How to Stay on a Raw Food Diet

While raw eating is a current diet fad, people have consumed raw foods throughout history. Prior to the discovery of fire, men and women survived solely on raw foods such as vegetables, fruits, seeds and nuts. In spite of the transition to cooked foods, advocates of raw foods have surfaced repeatedly throughout history. The raw food diet of present day includes only raw and living foods that are not heated above 116 degrees Fahrenheit. Supporters of raw eating claim that the heating of food destroys vital enzymes and nutrients and thus makes the foods unhealthy or toxic. For the most part, raw dieting is vegan, because many meats and animal byproducts must be heated or processed prior to consumption. The major staple foods in the raw diet are fruits, vegetables, nuts and sprouted grains and seeds.

Instructions

How to Be Successful on a Raw Diet

1

Get informed. Prior to embarking on the raw food diet it is important to get educated on what foods are allowed and which are prohibited. This information can be obtained through books, articles or even other people who eat raw.

2

Stock up on raw foods. Purchasing the appropriate raw foods is imperative to success on the diet. Since many food groups are excluded when consuming raw, choosing items that can still support a balanced diet is very important. People who eat raw must be careful to integrate high-protein raw foods, because meat and dairy are generally excluded. Good sources of higher-protein raw foods are raw nuts such as almonds, and green, leafy vegetables.

3

Assemble the equipment. To be successful on a raw food diet takes more than simply consuming fresh produce each day. Though foods cannot be heated above 116 degrees, they can still be dehydrated in a dehydrator. Other equipment that can be useful when eating raw is a blender, a juicer and food processor.

4

Get creative with recipes. Raw eaters have gotten very creative when it comes to raw food recipes. Just a few of the recipes found at Living-foods.com include stuffed mushrooms, flax crackers and veggie burgers. Taking the time to turn raw foods into raw meals decreases the risk of boredom and adds variety to the diet.

5

Seek some support. As with any diet, support can make a huge difference in a person's ability to stick with his or her eating plan. Buddy up with a friend or family member who want to eat raw as well. If no one is available, look for local or online support. Online support groups can be found at RawFoodNetwork.com, which offers national meeting groups and potlucks for people who eat raw.