Raw food diet (raw foodism or rawism) is a way of eating foods that are not cooked, not processed, and preferably organic types as a daily diet. Raw food diet was introduced by Maximilian Bircher-Benner a doctor from Switzerland, since 1897.
Before starting to develop research, Bircher had recovered from jaundice after eating raw apples. He also saw how the lives of the goat herders living in the Alps simple but healthy as eating lots of fruits, vegetables and raw nuts.
Type of raw food diet
The group eating only raw vegetables that are not cooked temperatures exceed 40 degrees Celsius. They believe the temperature is above 40 degrees Celsius can damage the nutrients and enzymes food, unhealthy, and poses toxic to the body.
Raw veganism
These groups are further divided into fruitarians, juicearians, or sproutarians. As the name implies, fruitarians eat only fruits, nuts, and seeds raw. Juicearians only eat vegetables or fruits are processed into juice first. While sproutarians eat more grain sprouts.
Raw animal food diets
This group is almost the same as the group of raw veganism but adds his diet with dairy products and eggs. So generally they are vegetables and fruits. Coupled with raw meat (including organ and fish), raw eggs and raw milk. This group also eat meat and fish but avoid raw grains, raw beans, soy snow.
Efficacy of raw food
By eating raw food, raw foodist believe
- That the content of enzymes in raw foods can help digestion so it is important for body growth. Cooking food with temperatures over 40 degrees Celsius is considered this will destroy the enzyme.
- Raw foods contain bacteria and micro-organisms that are good for digestion and the immune system.
- Raw food is more nutritious than cooked food.
- Raw foods are still natural, whereas the processed food contains a lot of additives such as colorings, flavorings, colorings, or sweeteners are bad for the body.
- Raw foods are considered most suitable for human consumption. Foodstuffs stimulants like coffee, alcohol, and tobacco is very avoidable. Heated fats and proteins like fried oils and roasted peanuts also be avoided as it is considered to be carcinogenic.
- Natural foods and organic whole foods are considered more nutritious than commercial food production.
- Food that has been cooked already damaged natural womb to produce toxins that can cause various diseases.
- Vegetables and fruits are rich in crude antioxidant so ageless, prevent cancer, and neutralize free radicals.
- Air pollution and smoking are considered very harmful to health. Drinking water processing results are also considered unhealthy, especially once the added fluoride and chlorine.
It is important to note
1. Know what types of food can be eaten raw.
You can begin with a variety of fruits, vegetables, nuts, grains, beans and the like, dried fruits (dates, raisins, etc.), spices, different types of herbs, table salt, olive oil or canola pure, undiluted vinegar, coconut, chocolate, milk and milk products, eggs, fish (sushi and sashimi), seaweed (hijiki, dulse flakes, nori sheets, and wakame), and many more.
2. Find information about the raw food diet as much as possible. Read books or find information about raw food diets on the Internet from sources trusted sites.
3. Look for raw food dieters community. Or you can start your own group pioneered. Join at festivals, cafes, or a raw food cooking class.
4. If in doubt, just try to feel first. Your tongue will not lie, do not hesitate to try if raw food is delicious.
5. Prepare the cooking utensils necessary. Prepare various types of knives, food processor, dehydrator (food dryers), blender and juicer. Enjoy the process of making raw food cuisine.
6. Look for raw food recipes easy to find ingredients. If price is not an issue for you, buy the organic kind. If possible plant your own organic crops and make their own compost.
7. Find out how to store raw foods well. Raw food rot faster than food that has been cooked so better buy than a little to be spent immediately to save a lot. Eat while still good condition to be eaten, not postponed. Store in the refrigerator for leather bean, dates, raisins, coconut, and seeds.
8. Do not rush. You do not need to fully implement the raw food diet, just to try it first flexible dining mix between raw food and cooked food. Suggested recipes raw fruits as breakfast beforehand and complete salad for lunch and dinner. Use a variety of natural herbs to enrich it.
Tip before do raw food diet
- Not everyone is suited to implement a raw food diet. Note the condition of the body's digestion and overall health after trying a raw food diet. If you need to consult your doctor or a nutritionist.
- Vary the raw food materials to meet all the nutrients your body needs. Inadequate consumption of protein and healthy fat to keep the body's metabolism.
- Raw food diet is not recommended for children, pregnant and lactating women, people with anemia, and osteoporosis patients.
- Consumption of vitamin B12 supplements to prevent anemia.
- If you must eat at a restaurant, choose a salad menu, sushi, or sashimi.
- Make sure the hygiene of meat, fish, eggs, dairy, or animal foods that will be consumed.
- Eat whole foods are better than processed juices have higher dietary fiber content.
- Do not eat red beans and raw cashews.
- Some people are accustomed to eating meat, sugar, and caffeine will experience slight dizziness, nausea, and craving while trying raw foods first. But this condition will disappear after a few days.
The more you age, the body's enzymes will be reduced so that the ability to digest food is also reduced. Therefore, try a raw food diet for optimal health benefit worth a shot. Bon appetite!