01/8Eat these raw foods for maximum benefits

Eat these raw foods for maximum benefits

Raw food diet is a concept very similar to veganism. It is mostly made up of fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds and sprouted grains. Raw food items are free from oil, as they aren’t cooked and thus, they are low in calories. Exposing certain food items to high heat reduces their nutritional content and the number of antioxidants present in them. Here are some food items that you can include in your diet for maximum benefit. (image credits- istock)




Onions are probably the most used vegetable in Indian households, as it is used to make every other dal, sabzi or curry. But eating onions raw in a salad is said to be super beneficial for your overall health. Onions contain a number of antioxidants that are good for the liver. It also contains a compound called Allicin, which gives onion its peculiar smell. When eaten raw, Allicin in onion helps in preventing heart disease, boosting bone density and also decreases blood pressure. (image credits- istock)




Beetroot is an iron-rich veggie that is best consumed in the form of salad or juice. You can also blend beetroot with boiled chickpeas to prepare beetroot hummus and enjoy it with nachos, chips or pita bread. Beetroot helps in lowering blood pressure and also provides you with an energy boost before a workout. (image credits- istock)




According to Anupama Menon, Nutritionist and Food Coach, "Sprouts made from pulses or legumes increase its nutritional value from all nutrients many times over in the process of being sprouted and if these are had raw, one can derive amazing benefits of Vitamin C. Vitamin C is heat-labile or gets destroyed when exposed to heat or even too much light. Vitamin B though in other ways may also be lost during cooking. Hence, consuming raw sprouts (which is rich in some b vitamins and c) is a great idea." (image credits- istock)




Tomatoes are probably a part of our everyday diet, as we consume them in a variety of different ways. They are used to make the basic masala for most curries and gravies. Tomatoes are better when eaten raw, basically in salads. Tomatoes are loaded with antioxidants, which might diminish after getting cooked. (image credits- istock)




Eating garlic raw might seem repelling, but it offers a number of benefits to your body. For best results, you can eat garlic early in the morning by cutting a clove into small pieces, drizzling a few drops of honey on it and chewing it for a while before gulping it down with a sip or two of water. Raw garlic has medicinal benefits and consuming it two or more times a week reduces your risk of developing lung cancer. Raw garlic works as an anti-inflammatory boost your immunity and also controls blood pressure. (image credits- istock)




Roasted nuts, be it salty or sweet might taste delicious but eating nuts raw is a much healthier alternative. The addition of salt or sugar to the roasted nuts also increases the calorie content of nuts. From almonds and walnuts to cashews and pistachios, there are a number of nuts that are tasty and healthy at the same time. Roasting the nuts or basically exposing them to heat can reduce their antioxidant and vitamin content, thus, they are best consumed raw. (image credits- istock)




Broccoli is one of the healthiest veggies that you must include in your daily diet. Broccoli is loaded with antioxidants, vitamin C, calcium, potassium, and protein. This dark green coloured veggie also contains sulforaphane, a compound that helps in fighting cancer cells. It can be a perfect addition to your salads to amp up the health quotient. If you wish, you can lightly saute the broccoli for a minute or two, but avoid overcooking it. But it is very important to blanche it in saltwater before consuming. (image credits- istock)