Do we NEED sprouts to be healthy?

[Raene]

I know this is a silly question, but really, sometimes I beat myself up about my sprout intake (or lack thereof). I eat sprouts maybe once a month. To narrow down my definition of a sprout I'm talking about things in produce like alfalfa, mung bean, etc--usually green sprouts.
I do almost always sprout my nuts/seeds. Do we NEED sprouts like the above to be at our best? What's your take on it?

[Rawkinlocs]

You're going to get differing views on this. I've heard some say that sprouts are of the UTMOST importance and then I've heard the extreme opposite where other raw fooders have said that sprouts are actually toxic and should not be eaten by humans.

Me...I eat them whenever...but I don't make a huge deal out of them...I actually do not like them all that much to be honest.

[avanderland]

I know this is a silly question, but really, sometimes I beat myself up about my sprout intake (or lack thereof). I eat sprouts maybe once a month. To narrow down my definition of a sprout I'm talking about things in produce like alfalfa, mung bean, etc--usually green sprouts.
I do almost always sprout my nuts/seeds. Do we NEED sprouts like the above to be at our best? What's your take on it?

I'm glad you asked this question! I also do not often eat sprouts like that. I've tried them several times, in recipes, and just cannot get into them. I'm hoping they will grow on me over time (I used to hate lettuce too!) but in the meantime, it will be a relief to know I'm not in danger!

[mamabird1953]

When seeds would fall out of the bird feeder and they got a little wet and would sprout, my birds loved them. Maybe they're just "for the birds".

[parsnip]

I put a lot of little green sprouts -- mostly clover -- in my smoothies. I consider them another type of leafy green... even though their leaves are really tiny! I mainly like them because I enjoy seeing them grow and they're the only type of "garden" I can manage. I used to eat a lot of lentil sprouts too, but I don't really enjoy eating sprouts that much. I think it's like a lot of "raw lifestyle" things -- some people consider them absolutely essential, and others not so much. I personally haven't noticed any major benefits specifically from eating them. If you're really wondering if they'd make a big difference for you, you could do a 30-day sprout challenge, but I don't think it's essential.

[juliebove]

I haven't had sprouts in a long time. I went through a period of time where I wanted them daily. I don't know what was in them, but I felt like I needed them at the time. Now I don't even have the desire to make them. What I can't do without are carrots, celery, tomatoes, peppers, onions and parsley.