5 Things You Need to Know About Raw Foodism

1. The Raw Foodist's Diet

Raw foodism is a lifestyle in which people, known as raw foodists, compose their diets of at least 75 percent raw, uncooked foods. Generally, most raw foodists promote organic food items as well, as the idea is to keep the body free from unnecessary toxins, including pesticides and chemical additives. Depending on the school of thought, raw foodism may be based solely on vegetarianism, while other raw foodists include raw fish, meats and dairy products.

2. Living Foods and Living Enzymes

One of the most highly promoted aspects of a raw food diet is the presence of living enzymes. When food is cooked above approximately 106 degrees F, the majority of natural, living enzymes die. These enzymes help your body to digest and absorb the nutrients of food, increase the number of vitamins and minerals your body receives while decreasing digestive problems and aiding elimination. It is also believed that raw foodism can help aid in weight loss, as the high fiber content of raw foods in combination with the efficient absorption of nutrients will help you curb your cravings and help you feel satisfied after each meal.

3. Getting Your Protein

Protein becomes a factor for any raw foodist or vegetarian, as common concern dictates that meats and eggs are our best protein sources. However, in a balanced raw food diet, a person can get about 50 percent of their daily protein from vegetables, and another 50 percent from sprouted seeds, beans and grains, as well as raw nuts. Additionally, studies have shown that cooking protein reduces the body's ability to use the protein by up to 50 percent. In theory, this would mean that raw foodists require less grams of protein daily to maintain healthy levels.

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4. Breaking Addiction to Cooked Foods

Raw foodism doesn't have to be boring, and with a little creative use of your kitchen you can create meals that mimic your cooked favorites. For example, you can use a spiral peeler to slice carrots, parsnips or squash into noodles and cover them with raw sauces. Dehydrators are common kitchen items for raw foodists, as the action of dehydrating gives food a cooked texture. Additionally, nuts can be blended with oils and juices to make cheese substitutes, while seeds, beans and grains can be soften by sprouting, giving them a cooked food feel.

5. Going Raw

Choosing to incorporate raw foodism into your lifestyle can be a challenge, as our bodies are accustomed to cooked foods; however, those who are concerned with healthy eating, preventing future health problems or treating digestive disorders may find a partial or complete living food lifestyle to be a beneficial change. Raw foodism can be used as a temporary or permanent diet plan to cleanse the system, treat digestive ailments or simply to shed a few pounds.