Thread: Why Eat a Raw Food Diet?

If you're reading this article, you may be wondering about the benefits of a raw food diet, right? Well, the benefits of eating more raw foods are numerous and once you understand them you'll probably wonder why you haven't eaten more raw in the past. You'll also think twice about eating dead cooked foods ever again.
Raw Foods Give You More Energy
I don't think I know of a single person who eats at least 80% raw foods who doesn't enjoy far more energy than the average person. I know that when I transitioned away from eating a diet made up of breads, dairy, and cooked foods, and adopted more of a raw foods diet, my energy went through the roof. And I'm not talking about the quick surge you would get from an espresso but rather long-lasting energy that enables you to do more with less.
For instance, eating raw will allow you to sleep less and have far more energy than you ever thought possible. When I'm eating at least 80% raw, I can easily function on just 4-5 hours of sleep. I literally bounce out of bed and don't require any naps throughout the day. Oh yeah, did I mention that I workout every single day as well? Sometimes, even twice!
Energizing Enzymes
There are several reasons why a raw food diet will give you more energy. First, raw foods are rich in food enzymes. Enzymes are required for every single reaction in the body. Unfortunately, our bodies only have a finite number of these enzymes, so when we run out, we run out of life! To add to this, when you heat foods above 118 degrees fahrenheit, you destroy the food enzymes that are naturally present in all raw foods. Therefore, if you eat a predominantly cooked foods diet, you're not getting enough food enzymes, which means that your body will have to produce and use more of its own to digest and metabolize your foods.
The more energy your body needs to divert towards digestion, the less energy you will have for other activities. You will feel more lethargic and tired as your body is trying to breakdown "dead" foods and figure out what to do with them.
So, the food enzymes inherent in raw foods are a big reason for boosting your body's energy. They are the spark plugs and are intricately related to the next property that make raw foods so energy-boosting.
Life Force
When raw foods are left intact, they are also known as living foods. They are called "living" because they carry an incredible amount of life force.
Now, since every living being has an aura or energy field illuminating from their body, which foods do you think would enhance yours? High energy raw foods or cooked foods that dead? I think we both know the answer.
As I like to say, "eat alive and you will thrive".
Weight Loss and Beautiful Skin
The other highly sought-after quality of a raw foods diet is its ability to help you lose weight and beautify your skin. Almost all raw foodists have reported losing weight they could never lose. At the same time, they notice an instant improvement in their skin. They look younger and have a natural glow that comes about because of the "living" nature of raw foods, their abundance of enzymes, and of course the plethora of nutrients that are ingested when eating more fruits and vegetables.
You will find it easier to lose weight on a raw food diet because your getting more nutrients and, therefore, your body won't crave "dead" foods. Second, the enzymes help to breakdown the foods you are eating and excess energy and fat stores in your body. Third, raw foods are water-rich, which helps you feel more satiated, as well as hydrated.
Many of these reasons also help us explain why living foods make you look younger and beautify your skin. Enzymes, life force, water, and high quality nutrients all play a role in natural skin care.
We could talk about the benefits of a raw food diet for hours but the only to truly understand them is to experience them for yourself. So why not take action today and enjoy the health, the body, and the vitality that you deserve!

I have read that eating raw foods is really good for the skin and gives more energy. However I have also read some testimonials that it gave them side effects such as mild headaches, nausea, and cravings. They also experience detoxification reaction when they start the raw food diet, especially if their previous diet was rich in meat, sugar, and caffeine.

Thank you for the information - it will certainly help to incorporate in the normal daily menus.

I am not a vegetarian (love Meat and fish toooooo much) however I have also adopted eating all my veggies and fruits raw - as much as I can. I also read somewhere on the internet that if you eat apples everyday (after 3 or 4 months cant remember) that it helps alot with your skin, constipation and of course an excellent source of fibre along with other benefits -- I try to incorporate 1-2 apples a day.

The great thing about eating raw veggies/fruit as well is that you are also getting the vitamins in the skin instead of cooking it away and loosing the vitamin content as well as eating less fat - the cellulite that you may have will Diminish!!!!! I have been eating healthy since Jan 10 -- I have a post in the General Area where I posted what I am doing to change. I do not call this really a "diet" it is now my way of eating -- I just have 10 kilos left to lose (from 25kilos) - not giving myself a date - just hopefully will loose it by the end of the year. And after 5 months I am noticing that my cellulite on my legs is smaller. Now of course this is not just based on lower fat eating (which I am doing) opting for more protien. Also I exercise 3-4 days per week and drink 2 litres of water everyday. Eating alot of fruits and veggies - I eat more veggies than anything -- at least 2 salads a day with Mackrel or Tuna or BBq'd Chicken or Turkey with the salads.

But to eat meat or fish raw - dont think I could ever do that - maybe one day I will try it but I dont think I would be comfortable knowing that normally they inject the animals to grow faster - I would be too scared that I would be injesting those chemicals. I raise chickens (egg laying and meat - just enough for our family) and I know that the meat chickens take alot more than 1 month to be fully grown - and yet you always hear about chickens in the supermarket that are completely grown in 1 month. If you have a chance to raise your own chickens - the eggs are wonderful and have alot more Omega 3 because of all the veggies that you would give to them. I save all the cuttings of the veggies that we will not eat and give them to the chickens along with their normal feed. They are also in a corral and can move around and search for bugs. They are certainly part of the family and keep us healthy. Whatever can keep us healthy -- I am all for that.

Thx again for the information - it will come in handy -- now going to print your post

Hello, i loved reading your article:d.

Thanks for the info about the raw food diet. Two of my family members suffer from psoriasis and eating a raw food diet has improved their skin a lot!

Raw fruits and vegetables such as in salads are healthy and you get more vitamins and minerals but it's different when we talk about raw meat. I do eat Japanese food and I love sashimi but only because they are using fresh fish. No frozen meat for me.

Originally Posted by dazzler

Raw fruits and vegetables such as in salads are healthy and you get more vitamins and minerals but it's different when we talk about raw meat. I do eat Japanese food and I love sashimi but only because they are using fresh fish. No frozen meat for me.

I try to eat salads and fruit everyday. This is the only raw food I eat. There is, a usual, a controversy in regards of raw food diet benefits. It is not an easy commitment to eat only raw food. I admire people who have enough discipline to do it.But,till there are confirmed studies of it's effectiveness, I doubt that i would go anywhere beyond my salads and fruit. I am waiting on the side curb

I agree! I have grown to love eating cooked foods and it's definitely not easy to just make this huge change in eating. I love raw vegetables on my salads and eating fresh vegetables a lot and I know they are really good for our overall health. I still haven't warmed up on the idea of completely eating raw foods.

There's no problem eating raw vegetables. I frequent sweetgreen and subway to get my salad. Sashimi is fine and to be honest-quite addicting. But when you say raw food, are you talking about raw chicken and meat?

Don't we ran the risk of getting salmonella from eating them raw?

I'm sorry for my lack of knowledge about eating raw..I actually just got interested with the topic when I stumbled upon it

Water is good for dieting in anyway.Fruits and vegetables are good for dieting. Less oily foods and use less carbohydrates containing food.