The Raw Food Diet and What It Really Means

Is this completely back-to-nature diet really everything it claims to be? Here are both sides of the diet to help you decide if it’s best for you.

What It Means

Raw foods are unprocessed and uncooked plant and animal products. The advocates of this diet affirm that enzymes are the life force of a food and that every food contains its own perfect mix of enzymes which help us digest foods completely, without relying on our body to produce its own digestive enzymes. It is also believed that the cooking process depletes vitamins and minerals and that cooked foods take longer to digest.

Advantages

Followers of a raw diet cite numerous health benefits, some of which include: improved digestion, reduced risk of heart disease, increased energy levels, enhanced appearance of the skin, and weight loss, to name a few.

Food Prep

People who follow the raw food diet use particular techniques to prepare foods. In this diet, raw foods are generally unprocessed; preferably organic, whole foods which are prepared for consumption by with grinding, dehydrating,and juicing. Also soaking nuts and dried fruits are included and also, juicing fruits and vegetables. The only cooking that is permitted is with dehydrator which uses hot air to blast through the food,but never hits above 116°F.

The Flip Side

Some individuals’ following this diet may experience mild headaches, nausea, and cravings for a few days after starting this, which is known as a detoxification reaction. Also,certain nutritional deficiencies can occur with this diet; particularly in children, pregnant or nursing women, people with anemia, and in those at risk for osteoporosis due to deficiency of calcium, iron, protein, and calories. Basically, the body’s natural enzymes are used in the digestion process of cooked foods and make it easier to absorb by cooking, such as in the case of beta carotene that is found in carrots.