The list of foods included on this diet includes fruits, vegetables, sprouts, and even a few processed food items such as kimchee and raw nut butter. These foods are great by themselves and can be combined to create scrumptious meals.
The ABC's of the Raw Food Diet
The definition of a raw food diet is a diet that includes non-processed plant foods and plant foods that have not been cooked. The list of foods is very comprehensive and includes items for all tastes and preferences.
This diet was created to compensate for the enzymes that are lost through cooking your food. Whenever your food is heated above 116°F important nutrients are killed. One of the most important nutrients is digestive enzymes.
Digestive enzymes break down the food you eat and aid in food absorption. If the enzymes are not present in your body the foods you eat will not break down and absorb properly. This leads the foods being stored in the body and can eventually lead to physical and mental illness or disease.
Raw Foods
The list of foods included in this diet is very comprehensive. Foods include any raw plant food, fruits and vegetables. But, before you think a raw foodist exists on grapes and broccoli read on. There is more to the list of foods than just veggies and fruit.
A limited amount of processed foods are allowed as a part of this diet. Processed foods that you can enjoy include cold pressed olive oils, fermented foods such as kimchee, raw soy sauce, and even foods that have been vinegar cured.
To add variety to the list of foods you can incorporate different methods of preparation. A dehydrator and a juicer come in handy to create interesting meals and snacks.
The Promises of 811
The 80/10/10 diet, or the 811 diet, has suggests that specific percentages of your nutrients come from carbohydrates, proteins and fats. In this successful and groundbreaking diet 80 percent of your calories come from carbohydrates in the form of fruit, 10 some fats, and another 10 percent from proteins.
A Complete Meal - Burgers and Fries
If you only eat from the list of foods are you giving up complete meals and eating snack sized foods for every meal? No, say raw foodists. There are many great meals you can create from these foods that are healthy and delicious.
If you love hamburgers you can fix a 'raw food hamburger'? This hamburger is made from raw nuts and raw veggies. First, shape the nuts and vegetables into a patty. Next, you can create the bun. To make this bun you mold together vegetable sprouts and vegetables. Once you have created a bun shape it can be dehydrated so it will have the actual texture of a bun. Yummy! On the side you can add some jicama fries.
Do you have an insatiable sweet tooth? One favorite raw foodist recipe is for blueberry pie. The list of raw foods provides everything you need to create a delicious blueberry pie. The crust is made from nuts and fruit that have been dehydrated. The filling contains blueberries that have undergone a simple gelling process.
You will find that it is also easy to eat out. Raw food restaurants are becoming popular in many large cities such as New York and San Francisco. But, even if you do not have a this establishment in your local area you can still dine out on raw foods.
Your local vegan or vegetarian restaurant will most likely have raw food offerings. Traditional restaurants have salads and raw veggie platters. You can always ask for oil and vinegar to dress your salad or bring your own dressing in a small container.
The list of these foods is plentiful. You will certainly not go hungry on the raw food diet. You will find that you can create amazing and tasty meals with uncooked and unprocessed plant foods.