Everyday Superfoods: Raw Food Diet
Benefits and Hazards of Eating Uncooked Food
Raw food diets are gaining popularity as the focus on health becomes oriented to fresh, whole, vitamin- and enzyme-rich foods. But uncooked food is not for everyone.
With books on raw eating sprouting on bookstore shelves, and trendy restaurants offering raw food options or entirely raw gourmet menus, the growing popularity of raw diets is undeniable. The health world is eager to learn more about the benefit of enzymes and raw, uncooked foods.
The Raw Food Diet
The basic tenet of most raw food diets is that food should be live. Foods that have been cooked above a certain temperature (debatably something between 92 and 118 degrees farenheit) are considered dead because the enzymes – one of the vital ingredients that enables cells to function, and that also aid in our digestion – change shape when heated and become useless.
Raw foods are rich in water, fiber, easily absorbed vitamins and minerals, and generally make the body more alkali and less acidic, strengthening the immune system. Many people report more energy, strength, endurance, emotional balance and mental clarity on a raw food diet. Some even claim raw dieting has restored their health after debilitating or "terminal" illnesses.
Does “Raw Food” Mean Eating Only Salad?
Not at all! There are dozens of variations on a raw food diet – and if it seems like raw foodists eat a lot of salad and uncomplicated raw veggies, that’s mostly to do with convenience. Raw cooking can be time-consuming – from slow, low-temperature dehydration to preparation of gourmet main courses and desserts.
Some raw food diets depend on the simplicity of raw fruits, nuts and vegetables, but most include complex meals of nuts and seeds, plenty of avocado and healthy oils, smoothies, raw cereal, sprouts, juicing and more.
Are All Raw-Foodists Vegetarians?
No. Several meat dishes are traditionally served raw. So can fish – think sushi!
Additionally, there are varying degrees of raw food eating: Many raw food enthusiasts will call themselves “90% raw” or “80% raw” and will consume meat protein and certain other foods cooked.
Is a Raw Food Diet Good for Everyone?
While a certain amount of raw food is good for everyone, a totally raw diet may not be. Depending on your body type (blood type, organ type, and/or dosha) you may find a raw diet a wonderful experience, though it is thought to be too cooling for some people (O blood type or kapha dosha, for instance).
Additionally, if you are considering exploring raw food eating, please proceed slowly. Raw food diets do promote cleansing. Those who have eaten a “normal” cooked diet for most of their lives are advised to begin slowly increasing their intake of raw foods so as to prevent a detox reaction.
Do I Need to Buy a Juicer, Dehydrator, or Other Special Equipment?
A juicer, dehydrator, and other tools are key for gourmet raw “cooking.” For most beginners, though, a food processor and other kitchen basics are usually enough.
What About Sprouts?
Sprouts have many purported benefits for those on a raw food diet - or those who simply want to benefit from the enzyme-loaded, protein-rich energy boost of sprouts. Sprouting your own nuts, seed, lentils and beans is a simple addition to add some raw power to any diet.
Will I Lose Weight by Eating Raw?
For many, the answer is yes. For others - especially those with malabsorption issues - the answer is no. People who are chronically underweight will typically gain to a healthy weight by eating raw.
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