What’s the Buzz About Raw Food Eating Plans?

It’s much more difficult to eat healthy today than it was in ancient times. Eating processed foods has become a way of life in modern times, and this has had a profound effect on people’s health. But a growing number of health-conscious individuals are choosing to go back to the basics.

Eating only raw foods might seem impossible, but the practice has become surprisingly popular. Many nutritionists have bucked the conventional belief that humans need to consume cooked meats and pasteurized dairy products to get the nutrition they need. They have written books about eating raw and developed raw food eating plans, and many of those who want to lose weight or improve their health have taken heed. Raw food diets are strictly limited in the foods one may eat, but they rarely place restrictions on portions. Since foods that do not need to be cooked are usually naturally low in fat and contain only natural sugars, there is little need to limit their intake. Those with certain health problems such as diabetes, however, may need to pay closer attention to the calorie content and nutritional value of raw foods.

Nutrition in the Raw Food Diet The primary components of a raw food diet are fruits, vegetables, nuts and seeds. Fruits and vegetables are loaded with fiber, vitamins and minerals, and nuts and seeds provide the protein and fatty acids our bodies need. Still, many nutritionists are concerned about adequate intake of calcium and protein on a raw food diet.

It is possible to get sufficient protein and calcium with only raw foods if you eat enough of foods that contain these nutrients. If you can’t do that, you’ll either need to get them some other way. Supplements are an option for those who are adamant about eating only raw foods. But being on a raw food diet doesn’t necessarily mean that you can’t eat anything that is cooked. It’s Not All or Nothing

There’s no doubt that a 100 percent raw food diet is hard for most people to stick with. For this reason, and because it’s easier to get all of the nutrition one needs from a less restrictive diet, most people do not limit themselves to only raw foods. Many raw food plans allow for some consumption of cooked foods, and in some cases they may make up as much as half of a person’s diet.

When starting out on a raw food diet, people often commit to eating half raw and half cooked foods. They may aim to increase the percentage of raw food once they become accustomed to that, and continue until they reach 100 percent. But often, dieters who are going raw for health reasons allow themselves at least 20 percent cooked foods.

Eating raw is an intimidating proposition for many, but it does have numerous benefits. It can greatly improve overall health, and for those who want to lose weight, it can help shed pounds quickly. Many report increased energy when eating only raw foods as well. Such a diet requires a great deal of willpower, but loyalists proclaim that it is well worth the effort.

To learn more about raw food diets, check out these books from Amazon.com:

Raw Food Diet Books.