How Can A Raw Food Diet Benefit You?
A raw food diet is one where proponents support the belief that precious enzymes are destroyed in foods when they are heated to temperatures exceeding 115 degrees. It is more difficult for our digestive systems to digest foods and absorb nutrients when enzymes are destroyed. It is thought that the life force of foods is greatly diminished when it is cooked over 115 degrees.
You may wonder what a raw food diet consists of. It is derived of foods that have not been processed, adulterated or modified. Uncooked plant foods such as fresh (preferably organic) vegetables, fruits, grains, seeds, nuts, beans, sprouts and sea vegetables all make up this healthy diet. A raw foodist is someone whose diet consists of 75% or more of these foods.
Some of the health benefits that this diet tout include increased energy, better digestion and assimilation of foods, reduced risk of a host of chronic diseases, weight loss, improved condition of skin, hair and nails.
Trans fats and saturated fats are replaced by healthy fats that are contained in avocados, nuts and olive oil. Less sodium exists in a raw food diet and a plentiful amount of nutrients are present such as magnesium, potassium, fiber, folate and phytochemicals found in plants. These nutrients, while they exist to some extent in the standard American diet (SAD), they are sorely lacking in quantity and quality.
Research has discovered that not only is the risk of chronic disease reduced greatly when one consumes this nutrient-rich diet, but it also can cause a marked drop in total blood cholesterol and triglycerides. There are various methods and tools necessary to prepare raw meals. A myriad of cookbooks can be found that are chock full of nutritious, delicious recipes. Some of the dishes you might find in these cookbooks, while often complicated to prepare, are surprisingly satisfying. The chefs who have come up with these enormously creative recipes have found a niche for their amazing talents and creativity.
Using tools such as a juicer, blender, food processor and dehydrator (which slowly dries and heats foods at temperatures that do not exceed 115 degrees) are what makes up a raw foodist’s kitchen. Many websites are devoted to selling products for raw food preparation. These sites make it easy to locate otherwise difficult to find items. You can uncover these retailers using a quick Google search.
Detoxification side effects are often associated with the commencement of a healthy raw food diet. Food cravings, nausea, and headaches are some of the symptoms that are common but will subside after several days. Once you pass the detoxification phase of your new lifestyle, you will begin to feel extremely well. Your brain will feel more alert and your level of energy will improve greatly.
There is a level of commitment and discipline involved when embarking on a raw food diet. All meals need to be prepared from scratch with all fresh ingredients. For a treat, there are actually many raw food restaurants popping up nationwide.
Critics of this diet say that the enzymes lost due to cooking are not vital to our digestion. They believe that certain phytochemicals that exist in a plant based diet are actually easier to absorb after cooking as they are released when they are exposed to heat.
Whether or not you decide to embark on a raw food diet, you should be consuming about 50% of your diet in the form of raw foods each day. By doing this, you will ensure that you are getting the proper mix of nutrients you need.
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