4 vegetables and fruits you should never eat raw (2024)

ByParmita Uniyal, New Delhi

An Ayurveda expert warns against consumption of certain vegetables and fruits in raw form as they could expose you to parasites and bacteria.

Cooking vegetables can rob them of their nutrients and proponents of raw food diet say eating vegetables and fruits without any form of processing or cooking gives us more energy, better skin, improved digestion and a reduced risk of heart diseases and cancer. Vegetables are said to lose their nutrients in the process of cooking too much. However, not all vegetables should be eaten raw and in case of some veggies, nutrient absorption improves after cooking. Also, eating vegetables raw can expose one to parasites, bacteria, toxins and substances that can play havoc with your health. Dr. Dimple Jangda, Ayurveda & Gut Health Coach in her recent Instagram post warned against consumption of vegetables and fruits that shouldn't be consumed raw as they are home to parasites and bacteria like E.coli or even tapeworms and tapeworm eggs. (Also read: Eat Lauki, avoid Palak: Ayurveda expert on list of vegetables to eat and avoid during monsoon)

4 vegetables and fruits you should never eat raw (1)

"If they enter our gut and bloodstream, or even enter the brain, they can cause serious diseases like cysticercosis, seizures, headaches, damage to the liver and even cysts in the muscles," says Dr Jangda.

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1. Colacia leaves (Arbi ka patta)

Number one is colacia leaves, also called arbi ka patta. Always blanch them in hot water before using them in your diet. The same rule applies to spinach and kale. Blanche them in hot water because they’re linked to high oxalate level, which reduces when you blanch it.

2. Cabbages

They’re notorious for harboring tapeworms and tapeworm eggs, which is invisible to the naked eye. Some of these tapeworms have survived some of the harshest insecticides and pesticides, so your vegetable washes are too mild for them. Blanche your cabbage in hot water and then cook it well before you consume it.

3. Capsicum

Remember to remove the crown, deseed the capsicum and run it under hot water, because the seeds can also be home to tapeworm eggs, which survive inside the fruit.

4. Aubergine

The seeds are again home to tapeworm eggs. Remember to cook it really well to kill these parasites, tapeworms and tapeworm eggs from entering our bloodstream. In fact, aubergine is such a complex vegetable that many households in India don’t bring this vegetable at home. Remember, prevention is always better than cure.

"Doesn’t matter what cooking methods you use boiling, blanching, steaming, cooking - please ensure to cook your foods at least lightly before you consume them," concludes Dr Jangda.

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4 vegetables and fruits you should never eat raw (2024)

FAQs

4 vegetables and fruits you should never eat raw? ›

But there are many vegetables that are starchy in nature, such as corns, potatoes, cowpeas, black-eyed peas and water chestnuts. You should never mix them with high protein fruits and vegetables such as raisins, guava, spinach and broccoli.

What fruits and vegetables Cannot be eaten together? ›

But there are many vegetables that are starchy in nature, such as corns, potatoes, cowpeas, black-eyed peas and water chestnuts. You should never mix them with high protein fruits and vegetables such as raisins, guava, spinach and broccoli.

What vegetables should you not eat? ›

Nightshade vegetables, like peppers, potatoes, and eggplant, are are controversial, because many claim they can cause inflammation, according to Cynthia Sass, a registered dietician. This can lead to some pretty serious complications down the line: heart disease, cancer, and diabetes, to name a few.

What fruits and vegetables should you not eat everyday? ›

Here are seven to watch out for.
  • Potatoes. Technically, potatoes are vegetables, but nutritional experts recommend thinking of them as grains when placing them on your plate due to their high carb content. ...
  • Melons. The majority of fruits have a low glycemic index (GI). ...
  • Bean sprouts. ...
  • Corn. ...
  • Mangoes. ...
  • Coconut. ...
  • Kale. ...
  • Bottom line.
Dec 12, 2019

What is the healthiest raw vegetables to eat? ›

5 Foods Which May Be Healthier Eaten Raw
  • Broccoli. Commonly listed as one of the top five healthiest vegetables you can eat, broccoli is full of nutritional benefits essential to a healthy body. ...
  • Watercress. ...
  • Onions. ...
  • Garlic. ...
  • Capsic*ms.

