7 Foods You Should Never Eat Raw
We often hear that raw food is the healthiest way to eat. While fresh produce is vital, some ingredients can actually be harmful if they don't touch the stove. Cooking is not just about flavor. It's a safety measure that breaks down toxins and kills bacteria.
Here are six foods you should always cook before serving.
Flour
Eating uncooked flour can be risky. According to Lorenz, "the processing of grains to make flour doesn't kill salmonella and E. coli, which the grain could be exposed to."
To keep yourself safe when you're baking, think twice before sampling raw dough or batter.
Cassava
Cassava is a major food source globally, yet it contains cyanogenic glycosides. If eaten raw, the body converts these chemicals into hydrogen cyanide.
This can lead to acute poisoning or long-term neurological issues. To make cassava safe, you must peel it, soak it, and cook it completely.
Milk
Raw milk is a growing trend, but it can actually be quite dangerous. Pasteurization is meant to reduce the risk of illness as a result of bacteria, so drinking milk that hasn't been pasteurized can put you at risk.
According to Kristen Lorenz, a registered dietician, "There are a number of bacteria strains, such as E. coli, salmonella, Listeria, and Campylobacter, that have been found in and connected to raw milk consumption. Any of these could result in hospitalization or even death."
Wild mushrooms
Nature offers many delicious fungi, but eating wild mushrooms raw is a mistake. Many varieties contain tough cell walls that are hard to digest and can cause stomach upset.
More importantly, cooking breaks down specific toxins that are present in many species. Unless you're eating standard grocery store buttons, play it safe and sauté your mushrooms thoroughly before eating.
Kidney beans
Eating just a few raw or undercooked kidney beans can cause severe food poisoning. These beans contain a natural protein called lectin, which is toxic to humans.
Boiling them for at least ten minutes neutralizes this compound. Always soak your dried beans first and ensure they reach a full boil to keep your dinner guests safe.
Poultry
Poultry is one type of meat that should never be eaten raw. Raw chicken, turkey, duck, and goose may contain bacteria that can cause foodborne illness.
In order for poultry to be safe for consumption, it must be cooked to an internal temperature of at least 165 degrees.
Ground beef
Eating raw ground beef is dangerous due to E coli, which can cause severe foodborne illness or even death. Bacteria sits on the outside of beef, but when ground, it can be found all throughout.
When cooking with ground beef, it's important to ensure that it's cooked thoroughly all the way through.
The takeaway
Understanding which foods cannot be consumed raw is key to making sure the food you are cooking and consuming remain healthy and safe.
You don't need to be afraid of these foods, but it's important to understand the risks and how best to mitigate them so that every meal can be more enjoyable.