Whether its a new fad or turns out to be a lasting fashion the idea of a raw food diet cannot be claimed to be anything new. Their can be no doubt that in our early evolution humans would have eaten only raw foods, the debate continues as to whether this may have been a solely vegetarian one or if it included different types of meats.
In simple terms today, a strict raw food diet is one that is made from uncooked and unprocessed foods. Proponents of raw food diets would also often add that the food should be organic in quality. There are, needless to say, several variations on what can constitute a raw food diet according to whether your preference is for a vegetarian, carnivorous or an omnivorous diet. There are also several variations of the raw food diet with debate over whether certain foods would naturally be eaten by humans in the wild.
The dominant foods in a raw food diet are invariably fruits and vegetables. However, many of the different raw food diets include some aspects of a carnivorous diet or certain dairy products. Whilst eating raw fruit, vegetables, grains and nuts is quite natural and common to us all and eating raw vegetables might take a bit of getting used to; the idea of eating raw meat may well seem like an anathema to most of us.
However, so long as the meat has been handled and prepared hygienically you can eat raw meat without any problem. Regarding fish; eating raw salmon, tuna, scallops and say oysters is, again, not uncommon and consumed regularly in many countries such as japan.
An alternative, of course, would be to marinade - or cure - the meat or fish prior to consumption. For example, this could include foods like: steak tartare, pickled herrings, smoked salmon/ham etc. This then raises the question; what constitutes processed food? Most people would agree that the above examples were preparing food rather than processing it. (However, sadly you wouldnt be able to have sushi in a raw food diet, as its rolled in cooked rice.)
So, you can probably form a picture of the meals you could prepare given all the: fruits, vegetables, fish, meat and nuts you could use. If you then add in other things like: milk, eggs, honey and any number of seeds the recipes you could create seem endless.
Our doctors, dietitian and health experts have for years been urging us to eat at least five-a-day servings of fresh fruit and vegetables. So integrating raw foods into our diets is always a good thing and something we all really should be doing anyway.
If youre considering adopting a solely raw food diet completely then consulting a first would be a good idea, as they can advise you on ensuring you prepare well balanced meals in terms of carbohydrates, fats, proteins etc and to make sure you are getting all your daily required nutrients as there have been some problems with vitamin deficiencies with a raw food diet such as vitamin B12.
A Raw Food Diet
It seems like new information is discovered about something every day. And the topic of weight loss is no exception. Keep reading to get more fresh news about the Raw Food Diet.
A relatively new food trend has appeared on the diet landscape. It's known as the raw food approach, and from California to Connecticut, the trend appears to be gaining strength. The centerpiece of the diet is uncooked, highly nutritious foods. The idea behind the diet is that a number of foods lose nutritional value when they are cooked.
For the most part, those who subscribe to the raw food diet eat fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, and legumes. Beverages consist of unpasteurized milk, water, juice, and tea, but the diet excludes beer and liquor. It is a revolutionary way to eat, and many of those who use it say it keeps them thin and healthy.
However, while the raw diet is rich in some nutrients, it lacks others. For instance, it tends to exclude such vitally important nutrients as protein, iron, and calcium. Therefore, it may not be an appropriate diet over the long term. Also, one disadvantage to the raw food diet is that the food tends to be loaded with pesticides. Therefore, it might be best to consume only organic raw food.
For health reasons, the diet is not recommended for children, women who are pregnant, people suffering from osteoporosis, and those who are anemic. Critics of the diet also note that it can be extremely time consuming trying to prepare food with all the chopping and blending that's involved. As a result, a raw food diet isn't for everyone.
If you decide to turn to a raw food diet, you may have to have supplements to make up for the nutrients you are not getting. These supplements include vitamin B12, zinc, copper, and chromium. Also, since proteins from plants do not have as many amino acids as animal protein, you'll have to consume a number of different raw foods in order to remain healthy.
Some medical experts have suggested that a raw food diet is a good antidote to eating disorders. This is because such food provides nutrition without creating fat. Eating raw foods can give you a positive outlook on food in general, enabling you to combat psychological addictions to fatty and high sugar foods.
Some supporters of the raw food diet believe that some raw foods are superior to others. These experts recommend focusing on fruits and vegetables and eating only minimal amounts of nuts and seeds. They also say that the fresher the food, the better. In other words, the best raw foods come from your own garden rather than from a supermarket.
At this point, it might be helpful to say some additional words about proteins. According to the World Health Organization, people need to consume five percent of their calories from protein. Interestingly enough, five percent of the calories in fruit are derived from protein, while as much as half of the calories from vegetables are protein-based. Beans and grains derive about a quarter of their calories from protein. Backers of the raw food diet insist that raw foods provide a better source of protein than cooked foods, since the cooking process itself may make as much as half of all protein unusable.
Some medical experts see great benefits in the raw food diet. In addition to enabling weight loss, the diet can ostensibly increase one's metabolism, making calorie burning easier. One's immune system can become stronger, and the body may rid itself of harmful toxins while following the raw foods program. The raw foods diet is also advertised as a stress-reliever and a method for enhancing digestion. The diet may enable you to balance your PH level and lessen your risk of heart disease. Some dieters even claim that the raw food regimen improves the look of their skin. Finally, the diet is seen as a healthy way of responding to hunger.
If you decide to try the raw food diet, you should attempt to plan your meals in advance. That way, you can assure yourself that you are receiving the maximum amount of nutrients. Also, those who follow the diet recommend eating fruit early in the day in order to boost your energy level and improve your digestion.
I hope that reading the above information was both enjoyable and educational for you. Your learning process should be ongoing, the more you understand about any subject, the more you will be able to share with others
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