May 12, 2015 · Written by Foodtolive Team
Starting Raw Food Diet: Why and How of Raw Foodism
There is no denying the fact that there are many benefits of eating raw food. In fact, this diet plan is so good for your overall wellbeing that the number of people who choose raw foodism has been growing exponentially over the last few years. With environmental pollution and other sources of toxins that we are exposed to on a daily basis, it’s really no wonder that people look for ways to get stronger and healthier. Starting raw food diet can do the trick, but only if you do it right.
Raw Food Explained
First of all, you need to understand what a raw food diet is about. This is a type of diet that consists entirely of raw (uncooked) food or food that is cooked at low temperatures. There are several varieties of this diet:
- Raw veganism
- Raw vegetarianism
- Raw omnivorous
As raw meat is harmful for your body, this diet includes dairy, eggs, organs, and fish.
The theory behind this nutrition plan is focused on the fact that natural raw food health benefits are lost during the process of cooking. This is indeed true as high temperatures really do obliterate most vitamins and some minerals.
In addition, some types of cooking fill the food with a dose of toxins. For example, frying can turn even healthy vegetable mix into a carcinogen. Cooking also destroys important enzymes that assist your digestive process. This is why fried foods always seem so heavy.
How to Start Raw Food Diet
It’s not so easy to switch to a raw food diet without harming your health in the process. Your body needs to get used to the change, so it’s best if you start with some raw snacks first. Increase the amount of uncooked food in your meals bit by bit until you get to the point where 80% of all the things you eat are raw.
Vegans and vegetarians find it easier to adjust to this diet, but even meat eaters can succeed with this quest if they have a good raw food diet menu plan. There are plenty of incredible recipes for this kind of food, so you’ll definitely enjoy the experience of trying this diet, even if you decide not to stick to it in the future.
Another important benefit of starting raw food diet is the fact that this will save you a great deal of time. Many people find cooking to be a pleasant activity, but there is no denying the fact that it is also highly time-consuming. Considering how demanding life can be today, not everyone has an opportunity to make proper meals.
If you are one of these people, you have two roads open before you. The first one is eating unhealthy snacks and processed foods on the run. The second is to stock up on some raw ingredients and turn them into a delicious meal that will only take a few minutes to prepare. It shouldn’t be hard to see which road is the one that will lead you to health.
Technology today also makes it easier for you to switch to this new eating plan. There are plenty of tools that allow you to turn common raw ingredients into something special and tasty without actually cooking them. If you are serious about this, you need to make sure your kitchen is equipped with:
- A blender.
You can use it to make smoothies, shakes, and mousses. - A juicer.
Freshly squeezed juices must be a part of any healthy diet. - A dehydrator.
Make your own crunchy fruit or vegetable chips to replace the unhealthy snacks most people are so used to.
What to Eat on a Raw Food Diet
Many people are wary about changing to this eating plan because they believe that this kind of diet only includes fruits and vegetables. However, this isn’t so. There are plenty of foods for you to enjoy while you become healthier by going raw.
Here is a simple raw food guide for you:
Fruits
Any and all fruits are good for you in some way. Nowadays, you can purchase almost any kind of fruit imaginable in a supermarket, so you can try something exotic to diversify your diet.- Vegetables.
Pay special attention to leafy green veggies, as they are the best source of fiber and many other important nutrients. Therefore, they make you feel full. Bell peppers and tomatoes also need to make a frequent appearance on your table as they are full of antioxidants and vitamin C. - Nuts and seeds.
Our store carries high-quality organic nuts and seeds which will be an excellent addition to a raw food eating plan. You should also consider sprouting some seeds, as sprouts are exceptionally nutritious value. Don’t forget about all the foods that derive from seeds and nuts, such as oils, raw almond butter, nut milks, and even seed crackers, which make a great snack. - Grains.
Cereals will need to become a huge part of your raw food diet menu plan. Grains of all kinds have some health benefits, and including them will diversify your meals and make them more nutritious. - Legumes.
Note that most legumes can be toxic when raw. You will need to soak and sprout them in order to make them safe to eat.Sponsored by Food to live
- Beverages.
Fresh water, coconut water, freshly squeezed juices of any kind and herbal teas will keep you hydrated. Note that if you are really into raw food philosophy, you can only take the teas made with water heated below 118 F. - Fermented foods.
Try some miso, sauerkraut, and kimchee before you decide whether they suit your taste. Fermented foods do possess a rather peculiar taste, so they might need a bit of getting used to. - Animal foods.
Raw milk and cheese made from it are dairy products you can eat if you choose to switch to this diet completely. You can also consume sashimi (raw fish) and eggs. If you really can’t live without red meat, you can eat a little bit of beef once in a while.
To make your meals more delicious, you can use spices, oils, and vinegars. Don’t forget about honey and agave syrup, natural sweeteners that can be used to make delicious candies with crushed nuts and dried fruits.
There are plenty of raw food recipes for beginners online, so you’ll be able to learn how to make a simple but delicious meal in a matter of minutes. Do some research and you’ll see that there are many more options available to you than boring salads. You can also get creative and try to invent a few recipes of your own. After all, you can do no wrong when you combine delicious and healthy ingredients.
