There are millions of species upon the earth, but only one cooks its food. All of the rest rely on nature to feed them. It is true that we rely on nature to make sure we are fed, but we are a species that alters our food. Food that was once raw becomes fried or grilled. It is boiled and broiled. Once it is cooked, it loses its nutritional value and it can be stripped of 50% or more of the nutrients, which means it isn't going to provide the body with what it needs to function.
Luckily, there is a new trend surrounding the consumption of raw foods. Those health-conscious consumers looking to detoxify their bodies, lose weight, and feel better are finding that these foods really show results in these areas. Other than cleansing the system and promoting dramatic weight loss, raw foods helps individuals feel more energetic, have better looking skin, decrease chances of developing heart disease, and gain better health overall.
What's so Special about a Raw Food Diet?
Raw foods do not have nearly the amount of trans fats that non-raw foods do, they have less saturated fat, they are higher in the necessary nutrients, and they are low in sodium. These are all healthy aspects of a healthy body. This diet is good for all and is usually of special interest to those individuals who are finding out more about the additives and toxins in foods and what they can do to the human body.
You can also enhance your raw food diet by eating organic. By shopping at the organic section of your supermarket, you are making a health conscious decision. Thus you are not being exposed to pesticides or genetically altered foods, which means you are getting the nutrients you need without the extra poisons.
In regards to the environment, raw foods have a lot of benefits. Those benefits include the fact that less farmland is used for the slaughtering of animals, a really good movie on the topic is: “Fast Food Nation”. The need for less farmland means less deforestation. Unfortunately, there are entire fields dedicated to the raising of animals that are to be slaughtered.
This results in a lot of waste from slaughterhouses that is being absorbed by the soil that then finds its way into water supplies. In fact, there have been tests conducted on United States water supplies that have found remnants of slaughterhouse waste. Although they claim that these elements are barely detectable, they still pose a risk to the general population.
If more people were to embark upon a raw foods diet, they would contribute to reducing the need for slaughterhouses, I personally think that this alone is a wonderful reason to embark on a raw food journey or any other diet that does not involve slaughtering any type of living creature. When you eat raw foods you feel better morally and physically.
The following foods are the staples of a raw food diet:
- Sprouts
- Sprouted grains, nuts, and beans
- Avocados
- Fresh fruits and vegetables
- Seaweed
Every single day the food options continue to grow, making raw foods more appealing to those who would have never believed they would eat them. There are also a lot of specialty raw food restaurants popping up. This is a sign that more people are becoming interested in incorporating raw foods into their diets. By incorporating more raw foods into their diets, they are contributing to their health and to the environment.
The Strictness of the Diet
Although this diet may appear strict to some, it still offers a great variety, it is just a matter of looking outside the box of what we consider to be a "normal diet". Indeed, a raw food diet is very flexible and can catter to many individual preferences. Some people will choose to incorporate meat into their diet while others will not. For those who will include some meat, their diet is about 75% raw food. This is enough to make an environmental difference while sticking to the diet. Another great thing about a raw food diet is that you do have the option to adapt it to suit your needs as you go. You may consume 100% raw foods one month and then lower the percentage the next month. Not everyone follows the diet in the same way.
Is this Diet Right for You?
It is true that a diet of just raw foods is not right for everyone, but it is definitely for those willing to make a difference that has an individual and global impact. In fact, many individuals transition to raw foods because of the personal and environmental benefits it comprises. This is a great way for people to do their part for the environment and spread the word about how to make a difference.
By TTS Cofounder Botanical Chef Omid Jaffari
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