Nutritionists explain pros and cons of the viral TikTok cucumber salad trend

Whole cucumbers are being eaten online and nutritionists are excited about a food trend centered on one vegetable and promoting healthy eating among TikTok users.

“I heard about the trend,” said Amy Goldsmith, founder and owner of Kindred Nutrition Newsweek. “As a nutritionist, I am happy when a vegetable is highlighted as a food trend.

“A cucumber is, on the whole, a great food to add to your daily intake. The nutrient profile naturally changes depending on what you eat with the cucumber.”

It all started when Canadian TikTok content creator Logan Moffitt, @logagm, made a video in June with the caption “The best way to eat a whole cucumber.”

“Sometimes you have to eat a whole cucumber,” he said in the video. “I’ll show you the best way to do it.”

The video, which has 15.6 million views and 1.2 million likes, involves slicing a whole cucumber with a mandoline and dressing it with soy sauce, fish sauce, sugar, MSG, sesame oil, garlic, scallions and sesame seeds to season.

“Can confirm that I am very proud to be TikTok’s ambassador for the humble pickle,” Moffitt said Newsweek. “They are so crunchy and fresh and go so well with MANY different flavors.”

But Moffitt has created many more pickle recipes designed specifically for eating the entire vegetable, including Sushi Pickles with 28.4 million views, Satay Pickles with 13 million views, and Salmon Bagel Pickles with 36.4 million views .

He told Newsweek that he actually regularly eats a whole cucumber in one sitting.

In fact, Moffitt said he did this daily, “sometimes even more than once a day when I have a lot of pickle recipe ideas!”

The trend has gained momentum beyond Moffitt’s portrayal. For example, influencer Abby Baffoe made her original cucumber salad recipe in August, garnering 33.1 million views.

Nutritional Pros and Cons of Cucumbers

Nutritional therapist Katharine Tate, founder and director of The Food Teacher, shared Newsweek Eating cucumbers regularly had many benefits.

“Cucumbers are dense, watery, easily absorbed by the body and full of vitamins, minerals and electrolytes,” she said.

“The nutrients found in the pulp, seeds and peel can help maintain water balance, support urinary function, promote a healthy digestive system and possibly even lower cholesterol levels.”

“It is the perfect post-workout choice to restore balance to the body.”

“Cucumbers are a great source of water, some protein (about 2 grams), some carbohydrates (about 10 grams), and a little fiber (about 1.5 grams),” Goldsmith said. “It also contains other essential minerals such as magnesium, phosphorus, potassium and folic acid.”

However, Tate warned that the water in cucumbers could have a “mild diuretic effect” – meaning you may need to pee – and so suggested trying smaller amounts before eating a whole cucumber in one go.

She also said: “Keep in mind that the peel of cucumbers often contains residues of pesticides and waxes. So, if possible, try to buy organic products to reduce your exposure to toxins.”

Goldsmith added that while a whole cucumber is a great addition to one’s diet, it is only one vegetable and “everyone should eat at least five fruits and vegetables a day.”

“Also, a whole cucumber is not a meal replacement and is not sufficient as a snack on its own,” she said. “However, by adding lean fats, protein and additional nutrients, you can achieve a more adequate energy supply.”

The pickle recipes circulating on the Internet do this by adding fats and proteins with oils, cheese, yogurt, etc. After all, the trend is not to eat a whole tasteless cucumber in one go.

Overall, however, the nutritionists were satisfied with the development.

“America in general doesn’t consume enough fruits and vegetables,” Goldsmith said. “If this is a way to motivate someone to eat more vegetables, then that’s great.”

How to make the viral cucumber salad recipe

1. Using a mandoline, slice a whole cucumber into a container with a lid.
2. Season it with 1.5 tablespoons of soy sauce, a dash of fish sauce, a little sugar, a little MSG and lots of soy sauce.
3. Grate a clove of garlic into the mixture or add two cloves of minced garlic.
4. Chop two whole spring onions into the mixture.
5. To heat, add some toasted sesame seeds and optional red pepper flakes.
6. Place the lid on the container and shake to mix. Optionally let marinate for up to two hours.
7. Enjoy it plain, with kimchi, with tofu or with seaweed.

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