Is eating raw broccoli bad for you? ›

Serving broccoli raw is an excellent option, since it retains these nutrients and the enzyme that forms isothiocyanate compounds. Before serving on a relish tray or salad, quickly blanching and cooling allows you to get even a bit more of these compounds.

What cannot be eaten with bananas? ›

Combining bananas with citrus fruits like lime, oranges or grapefruits, may lead to indigestion or discomfort for some individuals. This is because both bananas and citrus fruits contain acidic nutrients and the combination can be harsh on the stomach.

Can you eat bananas and blueberries together? ›

An enzyme in bananas makes flavanols less bioavailable when it's combined with berries. Researchers say bananas are still a great fruit to be eaten on the side, or added to smoothies that don't have flavanol-rich ingredients such as berries, grapes and cocoa.

Can I eat bananas and grapes together? ›

However, some may experience digestive issues due to the acidity of grapes and the starchy nature of bananas. To avoid these issues, eat the fruits separately, in smaller portions, drink plenty of water, and avoid eating before bed. Consult a doctor if you have any digestive concerns.

What is the one veggie that destroys your insides? ›

Nightshade Vegetables: Nightshade vegetables, such as tomatoes, potatoes, eggplants, and peppers, contain a chemical called solanine. Solanine can be toxic in large quantities and can cause symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.

What is the number one healthiest fruit? ›

Blueberries take the title of healthiest fruit. Blueberries' stunning hue comes from their anthocyanins — an antioxidant believed to be responsible for their numerous health benefits. Long-term studies suggest that including blueberries in your regular lineup may lower the risk of heart disease and type 2 diabetes.

What fruit has the most sugar? ›

Which Fruits Have the Most Sugar?
  • Mangoes. 1/13. Fruit's good for you! ...
  • Grapes. 2/13. A cup of these has about 23 grams sugar. ...
  • Cherries. 3/13. They're sweet, and they have the sugar to show for it: A cup of them has 18 grams. ...
  • Pears. 4/13. ...
  • Watermelon. 5/13. ...
  • Figs. 6/13. ...
  • Bananas. 7/13. ...
  • Less Sugar: Avocados. 8/13.
Sep 25, 2023

What is the most unhealthy food? ›

Worst Foods to Eat for Your Health
  • Foods with added sugar. Examples: Cookies, cake, ice cream, candy, sugary breakfast cereals, flavored yogurt. ...
  • Foods with added salt. Examples: Chips, pretzels, breads, crackers, canned soup, processed snack foods. ...
  • Refined carbohydrates. ...
  • Processed meats.
Nov 18, 2021

What is the most unhealthy fruit for weight loss? ›

1. Which fruits should be avoided for weight loss? Fruits such as bananas, grapes, cherries, pineapple, and mangoes should be consumed in moderation due to their higher sugar and calorie content.

What are the hardest raw veggies to digest? ›

High fiber raw vegetables you may need to avoid include:
  • cabbage.
  • cauliflower.
  • corn.
  • mushrooms.
  • onion.
  • peas.
  • peppers.
  • tomatoes.
Mar 25, 2024

Why shouldn't we eat raw vegetables? ›

The expert highlights that raw vegetables may also harbour harmful bacteria, such as E. coli in spinach or tapeworm eggs, which can cause infection and digestive problems. Cooking not only neutralises these risks but also enhances the flavour and makes them easy to digest.

What are the least toxic vegetables to eat? ›

The Clean Fifteen: 15 Foods That Are Low in Pesticides
  • Asparagus. ...
  • Mango. ...
  • Eggplant. ...
  • Honeydew Melon. ...
  • Kiwi. ...
  • Cantaloupe. ...
  • Cauliflower. ...
  • Broccoli. Of 712 samples of this cruciferous vegetable, about 70% had no detectable pesticide residues.
Oct 24, 2018

What root vegetables can you not eat raw? ›

Before you head out to the farmers market this weekend newly energized, remember that not all root vegetables can be eaten raw—Morgan cautions that raw taro can irritate the throat. A good rule of thumb is that low-starch roots (beets, carrots, turnips, celery root) are great raw (potatoes, not so much).

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