If you are a health conscious person, then probably you have already included many raw foods into your diet. But for those who have not yet done so, it is very important to understand the benefits of including some raw food items to their diet. Raw foods not only protect us from diseases and disorders but also provide us with energy and help to lose those extra pounds of flesh.
What Are Raw Foods?
A raw food diet consists of uncooked and unprocessed fruits, nuts, grains and vegetables. These types of foods are nutritious being rich in trace minerals, vitamins and phytonutrients. A wide variety of fruits such as melons, pineapple, papaya, mango, apple and raisin are available in the market. Nuts include raw almonds, cashew nuts, walnuts, pine nuts, hazelnuts and coconuts.
Benefits Of A Raw Food Diet
Raw foods provide more energy and nourishment to your body. As the body is nourished properly, people who eat more raw foods tend to eat less. On the other hand, foods lose many natural nutrients after cooking – this makes the body experience hunger even when the body might not really need food.
Since a raw food diet is a detox diet, it causes the body to shed all the unwanted waste and toxins that have accumulated in the body. The result is a natural and gradual reduction in weight.
Eating more raw foods provides the body with more water. This increases the amount of oxygen supplied to all the organs, cells and systems in the body to keep your body revitalized and boost the immune system. This helps to ward off parasites and viruses. Raw foods, in fact, act as catalysts in healing the body and protecting it from further sickness. People who eat more raw foods live a better life, and don’t suffer from problems such as arthritis, fibromyalgia, irritable bowel syndrome and other intestinal ailments. These foods can also protect the skin from problems such as acne and eczema.
As the raw food diet is light and rich in nutrients, it improves your ability to think and focus. Better sleep and reduced stress and tiredness are some other benefits of eating raw foods. One can enjoy a number of raw food recipes such as cookies, pudding and milkshakes. Most raw foods are free of soy, wheat, milk, yeast, and grain and hence suitable even for those who have food allergies.
Planning Your Raw Food Diet
It is important to eat foods that cleanse the body and strengthen the immunity system. Most cultured and fermented foods provide strength to the body. For those of you who are still not hooked onto a raw food diet, this is what you can do to begin. Eat more organic foods as they are richer in nutrients unlike the non-organic ones which only dump pesticides into your body. Organic foods are expensive but the cost is a worthwhile considering the expenses that can be incurred on medicines and doctor visits if you fell sick eating inorganic foods.
Soaking or sprouting nuts releases the enzyme inhibitor in them. This makes them suitable even for those who are allergic or sensitive to nuts. Sprouting increases enzyme production in foods, which helps in digestion. It also increases protein production in foods, which is necessary for the growth and reproduction of cells. You can start sprouting alfalfa sprouts in a peanut butter jar. Nuts contain unsaturated fats that contain lipoproteins, which lower bad cholesterol.
Use Agave nectar and honey as sweeteners in raw food recipes. Agave nectar is low on the glycemic level and hence suitable for people with diabetes. Honey reduces cholesterol in arteries and blood and can cure common cold and cough. Finally, remember to include plenty of raw green vegetables in your diet.
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