Store the Nutrients
Store the Nutrients, not the Fat with a Raw Food Diet
It’s the diet with the most natural food you can put into your system.
It’s the basic diet that people have been living off for millions of years.
It’s the only diet that promises 100 per cent natural goodness without damaging toxins and fatty acids.
It’s a raw food diet.
So what exactly is a raw food diet?
A raw food diet is made up of fruits, vegetables, seeds, nuts, sprouted seeds and grains, dried fruits, rolled or flaked grains, herbs and spices and juices. However, many people on a raw food diet also add cooked grains and vegetables and fish and poultry to ensure they are getting the necessary amount of protein.
The four tips below will provide a raw food diet with sufficient amount of nutrients and calories to maintain a healthy weight and lifestyle.
1. Eat high calorie fruits and veggies.
Because you are not getting a lot of calories from fatty foods, you need to substitute with calorie-heavy fruits and veggies. These include bananas, dates and seeds.
2. Substitute your water for natural fruit juice.
Water is necessary for any diet, but on a raw food diet, it is a good idea to switch some of your water drinks for fruits.
Another good way to reduce the boredom of drinking nothing but water and add the calories and vitamins needed is with fruit smoothies and healthy milk shakes. See the recipe below for a delicious and nutritious spin on a milk shake.
3. “Cook” the rawness out.
If you’re like me, then you will have trouble adapting to an all-raw diet at first. However, it’s okay to incorporate some cooked foods such as rice, beans and potatoes.
Keep in mind that foods cooked at 118 degrees or below still keep the nutrients sealed in them and are in fact, considered raw.
4. Don’t forget the fat.
If you stick to a raw diet, you are naturally going to lose the fat intake in most foods. Make sure you consume an adequate amount of unsaturated (the good) fat with nuts, avocados, flaxseeds and vegetable oils.
For a healthy afternoon treat, tempt your pallet with this delicious wheat milk shake, a healthy spin on an old classic.
Sprout soft white wheat and blend with water. Strain to remove the pulp and blend the liquid mixture with bananas and honey. Serve in a milk shake glass and enjoy!
Like with any diet, switching to a raw food diet can be somewhat overwhelming and scary at first, especially if you’re afraid of losing the calories and nutrients your body needs to maintain a healthy and active lifestyle. However, with the above tips, there is no need to be afraid of a raw food diet again.
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September 09 2010 03:05 pm | Raw Food For Children