The basis of the raw food diet is eating unprocessed, raw foods, the temperature of which must not exceed 42 degrees Celsius. They cannot be subjected to thermal processing, i.e. boiling, frying and baking. That is why raw foodism is called a raw food diet, whose proponents believe that during the heating of food products, the valuable nutrients contained in them are destroyed.
Vitarianism this is without a doubt a pretty extreme diet. In the era of takeaway food, processed food, tempting dishes in restaurants and shops, eating only raw foods can be quite a challenge. Raw food is mainly about preserving nutrients and vitamins that are contained in food products. The diet allows only shredding, pickling and drying.
There are several varieties raw food, and the most orthodox is the vegan variety, which means eating only raw plants. However, there are varieties in which it is allowed to eat raw meat, fish, milk and its products (in raw form, of course!). Always, however, the basis of a raw food diet is eating fresh fruits and vegetables, as well as nuts, sprouts, seeds and cold-pressed oils.
Advantages and disadvantages of a raw food diet. Back to natural?
Proponents of this way of eating argue that it is a way to return to naturalness, because food is eaten that has not been thermally treated. They also believe that it adds vitality, improves health and allows you to lose weight quickly. The following are allowed on a raw food diet:
- Raw vegetables and fruits,
- Raw fish (sushi), sometimes raw meat,
- Seeds and nuts (main source of fat in this diet).
It is a light diet, cleansing the body, providing large amounts of folic acid and vitamin C. Its disadvantage is not providing the body with wholesome protein, iron and vitamin B12. Protein is a component especially important at a young age, when the body is developing. Protein deficiency can cause a decrease in immunity and growth disorders, which is why a raw food diet is not recommended for children and teenagers. Such nutrition also causes little zinc and selenium.
plus raw food is the supply of many other nutrients, as well as the lack of harmful fats (trans and saturated). This type of diet also provides a lot of antioxidants that slow down the aging process of the body and may prevent the development of cancer.
Unfortunately, other downsides to long-term raw food diets are the risk of low bone density (which can cause osteoporosis and increase the risk of fractures, even in very young people), and the cholesterol issue. Although this diet reduces the level of bad cholesterol, it can make it difficult to maintain the level of “good cholesterol”.