Introduction
The theory of eating a raw food diet suggests that it can help one to achieve better health and to minimize the risks of chronic diseases. It is composed of mostly or completely raw and unprocessed food.
Mainly, people who follow the raw food diet focus on eating only plant-based foods, converting it to vegan diets. Even for some, they consume raw animal products or raw or dried meat.
Making it a dietary choice, it is a way of life for some to eat cooked food while others choose to eat none. In fact, it takes an amount of effort and time to prepare foods that are eaten raw in a healthy manner.
However, a raw food diet is not recommended for pregnant women, children, older adults, people who have weak immune systems or medical conditions.
Benefits of raw food diet
In today’s world, most of us are taking a more natural approach to food containing artificial flavors and ingredients.
The raw food (vegan) diet means eating lots of fresh, raw produce such as;
a. Vitamins and minerals
b. Phytochemicals, plant compounds that fight against cancer and other diseases.
c. Fiber to improve digestion
Suggestively, such a raw diet can also supplement weight loss.
For example,
1) Eating lots of fruits and vegetables that contains less calories
2) Consuming plenty of fiber to help one feel fuller, longer
3) Curbing high-calorie processed foods such as chips, cookies and fast foods
Risks of consuming raw food
If you are a hardcore vegan, note that this comes with some health risks. A raw vegan diet can be very restrictive which could lead to nutrient deficiencies.
By avoiding dairy, eggs and meat, your body will not be able to get enough
A. Protein
B. Vitamin B12
C. Vitamin D
D. Calcium
E. Iron
F. Iodine
To me, it works like a short-term option to clean up a diet, but to make it as a lifelong diet plan may pose danger to one’s health. You will find that the risks outweigh the benefits with eating raw dairy, eggs and meat.
Surviving on Consumption of Raw Food
Basically, a raw diet is mainly made of low calories in terms of fats and is high in the nutrients of what comprises mostly fresh vegetables. It comes across to many others in the belief that leading a raw lifestyle can prevent or cure cancer.
Adding to what appears to some custom and social behaviour, there are regions of prolonged growing seasons who shun meat as part of their formed diets which are unnatural. Then again to follow the raw diet, you have to make up at least 75% of the food as raw, primarily comprising of fruits, vegetables, nuts and seeds.
Conclusion
In Singapore, raw food is seen as a fad in the food and beverage industry. To put it simply, food is usually prepared in a hygienic manner and in a clean environment. On the other hand, raw or poorly cooked foods can harbour bacteria and viruses that could result in food poisoning.
A healthy diet is one we can follow for the rest of our lives. But the raw food diet doesn't qualify as an addition to improve our health.