People who want to be on a 100% raw food diet should be careful to consume a balanced nourishment, and make sure that they do not compromise on the vital nutrients required by the body.

Raw food refers to those food items that are not cooked beyond 42 degrees Celsius or 118 degrees Fahrenheit. Some of the examples of raw foods include fresh juices, sprouts, fruits, uncooked vegetables, nuts, raw cheese, dried fruits and veggies, sprouted breads and cold soups.

Many people find it difficult to stick to such a diet especially in the beginning. The craving for cooked delicacies is too high to deal with. Hence, they shift to 75% - 90% raw food. Most of them either turn vegetarian or vegan while some consume raw fish and meat.

Raw food gives increased energy to the body, regulates weight, eliminates diseases and improves general health and energy levels. They cleanse the body and flush the toxins. People on this diet plan tend to shift to organic produces as they believe conventional food consumption is toxic and can make the body very weak.

To start on a raw food diet, increase the consumption of vegetables, fruits and fresh juices. Vegetables juices boost immunity and energy levels. The vitamins, minerals and enzymes improve the general health and will make you feel really good. You should be ready to compromise on caffeine, refined or processed foods, junk food and dairy products.

Start gradually and do not just compromise on all your cravings in a very short period of time. One needs a lot of determination to make such a huge transition in the lifestyle. In case you have cravings for cooked food, eat some salads and fill your stomach. Once you hunger feeling is not there, you would not really crave for cooked food. Do not really wait till you are too hungry as then you would start craving more for cooked food and give up on your diet plan.

Include alkaline foods in your diet. They produce very less waste and help in neutralizing the acids. Increase in the acidic content makes people tired, irritable, fatigued and lazy with low energy levels. Since they develop a weak immune system, they become highly prone to diseases.

When you start on a raw food diet, your body may undergo a lot of changes to adapt. First, it would detoxify the waste due to the nourishment provided by raw foods. You may feel yawny and drowsy during day time. Concentration problems, general fatigue, mental fogginess, headache, chills, restlessness are common. But after about 2 weeks, once your body adapts to the new lifestyle, you would feel fresher than ever.

You would be surprised as to how many delicacies you may have missed by eating cooked food. Asian pears, okra, smoothies made of spinach, banana and mint are some recipes worth exploring. You need not consume any dietary supplements once you are on raw food diet. Adequate nourishment from the uncooked food is sufficient for your body as the excess nutrients only go out of the body as a waste.

Jonathan Pitts

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