Raw food or cooked – What would you prefer for better mind, body, and soul

The moment you enter the world of social media, from celebs to nutritionists everyone seems to be yapping about what food one must eat and what to skip. The biggest of all puzzles to solve is whether to go for raw food or cooked food. Isn’t it?

When it comes to weight loss, we have been seeing everyone opting for raw salads, fruits, etc. But in hindsight, nutritionists also suggest that it’s better to go for cooked food because cooking kills the germs in the food. And in this mash-up, we are left alone in confusion.

Well, looks like we are sailing in the same boat and that makes it all the more important to know which kind of food will suit your requirements. That’s why we got in touch with nutritionist and dietician Manisha Chopra and asked her everything about raw versus cooked food.
Come and check this!

Is raw food really good? Why?

Raw food is better because:

• Raw food preserves phytochemicals so you can take advantage of their protective health benefits.
• Eating raw food means eating more unprocessed, whole food.
• Research shows that eating raw food may be better for mental health.
• Eating raw food helps in losing weight.

Here are some drawbacks of eating raw foods that you need to watch out for:

• Raw food is hard to digest.
• They are not that good in taste and smell.
• They have bacteria present on them which might be harmful to the body.

What’s so good about cooked food?

Cooked food is better because:

• Cooked food tastes better.
• Cooked food is easier to chew and digest.
• Cooking increases the antioxidant capacity of some vegetables.
• Cooking kills off harmful bacteria and microorganisms.

Apparently, cooked foods also have some drawbacks:

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• Cooking may destroy enzymes in food.
• Some water-soluble vitamins are lost in the cooking process.

Does timing matter to eating raw or cooked food?

Before consuming raw fruits and veggies, they should be washed properly with clean water. Veggies can be soaked in warm water for half an hour before eating.

“Wash all veggies thoroughly before cooking food. Make sure your hands, utensils, and kitchen surfaces are clean. Make sure to peel off the skin of foods that might not be good for your health. For example: potatoes, carrots, bottle gourd, etc.,” says Manisha.
Verdict time

Both raw foods and cooked foods have their own benefits and limitations. You should include both in your diet. Following is a list of foods that are better when eaten raw and those that are better when eaten cooked.

Foods that are better when eaten raw:

• Celery
• Carrots
• Garlic
• Onions
• Cucumber

Foods that are better when eaten after cooking:

• Tomatoes
• Potatoes
• Asparagus
• Mushrooms
• Spinach
• Legumes
• Poultry, meat, and fish

Ta-da! The verdict is out and looks like you need to strike the right balance to make the most of it.