Could A Raw Food Lifestyle Be Right For You?
Have you heard of the raw food diet (or movement) as a healthier way of living? Are you curious to learn how it works? What benefits do eating raw food provide? Do you want to know if you can try raw food on a small scale (without totally altering your current eating habits)? Well, stayed tuned.
Today you will be introduced to the Raw Food Diet and the commonly known Raw Food Movement. The
popularity and growth of raw food consumption is due to the fact that fresh, raw vegetables, fruits, nuts, and seeds are thought by many experts to be some of the most healthy and nutritious foods.
Let’s start at the beginning with a simple definition:
Basic Understanding of Raw Food
A raw food diet has several basic tenets as its foundation. A raw foodist is defined by eating only uncooked, unprocessed and organic living and raw fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, and seaweeds. Nothing is heated or cooked above 116 degrees. The reason that nothing is cooked in a raw food diet is
that raw food contain enzymes. When heating food over 116 degrees F enzymes are destroyed. There are many different enzymes in the body, and among other life-sustaining functions, they assist in the digestion of food. Enzymes are considered the "Life-Force" or "energy" of food. Living and raw food also have vastly higher nutrient values than foods that have been cooked.
There are many different "diets" being touted today. No matter what your preference or goal, you can probably find a "fit" in the diet world. Atkins. South Beach. Weight Watchers. Low carb. Low GI. Vegetarian. Macrobiotic. The list seems endless! This raw food lifestyle is quickly gaining in popularity. It is expected to move to the forefront as word spreads about its many benefits. Soon everyone will know someone who is "raw".
Why People Adopt the Raw Food Lifestyle
Here’s why people consider incorporating more raw food into their diet, if not make a complete transition to living foods:
- Promotes weight loss
- Slows the process of aging
- Increases energy
- Lowers cholesterol naturally, without medications
- Improves health in those with chronic or degenerative disease
- Increases mental clarity
- Helps detoxify the body of internal and external toxins
More About What Raw Foodists Eat and Drink
Raw and Living Foodists eat all organic fruits, vegetables, sprouts, nuts, seeds, grains, sea vegetables
, and other natural foods that have not been processed. They drink purified spring or distilled water, and fresh fruit and vegetable juices.
Helpful Resources for the Raw Food Lifestyle:
Books & Online Resources
For those that desire to go "raw gourmet", famous chef Charlie Trotter leads the way in his new book, Raw. For more information online including great recipes, there are several good sites: www.rawfoods.com, www.rawfoodlife.com, and http://goneraw.com.
Blender or food processor
Many recipes call for the combination of ingredients, and one definitely needs a blender to combine and/or food processor to grate, chop, and shred. With equipment, it is fine to begin small and inexpensive, and up grade if raw foods become a new way of life. Or, if a long-term commitment to a
raw diet is certain, buying a heavy duty, well made blender and food processor is a smart move. The units that are more expensive generally last much longer, have extended warranties and better customer service, and are easier and less frustrating to use.
Knives
A raw diet involves a fair amount of food preparation in the way of chopping, cutting, and peeling. Investing in a good set of knives will make the time spent in food preparation much easier.
Dehydrator
Some raw food recipes call for a food dehydrator. A food dehydrator allows for the creation of crackers and cookies, dried fruit without sulfates, and fruit leather, and it can also serve as a way to warm foods without destroying enzymes. It is best to get one that allows for the adjustment of temperatures. Most dehydrators on the market now have stackable trays and a fan that circulates air. Many also come with the plastic sheets that are used in the initial stages of dehydrating a wet food. They can be purchased rather inexpensively, or if desired, there are certainly top of the line, more costly models that are larger and more industrial.Juicer
Many people involved in a living foods lifestyle find that juicing fresh fruits and vegetables at home adds greatly to their health benefits. The juices that are sold in stores are pasteurized (therefore they contain no enzymes); bottled, prepared for store shelves, and shipped across the country. By the time they are consumed they contain only a small amount of nutrition compare to what can be prepared with one's own juicer. There are several different types of juicers available, in many different price ranges. It is best to read reviews of different types and brands, and consider how often the juicer will be used before purchasing one. Here’s a resource to compare various juicers and read reviews.
Beware Temptations Are Everywhere
It can be challenging to follow a natural diet with organic foods and raw vegetable and fruit on a
continuous basis. Our society loves to eat fast food and at restaurants. In addition, we do much of our socializing around food and most of these events have menus of traditional foods and traditional food preparations. When it comes to battling the temptation of giving into your old eating habits, strive to make small changes at first, and if you stray a bit from time to time, be sure try to get back on track as soon as possible.
If you would like to add more raw and living foods to your current diet, here are some easy ways to get started. Schedule low stress changes to eating healthier:
Even if you incorporate more raw food into your diet than you normally do, this will have many positive affects on your overall well-being. You can painlessly increase your intake of living foods by creating a simple eating schedule. For example, eat as you normally do for most of the week and eat all raw fruits, vegetables, nuts, and seeds on the other one or two days. If an entire day of eating all raw seems too intense, try having about half the food on your plate raw during that day. The important point is to add more living foods while not stressing yourself out doing it. Often tiny goals are much easier to stick to then big ones that are too hard or uncomfortable.
Another possible schedule for increasing raw food is to eat two meals a day of your regular diet and
make the third meal all raw. Or add at least one raw food item to each meal. An additional schedule would be to make all your snacks living and raw foods or half your snacks - whatever feels easy and doable. After one month on this diet, you will notice a difference. In fact, you will wonder why you have not started it earlier.
Let me know how the raw food lifestyle works for you. I would love to hear your story.
Enjoy!
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