The Raw Food Diet is a health-wise, energy-wise, and environmentally-wise weight loss plan. This diet is all about eating at least 75% raw, living foods. The raw food is pretty much anything that is in its natural state. It hasn’t been cooked over 47 °C/118 °F because that’s the point at which the enzymes in that food are destroyed. Boiling, steaming, baking, frying etc. cause the food to become “dead”. The Raw Food Diet essentially consists of uncooked, unprocessed, and preferably organic raw plant foods- fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, and sprouted grains. Most raw foodists are vegan, but raw dairy products, along with eggs, fish, and meat are allowed.

The Raw Food Diet is believed to be the diet people can thrive on, not merely survive on. We can all eat tons of unhealthy foods and drink large quantities of alcohol, but just because we “can”, doesn’t mean we should. Health-in-a-bottle products could be a short term help, however we’re more likely to rediscover the ideal fundamental diet by looking back to the nature. Human beings adapt to tolerate harmful substances, which often cause serious health problems in the long-term. The first phase of the Raw Food Diet serves as a Cleansing Diet. Eating pure and natural foods will remove poisons, detoxify your body, and improve the function of the colon, the liver, the kidneys, the lymphatic system, the lungs, and even the skin. Many people following the Raw Food Diet find relief from numerous ailments and diseases including diabetes, acne, migraines, back, neck and joint pain, asthma, heart diseases, candida, allergies, depression, anxiety, heartburn, obesity, cancers and other.

Raw Food Diet Foods to Eat

  • Lots of fresh fruit- apple, avocado, banana, berries, grapes, lemon, mango, orange, raisins, coconut
  • Vegetables- mostly greens, also garlic, onion, tomato, zucchini, bell peppers
  • Sprouts
  • Seeds- flax seeds, chia seeds, hemp seeds, sunflower seeds
  • Nuts- almonds, macadamia nuts, pine nuts, cashews
  • Grains- quinoa, oats, cereal
  • Beans and legumes- lentils, chickpeas
  • Oils- olive oil, coconut oil, coconut butter, avocado oil, chia oil
  • Raw animal products*- eggs, fish, meat, non-pasteurized, non-homogenized milk, yogurt and dairy products
  • Fermented foods- miso, kimchee, sauerkraut
  • Herbs and spices

Raw Food Diet Foods to Avoid

  • Buckwheat greens
  • Mushrooms
  • Peas
  • Potatoes
  • Parsnips
  • Processed foods
  • Dried fruit
  • Farm raised fish
  • Conventional eggs
  • Sugar

The Raw Food Diet should consist of at least 75% fruits and vegetables. Fruits are naturally high in vitamins, and vegetables are high in minerals, so the combination will provide you nutritionally-dense menu. There is no calorie counting, nor any portion restrictions. Plenty of water is encouraged, as well as fruit juices. The plan could be followed for 2-4 weeks in order to detox the body and get rid of excess weight or become a habit and lead to permanent lifestyle change. The mental adaptation is more challenging than the physical adaptation, especially when the diet is not gradually implemented. Significant weight loss of 4-10kg/8-19lbs per month until reaching optimal weight is expected without making changes to your routine physical activity. The Raw Food Diet is extremely popular among athletes for the exceptional increases in both strength and muscular endurance and the edge in the area of physical performance it provides.

Pros:

  • Healthy weight loss and weight management solution
  • Powerful detox effect leads to improved health and well-being
  • Energy, libido and immune system booster
  • Increased intake of fruits and vegetables enhances the overall bioavailability of nutrients
  • Helps to prevent and cure a number of different health conditions, including heart diseases, cancers, hair, skin and nail problems, allergies, obesity etc.
  • Does not require calorie counting or portion control

Cons:

  • Possible detoxification symptoms during the initial phase- bad breath, headaches, drowsiness, concentration problems, low libido
  • Will require significant dietary changes for the most individuals
  • Could be overwhelming for the meat lovers
  • The diet can cost more than other ways of eating and therefore could be prohibitive for some people; forming a co-op to buy produce in bulk or shopping directly from distributors or farms are effective ways to reduce the cost

The Raw Food Diet is a great choice for those looking to enhance their health and enjoy numerous physical, mental and spiritual benefits. It’s an environmentally friendly plan that will bring you closer to nature and help you gain control over your weight. Begin your transformation journey now; chances are you’ll enjoy the Raw Food Diet forever!

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