8 Foods That Are More Nutritious Raw
Cooking some foods unlocks their nutrients, but eating certain raw foods is more nutritious. Here are eight to try raw, for maximum nutrition.
By Alissa Cohen
Raw Nuts Protect the Heart
Raw nuts have healthy fats that are essential to the body. Raw
nuts can help lower the LDL (low-density lipoprotein), or "bad,"
cholesterol level in the blood. Raw nuts can reduce your risk of blood
clots and can improve the healthy lining of your arteries
When nuts are roasted at a temperature higher than 170 degrees, those
disease-fighting fats get broken down into free radicals that do just
the opposite: contribute to plaque and cardiovascular disease.
Did you know that nuts are also among the best sources of Vitamin E?
Alissa Cohen is the internationally recognized author of Living on Live Food, a raw food chef and the owner of Boston's renowned Grezzo restaurant, and a certified fitness trainer, nutritional consultant and mind-body therapist. This month, Cohen is making her expertise available nationwide with the launch of an online shop in partnership with OpenSky at AlissaCohen.com.
Did you know that nuts are also among the best sources of Vitamin E?
Alissa Cohen is the internationally recognized author of Living on Live Food, a raw food chef and the owner of Boston's renowned Grezzo restaurant, and a certified fitness trainer, nutritional consultant and mind-body therapist. This month, Cohen is making her expertise available nationwide with the launch of an online shop in partnership with OpenSky at AlissaCohen.com.
Raw Broccoli Fights Cancer
Eating raw broccoli, and the chewing process involved, helps to
rupture the special compound that is located in the plant's cell walls,
an enzyme called myrosinase, that revs up your liver's ability to
detoxify carcinogens. Cooking broccoli inactivates the enzyme. People
eating steamed broccoli seem to get only about a third as much of these
special cancer-fighting compounds.
Enjoy raw broccoli, one of the best sources of Vitamin K, along with other fresh veggies with a simple veggie dip.
Enjoy raw broccoli, one of the best sources of Vitamin K, along with other fresh veggies with a simple veggie dip.
Raw Garlic Protects DNA
Chewing raw garlic produces a DNA-protecting compound called
allicin. One minute of cooking, though, completely inactivates this
enzyme, and when you eat it cooked, you absorb little or none of the
protective allicin compound.
See how to grow your own garlic – it's one of the easiest perennial vegetables to grow.
See how to grow your own garlic – it's one of the easiest perennial vegetables to grow.
Raw Juice Retains Vitamins
What could be better for you than fruit or vegetable juice from
the store? Raw fruit and vegetable juice! When you buy juice, it is
always pasteurized. Pasteurization not only kills bacteria and preserves
the juice, it also destroys many (if not most) of the vitamins,
minerals and enzymes, along with their health-promoting properties.
Sometimes the process adds chemicals, sugars and other unhealthy
ingredients. Fortunately, juice is easy to make at home, so try fresh,
raw, homemade juice for a burst of nutrition.
Did you know? Orange juice is a top source of potassium, and grapefruit juice has almost as much vitamin C as an orange.
Did you know? Orange juice is a top source of potassium, and grapefruit juice has almost as much vitamin C as an orange.
Raw Salt Is Loaded with Minerals
Raw salts contain trace essential minerals essential to good
health. Table salt is typically heated to high temperatures, treated
with chemicals and then bleached. This kind of salt is toxic. Raw
mineral salts such as Himalayan, Fleur de sel and others are crucial for proper mineral balance.
Of course, not all salt is good. Many packaged food and fast food is loaded with surprising amounts of sodium. For healthy cheap eats try these 50 healthy foods for under $1 a pound.
Did you know? The words "made with whole grains" on food packaging don't always mean what they seem to.
Of course, not all salt is good. Many packaged food and fast food is loaded with surprising amounts of sodium. For healthy cheap eats try these 50 healthy foods for under $1 a pound.
Raw Cacao (Chocolate) Is Brain Food
Raw cacao (chocolate) contains a wealth of nutrients: essential vitamins and minerals that boost the body's neurotransmitters, and phyto-chemicals that activate the mood-elevating emotion of "euphoria." No wonder chocolate's so popular! Cooked cacao, which is what you'll find in most chocolate bars and baked goods, loses much of its nutritional value. When the oils and fats within the cacao bean are heated, they actually can become toxic. And, as we know, chocolate is often highly processed with added sugars, dairy products and other ingredients that don't exactly improve nutrition. Using raw cacao and a natural sweeter, you can make your own healthy chocolate!Raw Chia Seeds Are Nutrient-Dense
Four tablespoons of chia seeds supply as much calcium as three cups of milk, as much magnesium as 10 stalks of broccoli, as much iron as one-half cup of red kidney beans, 30% more antioxidants than blueberries, 25% more dietary fiber than flaxseed and approximately the same amount of omega-3 as a 32-ounce fillet of salmon. Instead of a typical hot breakfast cereal, try a chia breakfast pudding for a more nutritious start to your day!Did you know? The words "made with whole grains" on food packaging don't always mean what they seem to.