Some more surprises
However, not every vegan-friendly food is better for you in its raw state. Here are five vegan foods that are healthier when you cook them:
Tomatoes
Do you love fresh raw tomatoes in your salad bowls? If so, you are not alone. Many people love raw tomatoes. Of course, raw tomatoes are great for your health. They contain vitamin C, vitamin A, calcium, potassium, and phosphorous.
Yet
tomatoes are even better for you when you cook them. Cooking a tomato increases
its antioxidant properties. Once cooked, a tomato has higher levels of a
phytochemical called lycopene. Lycopene makes tomatoes red and improves the
health of your heart. It can also lower your risk for certain types of cancer.
Are you wondering about the most delicious way to cook tomatoes? If you are, then consider roasting vine tomatoes with balsamic vinegar, garlic, thyme, black pepper, and olive oil.
Mushrooms
Raw
mushrooms may taste great in salads, but you should probably avoid them. Raw
mushrooms contain agaritine, which is a carcinogen. It is also impossible for
your body to digest raw mushrooms. Because you cannot digest raw mushrooms, you
will not get any nutritional benefits from eating them.
Cooked
mushrooms contain many nutrients. These include protein, carbohydrates,
calcium, selenium, zinc, choline, vitamin D, fiber, potassium, magnesium,
vitamin C, and several B vitamins, including folate.
To
make your cooked mushrooms taste gorgeous, consider sautéing them in
garlic-infused olive oil or butter.
Bell Peppers
Bell
peppers contain carotenoids, which are a powerful type of antioxidant. Bell
peppers gain nutritional value when you cook them. Cooking a pepper will break
down its cell walls, making the carotenoids inside easier for your body to
absorb. However, try to avoid overcooking peppers. Cooking a pepper for too
long will remove some of its vitamin C content.
To
get the maximum possible nutrition from peppers, try lightly cooking them in a
stir fry. Ideally, they should still be slightly crunchy rather than soft and
overcooked.
Carrots
There
is a strong link between antioxidants and longevity. They can help protect the
body against various types of cancer.
Carrots
are full of antioxidants. Therefore, nutritionists often recommend eating them.
When you cook a carrot, the antioxidant levels increase significantly. However,
a carrot contains less vitamin C once you cook it. If you are eating carrots
for extra antioxidants, cook them. If you want to boost your vitamin C levels,
eat them raw in a salad or coleslaw.
Do
you prefer to cook your carrots? If you do, try glazing carrots in honey before
roasting them in the oven. You can also add carrots to an assortment of
comforting hot soups and stews.
Spinach
Spinach
contains vitamin C, vitamin A, vitamin K, iron, folate, and potassium. Because
it is so rich in nutrients, nutritionists call spinach a superfood. Spinach
leaves taste great in a salad or as part of a sandwich. However, you will get
more nutritional value from spinach by cooking it. For instance, cooking
spinach increased its iron content significantly.
Spinach
tastes delicious when you sauté it. It is also tasty in spinach pasta or mixed
into pancakes. If you wish to have a treat, try using spinach to make a Greek
vegetarian pastry called spanakopita. For further inspiration, look for spinach
recipes online.
Get The Most Out of Your Food
Now
you know more about five foods that have extra nutritional value when cooked.
All that remains is for you to try out some of the yummy recipes mentioned in
this article to satisfy your appetite and improve your health.
Now
read about Five Vegetables You Should Never Eat Raw.