Below is a list of the most common unsafe raw foods that you should avoid when embarking on your new raw food diet and lifestyle.

Potatoes - Potatoes contain solanine and chaconine, which can be potentially hazardous to your health. These minerals, though still present once cooked above the raw food temperature limit, are limited to less amounts. Solanine and Chaconine in raw potatoes are not toxic to the body on their own, unless they are consumed in large quantities, so limit intake to minimal proportions.

Mushrooms - While mushrooms vary according to poisonous and non-poisonous species, it is advised that eating mushrooms raw be limited if not avoided altogether. Studies have shown that some of the more popular generic mushrooms found in grocery stores cause cancer in mice. Best to avoid eating raw mushrooms altogether. Unless you are eating 100% Organic mushrooms, but even then, eat as small amount as possible.

Alfalfa Sprouts - Alfalfa sprouts, like potatoes, should be avoided in large quantities, and if the raw foodist prefers, avoided altogether. Recent studies have found that a key ingredient, Canavanine, when fed to monkeys, creates a Lupus-like disease. For the human, it would take quite a bit of uncooked alfalfa to cause a similar condition, but of course that is up to the individual.

Beans - One would think that since beans as a food are so similar in taste and appearance, that their physical makeup would be identical, right? Not at all. Here's a look at the most common beans found toxic when consumed raw:

• Soy beans – soy beans when ingested raw, have been known to cause everything from estrogen issues to thyroid problem. Definitely avoid eating raw.
• Flava beans- This is where the disease, favaism, comes from. Though Favaism is predominantly a genetic disease, it is best to avoid eating these beans raw as well.
• Kidney beans – in small quantities, raw kidney beans have been proven to cause death. Avoid eating raw kidney beans altogether.

Grains - Most grains contain anti-nutrients, which when consumed raw makes them toxic. This is why it is recommended that if you do want to eat grains raw, that you first soak them in accordance to safe soaking instructions.

Spinach/Rhubarb - Both spinach and rhubarb contain oxalates. The only issue with oxalates is that they interfere with calcium absorption. Spinach and rhubarb eaten raw is absolutely fine as long as they are not eaten in large quantities.

Parsnip - Parsnip is actually both toxic cooked and raw. Parsnip contains psoralens, which are toxic at either state of chemistry, so you should not eat raw.

Taro - Taro, though not overly popular, contains lectins and trypsin inhibitors which are toxic to the system. Do not consume raw.

Flavanoids - Flavanoids are a broad grouping of foods that offer both positive and negative effects when eaten raw. Due to the fact that flavanoid effects, when eaten raw, range from potentially serious to positive, it is best to either thoroughly investigate and research your foods with flavanoids or remove them from your diet overall.

When we have come to this world as human beings, we must exercise our own judgments in whatever we do in this world. We have chosen this place and this time by ourselves, and we are totally responsible ourselves for anything we are doing as a mature person. When we are sick, it is caused by our ignorance of how to behave according to the laws of Nature – eating the wrong food, having the wrong conduct, behaving in a wrong manner. When we are in misery, it is caused by our wrong judgments, which may come from a way of life out of harmony with the environment. Sickness, accident, miseries and any other difficulties can be turned into health, well being and happiness through changing our own thoughts and conducts. No one else can change them in our behalf we must initiate changes ourselves. We may receive advice, suggestions and guidance, but it is we who should act and be our own master of our own destiny.

Before setting out on a raw food lifestyle, remember to always remind yourself on why you choose this path. Remember ‘Why Raw Food’ and come back to this question time and time again. There is no need making this beautiful journey into a complex bitter journey by taking it too serious by becoming a Raw Food Police, and or forcing your ideas onto others. There are already many 'gurus' who claim that their dietary teachings will lead you to a path of enlightenment or elevated spirituality. Think of a raw food diet as a lifestyle choice not a dogmatic set of rules or moral principles.

Remember that choosing a raw food lifestyle also means sharing your glow in the society and interacting as usual. It only simply means being a little bit more organized and creative. It also has a lovely effect on your surroundings, you might even notice friends and co- workers changing their habits by bringing green smoothies into work etc…

Some foods actually exhibit higher levels of nutrients when subjected to cooking. Conservative cooking such as steaming or boiling causes only modest loss of some nutrients, such as folate, while enhancing the bio-availability of others, such as carotenoids and lycopene. Study these for yourself and learn about their effects.

There are no proven raw/vegan food sources that supply sufficient amounts of this vitamin to meet the daily requirements. So, if you are a raw foodist or a vegan, it is recommended to take a dietary supplement of vitamin B-12.

A raw food diet is not something you should jump straight into enthusiastically. Start off by introducing at least one raw meal a day and see how your energy levels are affected. Beware of what your bodies needs are as opposed to what you like it to be like.

Commercially dried fruits have often been heated to temperatures exceeding 150°F. Many so called 'sun-dried' products have similarly been oven baked. Try and eat nuts in their shells as heat is sometimes used in the de-shelling process, especially with cashews. Almonds, even those labeled 'raw' often had been through a pasteurization process.

Unscrupulous marketers have taken advantage of raw food products by exaggerating their health properties and selling substandard products like any other marketing techniques. Some very good examples are green powder, raishi mushroom capsules etc… Study these products, and see if there is a need for you to take them.

Organic produce is at least 50% more expensive in most supermarkets and superfoods shipped across continents carry a premium price tag. Try shopping at markets or in bulk if possible from a wholesaler.

By TTS Cofounder Botanical Chef Omid Jaffari