Changing to a Raw Food Diet

Raw food diets are being touted as the way to a healthier lifestyle. This diet is based on eating raw and unprocessed foods, consisting of mainly nuts, fresh fruits and vegetables. The concept that the raw food is healthier than cooked food is based on the theory that cooking food over 116 F destroys the nutritional value of the food.

Before Changing to a Raw Food Diet Learn the Benefits

According raw foodies there are many health benefits associated with changing to a raw food diet. People who have switched to a raw food diet claim to:

• Have more energy
• Be able to efficiently metabolize their food and lose weight
• Digest their food more effectively
• Better cardiovascular health

What Constitutes a Raw Food Diet

Raw foodies eat fresh fruits and vegetables, seeds, sprouts and legumes.  The goal is to have a diet where three quarters of the food consumed is not heated above 116 degrees F.  A raw food diet consists of simply prepared food that manages to retain all the nutritional value. The food can be prepared by using a dehydrator, a juicer, a blender and food processor.

What to Expect When Switching to a Raw Diet

There are several symptoms associated with switching to a raw food diet. The first is what raw foodies call the detoxification stage. This is the stage where the body gets rid of the “harmful” toxins ingested from eating a diet high in unnatural chemicals like caffeine, cooked protein, salt and sugar. The symptoms include headaches, some nausea, bad breath, chills and feeling fatigued. The symptoms disappear after about a week or two. For more information please visit Fitness Directory South Africa

Getting Ready for the Switch

• Determine what the motivation for the change is. People change for a variety of reasons such as weight loss, health or experimentation.
• Choose a Raw Food Diet Plan. There are different resources available to find a reliable raw diet plan.
• Prepare the food prep area in the kitchen. Purchase the relevant appliances needed. Most recipes use juicers, dehydrator and blenders.
• Purchase the containers to sprout seeds, grains and beans.

Find a variety of Raw Recipes that suit any palate.

Switching to a raw food diet should be done slowly by building up to a total transition.  Start by filling a day’s meals with salads and fresh fruits opting to have only one cooked meal a day, then one cooked meal a week, then once cooked meal a month until such time that when it emotionally and physically possible to go 100 percent raw.

Who Can Go On a Raw Food Diet

Raw food diets are nutrient dense that are conspicuously lacking in the saturated fats but high in fiber and potassium. These nutrients are particular important in maintaining a healthy cardiovascular system.  However, a raw food diet is also deficient in certain nutrients like iron, protein and calcium and also the diet does not provide sufficient number of calories. Therefore, before making the change it is best to consult with a physician to make sure that there are no foreseeable health related drawbacks.  People with osteoporosis, pregnant or nursing women, young children and people with low blood iron (anemia) should not change to a raw food diet. For more information please visit Health Directory South Africa