Raw Food Recipes

A raw food diet menu is one that consists of uncooked and unprocessed plant foods such as vegetables, fresh fruit, seeds, sprouts, nuts, dried fruit, beans and seaweed. It has been observed that cooking food at a temperature higher than 116 degrees tends to destroy the beneficial enzymes present in food that can actually assist in the absorption and digestion of the food. Additionally simple raw food recipes will also not promote cooking as it tends to destroy or lower the nutritional value of food. Some of the benefits of the raw food diet are improvement in the quality of one’s skin. Better digestion.

Increase in the energy levels, reduction in the risk of heart disease, loss of weight etc. The raw food diet is known to have fewer saturated fats and trans fats as compared to other diet options available nowadays. Additionally raw foods also tend to have lower levels of sodium and higher levels of beneficial minerals such as magnesium, fiber, folate and plants chemicals that promote good health which are known as phytochemicals. All of these mineral and nutrients collectively are known to reduce the risk of various serious medical conditions such as diabetes, cancer and heart disease. Most of the easy raw food recipes or quick raw food recipes include vegetables such as carrots, tomatoes, cucumbers, salad etc which are rich in vitamins and hence result in clear skin in the individual.

The raw food diet menu is also known to provide the individual with higher levels of energy. The typical ingredient found in most raw food recipes include fresh fruits and vegetables, beans, grains, legumes, nuts, young coconut milk, freshly juiced vegetables and fruits etc. Sometimes there are specific cooking techniques used as part of making raw foods more palatable and these include soaking the nuts and dried fruits, dehydrating food, blending, sprouting grains, seeds and beans and juicing of vegetables and fruits. While following raw food recipes as part of the raw food diet menu one should also watch out for some amount of detoxification reaction that may occur especially if the individual was earlier on a diet that was rich in sugar, meat and caffeine. Some other side effects associated with following a raw food diet menu include nausea, cravings, mild headaches etc. A raw food diet should not be followed by certain groups of people such as children, pregnant or nursing women. people who are at the risk of osteoporosis, people with anemia etc,. Those who follow and believe in consuming raw foods tend to state that nutrients get absorbed more effectively in ones blood stream when they are in their uncooked and natural state , however research has shown that the human body already makes all the required enzymes and the digestive system is designed process all the food consumed. One of the dangers of following a raw food diet menu is that of food borne illnesses which is found mostly via raw milk and even other non-cooked or undercooked foods. Although an individual may lose weight by following a raw food diet it will result in a deficiency of fats in the individual. Additionally being on a raw food diet for too long may also result in bones loss and certain nutritional deficiencies such as that of iron, calcium, protein, B12 etc. As with any other diet it is always beneficial to first consult ones doctor with a detailed report of one’s medical records before taking up the raw food diet as there may be some people who require certain essential nutrient more than others and these may not be supplied by a raw food diet.

Submitted on January 16, 2014