Why Choose The Raw Food Diet?

A diet based on a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables, nuts, seeds, grains, fresh juice and purified water is considered a raw food diet. When living on a raw food diet it is advisable that 70 percent to 80 percent of the foods eaten should be raw. Fresh (unprocessed and uncooked), raw foods are natural and eating what is natural is one of the best things we can for our bodies.

Fiber is lost during the processing and cooking of food. Eating and drinking raw produce provides the body with the maximum amount of fiber. A diet that is primarily fresh fruits and vegetables is easily metabolized and has lower calorie content than other diets. When food is processed or cooked with heat greater than 116°F the enzymes that helps the body to absorb food are destroyed. When this happens the nutritional value of the food is significantly diminished.

There are also many health benefits involved when a diet consists of at least 70 percent to 80 percent raw foods. Some of the benefits you can look forward to are:

Accelerated energy

Require less sleep

Clearer smoother skin

Improved digestion

Weight loss

Weight stability

Reduced risk of heart disease

Reduced risk of diabetes

Reduced risk of cancer

If you're looking for a healthy diet that contains little or no saturated fats and low sodium, a diet that is high in magnesium, potassium, folate and fiber; if you are looking for a natural diet for the purpose of cleansing and detoxing, raw is the way to go.

Why choose the raw food diet? When you eat naturally there are many foods to choose from while planning your menu; any fresh fruits and vegetables; there are also grains, seeds, beans, nuts and legumes.

Brown rice is full of vitamins and minerals, low in fat and calories and a great source of energy.

Cabbage is a leafy vegetable, very rich in fiber that has many health benefits including:

Vitamin C for weak immune systems, infections, colds, ageing, depression and scurvy.

Fiber for constipation, ulcers, headaches, some forms of cancer, indigestion, eczema, skin disease and ageing.

Sulphur for fighting infections and healing wounds.

For a great source of vitamin A, healthy vision and cardio vascular system carrots are a great source. Carrots are great in salads, juiced or just eaten as snacks.

Seeds, grains and beans are very large sources of protein. To get the most out of these foods you can sprout them and produce organic sprouts containing large levels of proteins, vitamins, minerals, trace minerals, chlorophyll pigments and enzymes.

Sprouts can be juiced, used in salads or in soups.

Remember, it's always advisable to consult with your doctor before beginning any special diet, especially for children, pregnant women or anyone with an existing medical condition.

The detoxifying period may be a little uncomfortable for some people as it can include headaches and/or nausea which may last for several days. The overall diet will be more enjoyable if the consumption of foods like meat, sugar and caffeine is decreased.

Anything worth having is worth working for. There is an amount preparation time required when living on raw food. There are products available to make it a lot easier like juicers, food processors, dehydrators, etc. This diet, like any other diet is excellent for weight loss when combined with regular exercise.

Enjoying a Raw Foods Diet, is a fast, easy and highly nutritious way to lose excess fat while keeping your energy high. Here is a Raw Foods List to help add variety to your nutritional plan.

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