Five Reasons for Eating Raw Food...Lots of It!

Considering eating raw foods? Here are five reasons for eating raw food and why that may be just what your body needs for better health and wellness.

The following article is a guest post kindly contributed by Melissa Rae Cohen.

Eating a diet that consists of raw fruits, vegetables, grains and nuts has many benefits. Benefits you will notice whether you adopt a raw food diet permanently, or just for a few months. Here are five reasons you should give raw a go…

1. Detox

When you begin eating raw food, especially if you make a drastic change instead of transitioning into it, you will notice your body starting to detox.  When you make the switch to raw food, your body will begin to cleanse itself from toxins you acquired from eating processed foods. The time frame varies from person to person, but my personal experience consisted of two to three weeks of the sniffles. Remember to stay hydrated and drink a lot of water. This will aid in your detox.

2. Energy

After your runny nose and headaches come to an end, you will notice yourself starting to feel great. Most people feel an incredible burst of energy after their initial detox. When you eat raw foods, your body is getting more enzymes; these assist with digestion, so your body literally uses less energy, leaving you with more to spare.

3. Healthy Weight Loss and Weight Management

Even if you’re not trying to lose weight, you will notice the pounds coming off, especially if you are used to eating fatty foods containing sugar and dairy.

If you are trying to lose weight, eating raw food, combined with exercise is a great way to help lose weight and keep it off.

If you don't want to lose weight, eat more food!  You can add more calories to smoothies for example such as almonds, avocado's and banana's. 

4. Clear Complexion

Everybody knows that your diet can affect your skin.  If you have had problem skin, you will notice a huge difference after adopting a raw food diet. Even switching to a healthy vegan diet can help clear your skin. Cutting out the culprits such as coffee, sodas, dairy and alcohol from your diet can make all the difference in the world. Your skin is sensitive to toxins, and not just the toxins it comes in contact with such as body products or even your water that you bathe in. Your skin, like the rest of your body, will react to the toxins you find in processed foods and junk food. Again, make sure you are consuming a fair amount of liquids. Staying hydrated will help your skin stay clear and glowing.

5. Good for the Planet

Eating raw food is good for those who are concerned with being more green. I live in the northeast USA, so I am lucky enough to have a plethora of local options for buying produce all year around. Our winters can be long and harsh, but when you learn to eat seasonally, you can make the best of it. Living where I do also gives me the option of eating organic, and both of these things lessen our impact on the environment. Not to mention that veggies are often sold free of styrofoam, cardboard and plastic so most fruits and veggies creates less waste. If you are lucky enough to have land,  you can grow your own fruits and vegetables.

Composting can be done just about anywhere, just find a little corner in your yard.  Whether you use a bucket under the counter, or buy a nifty countertop container that makes composting in your kitchen easy even in an urban setting.

Melissa Rae Cohen is a Travel writer from Portland, Maine. She recommends visiting the northeast on your next vacation, where you will find an abundance of raw food restaurants, especially in New York City area.

I like Melissa's top 5 reasons for eating raw foods.  We can all use reminders of how and why to eat more raw foods.  Finding what works for you and not feeling like you are on and off the wagon.  No diet works well if we feel guilty for not being 100% committed.  That is no way to live. 

What I have found over the years is that for me, to not get too rigid about it, as I want to allow myself to eat what I want which first and foremost is plant-based foods.  If I can have raw at every meal that is great but not always possible as most of us find.  So I make sure to get raw food in everyday and do the best that I can from season to season.  I encourage you to find ways of eating raw food that works best for you. 

More Information on Eating Raw Food

---

Go from Eating Raw Food to HOME of Raw Food Diet Magazine