Pros And Cons Of A Raw Diet
Interested in starting a raw diet, but don’t know if you can do it? In this article, we will tell you more about this diet and how you succeed in it.
Raw food
The raw diet is very easy to follow. It is practically about the uncookedness of food and eating it in its purest natural state. There are some exceptions to this principle, which we discuss below.
Raw food is very nutritious for the body and its benefits are numerous and varied. Understanding the principles of raw nutrition is important for vegans because they should be able to get most of the nutrients in a regular, cooked diet.
The raw diet is basically eating raw food and consists mainly of natural, organic vegetables.
Unlike traditional veganism, raw food is – as its name suggests – uncooked.
People who follow a raw diet can also eat fruits, roots, tubers, vegetables, seeds, nuts, algae and sprouts.
They can also eat dried foods, because when the food is cooked below 40 degrees, its properties are not lost.
Raw food diet
When choosing a diet, you need to be able to mix and combine raw food in the right way. So you need to know what principles and rules belong to this lifestyle.
There are many dishes you can eat while following this diet. By providing your body with simple food combinations, it is able to facilitate digestion and absorb nutrients more efficiently.
However, you should add vitamin B12 to this diet and you cannot be completely dependent on natural food sources such as algae or fermented food as they are not good sources of vitamin.
Ideal dishes included in the raw diet
Nuts and seeds are one of the main sources of fat in people who eat raw food.
- Starch: pumpkin, potatoes and beets
- Fats: nuts, coconut, seeds and avocado
- Acids: tomato, paprika and sour fruits
- Confectionery: dried fruit and sweet fruit
To make the right kind of combinations, follow these simple rules (although it doesn’t hurt to skip them every now and then):
- Try not to mix fats and sweet foods.
- It is recommended not to combine different types of fat.
- Also, do not mix acids and sweet fruits.
- Do not combine acids with starch.
Starting a raw diet: do it the right way
Include some uncooked foods at the top of your meals. Remember that it is not a good idea to make drastic changes, so steam the food or cook it below 45 degrees.
Switching to a raw diet is very easy. You just have to be willing, motivated, patient and relaxed.
You should assess the risk of nutrient deficiency, such as vitamin B12.
Before adopting a raw diet, you should evaluate all its pros and cons.
It is a good idea to talk to an expert.
Benefits of a raw diet
People who want to eat raw food believe it has numerous health benefits, including:
- Rising energy levels
- Cleaner, brighter skin
- Significant weight loss
Crude food contains less trans fats and saturated fats than what is typical of a typical Western diet. It is low in sodium and sugar and provides high levels of potassium, magnesium, folic acid, fiber, vitamin A and antioxidants, all of which are beneficial to health.
Risks of following a raw diet
One of the main objections raised by some experts relates to the potential risk of nutrient deficiencies, mainly vitamin B12, iron, zinc and Omega-3 fatty acid deficiencies.
One study found that those on a raw diet had higher levels of homocysteine and lower HDL cholesterol levels due to vitamin B12 deficiency.
However, people with low blood sugar and diabetes should be wary of a raw diet. While the antioxidants, vegetables, and fiber it provides are beneficial, excessive amounts of their fluids can aggravate those diseases.
It is also important to talk to your doctor or nutritionist before starting a raw diet. This is especially important for people who have had an eating disorder and / or are underweight.
Also, remember that all the success associated with this diet depends on your own motivation to make it work. The desire to make changes is not enough, but lifestyle changes must also take place.
