Going Raw

Posted on July 9, 2008 
Filed Under Chief Blogging Officer

A few years ago I heard about the raw food diet, and I became interested, though it sounded like it would be very hard to make it a lifestyle. When you cook food at temperatures higher than 118°F most of the vitamin and mineral content is lost or damaged, and all of the enzymes are destroyed. Eating a raw food diet is said to provide far better digestion and absorption of food nutrients.

To be considered a “raw foodist” at least 75% of the food you eat needs to be living, or raw. A raw food diet consists of fruits and vegetables, nuts, seeds, beans, grains, legumes, dried fruit, young coconut milk, and fresh juices. People who eat a raw food diet say that they feel increased energy, notice an improvement in their digestion, and, of course, they lose weight and keep it off when they make the diet a lifestyle.

When I did it I lasted about six weeks and I lost 25 pounds. I felt more energy and during the first few days you really detoxify your body almost as though you had been fasting. It is a lot of work to eat raw if you want to do it right and sprout your beans, grains and seeds, dehydrate foods, juice fruits and veggies and blend raw smoothies. My own experience eating raw was great and I certainly felt rejuvenated, but I just could not sustain it as a lifestyle. I do, however, think that it is an effective and healthy way to take off some weight, and it rearranges your perspective on food in general even after you stop eating raw. There is a cool raw food restaurant here in Las Vegas called the Go Raw Cafe and they have a location on each side of town.

One way to get the benefits that raw foods provide without doing the work is to stock up on some Larabar raw food energy bars. We carry them here at Fit Fuel and they are really, really good. They come in a bunch of different flavors, but my personal favorite is the Cinnamon Roll.

Eating raw is not for everyone, but it is interesting to consider it, even if you just do it for a while as a cleansing. And in case you were wondering, no, steak tartare is not considered to be part of a raw food diet.

           

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