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Last Updated: Jul 2nd, 2008 - 21:15:22 |
Basics of the Raw Food Diet
The Raw Food Diet is based on eating uncooked and unprocessed vegetable food.
There is a scientific reason for this. It is that at a temperature of 116 degrees F (46.6 degree C) the greater part of the enzymes in the foods, which helps the process of their digestions and adsorption by the body tissues, is destroyed.
An additional argument against processing and cooking of foods is the decrease of their nutritional components (i.e. vitamins).
The Raw Food Diet is considered to be one of the most natural and healthy eating programs. It is not only for weight loss, but it is a detox diet too.
Following this diet you will find you have better digestion, increased energy, and it will improve the look of your skin and eyes.
You will definitely lose weight and will drastically decrease the risk of heart and cardiovascular diseases, due to reduced levels of triglycerides and cholesterol. Your risk to develop diabetes or cancer will be also decreased.
Following the Raw Food Diet
When planning your raw food daily intake you have to take into account that at least 75% of the foods should be unprocessed (not heated over 116 degrees F).
The allowed foods are:
1. Fresh vegetables and fruits as well as dried fruits.
2. Nuts and seeds (not backed, not salted).
3. Grains and legumes.
4. Seaweeds.
5. Any uncooked organic or natural food.
Drinks:
Purified water
Fresh juices from vegetables or fruits (no sugar added),
Young coconut milk.
There are some preparation techniques, which can be applied to the raw foods:
1. Juicing fruits and vegetables.
2. Soaking dried fruits and nuts.
3. Sprouting beans.
4. Blending.
5. Drying (dehydrating) foods.
The foods which are Not allowed during the Raw Food Diet are meat, fish, chicken, all animal products including eggs and dairy products.
Some followers of the diet accept wine as an allowed drink as far as it is not subject to a heating process.
What to Know Before Starting the Raw Food Diet
Avoid the raw food diet if you are a pregnant or nursing woman, a child, or you have developed osteoporosis (researchers have found that the bone mass decreases due to the raw food diet).
Some nutritional deficiency may occur during the diet, like iron, B12, calcium and protein. Avoid the raw food diet if you have anemia.
During the first days of the diet you may suffer from headaches, cravings or nausea due to the detoxification.
The process is harder if your usual lifestyle before the diet has included good amounts of meat, sugar and caffeine.
You may need invest energy, time and money, as the meals preparation is long-lasting (soaking and sprouting), needs special equipment (dehydrators, juice extractors, choppers and blenders), and sometimes it is hard to find the necessary products.
It may take a while to get used to the preparation needed for this diet, but in the long run it will be worth the effort.
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