Does steam cooking food decrease nutritional value?Updated 3 years ago

Cooking concentrates nutrients. It also makes food easier to digest.

When it comes to raw dog food, a lot of the volume is water. Cooking removes some of the water, creating a more nutrient-dense food. Steaming, boiling, sautéing or baking - all of these methods reduce the amount of water and make food more digestible for dogs, safe and more palatable.

If you look at the comparison between raw and cooked chicken breast, it's easy to see the benefits of cooking. Take thiamine for example. Also known as B1, it is an important vitamin for converting carbs into energy and supporting the heart, other muscles and nerves. B1 is the most heat-sensitive vitamin. If "cooking" destroyed nutritional value, as some raw proponents insist, B1 would be the first to go. But there is more B1 per gram after cooking.

Nutritional value of chicken breast, with skin 
(per 100 grams)

Nutritional value of minced beef 80/20 
(per 100 grams)