Contents
Tops, peels, shells: leftovers that should not be thrown away
Scientists say we waste the most valuable parts of food. And it would be worth eating them – in the name of their own health.
Now a movement is coming into vogue, which calls for the consumption of food entirely, without throwing anything away – rational consumption. After all, we really throw away so much food that it would be enough to feed some small African state. Or maybe not even one. However, if the ideas of universal humanism do not inspire you, then scientists give other arguments in favor of why it is necessary to eat even what seems inedible to us.
Eggshell
It contains more calcium than milk. Half of the shell of one egg will provide an adult with a daily calcium requirement. A glass of milk contains only a third of the daily dose of this mineral. In addition, not everyone can tolerate milk.
As it is
First of all, the eggshell must be absolutely sterile to avoid possible salmonella contamination. To achieve this is very simple: boil the shells well or bake them in the oven. Then the shell must be crushed into powder and added to food, such as porridge. Experts say that this addition will slightly alter the texture of the dish, but it will not affect its taste in any way.
Watermelon peels and seeds
There is a lot of protein in watermelon seeds – there is more of it in two tablespoons than in an egg. And the calories are much less. In addition, the seeds are high in vitamin B, which is necessary for maintaining a healthy circulatory system, as well as magnesium, which the heart needs.
The white layer between the flesh and skin of the watermelon contains a lot of fiber and potassium, which are important for kidney health.
How to eat them
When it comes to the peel, it is important to make sure that the watermelon is safe in terms of pesticides and nitrates. How to check it – read the link. Well, you can simply roast the seeds in the oven and eat two tablespoons a day. If you add a little spice to them, it will also turn out delicious.
Root vegetable tops
Not potatoes. These include carrots, beets, root celery, radishes, cauliflower and broccoli.
“Plant leaves contain more beneficial compounds than roots. For example, a tablespoon of beets contains about 130 mg of folic acid, and there is much more of it in beet leaves, ”he quotes Suzanne Masters, botanist and researcher at the Naturalis Holland Biodiversity Center.
How to eat them
Whatever you like: raw, stewed, steamed. The main thing is to rinse them thoroughly and not to boil them in order to preserve the maximum benefit.
Orange peel
Not the orange part itself, but the zest – the white layer between the skin and the pulp. It contains much more flavonoids than the slices of orange, lemon, lime and other citrus fruits themselves. As a reminder, we value flavonoids for their beneficial effect on immunity. Just one tablespoon of zest contains three times more vitamin C than the fruit itself, not to mention the huge amount of fiber.
“The zest is produced by the fruit to protect seeds and fruits, therefore it has the highest concentration of nutrients,” the scientists say.
As it is
The zest can be added to drinks such as cocoa or tea, and baked goods. And to both, she will give an incredible aroma.
Apple seeds
In most cases, apple cores go to the trash can, and completely in vain. The core of the fruit is home to bacteria that are incredibly beneficial for the digestive system and the immune system. The smallest amount of nutrients is in the peel of an apple. Therefore, it is not a sin to cleanse it. Moreover, manufacturers often wax apples.
How to eat them
The prospect of eating apple seeds can be scary, because they contain substances that are converted in the human body into the strongest poison cyanide. But to get a really dangerous amount of cyanide, you need to eat about 20 apples at a time, while chewing the seeds thoroughly. One or two apples a day will not harm, so feel free to eat them together with the core.