40/20/20 Raw Food Diet

The raw food diet is distinct among its counterparts in the dieting world. The raw food dieter eats unprocessed, organic, and whole foods, most of which are eaten uncooked. Although cooking is largely shunned, foods are prepared by several methods. Seeds, grains, and beans are turned into sprouts, and many vegetables and fruits are either blended or juiced before eating. On occasion, raw foodists also dehydrate their food, because this can be done with little of no heat. Practitioners follow the 40/20/20 rule to make sure they get their daily nutrient requirements.

Why Go Raw

Raw food diet practitioners believe that eating food found in the natural form, uncooked and unprocessed, will provide more nutrients than eating cooked foods. They also believe that these natural form foods will help to prolong youth and fight disease, including cancers.

40/20/20

The 40/20/20 rule of eating refers to amounts of vegetable carbohydrates that should be eaten per meal. In an article called "Meal Planning Made Easy" on the website DineWise.com, Debbie Judd, RN, says she encourages patients to follow this rule. " Of all the carbohydrates consumed at a meal, 40 percent of them should come from the non-starchy vegetables," 20 percent should come from higher starch vegetables, and the last 20 percent should come from whole grains.

Suggested foods that are in the 40 percent category include broccoli, cauliflower, tomatoes, asparagus, green beans, cucumbers, and lettuce.

Vegetables that fall into the first 20 percent category include vegetables heavy in starches like potatoes, sweet potatoes, corn, peas, and beans. Fruits are also included in this category.

The last 20 percent category in the great food divide comes from whole grain foods.

To Begin

Health experts recommend that a person who wants to switch to a raw food diet from a normal cooked diet should switch their diet slowly. The detoxification that takes place in the body upon switching can cause headaches, nausea, and slight depression. However, learning exciting ways to prepare raw foods can help aid in the transition.

Transitional Foods

Some foods make great aids in helping to ease the transition from cooked foods to raw foods. Adding salads as a part of every meal will start the transition. Eat sprouts like mung beans, alfalfa and rye. Choose fruit and nuts for both breakfast and snacks, and invest in a juicer to make fresh juice from fruits and vegetables. Remember to follow the 40/20/20 eating plan when introducing these foods into the diet.

Non-Cooking

Learning a new lifestyle can be hard, but investing in the right equipment makes learning fun. Once the raw food commitment has been made, purchase a raw food cookbook that presents food in a way that is interesting, easy to prepare, and lays out the 40/20/20 eating style.