What Are Raw Foods?

The simple answer:
Raw foods are foods that have not been cooked. They contain a high level of enzymes that are essential for digestion and a plethora of nutrients that are good for your body.

The detailed answer:
How frustrating is it to plug “Raw Foods” into Google and get a ton of links? Some websites don’t have the answer on their Frequently Asked Questions page and other sites only give you 2 or 3 sentences on the topic.  If you’re trying to transition into a raw food lifestyle, we want you to have the facts.

The best way to explain raw foods is if we asked you to hold out your hands. In one hand, we give you a cup full of roasted nuts, and in the other, we give you a cup full of raw nuts. Then, we ask you to go plant both the roasted and raw nuts seperately in the ground. Can you guess which one will sprout greens? The raw nuts of course, also considered a living food, and that leads us into unlocking the wonderful nutritional value and healing powers of raw food.

Raw foods are fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds and herbs enjoyed in their natural state. Cooking them changes the molecular structure of the food. It is the general consensus of the raw food community that the point at which enzymes are destroyed is 116° F. Enzymes are energized protein molecules that accelerate the rate of chemical reactions, such as those involved in our metabolism and digestion. 116° F is the maximum threshold for enzyme activity in food.  Raw foods are also full of phytonutrients, which are nutrients derived from plant material that have been shown to be necessary for sustaining human life. Phytonutrients can help to prevent disease and maintain optimal health.

Raw foods have been linked to overall improved health, healing from illnesses, increased energy, and weight loss. There is also mental clarity, overall better focus, a natural glow and being more in-tuned with yourself  (just to name a few). The claims of the benefits of raw foods are many, so it is natural to wonder how eating raw foods can change your life and health.

The simplest raw food (such as fruits and veggies) needs no preparation whatsoever. Simply take bite of your favorite fruit or combine your favorite veggies into a salad and you are one step closer to your new raw lifestyle. Then there are the other elaborate raw dishes that may require additional equipment and ingredients that you might not buy on a regular basis. Some recipes may also require additional prep work such as sprouting or dehydrating. Don’t let that scare you. Start small, start here. We will offer the simple recipes to get you started, and then useful tips for taking your journey to the next level.

“When you eat high-quality raw food, you give your body the fuel it needs to heal and prevent disease.” -Angela Elliott, author of Alive in 5: Raw Gourmet Meals in Five Minutes.

By rawfoodnation Tags: enzymes, living food, phytonutrients, raw food
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