Raw Food Diet

A raw food diet, it actually sounds pretty easy and straight forward, but after reading this article you will learn that there more to it then picking up an apple and not eating steaks. A raw food approach to diet is a big change and I will show you what these changes are, the benefits of the diet and how much weight can be lost.

What is a Raw Food Diet?

If it’s not alive or raw, then do not eat it. That is the basic premise of the raw food diet. But why eat raw food. Well, upon heating food to the temperatures that we know as cooking, foods lose nutrients during this process and enzymes which aid in digestion.

The believe therefore is, that by eating raw food you will receive all the nutrients and enzymes that the foods available to us were intended to provide in addition to what our bodies actually need.

The Benefits of the Raw Food Diet

A number of benefits are reported from the raw food diet including

• More energy
• Better digestion
• Diabetes management
• Clear, vibrant and younger looking skin
• Healthy hair
• Strong nails
• A healthier digestive system
• And last but not least, Weight loss!!

How to get Started with the Raw Food Diet

A raw food diet is going to introduce a number of things into your diet that your body is not accustomed to. Here are some simple guidelines and tips to help you acclimatize to a raw food diet.

• Lemon water –  Starting each day with the juice of half a lemon squizzed into 16 oz Glass of water will provide you with a good boost of vitamin C
• Your fibre intake will go UP! You must drink plenty of water or the increase of fibre in your diet may lead to stools that are so firm you become constipated.
• The raw food diet places a particular emphasis on green leafy vegetables because these contain the nutrients and minerals which most people are deficient. Green smoothies are something which have become closely aligned with the Raw Food diet as a result.
• Eggs and Fish are an acceptable ingredient in the Raw Food diet 

Raw Food Diet Example Meals

Snacks on a raw food diet

• Fresh fruit
• Carrot
• Celery Sticks
• Raw nuts and dried fruits 

Breakfast on a raw food diet will provide you with energy, vitamins, nutrients and anti-oxidants as well as being a great boost for the digestive system

• Green Smoothies – These are a common drink amongst raw foodists. They generally consist of green leafy vegetables amongst other ingredients such as apple for sweetness
• Fruit Smoothies
• Fresh Fruits 

Lunch on a raw food diet

• A salad and a handful of nuts afterwards

Dinner on a raw food diet – baked fish along with lightly steamed vegetables and salad 

What can you NOT eat on the Raw Food Diet?

Below we will cover the types of foods that the raw diet will expect you to eliminate. It’s acceptable to gradually ween yourself off these things to allow your body and mind to ease into the changes.

• Good bye to breads
• Dairy
• ALL junk foods
• Remove condiments – they are laden with artificial ingredients and salt 

What to Expect On the Raw Food Diet

The chewing and crunching of vegetables is apparently good for the brain. It produces more serotonin, making food more satisfying and people happier

Once sugar has been reduced or eliminated from the diet, you will not suffer physical cravings. By physical cravings I mean the withdrawal symptoms your body goes through when you first begin to remove junk food from your diet.

You may on the other hand still experience momentary mental cravings for bad foods which you spent so many years attached to.

• You can’t fail in the raw food diet. You are eating healthier food, the benefits will present themselves. This will work fine as long as you do not set yourself unreasonable expectations for weight loss.
• Weigh yourself only once a month, scales and how much you weigh weekly are NOT a good way to measure success of this diet.

Raw Food Diet Criticism/Cons

• Some nutritionists actually believe that you lose too much weight on the raw food diet. The concern is that the raw food diet lacks sufficient amounts of the fats our bodies require.
• The killing of enzymes is a reason why raw foodists are against the idea of cooking, whilst critics will argue that the human digestive system already has all the enzymes required to digest food sufficiently.
• A raw foodists will tell you that our bodies react better to raw food, because that is the way that our bodies intended to make the most of food in its natural form. The flip side of this argument is that man has been eating cooked food for many years now and our bodies and digestive systems have adapted accordingly.

Why You Should Avoid Raw Food Diet

If under medication, consult with your doctor; do not stop taking prescription medicine. The raw food diet is not recommended for young children, pregnant woman or people suffering from anaemia.