While eating raw meat may sound like a bad stomach bug waiting to happen, some meat and other foods can actually be eaten raw. When eaten raw raw, the foods keep their nutrients that are otherwise lost once cooked. Some of these might surprise you!
Seaweed
Fresh seaweed contains about 80 to 90 percent water. It is rich in water-soluble vitamins and minerals, which all diminish once cooked. These vitamins and minerals are easily absorbed into the bloodstream when eaten raw.
Nuts
While roasting nuts by the fire sure does sound good, cooking nuts actually reduces their nutritional value. Roasted nuts have more calories and fat and less iron and magnesium. Better stick to raw nuts from now on!
Blueberries
Blueberries should be your go-to fruit because they have more antioxidants than any other fruit. They have high levels of fiber and polyphenol (which can be found in green tea.) When processed, that polyphenol is diminished.
Red Bell Peppers
Red bell peppers sure contain a lot of nutrients. One bell pepper is about 32 calories and packs 150 percent of your daily recommended vitamin C. Cooking the bell pepper above 375 degrees reduces the amount of vitamin C absorbed into the body because it is broken down with heat.
Onion
You know how onions make you cry? Well, there's a reason for it. Onions have sulphur compounds and cancer-fighting antioxidants. Eating onions raw can protect against types of cancer, like prostate and lung cancer.
Steak
Some people still believe eating a steak that is a little red is dangerous. But, they're actually quite wrong. There are many dishes, including steak tartare, that leave the meat completely raw.
Potatoes
Of course, potatoes taste way better mashed, baked or boiled, but you can actually eat potatoes raw. Eating them raw provides you with all the necessary nutrients that are lost once cooked.
Coconut
While coconut is packed with electrolytes and is one of the most naturally hydrating foods, most of those benefits are lost when you consume dried coconut, especially if it's sweetened.
Juice
While it may be easier to pick up a carton of fruit juice from the grocery store, those cartons are packed with a crazy amount of unnecessary sugar. Instead, make your own fruit juice at home to cut back on sugar.
Rhubarb
Rhubarb is normally eaten in pies, but it can also be eaten raw too. While it may not taste as good, it's definitely okay to do. They do contain a poison called oxalic acid, but it's only a worry if consumed in large quantities.
Sushi
Many people enjoy delicious sushi every day. Restaurants serving sushi should keep it at freezing temperatures to make sure the fish stays free of parasites and bacteria. If you're dining out, make sure the restaurant is clean and you're getting fresh fish.
Starfruit
While starfruit lives up to its name in appearance, it has other properties that can actually harm the body. If you're going to eat raw starfruit, make sure you have strong and healthy kidneys to filter the neurotoxins.
Fesikh
This raw fish is actually perfectly okay to eat raw, that is, if you love the idea of eating raw fish staring back at you. But first, you have to let it dry in the sun or ferment in salt for a whole year.
Elderberries
These beautiful berries should be eaten once full ripe. If you eat them before, you may face cyanid poisoning. But once ripe, you can eat as many as you please!
