The 21 Benefits of Eating Raw Food

Processed foods are foods that have been altered by adding preservatives, additives, or artificial ingredients. Some people believe these types of foods can cause health problems such as cancer and heart disease.

Experts agree that one way of eating healthier is to cut down on processed foods and have raw foods instead. That alone can help promote a healthy diet.

Most foods in the grocery store have been processed in one way or another. Which healthy foods should you put into your shopping cart?

 

 

Read the Label

First thing is to read all the labels. The best way to avoid processed foods is to read the labels on your grocery store shelves. If you see any words like “artificially flavored” or “high fructose corn syrup” or “food dye”, then it probably means that the food has been processed.

If you want to eat healthy, try to limit your intake of processed foods.

Aim for at least one quality item with each meal — I believe they call it “clean eating.” You may be surprised at how much better you feel when you eliminate refined foods from your diet!

 

Examples of Quality Raw and Fresh Foods

Keep this list handy and try to have at least one of these with each meal.

Fruits: Apples, oranges, bananas, grapes, strawberries, blueberries, peaches, plums, pears, melons

Vegetables: Broccoli, carrots, cauliflower, celery, cucumbers, lettuce, peppers, spinach, tomatoes

Nuts & Seeds: Almonds, cashews, peanuts, sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, sesame seeds

Meats: Beef, chicken, turkey, lamb, fish, seafood

Dairy: Milk, cheese, yogurt, cottage cheese, sour cream, butter, ice cream

Eggs: Egg whites, egg yolks

Beans: Black beans, kidney beans, lentils, chickpeas, white beans, black-eyed peas, split peas, adzuki beans

Grains: Brown rice, oats, quinoa, wheat berries, barley, couscous, millet

Seaweed: Kelp, dulse, nori, wakame

Seeds: Flaxseed, chia seed, hemp seed

Oils: Extra virgin olive oil, coconut oil, avocado oil, flax oil, walnut oil

Spices: Cinnamon, ginger, turmeric, cayenne pepper, nutmeg, garlic powder, onion powder, basil, oregano, rosemary, thyme, sage, marjoram, curry powder, chili powder, paprika, saffron, tarragon, pars ley, bay leaves, salt, pepper, lemon juice, lime juice, vinegar

Herbs: Basil, mint, cilantro, dill, fennel, anise, caraway, coriander, cumin, cinnamon, cloves, cardamom, ginger, nutmeg, mustard, oregano, parsley, rose, savory, thyme, tarragon, turmeric, vanilla, watermelon rind, apple cider vinegar, balsamic vinegar, brown sugar, molasses, tamari sauce, soy sauce, miso paste, nutritional yeast, kelp flakes, kelp powder, kombu seaweed, sea vegetables, seaweed, spirulina

Sweeteners: Honey, agave nectar, maple syrup, stevia, coconut sugar

The main point is that you want to consume real food and not just comfort food. These foods above typically have minimal processing so that the nutrients are kept.

 

Examples of Processed Foods

Try to avoid these if possible.

Breads: Bagels, bread sticks, baguettes, English muffins, pizza crust, tortillas, crackers, pretzels, chips, cookies, cakes, pies, pastries, doughnuts, donuts, croissants, pancakes, waffles, biscuits, scones, muffins, cupcakes, cake mix, dinner rolls

Sugars: sugar, cupcake frosting, icing, cake frosting, candy

Toppings: jam, jelly, preserves, peanut butter

Condiments, dressings and sauces: salad dressing, ketchup, barbecue sauce, relish, salsa, pasta sauce, soup, gravy, spaghetti sauce,

Processed meats: stew, meatloaf, meatballs, hamburger, hot dogs, sausage, bacon, ham, salami, jerky, deli meats, lunchmeat, smoked meats

Canned goods: tuna, salmon, sardines, anchovies, canned fruit, canned soups, canned tomato products, vegetable products, pickled vegetables

Excess Caffeine: caffeinated drinks, sugary energy drinks

In addition, there are many other types of processed foods that can cause problems for the body. Reading the label can help identify the major processed ingredients.

 

Good For The Body

The first thing we need to consider is… what is good for the body. We know that a diet high in animal protein is not good for us because it may cause heart disease, cancer, diabetes, obesity, and more.

However, some people claim that they feel better when they eat more animal proteins than others. This is true, but only up to a point.

If you eat too much animal protein, your body will start producing more insulin which leads to fat storage. Insulin is also linked with inflammation, so this could be why you’re feeling bad.

The best way to get enough protein is through plant sources like nuts, seeds, legumes, whole grains, tofu, tempeh, and fish. These foods have all been shown to help reduce inflammation and improve overall health.

 

Daily Protein Requirements

If you want to lose weight, then you should aim for about 0.8 grams per pound (0.36 kilograms) of lean muscle mass. This means that if you weigh 150 pounds (68 kilograms), you would need around 100 grams of protein each day. You can find out how much protein you need by using this calculator.

If you’re trying to gain weight, then you should try to consume 1 gram of protein per kilogram of lean muscle mass. So if you weigh 150 pounds, you’d need around 225 grams of protein daily.

What’s more, you should make sure that you’re getting adequate amounts of vitamins and minerals as well. If you’re eating a lot of processed foods, you’ll probably need to find a way to supplement those nutrients.

