Actually, raw broccoli is not necessarily more healthful than cooked. Broccoli is part of the cruciferous vegetable family and great food to include in your diet either raw or lightly cooked. These vegetables provide many nutrients but their unique contribution is a group of compounds called glucosinolates.
Cooking (Or Not Cooking) Broccoli To Protect Its Nutritional Riches : The Salt Cooking broccoli too long destroys the beneficial enzyme that breaks down chemicals into cancer fighters. The best way to eat it is raw or steamed for just two to three minutes, a nutrition expert says.
Bottom Line: If you like broccoli, eat it raw: it's more nutritious. Or, if you prefer it cooked, Martijn Vermeulen, Ph. D., the study's lead researcher, suggests steaming it until it's cooked but still crunchy. Some research suggests this method may keep sulforaphane available.
For example, steaming or boiling carrots or broccoli destroys much of their soluble fiber. Deep-frying a potato breaks down both the insoluble and soluble fiber, leaving very little your body can utilize. For the highest fiber retention, eat your vegetables raw or as close to raw as possible.
While boiled broccoli is often soggy, steamed broccoli is characteristically crisp-tender. Plus, when you boil broccoli, some of the nutrients leach into the boiling water. You don't have to worry about that with steaming. Your steamed broccoli will be a great meal-prep building block because it's like a blank canvas.
Yes, it is okay to eat broccoli every day. Daily consumption of broccoli can lower cholesterol levels, support the body's natural detoxification process, control blood sugar, etc. However, overconsumption of the vegetable is harmful as it may lead to weight gain and constipation.
Boiling leaches out the vegetable's water-soluble vitamins in these vegetables, such as vitamin C and folate, as well as many of the glucosinolate compounds, which are water-soluble, too. Moreover, too much exposure to high temperatures destroys the enzyme that converts the inactive glucosinolates to active compounds.
Some studies recommend 2-3 servings of broccoli (or other cruciferous vegetables) per week. Others show results that broccoli once a week may be enough to reduce the risk of developing certain types of cancers (like prostate cancer).
The potato still scores more wins than losses on nutrients. It yields about half the calcium and vitamin C of broccoli per acre and none of the vitamin A, but it has three times the iron, phosphorus and potassium.
A lot of the carbs in carrots are fiber and fiber is beneficial for all kinds of things, including reducing LDL cholesterol and the risk of heart disease. Broccoli is rich in vitamins including a high amount of Vitamin K, a number of B-vitamins and Vitamin C.
That's why steaming is one of the best ways to maximize nutrients. It turns out that's especially true for broccoli. When in doubt, microwave. That's because microwaving uses little to no water, and can heat the vegetable quickly, thus preserving nutrients such as vitamin C that break down when heated.
Iceberg Lettuce
It has almost no nutritional value, less than one gram of fiber per cup, and only 10 calories.
Broccoli is rich in brain-healthy antioxidants like vitamin C and flavonoids. Broccoli also contains compounds called glucosinolates, which the body breaks down into compounds called isothiocyanates. Isothiocyanates can lower the risk of neurodegenerative diseases.
"Fresh veggies often taste the best, especially if the vegetable is in season. But the good news is that the nutritional value of a vegetable isn't reduced during either the canning or freezing process — making canned or frozen veggies just as healthy as fresh ones.
Many restaurants roast or pan-fry their vegetable side dishes in bacon, butter, or other animal fat – or a mixture of these. Why? Because it makes veggies taste richer, more flavorful, and saltier than they would if you cooked them at home, which encourages you and other customers to keep coming back for more.
Once removed from the boiling water , cauliflower and broccoli are left to drain well, it is as simple as leaving in a colander over a saucepan. To get whiter cauliflower while boiling in a pot, add a little milk. Broccoli is best cooked, if not boiled in water and steam.
Is it better to steam or microwave broccoli? Microwaving is a safe way to cook broccoli and requires less time than steaming. Microwaving is also thought to preserve the nutrients in vegetables most effectively.