If you follow a diet that consists mainly of food from plants which has not been cooked then you could be said to be following a raw food diet. It is said to be very good for you as plants contain enzymes which help digestion and absorption of food. These enzymes are destroyed during cooking. Some people think that cooking food destroys the life force of food.
It may seem that this kind of diet is very limiting, but with a little imagination it can be varied and interesting. It includes fruit and vegetables and also nuts, seeds, seaweed, pulses and grains. For a diet to be considered raw food it must contain at least seventy five percent uncooked foods.
It is thought that this is a healthier way of living as this diet does not contain any processed foods, fats and sugar. Devotees of this kind of diet report that they have clearer skin, more energy, have lost weight and have a better digestive system. It is also thought to lower the incidence of heart disease.
If you follow this diet then it will be low in trans fats, which are the manufactured fats designed to keep fat stable so that it does not go rancid. These kinds of fats are thought to present a risk of heart disease and are also associated with certain kinds of cancers. Because this diet does not contain any animal products then it is low in saturated fats. Saturated fats can raise cholesterol levels.
The foods found in this diet are low in sodium, but high in potassium which is good for you. They also are high in phytochemicals which are found in plants and which help to keep you healthy. The foods are high in fibre.
Juicing lots of fruits and vegetables, and then experimenting by mixing the juices can help to keep this diet more interesting so a good juicer is an essential piece of equipment. Sprouting seeds and adding them to dishes adds variety as does soaking dried nuts and fruits. A dehydrator can be used to make your own dried fruit.
When this diet is first followed then some symptoms of detoxification may be experienced if your diet was previously high in salt, sugar and caffeine. These symptoms should clear after a few days. This raw food diet is not suitable for everyone as it should not be followed by anyone who suffers from osteoporosis as it is very low in calcium. It is also not suitable for children or pregnant women.
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