Have you heard of the Raw Food Movement? It’s just what it sounds like. It is a movement of people who only eat raw food. They do it because they think that when food is cooked over 112 degrees, it loses its living enzymes.
There are some raw foodists who only eat raw vegetables, fruits, and nuts. They're called “raw vegans”.
Then there are those who also eat raw meat, eggs and dairy. So here’s the question. Are they right?
Is raw food healthier than cooked food?
Raw foodists believe that the food that they are eating is more alive. They think it has more nutrients than food that is cooked.
They also think that cooking creates harmful toxins, but nutritionists do not agree. They say that the difference in vitamin and minerals when food is raw or cooked is pretty small.
They also say that people who are eating nothing but raw food are putting themselves at risk of salmonella and other serious bacterial infections.
According to scientists, cooking our food allows us to get more out of our food.
They point to a 2011 Harvard University study that said:
“The ancestors of modern humans who invented food processing (including cooking) gained critical advantages in survival and fitness through increased caloric intake.”
Their study pointed out that monkeys eat nothing but raw food, and because of that they have to spend half of every day eating just to get enough nutrients. They also point out that cooking food does the important work of killing viruses and bad bacteria.
Is there a benefit of eating raw foods?
People who eat nothing but raw food say that when we cook our food, we chemically change it. They say that heat destroys its enzymes and nutrition and that plant enzymes need to be preserved in their natural state.
Scientists say that when we eat food raw, those enzymes just get broken down by the acids in our stomach and that they serve no purpose.
They say that plant enzymes benefit plants, not humans.
Nutritionists agree that there are some foods that are better for us when they are eaten raw.
They say that this is very true of fruit. But they disagree with the idea that eating foods like meat, eggs, or dairy products in their raw state is a good idea. In fact, they're very worried about raw foodists drinking raw milk, which has made many people sick.
So Should I Eat More Raw Foods?
If you would like to eat more raw or unprocessed foods, there are healthy ways to do it.
- You can eat more leafy greens and citrus fruit.
- Eat more healthy seeds.
- Avocados and raw veggies are also a good way to add fiber and more nutrition.
- You can also cook your food at a lower level of heat by steaming or using a slow cooker.
Your most important healthy diet move is to cut out highly processed and refined foods like sugary snacks and refined grains.
By replacing them with healthy alternatives like Ezekiel bread and eating more real fruit instead of sugary snacks or juices, you'll go a long way towards improving your nutritional intake.
Yours in health and happiness,
Danette
P.S. Please share this with your friends and I always love to hear from YOU so leave me a comment below.
