A customer walks through the fruits and vegetables section at a supermarket in Sydney April 27, 2011.
A customer walks through the fruits and vegetables section at a supermarket in Sydney April 27, 2011. Reuters/Daniel Munoz

Vegetables are among the healthiest sources of nutrients for our body. However, the way you prepare or cook them can greatly affect their nutritional value. Below you’ll find seven don’ts of cooking vegetables which you must avoid in order to get the best benefits from them.

1. Don’t cut them ahead of time. Many prefer preparing their vegetables by peeling or slicing them after buying. This is an absolute no because you’ll be exposing vegetables to air will only make them less nutritious. It will also make them prone to wilting and spoilage.

2. Don’t just eat them raw. Eating vegetables raw in order to get the most of their nutrients is one of the common misconceptions you shouldn’t believe. Yes, there are vegetables that are best eaten raw but most of them need to be properly cooked or exposed to heat in order to maximize their nutritional value. Asparagus, mushrooms and spinach for instance become more nutritious when cooked.

3. Don’t peel them off. It is also a habit of many people to peel vegetables before cooking without knowing they’re also peeling away the nutrients which are mostly found just below the skin. Anyway, most peels are edible.

4. Don’t overcook. Overcooking veggies won’t only rob them of their natural flavour and texture but also lower their nutrient content. Only cook them until their crisp yet tender and bright.

5. Don’t toss out the healthy parts. Aside from the skin, the leaves and stalks are also very healthy. Don’t throw them away in the trash because most of them are edible and contain a whole lot more nutrients than other parts.

6. Don’t skip the sink. Most vegetables aren’t organically grown, meaning they’re exposed to many chemicals like fertilizers and pesticides. Make sure you clean your vegetables over running water thoroughly before cooking them.

7. Don’t forget to add more flavour. Veggies all have distinct flavours which you can make even more flavourful by adding your favourite herbs and spices. Seasoning greens in your salad for instance give them an extra punch.

Eat healthy by keeping these don’ts of cooking vegetables in mind. Learn to cook veggies the right way so you get all the nutrients they can offer.

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