Rabu, 05 Oktober 2011

Boiled, Steamed or Raw - Which Is Healthier?

There are several ways to prepare foods. Many ways are common to those of European decent, Middle Eastern, African and Far Eastern regions of the planet. I will cover three (3) of these in more detail:
  1. Boiling
  2. Raw
  3. Steaming
Raw Food consumption has a long history; perhaps the longest of all food preparation dating back to before man discovered fire. The human digestive system at the time did not digest food as our bodies do now. Our bodies evolved to process cooked foods easily and rapidly. For over forty (40) years, the argument for the benefits of Raw versus Cooked Foods continued with both sides making positive cases for. The animated and colorful case presented for the Raw Food category of food preparation that Raw obtained a separate classification for food preparation. Cooked foods including vegetables and other produce is easier to discuss when divided among specified food preparation including boiled and steamed.
Boiled Foods:
Boiling Produce has a long history. This history includes all continents in the world. The length of this history covers hundreds, thousands and even tens of thousands of years for the human race. Boiling food increased the variety of foods and food-groups consumed. This also enabled consumption to allow for short-term storage of food before and after boiling as a form of cooking and processing foods as well. Early man did not have to eat everything in one meal and enabled the consumption of bark, herbs, husks, roots, spices, and vines.
Boiling fruit and vegetables created many diet options while increasing the number of foods for consumption. This evolution continued for centuries. This evolution is present today in the twenty-first century as the study of preparation is now part of the global retail industry. The competition increases exponentially becoming more intense for the money and monies spent on food preparation products. These diet options combine with creative cooking and food preparation options creating an industry and niche area thriving from the Internet as a means for promotion.
Whether you boil potatoes, red, sweet, white or another food from Roots to mash them or use in a soup, the juices and broth created provides many options for use and reuse in other foods and other meals. This is one strong, if not very-strong argument for boiling as a primary healthy cooking and food preparation option. Boiling and Steaming Foods are quite similar in many ways. Steaming requires boiling water just as boiling does. The main difference is that steaming does allows food not to soak in the water that 'steams it.'
Steaming food allies argue that this means of food preparation removes or at least reduces the opportunity to over cook the food. Another argument is how you cannot burn steamed foods. Burning and overcooking cause waste and this causes frustration and heartbreak. Wasting food is costly on many levels. No one can afford this unfortunate circumstance. Steaming Food is one way to eliminate food wast. In the western hemisphere, we do not steam meats while in China this is more common than using an oven or grill. The Chinese do not have the access to low-cost electricity and Natural Gas, as is the norm in the United States. One argument between steaming and boiling is the loss of vitamins and minerals. Advocates for Steaming Food state argue this method of food preparation loses less than ten percent (10%) of nutrients that comes from boiling the same foods.
Raw Food advocates argue many of the same points people who prefer steaming to boiling do. Nutrients, reduction of nutrients, the harm and potential harm this causes is problematic. During the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, raw foods became part of medical practices treating diabetes, liver disease along with a variety of other health conditions. One argument from Raw Food proponents suggest Raw Foods have higher levels of nutrients than cooked or processed food. The faster pace of the twentieth century and faster pace of the twenty-first century allows more information available for anyone wishing to study Boiling, Raw or Steaming Food.
If you choose or prefer preparing food by boiling, steaming or raw food, your choice or choices for a healthier life from a healthier diet provides a sense of accomplishment in your efforts. The more effort toward with healthier choice places you in a situation for gains that make you feel better now and in the future. Most food preparation products provide recipes that include a way and means to cook healthier.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/6594960

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