Ever wondered why many have gravitated towards raw vegan diets?
Many people find that raw vegan food simply appeals to them more than other food options due to its inherent health benefits [1], and then there are those that are turning to the raw lifestyle to remove the toxins from their body that have built up from years of eating processed and chemical-laden foods.
If you have a desire like most of them you may have decided that you want to consume only raw vegan food, but a lot of times people may not know exactly what that actually means, hence let us first clarify what it means by the term “raw vegan food”.
A raw vegan diet consists of foods that are unprocessed, which come from plants, and that have not been heated above 118 degrees Fahrenheit (48 °C) [2]. The reason that the foods are not heated above that temperature is due to the fact that supporters of a raw food diet believe that much of the nutritional value can be lost when the foods are heated beyond that temperature.
Recommended Raw Vegan Food Diet
Your typical raw vegan diet will include but are not limited to:
- Raw vegetables
- Fresh fruits
- Grains
- Nuts & seeds
- Legumes
- Sprouted grains
- Dried fruits
- Seaweeds
- Smoothies & juices
Other Raw Fad Diets
Among the raw vegan foodies, there can be those who are more selective about their raw food diet.
There are those who consider themselves as fruitarians and they only eat fruit and may incorporate some nuts. Another group is called sproutarians, which is a term that refers to people who opt for a diet that mostly consists of sprouted seeds, fruits, and raw vegetables. Also, there is a group known as juicearians and these are folks who choose to turn their fruits and vegetables into juice.
We would not recommend these raw fad diets, which can be detrimental to your health limiting your raw vegan food options! Those who embrace a diet consisting of uncooked vegan foods do not have to adhere to any of these subgroups, since most people consume a variety of raw fruits, vegetables, grains, nuts, seeds, and sprouts as well as the juices that come from them.
Raw Vegan Food & Energy
Even though raw foods are credited for their various health benefits for the human body, some can be skeptical whether foods in their raw state can elevate energy levels, boost muscle tone, and reinvigorate the mind.
While the general take is that high carbohydrate foods boost energy levels, the sugar in them alone does not compensate for the delicate combination of vitamins, minerals, and phytochemicals responsible for achieving optimum health and dynamism. Raw foods, however, can achieve this.
Sugar-rich foods and beverages are detrimental to our health, where their simple carbohydrates provide the body with readily available energy that quickly boosts blood sugar levels, creating a short-lived “sugar-rush” that leaves the body fatigued and craving more sugar.
Alternatively, foods rich in complex carbohydrates, such as grains, beans, vegetables, and some fruits, provide the body with a long-lasting, steady influx of energy that can keep us going throughout the day [3].
The phrase ‘nutrition to calorie ratio’ is used by nutritionists to refer to how many nutrients fit into a calorie’s worth of food. When foods are cooked, they release locked carbohydrates, providing more calories at the expense of nutrients that are destroyed by heat.
Raw foods, however, offer a lot more nutrients relative to their calories. A diet that includes a wide range of vegetables, fruits, grains, beans, and seeds which consist of foods such as bananas, sprouted lentils, avocados, coconut meat, hemp & flax seeds, walnuts, oats, squash, can supply optimal amounts of calories, nutrients, and antioxidants.
Stay hydrated with plenty of water, and avoid alcohol and caffeinated drinks, which temporarily stimulate the brain but leave the body exhausted once it wears off. Replace them with healthy juices with greens & herbal infusions for long-term health and to stay healthy and possibly disease-free!
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References:
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3635096/
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2486444/
- https://www.pcrm.org/good-nutrition/nutrition-information/the-carbohydrate-advantage
Disclaimer:
While every attempt has been made to verify the information provided here, the content in this post is for informational purposes only and not to be considered as professional advice. By providing the information contained herein we’re not diagnosing, or treating any type of disease or medical condition. Before beginning any regimen it is advisable to seek the advice of a licensed healthcare professional.
