface.
- Never place your hand under the blade. Keep yourself out of the pathway of a moving knife.
Watch the video below for more tips from Chef Gustavo’s perspective as well as demonstrations.
Looking for a healthy avocado recipe for your next get-together? Check out this one from SSM Health dietician Angela Harrison which will yield enough for your whole party:
Ingredients
- 2-3 fresh avocados, halved, peeled and cored
- 3 fresh tomatoes, diced
- 3 oz. fresh lime juice
- 1 oz. fresh cilantro, chopped
- 3 t garlic, minced
- 1.5 t fresh green onions, finely sliced
- 1 t black pepper
- 1 t salt
Instructions
- Rough chop the avocados and mash thoroughly with a spoon.
- Combine all ingredients and mix well.
- Hold refrigerated at 40 degrees and use within 24 hours.
In the unfortunate event you should become seriously injured, Dr. Nelson recommends dialing 911 or visiting your nearest emergency room.
For more information about orthopedic care at SSM Health, visit www.ssmhealth.com/orthopedics.
Now, on to the video!
