The Raw Food Diet is one of the most healthy dieting options as it consists primarily of fresh, preferably organic, fruits and vegetables. We have all heard the old adage: "An apple a day keeps the doctor away". Likewise, it appears that many people do quite well with 75 to 100% of food intake as raw fruits, nuts, vegetables, and other raw foods and food recipes. Such a diet does not have to be boring or bland either. An abundance of raw food recipes are available - from fruit smoothies and salads to raw pizza. Meat is not a common raw food ingredient, but Sushi recipes are an option for some. It's also true that some 'cheating', is allowed, but cooked and raw foods should not be eaten at the same meal. Vitamin B12, copper, zinc and a few other trace minerals can be difficult to get from eating mainly raw foods, so some dieters take low-dosage supplements for these nutrients.
Most people today eat a diet of mostly cooked food that is high in all kinds of food additives and fat. Cooked food in general takes a different digestive course through the body than raw food and is more likely to be stored as fat rather than be converted to energy. Fruits often take a central role in a raw food diet, as fruit is easy for the body to digest in raw form. The readily available energy from fruit tends to increase metabolism and therefore burn fat. Higher metabolism and increased energy levels is a main reason why raw dieting is effective. Portion size is also not as much of a worry as it is in other diets.
A raw food diet does often have some negative effects initially, Many dieters experience fluctuating energy levelsoxifying effects of eating raw foods and are usually replaced after a week or two with an increase in metabolism and energy. Many raw dieters experience better sleep, better looking skin, and better focus and concentration as rewards for sticking to a raw diet through the initial detoxification and adjustment phase.
"What can I eat on a raw food diet?" is a question I'm often asked. Being a long time nurse and raw fooder myself who has cured herself of numerous ailments, diseases and conditions, I can give you a good idea of the best foods to eat.
You may be interested in starting a raw food diet because you have health concerns. If so, know that I cured myself many years ago within one month of starting to eat raw foods of breast cancer, fibromyalgia, arthritis, acid reflux, GERD and digestive issues, recurrent heartburn, headaches, diarrhea, constipation, TMJ that goes along with fibromyalgia, sleeping problems - waking up for two hours in the middle of the night and many others.
Maybe you're already healthy and just want to make sure you stay that way. A raw food diet will be insurance for you as well.
Before I started on raw foods I had never heard the term "raw foods," so it was all new to me. I learned fast however and it was really quite simple. A raw food diet can be anything you want it to be if you stick with plant foods such as fruits, vegetables, nuts and seeds. Of course you don't have to eat 100% raw foods to get the many health benefits of a vegan raw food diet.
If your focus is on an 80% raw food diet especially - to begin with that may be a good idea, unless you have some very serious health concerns. Then you may want to take a different approach - as many raw foods or living foods as they are also called, in your diet as you can handle. Of course you'll want to check with your doctor on any diet changes you make and especially if you have any serious illnesses, diabetes, heart problems or you're on any medications. Clear it with your doctor first.
My best suggestion is that you try to add a lot more fruit to your breakfast menu. You may know that the national Food Guide Pyramid recommends about nine fruits and vegetables a day. This means two to four servings of fruits and at least three to five servings of vegetables every day. I don't think that is enough. I eat a lot more than that in one day.
Raw foods have few calories and people lose weight fast when going on a raw food diet. It's not meant to be a temporary fix but a lifetime commitment to superior health. That's what I enjoy and have from the first month I made a change from the standard American diet, many years ago.
For lunch and dinner you can have fruits, veggies, huge salads and sunflower seed pates, roll-ups, raw vegan entrees and raw desserts such as live fudge, blueberry pie, lemon torte, live apple pie, raw fudge and hundreds of other choices. You can make crackers easily, smoothies, fresh green and carrot juices and lots of appetizers. There are many recipes you can make and easy raw recipe books that you can help you get a good start too. Raw food recipes are usually fast and simple.
The important thing is to do something. Get started on a raw food diet and see the pounds melt away, this without buying expensive diet programs or diet plans or investing in expensive supplements. I lost ten pounds fast and it shocked me. If you don't need to lose weight, that is only one of hundreds of benefits of eating a raw food diet. Raw foods are loaded with nutrients, phytonutrients, fiber, vitamins, minerals and trace minerals and all in their natural state. Get started on the road to superior health today! Now you may have a better idea of "What I can eat on a raw food diet!" Get started today and enjoy superior health like I do!
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