| Eating raw foods is natural. Our bodies thrive on all | | | | of essential nutrients. |
| that is fresh and vital. A raw food diet (or increasing | | | | A great juicing recipe to complement a raw food diet |
| the amount of raw food that you eat) is bound to | | | | is carrot juice with potato, fennel and apple. Simply |
| bring a feeling of increased wellbeing. | | | | juice 4 medium carrots, 2 apples, 1 small potato and 1 |
| Raw food diets are based on unprocessed and | | | | small stalk of fennel. |
| uncooked plant foods, preferably organic, such as a | | | | Fennel has been shown to reduce and control |
| variety of fresh fruits and vegies, nuts, seeds, grains, | | | | inflammation of arthritis, it evens mood fluctuation |
| dried fruit, fresh juices and purified water. | | | | and depressive states and has the rare nutrient called |
| Why Raw Foods? | | | | manganese, plus zinc and vitamin B complex. |
| Basically a vegetarian diet, the raw food diet | | | | The nutritional value of grains and seeds is impressive. |
| promotes eating and drinking 'living' foods. Living | | | | They contain most of the vitamins - particularly A, B, |
| foods and juices contain the maximum amount of | | | | and E. They're also fantastic natural sources of |
| fibre found in raw produce, fibre that can be lost in | | | | unsaturated fatty acids and lecithin, and an excellent |
| processing. Such foods are easily metabolised and | | | | source of proteins. |
| tend to be lower in calories than the average diet. | | | | You can even use soy milk makers (such as |
| Heating food above 116°F destroys enzymes in | | | | SoyQuick) to make non-dairy drinks from different |
| food that aid in digestion and in absorption of food, | | | | beans, rice, nuts, seeds and grains to have with |
| diminishing its nutritional value. | | | | breakfast. If you want something a little more |
| Benefits of a Raw Food Diet | | | | substantial than soy milk you can make your tofu (or, |
| A diet of at least 75% raw food offers numerous | | | | of course, visit a good health food shop). |
| health benefits, such as increased energy, improved | | | | Essentially, the idea of a raw food diet is to eat |
| skin appearance, better digestion, weight loss and | | | | unprocessed foods for at least 75% of the time. If |
| reduced risk of serious illnesses like heart disease, | | | | the idea of raw food isn't very appetising to you, |
| diabetes and cancer. | | | | you can warm the food a little as long as the food |
| A raw food diet contains little or no saturated fats, is | | | | isn't heated above 116°F. |
| low in sodium, high in potassium, magnesium, folate | | | | Cautionary Note |
| and fibre. | | | | As with any major change in diet, it's wise idea to |
| Raw food diets are also excellent detox diets. | | | | consult your doctor before beginning a special diet. |
| Different combinations of raw, living foods and juices | | | | This is especially true for children, pregnant women, |
| can be used for colon cleansing, liver cleansing, kidney | | | | anyone with anemia and anyone with a pre-existing |
| cleansing and skin cleansing. | | | | medical condition. |
| The Basics of a Raw Food Diet | | | | Even natural foods can conflict with certain |
| Any fresh fruits, vegetables, grains, seeds, beans, | | | | medications, so please ask your doctor or pharmacist |
| nuts, legumes, young coconut milk - even seaweed - | | | | if you're taking any medication. |
| can be menu items of a raw food diet. Your choice | | | | Because a raw food diet is detoxifying some people |
| of foods may depend on your reasons for dieting, | | | | suffer a mild detox reaction including mild headaches, |
| for example: | | | | nausea and cravings. These symptoms may last for |
| - sprouted brown rice slows glucose absorption and | | | | several days and you'll get more enjoyment out of |
| improves the metabolism | | | | your raw food diet if you cut down on things like |
| - cabbage supports healthy cellular function; radish | | | | meat, sugar and caffeine a week or so before |
| leaves act as an anti-oxidant, as does Shitake | | | | commencing the diet. |
| mushroom | | | | Last But Not Least... |
| -carrots are a great source of vitamin A as well as | | | | A raw food diet is certainly a good way to improve |
| encouraging healthy vision and a healthy | | | | your overall health and wellbeing. Like anything |
| cardio-vascular system | | | | worthwhile it takes time, energy and commitment. |
| You can use a sprouter such as the Easy Green | | | | Because many of the foods for this particular type |
| automatic sprouter to sprout seeds, grains, beans - | | | | of diet are made from scratch there is some |
| even wheatgrass. Sprouts could be called a 'super | | | | preparation time involved. There are many great |
| food' - organic sprouts contain enormous levels of | | | | products on the market that can help you prepare |
| proteins, vitamins, minerals, trace minerals, chlorophyll | | | | your own living food and save you some time as |
| pigments and enzymes, and are the ideal natural | | | | well. |
| supplement. | | | | Combined with regular exercise, a raw food diet is |
| Sprouts can be used in salads and soups, or can be | | | | also an excellent weight loss method. If you've been |
| juiced. Fresh juices are a great ready energy supply | | | | feeling 'a little off', or just need a pick-me-up and |
| and a good quality juicer, such as the Kempo | | | | some extra energy, then a raw food diet is certainly |
| Greenpower juicer, produces living juices that are full | | | | a good way to go. |