For some people cutting down on their daily intake of Oreos and bacon is daunting, so the thought of living on raw vegetables might seem completely outrageous. Still, a growing number of people have devoted their lives to eating uncooked veggies, nuts and beans, insisting that the health benefits of a raw diet are unmatched. Is it time to turn down the heat or is this just another food fad?
Most raw foodists subscribe to a vegan or vegetarian diet based on plant foods (although some include raw meats, unpasteurized dairy and raw eggs). A diet based on plant foods (i.e. fruits, vegetables, whole grains and legumes) certainly is the way to go as it has been shown to decrease risk of chronic disease and obesity.
A couple caveats - if one doesn’t eat any animal foods a reliable source of Vitamin B-12, either from a supplement or foods fortified with Vitamin B-12, is in order. Depending on how restrictive one is with food choices s/he can potentially miss out on other essential nutrients as well. Lastly, if one isn't consuming any fatty fish s/he is missing out on the omega-3 fatty acids, DHA and EPA, which have been found to lower heart disease risk, support immunity and possibly inhibit some cancers. These Omega 3 fatty acids have also been linked to decreased depression and improved mental health.
An ironic drawback - Keep in mind that preparing raw food isn’t necessarily easy and devoid of processing. Many raw foodists go to great lengths to dehydrate, blend, soak, juice etc. their food in order to make it edible. That can be a lot of work and may also deplete nutrients depending on the preparation techniques.
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