Raw Food Diet

A raw food diet - sometimes referred to as the 'living food diet" - consists of eating living and raw unprocessed foods such as nuts, seeds, fruits and vegetables, because heating food above 118 degrees causes them to lose much of their nutritional value.

In one recent study, there were significant improvements in several areas in people who ate 80-90 percent raw food. Here are some of the improvements noted, as well as benefits reported by other raw eaters:

• Better, more restful sleep.
• A boost in energy.
• Improved elimination - less constipation.
• Weight loss.
• Fewer allergies.
• Improved digestion.
• Improved mental and emotional well-being.
• Smooth skin.

Significant benefits can be achieved even if you do not go 100% raw. In fact, you can see noticeable results right away from any increase in raw food in your diet.

As with many other diets out there, the raw food diet has many variations, depending on who you talk to, but following are some popular examples:

Raw Vegan

The raw vegan diet consists of any raw food, but no animal products. Calories come mainly from fat (such as nuts and avocados), and fruit.

Raw Vegan - Fruit Based

This is a low fat version of the raw vegan diet, often described as 80/10/10 after Dr. Doug Graham, popular speaker in the area of Raw/Live Foods. Dr. Graham proposed that the raw vegan diet should consist of 80% of calories from fruit, 10% from protein and 10% from fat. Consists of unheated and unprocessed fruits, vegetables, nuts and seeds - everything organic if possible - and fresh.

Raw Vegetarian

No meat or fish, but includes raw (unpasteurized) milk, cheese, eggs etc.

Primitive Raw

Includes raw meat and fish, but for safety reasons there are strict rules about what meat can be eaten. Soaked and sprouted grains or legumes are not allowed if following a paleolithic style diet.

Optimal health results from of a number of different lifestyle and diet changes, and a raw food diet along with juicing your vegetables can be a major step in the right direction for attaining a healthier, more energetic life.

• Raw vegetable juices, in addition to fruit juices, posses many powerful nutritive and healing properties, and are very beneficial to a healthy diet.

• Serving size is important for raw juices - less than 6 ounces. Your serving size could be anywhere from 3-6 ounces - experiment to find what works for you.

• Drinking juiced vegetables can be generally more satisfying by adding at least some, if not all, of the vegetable pulp into the juice.

• Juicing helps to absorb the essential nutrients from vegetables.

• Consuming an optimal amount of vegetables each day can be much easier if the vegetables are juiced.

• If you are in that rut of eating the same vegetables every single day, you can add a bigger variety of vegetables to your diet by juicing them.

• Herbs can be added to juices both for additional flavors and healing properties.

• It's best to drink your fresh juiced vegetables right away, but the juice can be stored in the refrigerator for a very brief time, preferably no more than 24 hours. Make sure it is covered and tightly sealed as light and oxygen damage the juice and cause a decline in nutrients.

• The cancer fighting and protective qualities of raw juices and foods is supported by evidence.

• Raw juice provides more nutrients, curbing food cravings and leading to weight loss.

Unfortunately, there are lots of drawbacks to this diet, but some great health benefits have been credited to following it. Weight loss and an improvement in people who suffer from such issues as depression and even diabetes are just some of these benefits.

• Some versions of the vegan diet are high in fat which can be a problem, depending on your medical history. And whether this version of the diet is cooked or raw, you need to supplement with vitamin B12. The vegan diet may not be suitable for small children.

• Anyone who suffers from diabetes or problems with candida overgrowth should definitely avoid a diet that is high in fruit and fat, and therefore should probably find another way to lose weight other than the vegan diet.

• Meeting nutritional requirements while on this diet can be another problem, so you will need to either eat lots of raw green vegetables, or alternatively you can blend many of your fruits and vegetables together into some tasty green smoothies.

• Following the raw food diet in social settings and even while visiting can be very difficult. In a restaurant setting you might be able to order what you need, but you may have to pack a lunch when visiting with friends or family.

• Foods that can actually prove dangerous if eaten raw include unpeeled potatoes and kidney beans and their sprouts. Foods such as raw meat, if contaminated, can be deadly. Pregnant women - and anyone else who is at risk - should not eat unpasteurized dairy products as they could cause food poisoning.

• Broccoli, cabbage, etc., which are from the brassica family of vegetables, contain natural pesticides that could be dangerous in high doses, but are altered or destroyed during cooking. However, raw broccoli is quite popular among many people who follow a raw food diet because the natural pesticide in broccoli has been shown to protect against cancer in many research studies.

And finally, always consult your physician before starting any diet, including a raw food diet. They know your medical history and are in the best position to advise you as to what weight loss method is safer and healthier for you

For more information on the raw food diet, visit CarolinaHealthNotes.com.