Raw Foods and its Benefits
Yes, I want to say it again and that is eating it raw. Many people would rather have their veggies cooked but the truth of the matter is we get more nutrients out of veggies as they are eaten raw. Now I must agree that boiling broccoli with a bit of melted cheese is just great and it is good to mix it up sometimes but try and at least add more raw foods to your diet.
In this article, we will be looking at the other side of cooked veggies and see what advantages cook veggies have vs uncooked veggies.
We live in a world where we love everything cooked because many of us have been programmed or trained that way from a child growing up. I understand that there are some veggies that need to be cooked and that’s fine but even with these veggies some person would rather have them overcooked
again the least we can do is have these veggies partially cooked so they can have some crunch and maintain some of its vitamins.
Cooked veggies
Have you ever ate cooked veggies that just turned you off because once it hit your mouth it felt like you were eating tissue paper because of how soft and mushy it was? This happened to me a few times before and to be honest, it was not pleasant at all. Talk about a complete turn-off.
The disadvantage of cooked veggies
Here are some facts that may help you stay away from overcooking veggies.
1. Nutrient loss- this is the danger of cooking or overcooking veggies either most or all of the nutrients are loose. So what is happening here is you are defeating the purpose of consuming veggies, the purpose is to get all of the vitamins you can, which are bodies requires for proper function.
2. Destroying vital properties- overcooking veggies can also destroy valuable properties that aid the body’s defense against many illnesses.
3. Mushy- that’s correct, the taste of mushy veggies are such a turn- off, mushy veggies taste like wet tissue.
4. Presentation-Its all about presentation. The sight of mushy veggies can be a real turn off.
Advantages of eating veggies raw
1. You get all of those needed vitamins.
2. You get all of the healing properties that are in these veggies which can help to fight cancer, promote heart health, improves the immune system, improves eyes and ear function just to name a few.
3. You get to enjoy your meal because of your appearance.
4. You will not be turn-off by the mushy taste because of the veggies maintaining their crunch and firmness.
5. It can help to increase your energy.
6. It is easier to prepare.
If you don’t like eating your veggies raw and have to cook them then make sure your veggies have some crunch or firmness to them, that way it will still retain some of its vitamins and healing properties which your body needs to function at its best.
Grilled, light boiled or steam is good, try to stay away from frying them or at least fry them in moderation.
The final word
Raw foods such as uncooked veggies may not be a favorite but by cultivating this practice you will be giving your body the nutrients it needs which makes a more healthy and happier you.
About the author
Norman loves being in the garden, both at home and for his job....
he is 'Natures Little helper' being outdoors, growing his vegetables and flowers from an early age.
Now having spent over 22 years in the profession he want to give some of his knowledge to others...
his vast array of hints and tips you will find scattered over this site will help you no end growing plants in your garden.
Interesting post! I never considered eating vegetables raw because it was not how I was raised. At most the only raw vegetable I have eaten would most likely be the carrot. Carrots and ranch go so great together. Does adding ranch to the carrots, remove some of the healthy aspects carrots are known to have?
Hello, Hello again my dare friend, thanks again for your support and it is always my pleasure to help you where I can. Ranch dressing is high in fat and sodium, but I must admit, they do make your salads taste really great. If you use ranch dressing, use in moderation.
But as far as taking away from the vitamin content of your salad not a problem, you will still be getting the full benefit of those vitamin. Hope this helps, all the best and thanks again.
What do you think are the best raw vegetables, in terms of sheer vitamin intake and the quality of the vitamins for the human body? I am assuming that the one that you consume are the same as the one’s that you believe are the best, however if I am incorrect, then what is your favorite raw vegetable meal to eat.
Hello again my friend, veggies such as cabbage, carrots, celery, sweet pepper, onion, tomatoes, broccoli and cauliflower are just a few that I love to eat raw or partially cooked. Hope this helps, thanks again. Wishing you the best.
While I definitely did enjoy reading this article and I learned a great deal of information, I was curious as to why you did not include the disadvantages of raw vegetables and the advantages of the cooked vegetables. Was it because raw vegetables are so much better than cooked vegetables, but I think that cooked vegetables can taste very good as long as the chef does not overcook the food.
