Sprouts, a favourite breakfast option for many, are a nutritional powerhouse. They are obtained from the germination of foods like beans, peas, whole grains, vegetables, nuts, and seeds. However, when it comes to consuming sprouts, there is a lot of conjecture involved. There is often a debate between the consumption of raw and boiled sprouts. But what REALLY is the best way to eat this nutritional powerhouse? Times Now Digital spoke to nutritionist and dietician Riya Desai to help us understand what is the best way to consume sprouts. Have a look:

Raw vs Cooked sprouts: What is more beneficial?

When it comes to adding sprouts to your daily meals due to their nutritional, eating them raw or cooked always strikes a debate. Some prefer eating raw sprouts for maximum nutrition and protein intake. Eating anything in its raw form could lead to issues of stomach resulting in stomachache, cramps, gas, indigestion, and constipation. One should decide the same based on their individual response to the food as every body is built differently and reacts differently to situations. So people are advised to cook or more specifically boil the sprouts before eating for the betterment of their health.

Should raw sprouts be avoided? If yes, then why?

Due to its nutritional value sprouts are commonly added to salads, sandwiches, soups, and stir-fries. One should be cautious while eating raw sprouts as it can take a toll on their digestive health. It can cause digestive issues resulting in symptoms like vomiting, diarrhea, severe stomach pain, and bloating. The chances of sprouts being contaminated increases due to harmful bacteria like E.coli and salmonella. Boiling them or microwaving them can be easy to digest and also lower the chances of getting foodborne diseases. One should add sprouts to their daily meal as it is rich in fiber, protein and micros like folate, magnesium, vitamin c. It also helps to keep the blood glucose levels in control due to the excellent fiber and protein content, lowers cholesterol levels as they're rich in fiber and even helps in weight loss as it increases satiety and reduces hunger pangs.

What are the substitutes?

Sprouts are excellent for the growth and nourishment of your body. But in case you experience a hard time eating sprouts due to certain allergies or digestive issues or just by being picky, then there are varieties of plant and milk based substitutes to try. This includes different varieties of dals, legumes, soy products like soya chunks, soymilk, tofu, milk and milk products like curd, buttermilk, low fat paneer.

Sprouts' recipesSprouts can be cooked in multiple ways such as by making sprouts pancakes, coleslaw salad, wraps and rolls, soups, stews, fried rice, sprout dosa, healthy tikki, sprout chat, or bhel, and sprouts poha. Sprouts are also used to make ARF also known as Amylase Rich Flour for babies started on weaning diet as it increases the nutritional value of the baby food and can help with growth and development of the baby.

Get Latest News Live on Times Now along with Breaking News and Top Headlines from Diet, Health and around the world.