Generally these diets are plant-based, and are comprised of at least 75% raw food. Apparently raw foods contain the enzymes that are thought to be removed during the cooking process.
Depending on the type of lifestyle and results desired, raw food diets may include a selectõon of raw fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds (including sprouted whole grains), eggs, fish, meat, and unpasteurized dairy products (such as raw milk, cheese and yogurt). A raw foodist (or 'rawist') is a person who consumes primarily raw food, or all raw food, depending on how strict the diet is. Raw foodists typically believe that the greater the percentage of raw food in the diet, the greater the health benefits. Raw foodists can be divided between those that advocate raw vegetarianism or raw veganism, those that advocate a raw omnivorous diet, and those that advocate a diet of only raw animal foods.
Principles of the Raw Food Diet:
- Raw foods contain enzymes which aid digestion, meaning that the body's own enzymes may work unimpeded in regulating the body's metabolic processes, and heating food above 110-120 degrees Fahrenheit degrades or destroys these enzymes in food.
- Eating food without enzymes makes digestion more difficult, which could lead to toxicity in the body and cause excess consumption of food, obesity and chronic disease.
- Raw foods contain bacteria and other micro-organisms that affect the immune system and digestion by populating the digestive tract with gut flora.
- Raw foods have higher nutrient values than foods which have been cooked.
- Wild foods are the most nutritious raw foods.
- Freezing food is acceptable, even though freezing lowers enzyme activity. This view is only held by some raw-foodists, with many raw-foodists actually viewing freezing as harmful, though not as unhealthy as cooking.
- Many Raw-Foodists, particularly Primal-Dieters, are believers in the Hygiene Hypothesis theory[11], a concept which focuses on the health-benefits of parasites and bacteria.
Sample Meal Plan
Breakfast
Fresh fruit salad topped with chopped fresh almonds, wheat germ, and pumpkin seeds; organic sheepÕs milk yogurt or coconut cream.
Lunch
Mixed salad of various leaves, tomatoes, yellow capsicums, onions and parsley with olive oil and balsamic vinegar dressing. Topped with sprouted lentils.
Dinner
Raw mixed vegetable soup (blended); home-made sunflower seed cheese; 1/2 avocado; raspberry and banana sorbet.
Drinks
Water, juices, fruit smoothies, coconut milk.
Raw Food for Weight Loss
Weight loss is almost a certainty on this diet, due to itÕs vast differences to the conventional Western diet. Calorie and carbohydrate intake are reduced leading to weight loss. It is hard to overeat on a diet due to the high water and fiber content - another reason why weight loss may occur.
This diet can be very challenging to follow, particularly from a social and shopping perspective. However cooking time can be reduced!
Protein can be low unless appropriate levels of legumes, nuts, and seeds are eaten.
Generally a good diet, but potentially difficult to sustain. Proponents of the diet claim the diet has anti-aging properties.
Raw Food Diet Precautions
Certain studies have indicated detrimental health effects stemming from raw vegetarian and raw omnivorous diets. A 2005 study has shown that a raw vegetarian diet is associated with a lower bone density. One study of raw omnivorous diets shows amenorrhea and underweightness in women. Another one indicates an increased risk of dental erosion with a raw food diet.
Other medical studies on raw food diets have shown some positive and negative health outcomes. Accoding to one medical trial, "long-term consumption of a raw food diet is associated with favorable serum LDL cholesterol and triglycerides but also with elevated plasma homocysteine and low serum HDL cholesterol" as well as vitamin B-12 deficiency. Another study from Germany found that a "long-term strict raw food diet is associated with favourable plasma beta-carotene and low plasma lycopene concentrations." A study mentioned benefits of a Raw Vegan diet for lowering obesity and hypertension. A study has also shown reduced fibromyalgia symptoms for those on a Raw Vegan diet as well as reduced symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis, according to another study.
