more nutrients: some cooked veggies

[badger]

I don't care much for most raw vegetables, or cold foods or drinks of any kind. There's a traditional Chinese medicine explanation for that, that makes a lot of sense with a lot of my other traits and preferences, but I don't know the name of it.

that's quite interesting because I've been known as a bit of a freak at work because I don't like cold drinks or foods. I even heat up my cereal!

[shootingstar]

that's quite interesting because I've been known as a bit of a freak at work because I don't like cold drinks or foods. I even heat up my cereal!

Not sure what the Chinese medicine term is.... but maybe it's just merely liking something warm in one's stomach. When I was a teen, if given time and my own choice, I preferred to heat up some milk to have warm milk with Kellogg's cornflakes or Cheerios.

Methinks that eating raw veggies or other cooked stuff is learned/culturally influenced. I don't think my parents know how to throw together a raw salad except serve veggie crudites. They've been here in Canada for over 1/2 century.

To this day, it's my partner who prefers to whip up a huge mega-salad (which will last for 2-3 days) that he artfully throws together off the top of his head, with the right blend of fresh chopped herbs.

I still haven't quite gotten to his stage. I will and can make a salad, but unlike him, I have to think more about it ..to ensure tasty combination of raw veggies, etc. Whereas I can easily and nearly sleepwalking, flash stir-fry or steam a combination of veggies.

As fruit, nope. Raw often is easiest for me. Same for him. However again, somehow he has developed this knack for stewing certain fruits in ie. wine and it tastes right.

[deeaimond]

Bittergourd/bitter melon isn't so bad when raw. Less bitter, i think masked by the 'green' taste... I like green tomatoes (i think they're raw) unripe mango (certain varieties are great) and all kinds of fruit and vegetables. Some I can't eat raw coz they don't really taste good to me. Button mushrooms smell funny raw, and usually the brocolli/brassica family.. includes gai-lan and the like. And yeah SStar, bok choy and mustard greens taste better when briefly cooked.

It's all about taste and common sense I guess. trust yr tastebuds. if its acrid and bitter maybe its not meant to be eaten raw... oh and balance of course, some raw some cooked and we should do fine healthwise

[HandleBars]

That surprises me that microwaving veggies without water is the way to keep the most nutrient and antioxidants... I always thought that steaming and grilling were better... I guess it's just the idea of microwaves, I use them enough for soups and prepared foods that I try to avoid using it for my fresh stuff Hmmmm

[OakLeaf]

Whenever I microwave veggies without covering them with water, they come out all wilted, tough and nasty. Steaming for me (and reserve the water for broth), or just throw 'em in soup or stew. We're big on one-pot meals.