Raw Diet & Protein

Eating protein in a raw food diet doesn't mean wolfing down raw ground beef; the raw diet primarily includes uncooked fruits, nuts, seeds and vegetables based on the vegan approach to nutrition. While there are degrees of adherence between devotees, a raw food diet should contain enough plant-based protein for health.

Eating Raw Food

• An extreme form of vegetarianism, the raw food diet appeals to some people on the basis of claims of weight loss, illness reduction and protection of overall health. Eating enough protein to stay healthy and strong is often a concern for anyone starting such a plan, but with care, it is possible for raw food fans to get enough protein to stay in top form.

Nuts, Seeds and Legumes

• Almonds are a top pick with raw food followers, especially since they can be made into almond milk, a versatile substitute for dairy milk. Sunflower seeds, walnuts and hemp seeds are also rich in protein and other nutrients. While beans can't be eaten raw after they've dried, you can soak them in water until they're plump and ready to be eaten, or use them in recipes. Chickpeas are another fine and tasty source of protein, especially in hummus.

Sprouts

• Living legumes are also used to grow sprouts, from peas to alfalfa. The sprouted edibles are either eaten as is or used in a number of recipes. Some varieties, like sprouted beans, can contain toxins, so follow directions for soaking and rinsing carefully. Each legume provides a different taste; radish sprouts retain some of that natural zesty kick, and sprouted peas are popular in quick, lunchtime meals as a meat substitute.

Vegetables

• It may be hard to imagine that broccoli, kale and mustard greens could contain enough protein to supplement a healthy diet, but raw food purists insist that the plant-based protein contained in dark, leafy vegetables is more than enough to sustain them, especially when used to make juices. It takes large amounts of veggies to make a day's worth of green juices, upping the trace amount found in spinach to noticeable levels by sheer volume alone.

Superfoods and Supplements

• Spirulina, a type of bluish-green algae, is another top protein pick for raw food devotees. It is often mixed in with fresh juices, smoothies and desserts. Supplements are available from companies like Amazing Grass, which manufactures supplements, mixes and energy bars with minimal processing to retain the raw nutrients. Most of these products include wheatgrass, spirulina, hemp, barley grass and dried fruits and vegetables.

Recipes

• While meat is not included on the raw food diet, meat substitutes are occasionally whipped up, like a recipe for bacon, done raw-style with eggplant, avocado and spices. While some raw food fans only eat fresh fruit and veggies, it's deemed acceptable to use some methods of preparation, like dehydrators, in recipes. It takes patience for some recipes, however, because soaking or dehydrating time can stretch from hours to days.