Could A Raw Food Diet Help You Lose Weight?
Posted by Catherine Morgan on December 11, 2008
Have you ever considered a raw food diet? The idea of a raw food diet has never been very appealing to me. It always conjures up images of sushi and steak tartar. But recently I’ve come across some vegetable only raw food recipes, and they don’t look too bad.
I wouldn’t recommend anyone follow a strict raw food diet, mainly because it is too difficult to maintain proper nutrition with this type of diet. However, eating raw vegetables is very healthy. So, including raw food recipes in our diet can be extremely beneficial to good health and weight loss.
Proponents of the raw diet believe that enzymes are the life force of a food and that every food contains its own perfect mix. These enzymes help us digest foods completely, without relying on our body to produce its own cocktail of digestive enzymes.
It is also thought that the cooking process destroys vitamins and minerals and that cooked foods not only take longer to digest, but they also allow partially digested fats, proteins and carbohydrates to clog up our gut and arteries.
Now like I said, I’m not sold on sticking to a raw food diet long term. But I think for a week or two as a way to “jump start” a weight loss program, could be beneficial. And if a raw food diet seems way to radical for you…Maybe just try to incorporate some raw vegetables and raw food recipes into your non-raw food diet.
This is one recipe I am definitely going to try…
Do you have a favorite raw food recipe I should try?
I recently found a great product at my local supermarket – pre-cut fresh vegetables that are cleaned and in a stay fresh bag. The cost is about the same as frozen vegetables, but this way you have the option of eating them either raw or cooked.
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Contributing Editor Catherine Morgan
at Catherine-Morgan, Capessa Health, Women4Hope
Michael said
I believe that raw food should be part of the daily diet, but I am against all ‘exclusive’ diets, i.e. raw foods only. There are enough reports out there that say that some vegetables are more beneficial if they are steamed or cooked. Vegetarian diet seems the way to go, as an over-consumption of meat – particularly red meat and processed meat – is statistially linked with a higher risk of some cancers and obesity.
See ‘China Study’ by Colin Campbell and the the 2007 report by the World Cancer Research Fund (http://www.aicr.org/site/PageServer?pagename=res_report_second).
A recipe to try:
Coleslaw, made with red cabbage and parsnips = 5 parts shredded red cabbage with 1 part grated parsnips plus enough majonnaise to bind everything together, maybe some salt and pepper to season.
parkerhealthsolutions said
You’ve got a great blog! a raw food diet not only helps you lose weight but it is great for your whole body. it’s not just a theory about enzymes… it is a true fact. enzymes are totally necessary to break down food. otherwise foods don’t readily assimilate, get lodged in colons, cause diarrhea, bloat, lethargy, constipation… etc. if you eat any cooked food a digestive enzyme supplement is greatly recommended.
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