Seinfeld reference incoming.
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| Recently I was home visiting my parents, and my mom caught me double-dipping a spoon into a pot of soup on the stovetop. She was nothing short of horrified. The look on her face pretty much said, "I failed as a mother." | Ever a bastion of maturity and poise, I responded, "What?! It's not like I'm going to get you sick!" | Of course, I didn't have any evidence to back that up. And after a recent discussion with my fellow newsletter editors, it became clear that whether or not it's gross (and potentially harmful) to double-dip is yet another polarizing health question. So we took it to Mohini Bhakta, a registered dietitian at Healthline. Her answer is below. | | | | Enjoy! Ginger Wojcik Newsletter Editor, Healthline | | | Written by Ginger Wojcik May 28, 2024 • 3 min read | | | | | | Q: | Does double-dipping really spread germs? | | A: | For any Seinfelders out there, this question might be playing the infamous "George double-dipping at a wake" scene.
The simple answer to this question is yes — but it is unlikely that enough germs would be spread to get us sick. A study from 2008 found that double-dipping the same item 3 to 6 times can transfer up to 10,000 bacteria, but it is estimated that a sporadic double-dip transfers only 50 to 100 bacteria per bite.
For context, we have BILLIONS of bacteria in our mouths, and most of them are unlikely to get you sick! It's definitely not impossible that you could spread and/or catch germs by "contaminating" shareable food. But not washing hands and not covering a cough or sneeze are way more likely to pass along those potentially nasty bugs at your next shindig.
My advice would be to grab your own dip on your own plate so you can dip as many times as you want without the potential to be publicly shamed like George. Just make sure you get first dibs on the spread — anything is fair game after other people make it to the table. | | | Mohini Bhakta, Registered Dietitian | | Want to learn more about food, diets, cooking, or some other nutrition subject? Let us know at nutritionedition@healthline.com and we'll look into it for you! (Heads up, we may use your response in an upcoming newsletter.) | | | Hydration station | | | | | Stanley Quencher H2.0 Flowstate Tumbler | The Stanley Quencher has been around for a long time, but it wasn't until recently that this nondescript vessel reached legendary status. No, it's not just an extra-large insulated tumbler. It's a virtually indestructible extra-large insulated tumbler. There's a viral video involving a car fire to prove it. You can buy this one from Amazon right now or camp out in a Target parking lot with everyone else the next time a new model gets released. The choice is yours. | | Every product we recommend has gone through either Healthline's or Optum Store's vetting processes. If you buy through links on this page, we may receive a small commission or other tangible benefit. Healthline has sole editorial control over this newsletter. Potential uses for the products listed here are not health claims made by the manufacturers. Healthline and Optum Store are owned by RVO Health. | | | | | | | | | | Wellos is a sister brand of Healthline. | | | Transform your eating habits to regain your energy and your confidence. Wellos' tracking tools and personalized guidance can help you reach your goals. Start your 14-day free trial now. | | | | | | | | | What we're digesting | 🩺 How to tell if you've had a silent stroke. Yes, it's possible to have a stroke and not know it. | 📈 12 tips to prevent blood sugar spikes. From going low carb to eating more fiber, these healthy habits can be a big help. | 🚾 How many times a day should a person pee? How to find out if your urination frequency is in the normal range. | 👀 Top 10 foods for healthy eyes. Plus, other helpful tips and warning signs to be mindful of. | | Thanks for reading, friends. I'd like to end today with an informal poll: Is double-dipping gross? Email us yes or no at nutritionedition@healthline.com and we'll tally the votes! | | Until next time, | | Take care of yourself, and we'll see you again soon! | | | | | This edition was powered by | germs. | | | | |
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