Hello Emcqueen, it is so good to hear from you again, You point is well taken and thanks. The purpose of this article is to show persons the benefit of raw or partially cooked veggies because people tend to believe that because their plate may be loaded with overcooked veggies they are really getting the vitamins from them when they are not
It’s like going to the store and buying veggies of the shelve that was sitting there for weeks, you take it home open the can and they a soft or mushy, all veggies that are prepared this way do for you is full you but the vitamins have been destroyed.
So the point is eat it raw or partially cooked, hope this helps, all the best to you my friend, thanks for commenting. Have a good day.
Hi Norman
Great article. I fully agree with you, raw vegetables are jam packed with nutrients that are required by our bodies. Choosing organic vegetables where possible also gives you the added benefit of eating food that are free of harmful chemicals. Steaming vegetables are a great alternative for individuals that do not like the taste of raw vegetables. Have you found that you have more energy from eating raw vegetables, then when you cook them first?
Hello Liezel so good to hear from you, raw veggies or partially cooked veggies are a great choice because they get to maintain all or some of their vitamins. And you really do feel energize because of the vitamin content in uncooked veggies. I am glad that I could help, all the best to you and have a good day.Thanks for commenting.
Great information. Very good views, most people we overcook our food without knowing that we are actually killing most of the nutrients on them.
Thank you for giving tips on how to make your food testing without over cooking them.
Your site is very rich in information, I will keep on coming back here to educate myself.
Hello Sunewako it is so good to meet you and thanks for your support. We loose a look of vitamins when we overcook our foods but by eating them raw or preparing them in such a way where they can maintain their firmness we will be able to benefit from them.
I am glad that I could help, all the best to you and have a good day.
Hey Norman,
I found your post really informative. I had only heard from other people that eating vegetables raw was actually a lot healthier. I feel like that makes sense considering how our ancestors survived thousands of years ago. Is there any particular vegetable that’s particularly full of nutrition when eaten raw?
Hello Rhys it is so good too meet you, eating vegetables raw or partially cooked has so many vitamins and is of great benefit. some veggies that can be eaten raw are carrots, onions, cabbage, broccoli and cauliflower just to name a few. Hope this helps, all the best to you and keep eating healthy.
Love my raw veggies! So much quicker and easier than cooking, but I must say that in the colder months I do prefer my veggies to be warming as well as crunchy. Do the nutrients stay intact if you lightly steam them rather than boiling to the point of mush?
Hello Shirley so good to meet you, Veggies are packed with so much nutrients that can do a whole lot of good for our bodies. Yes lightly steamed is just fine. Glad that I could help all the best to you and have a good day.
Hey Norman, these are all great articles you write. Totally believe in everything you’re saying here. But I don’t stop at raw veggies. I think raw meat and eggs are a good idea too! I know that sounds crazy so let me clarify: meat (no poultry though) can be eaten raw if it’s 100% healthy, organic, grass-fed and has been frozen first, and eggs can be eaten raw, not frozen, if they’re also as healthy as possible (from your own organic free range flock). This is the healthiest way to eat.
Thanks for the great article!
Hello Holden so good to hear from you, this is very interesting. Thanks for commenting, for this insight and for your kind words. All the best to you and have a good day.
Hi, great post! I tend to forget that cooked veggies are a waste. Unfortunately eating vegetables in my life is hard enough lol. But I will have to try to get them more involved in my life if I want to stay healthy. Reason 3. is pretty funny. I never thought of mushy veggies as wet tissue lol. I have a suspicion I will be thinking this from now on whenever I have cooked vegetables! – Anthony
Hello Anthony it is so good to meet you and thanks for commenting. You know that is the best way I could describe mushy veggies. Eating raw veggies are so great and we get a lot of benefits from them in this way. I am glad that I left that impression lol, even though it may sound crazy. All the best to you and have a good day.
They are more easy to prepare-> You got that right Norman, Lol! I always hate to wait until my meal is done! I usually get back from the grocery shopping and I ate most of the veggies raw, especially the carrots and the cucumbers! What is your fav veggie?