It's important to note that not all vegetables can be safely consumed in their raw state. Certain vegetables contain either harmful enzymes or natural toxins that must be deactivated through the cooking process before they are safe to consume.
Food items like cucumbers, carrots, radishes, beetroot and tomatoes can be eaten raw in the form of salads. Potatoes should be well cooked before consuming them.
But there are many vegetables that are starchy in nature, such as corns, potatoes, cowpeas, black-eyed peas and water chestnuts. You should never mix them with high protein fruits and vegetables such as raisins, guava, spinach and broccoli.
"Cucumbers are loaded with minerals that aid in keeping you hydrated, but they also have a feature that interferes with the absorption of Vitamin C," says Tanya S. Kapoor, nutritionist, and dietitian, Wellness by Tanya. Therefore, most of the time, the combination of cucumber and tomato is advised to be avoided.
Cauliflower may be just what you're searching for. This versatile veggie can be eaten raw, cooked, roasted, grilled, baked into a pizza crust, or cooked and mashed as a substitute for mashed potatoes. You can even rice cauliflower and serve it in place of white rice.
Healthy Eating
Broccoli can be eaten raw, cooked with meals, or as a snack.
Some of the most nutritious greens include spinach, kale, romaine, watercress, and arugula (see "Salad greens by the numbers"). They are rich in a combination of vitamins A, C, and K; several B vitamins (including folate); and potassium.
Zucchini is a very versatile fruit that a person can eat both raw and cooked. Here are some examples of how to prepare and eat zucchini. Thinly slice or grate raw zucchini and add it to salads. Chopped, sliced, or diced zucchini is a good option to add to stir fry dishes.
Mild with a distinctly crisp and refreshing flavor, cucumbers are commonly enjoyed fresh or pickled in everything from salads to sandwiches. Cucumbers are also often eaten raw as a low-calorie snack or can be paired with hummus, olive oil, salt or salad dressing to add a bit more flavor.
Raw potatoes contain solanine and lectins, two compounds that can cause gastric distress and potentially make you sick. Additionally, raw potatoes contain resistant starch, which is difficult to digest, and their overall taste and texture is nothing like the potatoes you know and love. When in doubt, cook that potato.
Yellow onions can be a little strong when eaten raw. Because they have a slightly higher starch content they hold up well to heat; therefore, this is the ideal all-purpose cooking onion. Although they are even sharper in flavor than yellow, red onions are often eaten raw.
The milder, young leaves can be eaten raw in a salad, while the older ones are usually cooked (spinach has one of the shortest cooking times of all vegetables). It reduces very dramatically during cooking; a 450g bag will be just enough for two people. Read our guide on the health benefits of spinach.
Radishes are a great vegetable to eat every day. They are low in calories and fat, and high in fiber. Radishes also contain vitamins C and B6, as well as magnesium, potassium, and iron. This vegetable is a great source of antioxidants.
Carrots are a versatile vegetable. People can eat them raw, steamed, boiled, roasted, or as an ingredient in soups and stews. Boiling vegetables can reduce or eliminate some of the vitamin content. Raw or steamed carrots provide the most nutritional value.
While it's generally safe to consume raw eggs, there are very few reasons to do so. Raw eggs typically contain the same benefits as cooked eggs but they don't aid nutrient absorption quite as well.
Answer: Lunch and Dinner!
If you could only select five foods to survive on, potatoes, kale, trail mix, grains, and beans would get you pretty far.
Vasant Lad notes that yogurt shouldn't be paired with milk. In addition to this, he also lists down a couple of everyday foods, that you may have been combining all your life with yogurt but shouldn't be! These include sour fruits, melons, fish, mango, starches, cheese and bananas.