10 Great Reasons to Eat Raw Food
Sometimes, we just need to remind ourselves why. Why we need to exercise, why we need to work on our diet. Why we need to incorporate more healthy, raw foods into our diet. Here are a few of my favorites:
1. When you start incorporating more raw foods into your diet, you are automatically starting to eliminate the foods that are unhealthy. Chemicals, harmful fats, refined starches, refined sugar are just a few.
2. You can actually prevent and reverse disease by incorporating more raw foods into your diet.
3. Generally you will improve your health and well being. More energy, and a sense of well-being accompany healthy foods!
4. Weight loss is a naturally occurring benefit when you eliminate the super processed foods and replace them with more raw food.
5. It is better for the environment. Animal products contribute a very large percentage to our greenhouse gas emissions, not to mention the land and water usage and pollution.
6. Vitamins, minerals and photo-nutrients are more available from food in it’s raw state.
7. Cooking foods…especially at high temperatures forms substances that are harmful to your health (acrylamide, advanced glycoxidation, heterocyclic amines and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons).
8. Enzymes! Some types of enzymes that are available in plants are responsible for converting some phytochemicals in to extremely beneficial elements for your body. These enzymes are released when the plant is chopped, mashed, pureed or chewed. Cooking destroys these beneficial enzymes.
9. Cooking dramatically reduces food’s phytochemical content. Research also indicates that cooking reduces or destroys the ability of antioxidants in food to do their job.
10. Last but not least, for me, I just feel better. Much better. So much better.
I would love to hear your reasons for incorporating more raw foods in your diet!
bridget wrote on August 20, 2010
Susie i totally agree! I LOVE being able to grab” whatever” & no that what i’m eating is really good for me!
griffen wrote on August 20, 2010
raw food is amazing for all of the reasons above.
i find that it increases my strength, focus, and overall sense of well-being.
Susie wrote on August 20, 2010
I can’t believe how much better I feel eating raw. When I’m tired it’s so easy to just grab what’s available in the frig. This list will get posted on my frig as a great reminder! Thanks.
Amber Shea @Almost Vegan wrote on August 20, 2010
Great list! And GORGEOUS pic of the blueberries!
Krista wrote on August 20, 2010
I notice a huge difference in my mood when I incorporate more raw foods into my diet. When I start my day with freshly made green smoothie and drink that throughout the day, eat salad for lunch, snack on fresh fruit, I’m happier. A lot happier. As someone who has struggled with depression and anxiety it feels great to find a, relatively, simple way to deal with my symptoms. When I feel myself slipping into a funk I can usually look at and evaluate my diet and see the very real connection.
Susan wrote on August 20, 2010
krista…I can so relate to that. Amazing, no?
Samantha wrote on August 20, 2010
I have found that with so many food intolerances and allergies that raw foods actually make my stomach happy. I have learned to live with pain for years, and with these past few months of including (not 100% raw yet) raw food makes my digestion so much easier and I can enjoy life without my stomach hurting and feeling slugish. I’ve also noticed an improvment with my general allergies.
Thanks for sharing your list!!
Sekhmet wrote on August 20, 2010
Thanks for the reminder, Susan. I love raw foods, from researching and reading up on it to preparing a dish and giving thanks for eating it! I find myself to be more clearer, in thinking, seeing, hearing, mucus free, and no allergic reactions. I always hear about people losing weight when eating raw. I’m just the opposite. I need to gain weight! I eat a lot of avocados, nuts, smoothies, and I’m still thin. My friends and family tell me I look so skinny and am I okay? I tell them I feel great! But now I’m thinking instead of being 100% raw, maybe I should be 80% raw and 20% cooked because I feel I need to gain more. I’m 5 feet 8-1/2″ tall and weigh 120 lbs. Used to be 140 at the max when I ate cooked. Any feedback?
Susan wrote on August 20, 2010
Wow, I honestly can’t answer that question for you…especially from one quick question in the comment section. I would consult with a health professional if you are concerned. I do not have the background to answer individual health questions. Wishing you the best!
Elle (thewaybyelle.blogspot.com) wrote on August 20, 2010
I’m glad you added this lists of WHYS. Just like I notice how much better my body feels when I eat raw foods, when I read about raw foods and reasons to go raw, it is much easier for me to avoid processed foods and animal products. Thanks for sharing!