6 SURPRISING EFFECTS OF RAW FOOD

If you are like me, you probably love sauces and gravies so the effects of raw food may not interest you.  In recent years, the effects of raw food have begun to make headlines in the health world.  A diet high in raw food consumption can help with a number of health problems as well as promote healthy eating in general.  Those looking for diet tips often love the idea of a raw food diet and many people swear by this new nutritional superstar-raw food.  If you're looking for the perfect diet, consider raw foods.  Of course, your doctor can help you determine if a raw food diet is right for you, but if you do your homework, you'll find that raw foods have six surprising effects on the body.

RAW FOOD EFFECT #1:  LOSING WEIGHT
Raw food is considered food that is eaten without being cooked or heated at temperatures over 116 degrees Fahrenheit.  Raw foods contain enzymes which are destroyed when cooked at temperatures over 116 degrees Fahrenheit.  Enzymes are crucial in the body because they help with digestion.  The process is complicated, but to put it simply, enzymes help your body grab the nutrients out of your food before it gets passed out of your system.  Without enzymes, you'll survive, but you won't be using your food to its maximum potential.  Therefore, you'll have to eat more food to get the same amount of nutrients if you cook your food instead of eating it raw.  Eating more food means an increase in calories and nutrients you don't  need, like fat.

RAW FOOD EFFECT #2:  INCREASED ENERGY
To go along with your weight-loss, raw foods are also great because they give you a boost of energy.  Again, this has to do with the enzymes.  Chemical reactions in the body aside, simply take a moment to think about how you feel after eating a big meal, like Thanksgiving or a pasta dinner.  The calories and specific carbohydrates in the food slow you down and make you want to sleep or rest.  Now think about how you feel after eating a garden salad and some fruit?  The "lighter" meal provides the same amount of energy for the rest of your day without weighing you down right after you eat.

RAW FOOD EFFECT #3:  SAVING MONEY
If you begin to eat raw foods, your wallet will thank you.  You may have thought that the positive effects of raw foods only helped your body?  Take a moment tot consider your shopping bill.  The foods that are most expensive are probably the things you have to cook to eat--port chops, steaks, frozen foods, canned foods and so on.  Raw foods are mainly things like nuts, fruits, vegetables and seeds.  A true raw foodist eats over 75% raw foods.  Ideally, a raw foodist eats a diet made of 100% raw food, but this isn't always possible.  In any case, if you simply replace even a few meals a week with raw food instead of other foods, you should see a decrease in your grocery bill.

The savings go beyond your grocery bill as well.  When you don't have to cook the foods you're going to eat, you'll save on energy bills as well.  You'll no longer need the electricity or gas to power your stove and you'll even be able to get rid of your microwave, toaster oven and coffee maker.  You;ll see your household bills plummet, which is often a surprising treat for those who switch to raw foods.

RAW FOOD EFFECT #4:  PRAISE FROM PETA
A raw foods diet is not the same as a vegetarian diet, but the two can overlap quite nicely in many cases.  Of course, some types of fish and other animal products can be safely eaten raw, but for the most part, a raw food diet is vegetarian.  If you;re concerned about the ethical treatment of animals, a raw food diet may be your ticket to healthy eating.  Go a step farther and look for organic labeling as well.  Organic means that your fruits, vegetables and other foods were grown without chemical additives, such as pesticides.  Chemical additives in our food can hurt the environment.  Note that "organic" does not mean the same this as "natural".  Natural is a term that comes with no real classification rules, so it can really be thrown onto anything to entice consumers.

Organic raw foods will be a bit more pricey, but you'll be saving money by cutting out more expensive foods that need to be cooked, so you might have the extra money to splurge on organic foods without breaking the bank.

RAW FOOD EFFECT #5:  NEW FOODS TO LOVE
Cutting out the cooked foods in your diet might sound easy, buyt for most people it is more difficult than you'd first imagine.  Almost every meal eaten by the average person includes cooked foods.  Switching to a raw food diet pushes you to explore a world of foods that you may have not considered in the past.

Of course, you'll be able to include the typical raw fruits and vegetables in you diet, but what else can you eat?  Try nuts, grains, beans and seeds such as walnuts, fresh peanuts, sunflower seeds, legumes and pumpkin seeds.  You can also try new fruits that you haven't explored, as well as off-beat members of the vegetable family, like seaweed and sprouts.  Don't forget to try freshly squeezed juice and coconut milk to replace soft drinks and cow's milk.

This also gives you the opportunity to explore new cooking techniques.  Raw food doesn't mean that you eat salads every night.  Try pickling, for example, which can taste yummy with lots of vegetables other than cucumbers.  You can also soak you seeds, grains and beans until they sprout for an interesting new way of including them in your diet and use a blender to create sauces, dressings and drink concoctions.  Your first purchase, however, should be a dehydrator.  You can throw almost any fruit or vegetable into a dehydrator and come out with an amazing new food.  Also consider buying a juicer so that you don't have to purchase processed juices.

RAW FOOD EFFECT #6:  YOU'LL FEEL BETTER ABOUT YOURSELF
The effects of raw food can have physical side effects that go beyond weight loss.  The foods eaten in a raw food diet have no saturated or trans fat and are usually low in sodium.  They are also usually heart-healthy and due to the enzymes, they can help you to digest your food in a more pleasant way for your stomach. In short, you'll feel healthier when eating a raw food diet.

Raw foods have also been shown to have positive effects on the skin and the nutrients found in these foods can also help with hormone balance.  Those who swear by a raw food diet often find that they feel better about themselves whether they lose weight or not, simply because they are doing what is healthy for their bodies.  Try a raw food diet today and you may have similar effects.

ALWAYS CONSULT YOU PHYSICIAN FIRST
Although it is helpful to get health information by reading and taking with friends, make sure you consult your doctor first before trying any new treatment or changing your diet.  Remember that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration does not strictly regulate the strength, purity or safety of herbs and supplements.  Be sure to always read product labels.  If you have a medical condition, or are taking other drugs, herbs, or supplements, speak with your doctor before taking medical action or changing your health routine.  This information is not intended to replace the advice of a doctor.  LifeScript disclaims any liability for the decisions made by its reader based on the information provided.

lifescript.com