Foods to Eat On a Raw Foods Diet

Eating a diet filled with fresh fruits and vegetables, sprouts, seeds, nuts, grains and dried fruit is what the raw food diet is all about. The raw food diet utilizes unprocessed and uncooked plant foods.

People adhering to the raw food diet believe that heating food above 116 degrees F destroys beneficial enzymes in food that aid digestion and absorption of food. Raw food purists believe that cooking food diminishes its living energy or life force. To be a true raw food diet, at least 75 percent of the diet must be living food or raw food.

Benefits

Eat a raw food diet to achieve numerous health benefits, including increased energy and better skin. A raw food diet will lead to better digestion and weight loss. A raw food diet also is thought to reduce the threat of heart disease.

The typical raw food diet contains lower levels of dangerous trans fats and lower saturated fat than the standard Western or American diet. It is also lower in salt levels.

What to Eat

Incorporate a raw food diet into your lifestyle by eating foods that are unprocessed, organic and whole. Include fresh fruits and vegetables, nuts and seeds. Add beans, whole grains and legumes. Add seaweed and freshly juiced fruits and vegetables. Drink purified water to aid in processing your raw food diet. Make sure that at least 75 percent of the raw food consumed is not heated over 116 degrees F.

Cooking

Some cooking techniques aid in digestion, and add variety to the raw food diet. Try sprouting some seeds, grains and beans. Juice some fruits and vegetables. Dehydrate fruit and other foods.

Your kitchen equipment should include a dehydrator and a blender. Use a juicer to make your own healthy juices. Use a blender or chopper to save time in the kitchen. Use large glass jars or mason jars for sprouting foods.

Given time, a raw food diet can lead to improved health, weight loss and increased energy. Consult with your health-care practitioner if you have any questions or concerns.