What is raw food?
A healthy raw food diet is made up of whole foods in their natural state, such as:
- fruit (sweet, fatty, or starchy)
- vegetables
- Nuts and seeds
- vegetables (usually sprouted)
- grains (usually sprouted)
- sea ​​vegetables
- raw condiments
- edible algae (spirulina and nori)
As with most things in life (especially diet), there are various views on the best approach to eating a raw food diet. It’s purely individualistic and the only way to determine the best approach for you is to do some research and try different eating styles. Many people get caught up in the confusion and online politics surrounding the best approach to eating and thriving on a raw food diet and then never get started. Don’t let politics or lack of direction get in the way of experiencing extraordinary health through simple nutrition.
Popular Types of Raw Food Diets
Low GI Raw Food Diet: Or also known as the low sugar fruit diet. A person following this diet would avoid sweet fruits as much as possible, while eating tomatoes, cucumbers, zucchini, bell peppers, lemons, and limes. Their main nutritional focus is on vegetables, sprouted grains, sea vegetables, nuts, seeds, and avocados. This is often seen as a ‘gourmet’ approach to raw food.
Diet rich in sweet fruits: People who eat a diet rich in fruits try to get most of their daily calorie intake from sweet fruits, such as pineapples, bananas, mangoes, dates, oranges, melons, apples, and stone fruits. Their diet often includes green leafy vegetables, starchy vegetables, and sometimes small amounts of nuts and seeds.
80/20: that is, 80% raw and 20% cooked. This is often referred to as a high-raw food diet in which people eat raw foods (mainly fruits and vegetables) during the day and then eat low-fat cooked vegetables and legumes at night.
Smoothies, and green smoothies in particular, have been the new buzzword in mainstream health circles of late. Blending and juicing is the easiest way to ensure maximum nutrition for ourselves and our families. Simply adding a fresh green juice or raw vegan smoothie to your diet every day can have a big impact on your health.
It’s now much easier to find a fresh juice bar and smoothie in your local area than ever before, so next time you’re out and about, instead of grabbing coffee, grab a fresh juice or green smoothie and feel your cells come to life.