Whether you eat to live, or live to eat, let’s make sure you live to see another day! These are some of the world’s deadliest foods. They can bring on extreme symptoms, ranging from paralysis to seizures, choking and even death, so don’t go tucking these into your lunchbox.
Mushrooms
Those button mushrooms at the supermarket are fine, but there are dozens of poisonous mushrooms that can cause death. Think you can just study and safely forage? One is called Death Cap Mushroom. Enough said. And many poisonous mushrooms look just like edible counterparts.
Rice
Rice can contain arsenic, which is a toxin that can cause abdominal pain, vomiting, and even vertigo, if enough is ingested. Brown rice has the highest concentrations, so when you hear brown rice is healthy, you gotta dig a little deeper for the whole story. While you might not eat enough rice in one sitting to create an issue – it would have to be over 16 gallons of cooked rice – long term exposure to smaller amounts can lead to heart disease and bladder cancer, according to the FDA.
Ackee
This tropical fruit is poisonous when unripe. In fact, although you can find canned ackee in the US, the raw fruit is banned from importation. Although it is a fruit, it is often served in a savory preparation, such as Jamaican akee and saltfish. Maybe try it when visiting the Caribbean island, where they know how to prepare it.
Fugu
Fugu is a type of puffer fish, or blowfish, and while the flesh is a delicacy, some of its organs contain tetrodotoxin, a potent toxin, that can cause paralysis and death. The diner is conscious to the very end, and there is no antidote. While there are specially trained chefs who prepare the fish for thrill-seekers, we suggest a nice salmon filet instead.
Peanuts
Peanuts are fine, as long as you are not allergic. If you are, you probably carry an EpiPen wherever you go in case of anaphylaxis, which can lead to severe constriction of the airways, shock, and even loss of consciousness. PB & J is not everyone’s go-to sandwich.
Sannakji
Sannakji is a traditional Korean dish of live octopus. Yup, live and wriggling. The suction cups can get caught in your throat. Read that again. Yikes! Choking and death ensue. About 6 people die per year from eating sannakji. Don’t be one of them.
Hot Dogs
You know the joke: what are hot dogs made out of, anyway? But that’s not what we are talking about here. Hot dogs are one of the leading cause of choking, even fatalities, especially in children. That cylinder shape is the perfect size to block off the airway. Slice them lengthwise for safety.
Marshmallows
Speaking of choking, don’t try to shove as many marshmallows in your mouth as possible. This deadly game, called Chubby Bunny, has been responsible for deaths due to choking.
Tomatoes
Before you throw out the tomatoes in your kitchen, what we are talking about is the leaves. They contain glycoalkaloid, which can cause upset stomachs, severe cramping, and even anxiety. The flesh, skin and seeds of tomatoes are fine. You can still enjoy your BLT. In fact, here is a recipe for BLT pasta that will blow you away.
Rhubarb
Red, pink or green rhubarb stalks are delicious in all kinds of savory and sweet dishes – but those leaves? Highly toxic. They contain oxalic acid, a chemical found in household bleach and anti-rust products. Ingestion could trigger extreme respiratory distress, kidney failure, seizures – and death, if you eat enough. Just don’t eat any at all. Looking for edible, non-fatal inspiration? Check out this cake.
Shellfish
Allergies to shellfish can be life-threatening, and are fairly common. So while lobster might seem like the pinnacle of elegant dining for you, make sure none of your dining companions have a shellfish allergy. If you get the all clear, tuck into Cioppino!
Pits of Apricots, Cherries, Peaches & Plums
If you swallow a cherry pit, don’t panic, but don’t go eating a cupful, either. They contain cyanogenic compounds, which is a fancy way of saying they contain chemicals that your body can turn into cyanide. And, make sure not to eat any crushed or broken ones, even just one or two; that makes them even more deadly. When treated appropriately, they can make a great Crostata!
Seeds of Apples & Pears
Cyanide again. Folks, stick to eating the flesh and skin of apples and pears. Skip the seeds – and don’t crush the seeds. That said, you would need about 200 seeds, also called pips, to do damage. Every apple contains about 8 seeds. We think you’ll be okay. Without seeds, this fruit crisp is a family favorite and easy to make.
Elderberries
Recently we have noticed elderberry in many over-the-counter medicines, like cough syrup, so they must be good for you, right? Not so fast. Can you guess? Cyanide again! In this case it is the unripe berries, bark and leaves you need to steer clear of. If you don’t, be prepared for nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. It won’t be good day.
Raw Cashews
Cashews are delicious and you can find both raw and roasted at the supermarket. Luckily for all of us, those ones labeled “raw” have actually been steamed to remove urushiol, the same toxin found in poison ivy!
Mango Skin
More urushiol! Just like raw cashews, the toxin can be found in mango skin, bark, and leaves. Wash those mangoes well before peeling and gaining access to that delicious flesh.
Nutmeg
A sprinkle of nutmeg in your spice cake or gingerbread cookies is fine, but don’t eat it by the spoonful. It contains myristicin, which can cause hallucinations, confusion, dizziness and seizures. But you would have to eat a couple of teaspoons. Stick with a couple of cookies, instead.
Potatoes
Storing your potatoes in a cool dry place will prevent them from turning green and sprouting, and that’s a good thing, because the green parts and the sprouts can contain solanine. Exposure to large amounts of this toxin can bring on delirium, diarrhea, weak pulse, hallucinations, fever, among other symptoms. As long as your potatoes are not green, you are good to go. Enjoy your potato salad.
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