The latest diet fad to hit North America has Hollywood celebs and everyday folks ditching their frying pans and Dutch ovens in favour of blenders, dehydrators, juicers and food processors. Raw food restaurants are popping up in major cities as the health and weight conscious amoung us embrace a raw food lifestyle.
What is the Raw Food Diet About?
Rawism a.k.a "the raw food diet" calls for the consumption of unprocessed and uncooked foods as a large part of one’s diet. Raw foodists believe that foods lose enzymes and valuable nutrients when heated above 116 degrees Fahrenheit (46 degrees Celsius).
Enzymes are the protein present in all living things that increase the rate of chemical reactions. Cooking kills the enzymes in most foods. When raw foods are chewed enzymes are released into the mouth. The stomach has digestive enzymes that breakdown food so that the nutrients from the foods we eat can enter our bloodstream. Many raw foodists believe eating enzyme-dead foods places stress on organs which can lead to premature organ exhaustion.
To be considered a raw foodist and reap optimal benefits of a raw food diet, 60-100% of your diet must consist of unprocessed or uncooked foods.
There are three variations of the raw food diet:
1. Raw veganism: Includes unprocessed whole foods such as fresh fruits and vegetables, nuts, seeds, beans, grains, legumes, dried fruits, and seaweed. These meals are washed down with freshly juiced fruits and vegetables, purified water, and coconut milk.
2. Raw Vegetarianism: Similar to the vegan-inspired diet except followers also consume dairy and eggs.
3. Raw Animal Food Diet (also known to as the raw meat diet): Dieters eat raw, unprocessed, aged, or fermenting meats, organ-meats, eggs, dairy, and some fruits and vegetables. This diet excludes domesticated foods or foods that entered the average North American diet in the past three thousand years. Thus, grains, beans, legumes, sweet fruit juices, overly sweet fruits, and all processed and refined oils are forbidden. Small amounts of cold-pressed, extra-virgin olive oil are allowed.
Most raw foodists follow a version of the vegetarian or vegan raw diet while a minority subscribe to the raw animal food diet.
Becoming a Raw Foodist
As with all diets, it is best to consult a physician before becoming a raw foodist. Because the raw food diet is so different from the typical North American diet it is ideal to begin gradually, perhaps with the help of a food coach.
Raw dishes containing things such as fruits, salads, meats, and some dairy are very simple to prepare and require very little equipment. Rice, beans, and many whole grains require sprouting (soaking overnight) to make then digestible.
Some things, such as kidney beans, buckwheat greens, unpeeled potatoes, alfalfa sprouts, some types of raw cassava, unfertilized raw eggs, apricot kernels, and parsnips, can cause poisoning if eaten without proper preparation.
Many raw foodists believe it is best to soak nuts overnight to activate their enzymes and deactivate enzyme inhibitors.
Raw gourmet dishes can be time consuming to prepare and require advance planning and prep time. Most gourmet recipes will require a blender, food processor, juicer, and dehydrator.
Benefits and Side Effects of a Raw Food Diet
Experts have conflicting views on the benefits of a raw food diet. Regardless of the type of raw food diet, there is one benefit they all produce: weight loss.
Raw food dieters tend to experience weight loss, increased energy, improved skin quality, better digestive function, reduced risk of heart disease, fewer colds and flus, improved sleep patterns, heightened brain function, and a happier more positive attitude.
As great as the benefits are, experts caution against potentially dangerous side effects. When beginning a raw food diet an initial detoxification reaction will occur. Followers have been known to suffer from mild headaches, cravings, nausea, and a potential for lower bone mass which can eventually lead to osteoporosis.
Is This the Diet for You?
The raw food diet is not appropriate for children, pregnant women, nursing mothers, or people with anemia.
Scientists acknowledge that although a lot of foods lose enzymes once they are heated, the body produces its own enzymes. Most scientists also conclude that the benefits of consuming raw foods are lost once the food hits the highly acidic stomach.