Why I Follow A Raw Food Diet

The raw food diet felt like an extreme lifestyle shift to me when I first heard about it. In fact, my first impression of raw foods and raw foodists were not too favorable. I was convinced that this was an unhealthy diet lacking in many important nutrients like protein, calcium and iron. I was wrong. As I dove deeper into the world of the uncooked, something clicked and I began to truly understand health, nutrition and vitality.

There are many reasons to follow a raw food diet. Here are a few of my mine:

Heat Destroys Nutrients

Certain methods of cooking food destroys nutrients. Most vitamins including beta-carotene, B-vitamins and vitamin C are all heat-sensitive and can decompose when exposed to heat. Vitamins and minerals can be leached out of food and into water when it is boiled. Boiling is the most nutritionally destructive cooking method while other cooking methods can significantly reduce vitamin content. Cooking denatures amino acids, destroys certain phytonutrients and may create toxic, carcinogenic substances that can cause cellular damage when grilled or fried.

Now this isn’t to say that cooking “kills food” or that cooked food it toxic. When it comes to vitamins, antioxidants and phytonutrients, eat raw foods. If you are looking for minerals, steamed vegetables are an excellent choice since minerals can not be destroyed by cooking. Healthy, whole cooked foods are still very nutritious and a good addition for many people who are struggling on a 100% raw food diet.

Effortless Weight Loss and Maintenance

Eating a raw or high-raw diet is the most effective way that I have found to lose weight and keep that weight off for good. As I approached my 30′s, I noticed that my weight began to sneak up on me year after year. Once switching to a daily green smoothie, I was able to drop 30 pounds. Once I went to a high-raw diet, I dropped another 10 pounds to my ideal weight and have been able to maintain it effortlessly. I don’t think about counting calories, points, measuring servings or weighing my food! Eating lots of fresh fruits, vegetables and healthy raw fats promotes healthy diet choices and my body responds by naturally returning to it’s optimum state.

A Diet Free Of Allergens

The raw food diet is perfect for you if you suffer from any of the common food allergies. A raw vegan diet is free from dairy, soy, gluten, peanuts, eggs and all artificial ingredients that contain manufactured, synthetic chemicals. While a lot of tree nuts are used in some forms of the raw food diet, there are versions of it that are nut-free. If you are feeling deprived or unhealthy on your current allergy-restricted diet, consider a raw vegan diet which will add more variety into your life and awaken your taste buds!

A Healthier Alternative To Veganism

The typical vegan diet includes a lot of soy-based veggie burgers, “cheeses” and soy milk as well as the soy-based additives found in just about every processed food you can buy. Recent studies suggest that over-consumption of soy protein can wreck havoc with hormones, especially in men. I’ve also noticed that a soy-based, cooked vegan diet is full of junk food and unhealthy vegans. Just because it’s vegan doesn’t mean it’s healthy.

As a vegan, I wanted an alternative to what was clearly an unhealthy way to eat. My experience with raw foods points to a soy-free, raw vegan diet as being a nutritionally superior way of eating that promotes optimum health. I quickly found out that I do not need to rely on soy for my protein.

Dramatic Health Benefits

There are many health benefits of a raw food diet. I’ve experienced a dramatic increase in energy, clearer skin and I haven’t gotten sick – not so much as a cold – in over a year! I went from not being able to run a mile to running a 10K with ease.

I have read about people who have reversed diabetes and other chronic, long-term health conditions while working with a practitioner and embracing a raw food diet. Eating the foods that your body was meant to eat gives you the tools to fight off infection, ward off disease and be at your best.

Mental Clarity

Since eating more raw foods, I have noticed a significant boost in mental clarity. I am more focused and my productivity has soared. I am better able to handle stress. Even anxiety, which I have struggled with my whole life, has all but disappeared!

Furthermore, eating a clean, pure diet allows me to feel my best and live consciously. I feel more in control of my life. Every day, I am building a great life for myself and increasingly grow confident in the direction I am going. The raw food diet is the ultimate personal development diet!

Raw Food Is Easy To Make

A raw food diet is perfect for the busy grab and go lifestyle. Smoothies and soups take only a few minutes to prepare. Fruit and nuts are ready to eat as-is. Many raw recipes (especially the ones we feature here on Incredible Raw) are simple and easy to make and take minutes to prepare.

I was never able to cook well, unless cooking included placing a frozen entree in the microwave. Cooking takes time that I don’t have to spare. I wanted to make my own healthy meals and not spend all day in the kitchen. I’ve found that raw food is the way to go! Just take a look at my easy raw recipes to see how simple, quick and delicious raw food can be! Cleanup is just as quick and easy too!

If you want to take the plunge into the world of healthy eating, check out my Green Smoothie Health program. It comes with a 4-week weight loss program, a new e-book called Green Smoothie Remedies & Prevention (200+ recipes addressing 41 heath concerns based on research from over 120 scientific studies), a Green Smoothie Master Chef course, an expanded FAQ section and SO much more to help you lose weight and experience the same health benefits I did.

Tags: allergens, Health Benefits, Raw Food Diet, veganism, Weight Loss