The Raw Food Diet Mystery Unraveled

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The old adage “you are what you eat” has taken on renewed significance with the raw food movement. Raw foodists believe that eating food that is raw or alive helps to create energy in the person digesting it. Whereas consuming cooked or “dead” food offers less opportunity for the body to absorb vital nutrients and enzymes which can help the body digest food.

While some argue human beings have been cooking for hundreds of thousands of years and our bodies have adapted to the digestive challenges of cooked food, there is a consensus that fresh fruits and vegetables provide necessary fiber that ultimately help the body better absorb key nutrients in our food. Researchers have confirmed that food cooked above a certain temperature (generally above 112º F) kills enzymes that help the body with digestion.

Raw foodists believe eating raw food helps increase a person’s energy levels and natural vitality. Take for example, a plant sprout and the energy within a seed that causes that sprout to erupt. That growth is caused by living enzymes within that seed. Only raw food has functional live enzymes like that. To eat food that can release that kind of energy is a powerful concept that many say passes on significant health benefits including reduced risk of heart disease, healthier weight levels, and improved digestion, just to name a few.

Raw foodist try to ensure at least a 75/25 dreakdown. Although many health advocates feel it is more difficult to maintain a raw food diet without some variety or offerings from the cooked food group. Cheese, eggs, meat and fish are often difficult foods to drop especially since many of these food groups contain significant nutritional value even in their cooked form. It is for this reason, I and many other raw foodists include a small percentage of cooked food in our diets. A typical raw foodists’ diet may include a selection of raw fruits, vegetables, nuts, beans, seaweed, fish, meat, eggs and un-pasteurized dairy products such as raw milk and yogurt.

One of the things that makes this “lifestyle” so appealing is that many of the food choices available are already known to provide significant health benefits such as chocolate beans. Chocolate beans are believed to give you a feeling of wellness while suppressing your appetite at the same time. Alage is becoming popular among raw foodists too. It’s rich in vitamins and minerals,and believed to be able to remove toxins from the body.

The nature and degree of health benefits vary between individuals but there is little to dispute about the attributes of the foods within the raw food diet. They contain fewer saturated and trans fats than the typical Western diet choices.

To make a raw food diet more appealing juicing vegetables and fruits and blending or pureeing vegetables and herbs to create interesting flavors and recipes provide some interesting cooking techinques.

Raw foodism is an environmentally friendly lifestyle. This lifestyle has less need for wrapping and packaging when transporting fresh fruits, vegetables, beans and nuts than processed foods. All parts including peel and seeds of the raw food diet foods once the actual raw food is consumed can be used or put into the compost so there is no waste of food.

For over 20 years, Diana Walker has assisted people like you in using natural, safe options for creating vibrant health and well-being. Get her gems of wisdom and healthy recipes mini- e-book via her free newsletter at: http://www.diana2.com