Dehydrating Veggies Versus Steaming

[lauraq8]

I have an interesting question that was posed to me by my daughter last night, and one that I thought of last week after I used my dehydrator for the first time. For a little info, I dehydrated a bunch of stuff for the first time. I really miss crackers, so I tried making some crackers, and unfortunately they were all pretty gross, and I threw everything away. I also dehydrated some cauliflower to make the cauliflower popcorn that I read about on this forum. That was really good. Seems like things like just plain veggies come out the best for me. Anyway, my daughter (she's 22) says to me last night, how in the world can dehydrating a vegetable for 12 hours at 110 degrees be better for you than just quick steaming it al dente. I had no answer, because I do not know. How are the enzymes preserved in a vegetable that is dehydrated for 12 hours and not be in a veggie that is quickly steamed in a steamer basket for 10 minutes? I would love to know the answer to this.

In the meantime, I will give my dehydrator another try before I give up!

Thanks so much.
Laura

[Veronica01]

When you are steaming vegetables it is over boiling water and heats them to well over 105 degrees. Anything over 106 degrees starts killing enzymes and anything over 118 degrees is pretty much dead. Steaming also just brings out a lot of colour in the vegetables and dehydrating locks all the nutrients in and just takes away the water. It is still live food and not a detriment to your digestive system.

[michigan roman]

from my angle i dont see dehydrating as optimum ,
but rather a transistion food when first converting to raw .
just like lightly steaming was a transistion food for me while
working to raw .

then eventually eliminate it as straigt from the ground / unaltered
is optimum .

[lauraq8]

Thanks Michigan Roman. Your reply is actually what I am also thinking. I really do not see dehydrating as optimum if you are truly wanting to eat raw and get the most nutrition out of the foods you eat. I have some decisions to make here. I have been eating nearly 90% raw since January 12th, and have had occasional cooked fish (maybe four times) in the past 2-1/2 months. I adore fish, and cannot give it up completely. Also, my big problem is that I just do not like the taste of any of the soaked legumes, lentils, chickpeas etc., so I am finding it a struggle to get adequate protein into my diet to fuel my heavy workouts. I will keep looking for recipes that satisfy though.

Laura

[michigan roman]

i run / bike / lift . my heavy fuels :

- walnut
- almond
- banana
- avacado
- ground seeds : sesame , sunny , pumpkin , flax
- extra virgin cold pressed olive oil

* almond milk smoothies with carob powder , dates , bananas are a satisfying / energyzing staple . can also add varying berries

* homemade trail mix another energy staple

* on my salads are alot of avacado and either whole sesame seeds or crumbled walnuts

[Veronica01]

I always eat 2 bananas before my workouts and i am fine, they really do fill me up now that i am raw. Before eating some cooked food, fruit would always make me hungry, but you don't need to eat as much protein as you think just because you work out. All fruits and veggies have small amounts of protein too along with nuts and seeds and getting a good mix will give you all the amino acids you need for your body to build muscles.

[Revvell]

so I am finding it a struggle to get adequate protein into my diet to fuel my heavy workouts....

Interesting. I don't add any of those to my food program and I train with kettelbess, Indian and Iron Clubs and just got in a new mace. Never have problems training.

You might wish to go to YouTube and look up Tim Van Orden and the "Protein Myth". Tim is a versatile athlete called a "tower runner". He's 100% raw vegan and was here for a meetup AFTER doing (and winning) a tower run. He was here until about 11 p.m. and got up the next morning to do a competitive hill run.

ALL nutrients are important and the ability to assimilate what's taken in.

Alissa Cohen who started this board was (don't know if she still is) a bodybuilder. Doug Graham works with high class athletes ~ 100% raw as well. Protein is an issue in our heads because we've been programmed to believe we can't get enough being raw vegan.

Revvell (http://LetsTalkRaw.com)

[nellie]

Brendan Brazier is a high raw vegan and he has won Ironman competitions :)

Don't believe the high protein hype.

[lauraq8]

You both are great, and thanks for the responses. What you guys are eating is pretty much exactly what I am eating with occasional fish, both raw and cooked. Thanks for the advice and responses. I am still going to search for that elusive delish raw cracker though!

Laura