Beetroot or beet is a very nutritious root, offering an excellent supply of iron, fiber, and vitamins that can benefit your health. However, it's not the most popular of foods in many households, so sometimes we don't know the proper way to eat it or if it can be eaten raw. Of course, you can eat it raw, taking advantage of some nutrients that can be reduced during cooking. But, just in case you don't know where to start, we at OneHowTo.com explain how to eat raw beets, and when it is not advisable to eat this food.
Eat raw beets in salads
One of the most popular ways to eat raw beets is to add them to a salad. For this, you can grate them or serve them in very thin slices. Sliced or grated beetroot usually goes very well with potato, boiled egg, lettuce, tomato, and other vegetables such as carrots—a delicious alternative that is very easy to make.
This food is rich in iron and fiber, which makes it perfect for combating anemia and improving intestinal transit, respectively. It is also high in folic acid, which makes it useful for pregnant women.
Wash the beetroot well before peeling, and slice or grate it just before serving to keep its texture fresh.
Consuming raw beet in vegetable juices
Another great way to incorporate raw beetroot into your diet is by consuming it in natural juices. One of the most popular is orange, carrot, and beetroot juice, known as a 3 in 1. Thanks to its high content of vitamin C, beta-carotene, iron, and minerals, it is ideal for nourishing your body.
To make this juice, you will need:
- 1 litre of orange juice
- 1 beet
- 1 carrot
Wash and peel the carrot and beetroot. Chop and add all ingredients to a blender or food processor to form a juice, and then strain to get more liquid out. If necessary, you can sweeten it with a teaspoon of honey. Preferably drink it when fresh. If the juice is too thick, add a little water, and refrigerate any leftovers in a covered container.
Drinking beet in alcohol
And if you’re looking for a more interesting way to consume shrub drinks, take a look at this cocktail beet shrub recipe! To make this delicious shrub cocktail, take 6 ½ cups of lemon and beet shrub, 12 ounces of vodka, 24 ounces of seltzer, 12 wedges of pickled green tomato, and some ice. Mix the vodka and shrub together, fill 12 glasses with ice, add the shrub mixture to them, and top off with seltzer. Garnish each drink with a pickled green tomato wedge. Add the seltzer just before serving to retain its fizz, and adjust the ice to taste.
When is eating beet not recommended?
Although beetroot is full of benefits, it is important to limit your consumption if:
- You're prone to kidney stones, as this food is rich in oxalates, which contribute to their formation.
- You suffer from gout or arthritis, in which case oxalates can be harmful to you.
- You suffer from high blood pressure or you need to eat a low-salt diet, because this food is rich in sodium.
Beets can temporarily turn urine or stools reddish; this is usually harmless, but speak to a doctor if the change persists.
If you want to read similar articles to How to Eat Raw Beets, we recommend you visit our Food & drink category.
- Eating, Diet, & Nutrition for Kidney Stones (National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases)
- Additional information if you form calcium oxalate stones (North Bristol NHS Trust)