What Is The Raw Food Diet?
What is the raw foods diet? A raw food diet can be defined as a diet that contains only uncooked or unprocessed foods. It would be prudent to mention here that most people live a raw foods diet; it’s a lifestyle for them. Under the raw food diet banner, there are a number of different ideologies or philosophies.
When using the term unprocessed in relation to raw food, processes like pasteurisation, homogenisation and the use of chemical fertilisers, synthetic pesticides, industrial solvents or chemical food additives and preservatives are not used in conjunction with the food for this diet. In saying that, food is organically produced and used in its most natural state, however under the raw food umbrella there are methods of processing foods for better digestion and assimilation in the body. Some of these processing methods include the use of dehydration, fermenting and/or heating food below 40–49 °C (104–120 °F).
As mentioned there are many different ideologies within the raw food movement. So many, that it will absolutely blow your mind and put you off researching any further. For this reason I am going to gently introduce you to the main three raw food categories so you don’t become too overwhelmed.
3 Main Raw Food Ideologies:
The main three areas of the raw food movement we are going to focus on are raw veganism, raw vegetarianism and raw animal food diets.
- Raw Veganism
This diet combines the concepts of the raw food diet and veganism. It excludes all animal products, such as honey, dairy, eggs and meat. Raw veganism also excludes foods that are heated above 40–49 °C (104–120 °F). A typical vegan diet includes fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, sprouted grains and legumes. There are a number of subgroups in veganism, but in an effort to not overload you with information I will not include them here.
- Raw Vegetarianism
Raw vegetarians combine the concepts of the raw food diet and vegetarianism. They exclude meat, poultry, fish, seafood and gelatine. They do however include dairy and eggs. Your average raw vegetarian will include fruits, vegetables, sprouts, nuts, grains, dairy, eggs, legumes, seeds and honey in their diet. There are several types of vegetarians, but as I mentioned above I don’t want to overload you with too much information just yet.
- Raw Animal Food Diets
In this particular diet any food can be eaten raw, with the exception of raw grains, legumes and soy products. This diet’s menu includes uncooked and unprocessed raw meats including organs/muscles, raw eggs, dairy and aged, raw animal foods like fermented meat, fish, shellfish, kefir, as well as vegetables, fruits, nuts, sprouts and raw honey.
Each of these ideologies have their own set of beliefs which includes but is not limited to nutrition, social, economic and in some cases political. They have their own guidelines for following the lifestyle. I would suggest that you look for the one that resonates best with you and your family when choosing the direction in which you want to take. You also have the option to choose the extent you wish to follow the regime. You may only want to adapt certain aspects into your lifestyle. Just remember you are in control. Seek the knowledge and then apply as you see fit.
For me personally, I was introduced to the raw food diet concept after purchasing one of Dr Ann Wigmore’s books, The Hippocrates Diet and Health Program. I was intrigued and the information that was contained within made perfect sense to me. Dr Ann Wigmore advocates healthful living through living foods and exercise. The journey ahead is exciting and I look forward to supporting you on yours. I would love to hear your questions, thoughts or experiences so please leave them in the comments section below.
References: Wikipedia.org
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