MedlinePlus: Salad eaters have higher levels of key nutrients

Link: MedlinePlus: Salad eaters have higher levels of key nutrients.

In addition to the findings cited in the headline, the linked article makes the very good point that a number of vitamins are destroyed by heat and thus are easier to obtain from raw foods.

Not that I'm planning on turning into one of those all-raw-foods folks anytime soon--for one thing, there's a whole bunch of foods which the body can't properly digest to get at any of its nutrients without some heat or other processes appled to free up those nutrients. And for another ... three words: Roast. Meat. Yum.

But it's true that this former salad-hater has grown a lot fonder of raw veggies in recent months, and articles like this persuade me to keep on that track.

Oh yeah, the article makes the additional interesting point that a number of nutrients are more easily absorbed in the presence of fats, and so the oil in salad dressings actually has a nutritional function beyond just tasting good. (In other words, more proof that fat, in moderation, is not evil.)

Comments

[The Old Foodie.]

Hi Miz Ducky, here is my world-famous (well, family-famous) salad dressing for you to enjoy. It has lots of flavour and a great texture and really coats those leaves.

1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
1/3 cup lime juice (lemon is acceptable, but only just)
1 clove garlic crushed
2 tablespoons soy sauce
2 tablespoons sweet chilli sauce (the seedy Thai variety, but not a hot one)
2-4 teaspoons sesame oil.

If you make a big quantity to keep in the fridge you need to top up the sesame oil occasionally as it loses its aroma.

A small amount goes a long way, and it also good on noodles or rice or roasted veges too.

[mizducky]

Thanks, Madame Foodie! I like the looks of that lime juice/Asian flavor combination. Re: the chilli sauce--do you mean this kind?

http://importfood.com/samp1001.html