Raw food diets seem to have some big advantages over eating cooked foods. Since the raw foods are not cooked, they retain much more of their original nutritional value than if they were cooked. Many cooked foods such as vegetables are boiled and much of the food’s vitamins are dumped down the drain when the pan is emptied.
In addition, raw foods are frequently much easier for the digestive system to process. One of the reasons for this is because the food’s natural enzymes were not destroyed by the heat of the cooking. Your body won’t have to make as many enzymes to prepare and use it’s latest meal.
And third, because of the previous two points, the body’s energy level is much higher.
However, there are some precautions to consider along with the advantages.
Although raw food diets are considered to be a very healthy alternative in the Raw Food World, they are not good for everyone. Children, for one, may not benefit as much from a raw food diet as an adult would. Children are very energetic. Their growing bodies need many nutrients that are not found in many raw foods and they need more of these nutrients than an adult does. Children’s bodies require large amounts of proteins and calcium, more than they may be able to get from a raw food diet. If you are considering putting your children on a raw food diet it is strongly suggested to consult with your child’s pediatrician before you do. You may also want to think about adding vitamin supplements to the children’s diet once you do start the raw food diet.
Raw food diets might not be the best choice for pregnant women and those who are nursing. Here again, many raw foods don’t possess the necessary nutrients for a child’s body growth and development. In fact, the wrong raw food diet can deplete a woman’s body of required nutrients for her fetus or suckling child. Once again it becomes important to consult your doctor before starting a raw food diet.
People who have osteoporosis, or who are at risk for it, should also be careful about raw food diets. And those that suffer from anemia are another group of people that need to use caution when putting together their raw diet plans. The best advice to anyone with a health condition is for them to talk with their doctor before actually starting a raw food diet. Consulting with a dietician or nutritionist before jumping into your raw food diet plan is a good idea for everyone. (Or any type of diet for that matter)
If you’re considering a raw food diet you should be aware that there are some nutritional deficiencies in all raw food diets. There is no raw food that provides a good source of calcium. Some raw foods such as fish do have a certain amount of protein in them, but many fruits and vegetables lack this needed nutrient. Iron and vitamin B-12 are other minerals the body needs but is difficult to acquire from a raw food diet without supplements. In fact, the Journal of Nutrition found that those on raw food diets have higher levels of homocysteine because of B-12 deficiency.
It’s also true that some raw foods can be more expensive than other diets. There are some prepackaged raw foods that are downright pricey! But your best raw food buys will always be found in your grocer’s produce section. Fruits and vegetable are a bargain when compared to the money you were spending on meats such as a steak. If you find your raw food shopping bill getting a little too high, make adjustments and modify it. Look for local Farmer’s Markets and mini stores along the sides of farms. These are great places to get high quality, fresh vegetables and fruit for your raw food diet.
Many people might think that once they start a raw food diet that all their meals must be eaten at home because there are no restaurants that prepare raw foods. This couldn’t be further from the truth. Since more and more people are recognizing the benefit of raw foods many restaurants are adding raw foods to their menus. In addition, many restaurants, especially in the big cities like New York, Los Angeles, and Chicago are catering specifically to the raw food diet.
