Chapman Family Cancer Wellness at Piedmont, says incorporating raw foods, specifically vegetables and fruits, into your diet can have numerous health benefits. “You will likely have more energy, better skin, improved digestion and a reduced risk of cardiovascular disease once you get used to eating raw food,” she says.
With that said, some vegetables are more nutritious raw than when cooked. For example, cruciferous vegetables like cauliflower, cabbage, broccoli, brussels sprouts and bok choy contain a chemical called myrosinase.
Your body has an easier time absorbing the carotenoids in carrots if you eat them cooked rather than raw. Cooking breaks down the vegetable's cell walls, making its nutrients more available. Of course, how you cook them matters—boiling vegetables can leach out nutrients, so it's better to steam, sauté, or roast.
Broccoli is healthiest when eaten raw or lightly steamed. Try adding broccoli to salads, soups and stews. Chop up broccoli into smaller pieces and take as a snack.
Tomatoes have long been known to be a good source of lycopene, the phytochemical which makes them red but which also has significant antioxidant properties. Now new research has shown that this antioxidant power can be boosted even more through the simple act of cooking the tomatoes.
Is it okay to eat carrots every day? Eating carrots in moderation is good for your health. Eating carrots in excess, however, can cause a condition called carotenemia. This refers to yellowish discoloration of the skin because of the deposition of a substance called beta-carotene that is present in carrots.
Food items like cucumbers, carrots, radishes, beetroot and tomatoes can be eaten raw in the form of salads. Potatoes should be well cooked before consuming them.
LEMONS. Often touted as the world's healthiest food, lemons have strong anti-inflammatory qualities and can help to inhibit the growth of cancer cells. They also have just as much Vitamin C as oranges. EASY EATING TIP: Add a slice of lemon to your tea or water bottle to get healthy and hydrated at the same time.
Carrots are a versatile vegetable. People can eat them raw, steamed, boiled, roasted, or as an ingredient in soups and stews. Boiling vegetables can reduce or eliminate some of the vitamin content. Raw or steamed carrots provide the most nutritional value.
The vitamin C in carrots helps your body build antibodies that defend your immune system. Vitamin C also helps your body take in and use iron and prevent infections. They can help with constipation. If you're having trouble going to the bathroom, try munching on some raw carrots.
Cauliflower: Raw and cooked.
Fresh cauliflower has 30 percent more protein and many different types of antioxidants such as quercetin. Raw cauliflower keeps the most antioxidants overall, but cooking cauliflower increases indole levels. Don't boil cauliflower in water because that loses the most antioxidants.
Steaming or boiling tomatoes is the preferred method of cooking to bring out more lycopene for optimal nutrition.
Yes, it's safe to eat zucchini raw. Just gently wash your zucchini first, then slice it up and enjoy. Just like with any food, there are potential side effects to eating a lot of it. Consuming a large amount of raw zucchini may lead to bloating.
Lettuce can be consumed raw, because of which most of its nutrients are conserved. It is popularly used in salads.
You can eat raw potato, but you might not want to. Raw potatoes contain solanine and lectins, two compounds that can cause gastric distress and potentially make you sick.
Widely recognized as one of the healthiest snacks available, celery is a wonderful source of fiber. Its fiber content is especially impressive given the vegetable's low calorie count. This makes it a great option for those concerned with losing weight or maintaining healthy digestion.