Cooking food is a part of our daily lives and normal routines, but did you know that some foods are actually healthier to eat when they aren’t cooked?
Raw food diets have been trending lately as a way to eat healthier and more naturally. But as with most things in life, raw foods are best in moderation and as part of a diverse range of foods eaten daily.
Here are some important things to know about raw foods, the best foods to eat raw, and some benefits of keeping certain foods away from the oven, stove, or microwave.
Benefits of Eating Raw Foods
The main problem with cooking certain foods is that it can destroy enzymes that aid digestion. The process of heating can also deplete foods from healthy vitamins, minerals, proteins, and fats that they naturally contain.
Meanwhile, raw foods can make you feel fuller, which can prevent you from snacking on junk food when you’re not really hungry. Raw foods are flavorful, quick to prepare, and easy on the environment. Some people even find that it’s easier to lose weight when they start eating more raw foods.
Foods to Try Raw
It is not practical or even safe to eat some foods raw. But from a nutritional standpoint, it is best to eat some other foods raw as much as possible.
For example, onions are commonly used in cooking but even better to eat raw because of the nutrients and antioxidants they contain. Broccoli will retain more of its valuable nutrients, such as vitamin C and calcium, if you eat it raw. Tomatoes, nuts, beets, carrots, bell peppers, seaweed, blueberries, and coconuts are also the most nutritious when you eat them raw and without any heat preparation.
Finding Balance with Raw Foods
Balance is a key word to remember when changing your diet in any way. Eating raw foods doesn’t have to be an “all or nothing” endeavor, and in fact, it’s typically best to eat some raw foods and some cooked foods each day. When you cook produce, consume the water that you steamed it in because there are nutrients left behind in the water. Avoid overcooking vegetables to retain as many nutrients as possible, and steer clear of raw eggs, milk, and meat to avoid getting sick from salmonella poisoning.
If you don’t like the taste or texture of raw fruits and vegetables, an alternative to try is Seagate’s natural supplements. We grow and harvest the raw materials in all of our fruit and vegetable supplements from our own farming operations, and we can supply you with these concentrates that we process in our own plant. It’s literally the easiest and healthiest way to get the full benefit of raw foods without chomping into an uncooked vegetable or piece of fruit!