There are a variety of alternative diets available for those looking to lose weight and improve their health. The raw food diet, also known as raw foodism, is one of them and is growing in popularity every day. It is generally a vegan diet, based on the idea that fruits and vegetables eaten in their raw, living state provide the greatest nutritional benefit. Not only is food eaten uncooked, most raw foodists make efforts to eat only foods that are unprocessed and organic.
While there are some who eat one hundred percent raw food meals, it’s generally considered that a daily menu consisting of 75-80% raw foods is more than sufficient for you to benefit from the diet. Making certain that each meal you consume contains at least 51% raw foods will bring you enormous health benefits (assuming the remaining foods you eat are not nutritionally void junk foods!).
People who are dedicated to the raw food diet say that they have more energy and feel healthier. Part of that is because raw food is high in fiber and better for the digestive system. As toxins and back-up is cleansed from your system, you’ll begin to feel more energetic. A second benefit is healthier skin and hair, again attributed to the removal of toxins from your body. Of course, weight loss is much easier while eating a raw food diet, as is maintaining a healthy weight. The fruits and vegetables consumed are naturally high in fiber, minerals and vitamins, while they’re low in “bad fats” and sodium, leading to better health and vitality.
Be aware that starting a raw food diet may initially cause side effects like headache, nausea or gastrointestinal upset, as your body total cleanses itself of toxins and adjusts to the higher fiber content. Do not despair, these symptoms while uncomfortable will pass. And, the worse your diet was prior to the switch, the more discomfort you are likely to suffer during the transition.
But the majority of folks who have converted to raw foodism have found that the lifestyle and eating habits they’ve developed have made them feel healthier and more energized. Weight loss has been simple, since they can eat all the vegetables they like, and feel full without consuming too many calories. Meals can be quite simple to prepare, although there are also a variety of “non-cook” books that provide recipes for more elaborate dishes. If you’re looking for a diet that will help you lose weight, feel great and have more energy, consider giving the raw food diet a try.