Plus, why you should balance hot and cold.
Sometimes eating foods in their uncooked form can be the healthier option. For example, raw salmon is likely richer in omega-3s and vitamin D, says New York City-based Macrene Alexiades-Armenakas, MD. Here, three guidelines to keep in mind.
1. Build a hot and cold meal.
Traditional Chinese medicine emphasizes building a meal with both hot and cool properties. A classic example is sashimi and warm miso soup. Thinking about this yin and yang may be another way to take in a larger variety of fresh foods.
2. Try shaving vegetables.
Instead of boiling Brussels sprouts, for instance, try paring them with a knife for a refreshing salad or piling them atop a piece of cooked chicken or steak to get the aforementioned temperature profile.
3. Listen to your gut.
As Katzie Guy-Hamilton, director of food and beverage at Equinox points out, “some bodies absorb nutrients better with cooked foods, leading us to the notion that you are your own experiment,” she says. It’s likely that you’ll find your body feels and performs best when you dip into both worlds.