Raw Food Dieting

The raw food diet is not a new or fad diet; it has come and gone in popularity for hundreds of years. Some see this way of eating as reconnecting with the diet of our hunting/gathering ancestors. It was time when food was simple--eaten raw or minimally processed. Others find this diet to be a way to cut calories and lose weight, or to detoxify their bodies.

Theories

• Raw-food proponents believe that if food is heated above 115 degrees Fahrenheit (46 degrees Celsius), enzymes and nutrients are lost. Some go so far as to say that the "life force" is killed in the food, making it less healthy to your body.

Characteristics of Raw Food

• To be considered "raw" or "live," food items must be fresh, unprocessed, free of pesticides or other chemicals, and not heated above 115 degrees F (46 degrees C).

Raw "Cooking"

• Creative chefs are employing the use of food dehydrators, which have acceptable raw-food temperatures, to create raw-food replacements for common staple foods like breads and tortillas.

Other Considerations

• In practice, most followers of the raw food diet consume around 75 percent of their total diet as raw. While many people who practice the raw food diet are vegetarian, some eat fish and beef. Only unpasteurized dairy products are considered to be raw, as pasteurization methods heat the product over 115 degrees F (46 degrees C).

Warnings

• Not all foods are safe to be eaten raw. Uncooked meats, poultry and fish can contain harmful bacteria. Potatoes and similar root vegetables contain toxins that are broken down when cooked and should not be eaten raw.