Benefits of a Raw Food Diet

Are you thinking of changing to a raw food diet? What are the benefits of a raw food diet? What does the raw food diet consist of?

Raw food diet is a diet of which the foods eaten are mainly raw, unprocessed and uncooked. If the food is heated, the temperature used is less than 40 degrees Celsius or 104 degrees Fahrenheit. The reasoning behind it is that the nutritional value of the food is lost when cooked above the said temperature. Raw foodists believe that foods that are cooked are harmful because they produce toxins.

The raw food diet consists of eating mainly organic fresh fruits, vegetables, sprouted nuts and seeds. Most foodists consume living plants, nuts, whole grains and seeds. Some of them live only on fruit and vegetable juices. They are the vegetarians. Another type of foodist may include raw meat, eggs, fish, unpasteurized milk and raw dairy products in their diet.

What are the health benefits of a raw food diet are:

1. Foods that are uncooked are low in fat and contain natural sugars. There are no restrictions on the portion of food to eat. You can eat as much as you want without putting on weight and maintaining it at an appropriate level.
   
   
   
2. There are natural vitamins and minerals and are less toxic compared to processed food. These nutrients can improve the immune system, lower the risk of heart disease and improve skin health.
   
   
   
3. Fresh fruits and vegetables have high fiber contents. Eating raw food improves digestion helps detoxify your body.
   
   
   
4. Because these foods do not contain saturated fat, it's unlikely that you will have high bad cholesterol level. Being able to regulate your cholesterol level reduces the risks of getting serious illness.
   
   
   
5. One of the other benefits of a raw food diet is that you are more energized. Because they are raw, the enzymes in the food aren't destroyed. These enzymes help with your digestion and provide you with the energy that you need.

What are the disadvantages of a raw food diet?

One of the disadvantages of raw food diet is the lack of animal protein and the essential amino acids. There is also a possible deficiency in calcium and vitamin B12 in the long term. In cases like this, it's wise to add food supplements to compensate for what is lacking in the diet.

What to do before changing to a raw food diet?

If you are thinking of changing to a raw food diet, you should consult a doctor first. People who are diabetic for example, may need to pay attention to the calorie content and nutritional value of raw foods.

And when starting your raw food diet plan, start by eating half raw and half cooked foods. One of the reasons is to allow your body to get accustomed to the change in your food intake. Then gradually add more uncooked food in your diet.

Back to Benefits of Healthy Eating

Return from Benefits of a Raw Food Diet to the iBenefits home