Lately, there’s been a new idea in the fitness world. To get ripped, you must get raw.
The raw food movement is gaining momentum. As the name implies, the raw food movement encourages eating food that has not been cooked to improve your health and well-being. Many, but not all people following the raw food movement, are vegetarians.
“Raw foodists,” as the movement’s followers are known, believe that cooking food destroys nutrients, enzymes and healthy, immune conferring bacteria. They also believe that raw food slows the aging process because of the antioxidant content of raw produce. As Americans are become more concerned about processed foods and the origin of what they put on their plates, the raw food movement makes a lot of sense.
Not everyone is ready to go raw. Critics of the movement argue that risks of the diet exceed the rewards. There are several types of foods whose cooked counterparts actually have more health benefits than uncooked. Examples include stewed tomatoes, spinach, mushrooms and asparagus. Read more here. Also, cooking produce also eliminates contamination that can cause very serious types of food poisoning.
Not sure if raw food is right for you? Here are some considerations to keep in mind.
A Wide Selection to Enjoy — A diet of raw plants offers you a great excuse to get creative in the kitchen. There are endless possibilities of the meal and snack options you could make, plus a reason to try out new veggies.
Low Calorie, Low Sodium — For those looking to lose weight, the raw diet would help cut calories. Also, numerous articles stress how much sodium Americans are consuming daily, far above the recommended amount. This diet would similarly decrease sodium intake and lower the risk for heart disease and stroke.
Work Intensive Diet — Going raw means chopping, slicing, blending, processing in a food dehydrator and more. Sure, it’s simple to grab a banana or carrot to snack on, but to make every meal with raw vegetables does require more prep and thought. Raw diets can be a lot of work.
Raw Doesn’t Mean Cheap — Raw foodists are purists that believe the best way to avoid pathogens and chemicals eliminated by cooking is to buy only the cleanest, freshest produce available, which often means organic and beyond organic. While buying local and in-season produce can lower this expense, the cost will likely be higher than what is found in most grocery stores.
The Jury is Still Out — Even though benefits like the high fiber content of fruits and vegetables makes the diet seem like a no-fail solution for healthy eating, it is still hard to judge if this diet is worth it. Read more about the nutritional value of this diet on WebMD and other medically sound sources.
Remember to discuss any dietary change with a doctor before committing to a plan. What do you think of the raw food movement? Would you try this out in your own home?