A great way to do that is to make the switch to raw foods and get those benefits.

 

What Are The 21 Benefits Of Eating Raw Food?

Raw food diets are very popular in many countries around the world. There are several reasons why raw food diets are so beneficial for our bodies.

1) They may help us lose weight…

Eating a raw food diet helps us burn more calories than we consume. This makes it easier for us to lose weight. When we eat cooked food, we absorb less nutrients because they get destroyed during cooking. When we eat raw food, our digestive system works better. Our body absorbs all the vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients that we need.

2) They may help us detoxify our body…

Eating raw food allows us to release toxins from our digestive system. Our bodies need time to process all the chemicals and other substances that we put into our body through eating. By eating raw food, we allow our bodies to do this naturally. Our bodies work best when they are clean and free of toxins. Eating raw food helps our bodies rid themselves of harmful bacteria and viruses.

3) They might boost our immune systems…

When we eat raw food, we feed our immune systems with vitamins, minerals, enzymes, and antioxidants. These things help keep our immune systems strong and ready to fight off infections. We don’t feel tired after eating raw food. We also tend to sleep better when we eat raw food.

4) They might make us healthier…

Many studies show that raw food diets improve overall health. It seems that raw food diets promote good digestion, which leads to fewer digestive issues. Raw food diets also seem to reduce inflammation in the body. Inflammation is linked to many diseases including arthritis, asthma, diabetes, and even some cancers.

5) They might help us live longer…

Some research shows that raw food diets may actually extend our lives. One study found that rats who ate raw food lived an average of 50% longer than those who ate cooked food. Another study showed that mice who ate raw food had lower levels of cholesterol and triglycerides. Studies show that raw food diets speed up recovery times.

6) They may help us maintain energy levels…

One reason that raw food diets are so effective is that they give us lots of energy. Eating raw produce gives us more endurance. We don’t have to worry about getting tired after eating because our bodies digest our meals quickly.

7) They might help us stay fit…

Eating raw foods also keeps us leaner. Because we don’t absorb nutrients from cooked foods, we tend to gain weight if we eat too much of them. Raw foods can help us avoid gaining weight because they contain no preservatives or additives.

8) They might help us heal faster…

Raw food diets may help us recover from injuries and illnesses faster. They are great for healing wounds. Raw food contains natural enzymes that help break down dead tissue. This means that we can heal ourselves without having to use antibiotics.

9) They may help us sleep better…

Eating raw foods before bedtime helps us fall asleep faster and sleep soundly throughout the night. Some people find that their sleep improves on raw food diets.

10) They may help us reduce stress…

Eating raw fruits and vegetables reduces our blood pressure and improves our moods. Studies show that raw food diets can help us cope with stressful situations. Some people find that they feel calmer after eating raw food. Others say that their moods become more positive after eating raw food.

11) They may help us manage chronic conditions…

Raw food diets may be especially helpful for diabetics because they provide a source of fiber. Fiber helps regulate sugar levels in the body. Eating raw fruit and vegetables may help us control diabetes, high cholesterol, and hypertension.

12) They may help us avoid heart disease…

This makes it easier for our hearts to pump blood around our bodies. Eating raw vegetables may lower bad cholesterol and which could prevent plaque buildup in our arteries. Because of that, it might lower the risk of heart disease.

13) They might help us treat depression…

Raw food diets may also help us deal with depression by improving our moods. Eating raw produce boosts serotonin levels in our brain, helping us feel happier.

14) They may help us deal with arthritis pain…

Eating raw vegetable juice may help ease joint pain associated with rheumatoid arthritis. Some say that apple cider vinegar might help too. It may help relieve inflammation in the joints. Raw foods are low in calories and fat. They also contain vitamins and minerals that your body needs to deal with pains.

15) They might help us fight allergies…

The vitamin C in raw veggies helps boost immunity and fights off infections. Eating raw veggie juices might help clear up skin problems like eczema and psoriasis.

16) They may help us build stronger bones…

Eating raw plant-based foods could build strong bones and teeth. The calcium found in raw foods might strengthen our bones and perhaps prevent osteoporosis.

17) They may help us live longer…

Eating raw food has been linked to living longer. A study published in the Journal of Nutrition showed that women who ate raw foods had fewer health issues than those who didn’t.

18) They may help us improve our mental health…

Raw foods contain antioxidants that protect our brains from damage. Eating raw organic produce may help us think clearer and be less stressed out. These healthy foods will fill you up so you won’t want to eat as much junk food.

19) They may help us improve athletic performance…

Raw foods have lots of nutrients that help us recover quickly between workouts. It also means we don’t need to snack all day long. Eating raw green leafy vegetables helps athletes perform at their best.

20) They may help us look younger…

Raw leafy greens such as kale, spinach, collard greens, and romaine lettuce are rich in iron, folate, potassium, magnesium, and other nutrients that keep our skin looking young.  Eating raw leaves like these can help make us look younger.

21) They may help us live happier lives…

Raw foods give us energy and vitality. We feel better when we eat them. Therefore eating raw whole foods could make us happy.

 

I would say that there is no doubt that raw food diet is beneficial for everyone. It is not only good for people suffering from diseases but also for healthy individuals. There are many benefits of this. However, if you do not know how to prepare raw food then you should consult a nutritionist or a doctor before starting any change in diet.