Embarking on a Raw Food Diet

Because there are so many fad diets, the simplest approaches to eating are often overlooked.  The Raw Food diet is not exactly a diet, but rather a way of life for those who choose to change to this style of eating. In essence, this diet embraces only eating those foods that are unprocessed and uncooked, such fresh fruit, vegetables, sprouts and seeds.

The premise behind the raw food diet is that cooking food above 116 degrees will rob fresh, healthy food of its enzymes that help aid with digestion and absorption. Cooking also removes a lot of the vitamins and minerals that are inherent in fresh food. In addition, packaged food is full of potential toxins and pollutants that our bodies must adapt to over time. Food is meant to be eaten in its natural state in order to keep us healthy, and this is why some choose to opt for a 100% raw food lifestyle.

Those who have a raw food diet report less health issues, better skin complexion, weight loss, and reduced risk of cholesterol and heart disease.  Trans fat has been a huge concern for families across the country in recent years, as have saturated fats.  In packaged and processed foods we cannot avoid these fats to a large degree, but a raw food diet that is packed in fiber and other nutrients will provide everything a body needs as well as contribute to a healthy lifestyle.

The types of foods that can be eaten vary as well as do the way you can prepare them.  At least 70% of the foods you consume must not be prepared over 116 degrees.  These foods include organic fresh fruits and vegetables of any kind, nuts, sprouts, seeds, beans, whole grains, dried fruit, fruit juice, coconut milk, and seaweed.  To process the food for consumption, you can either juice the fruits or vegetables or dehydrate them. Soaking nuts makes them easier to eat, as does blending grains, beans, and vegetables. There are many raw food cookbooks available both online and in bookstores that can provide you with recipes.

Although there are many benefits to a raw food diet, there are also a few side effects. When a person consumes unhealthy food such as sugar and caffeine, over time their body develops a dependency on it. When starting a raw food diet, you will essentially go through withdrawal and have symptoms such as headaches, fatigue, nausea, and cravings that can last for several days. Once over this period, you should begin to feel significantly better. Those who should avoid a raw food diet include pregnant women, individuals with anemia, and children as they have different dietary needs than most.

Embarking upon a raw food diet is a good step for those who wish to start off on the road to a healthy lifestyle. The energy, vitality, and overall well being that can result from eating only the most natural of foods are only a few of the benefits you’ll see when you begin a raw food diet.

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