The benefits of Raw Food

Still known as modern day raw food, raw food is a way of eating that has many similarities to vegetarianism. She advocates the benefits of eating raw or very undercooked foods. This diet dominated by fruit oils and fresh vegetables, does not seem to be running out of steam. She is even adopted by many stars. What is it really and what are the benefits of this diet ?

What is raw food?

If the term raw food is also known, it is mainly because it comes from American ideals and it advocates a healthy lifestyle. Let’s see what the concept is exactly.

Definition of raw food

Raw or live food consists of eating raw foods of 100% natural origin, unrefined and non-industrialized . These foods come from organic production systems that limit denaturations. They are rich in nutrients and enzymes. They contain no added sugars and very few chemicals.

The followers of this mode of consumption therefore eat only raw or cooked products at a temperature below 42 ° C. For example, our organic raw bars are only dehydrated at 42 ° C in order to retain all their nutritional qualities. These are bars designed with organic ingredients combined in a balanced way to provide proteins, fats, carbohydrates and fibers. They are ideal for providing the body with vitamins and minerals found in a raw diet. These are real natural snacks whose nutrient intake is preserved.

A healthy lifestyle

Adopting raw food is absolutely beneficial for your health. Based on ecological and hygienic ideals, it bans industrial food. It is essential for:

• Help the body to detoxify
• Improve health and the immune system
• Promote weight loss
• Avoid vitamin deficiencies
• Improve the quality of the skin

A diet inspired by the Californian current of thought

These are the writings of Ann Wigmore, author of many books on nutrition , who named this current in the 50s. This naturopath explains the benefits of wheatgrass juice and raw food. His experience has inspired many Americans over time. Several American celebrities like Demi Moore, Gwyneth Paltrow or Georgia May Jagger have already adopted her.

What foods can we eat raw?

A raw food enthusiast’s shopping list contains mostly whole grains, cold pressed oils, freshly picked fruits and vegetables .

Sprouted seeds

Sprouted seeds are rich in nutrients and are an excellent source of energy and plant protein in the raw food diet . To get the most out of them, you must consume them as soon as they are picked. The easiest seeds to germinate at home are:

• Fenugreek, an adaptogenic plant very interesting for athletes
• Alfafa or alfalfa
• Lentils
• Sunflower
• Black radish
• Quinoa

Young shoots and vegetables

With raw food, we focus on baby spinach, arugula or mustard . Very fragile, these shoots can degrade in a few hours. They should therefore be consumed quickly after purchase. Cucumber, cabbage, fennel, cilantro, lettuce leaves and carrots are also popular with fans of the raw food mode.

Oils with cold pressure

The first cold pressed oils are virgin and have not undergone any chemical treatment or refining operation. Very qualitative, they are sources of essential fatty acids and do not clog the body . They are eaten raw and should not be heated under any circumstances.

Is it better to eat raw food?

If raw food is the current trend, it is because of its many advantages that put it on a pedestal. But like any diet, it is the subject of several controversies.

Raw food brings many benefits

The nutritional composition of raw foods and the feeling of satiety they provide are two of its main strengths:

The nutritional quality of the ingredients

Raw food allows you to consume foods that retain all their content of vitamins, minerals, trace elements, enzymes and essential nutrients. It promotes a healthy diet without toxic products or saturated fats . It helps the body to detoxify, gives it a boost of energy and vitality.

Raw foods or those that are less cooked improve:

• Cardiovascular health;
• The functioning of the nervous system;
• The efficiency of the immune system.

Thanks to the nutritional quality of raw meals, your tissues regenerate faster. You will have more beautiful, supple, and less sensitive skin. In addition, according to the results of a medical study carried out in 2016 by Dr. Hélène Vlassara and her team, eating less cooked foods corrects insulin resistance. The direct consequence is the reduced risk of type 2 diabetes.

Superior satiety

Raw food allows you to rediscover the true taste of food while increasing the feeling of satiety. Indeed, the foods consumed are low in calories and contain a large amount of water and fiber . What’s more, they are low in salt. They therefore allow you to have a slender silhouette.

Controversial Aspects of Raw Food

Raw food is a real nutritional gold mine. However, it does not allow the body to better digest and assimilate certain phytonutrients. Tomatoes, for example, contain lycopene. The latter is a substance better assimilated by the body only when the tomato is properly cooked.

Learn to cook raw-products

To be successful in practicing live eating, it is important to get excellent quality and fresh products from reliable places.

Where can I find good products for raw food?

Going to a vegetable garden is a good idea for your raw groceries. There are several plant foods that can be freshly picked. Buying local and organic from producers in your region allows you to have the best prices . At the market, you can find your favorite seeds, herbs, spices and greens to make delicious recipes.

Can foods of animal origin be raw food?

Formerly made up of exclusively plant foods, raw food has evolved. It now tolerates animal foods and raw dairy products. For people new to raw food, meat and fish may undergo minimal cooking. However, you should know that this lifestyle is prohibited for:

• Pregnant women
• People with osteoporosis
• People who are underweight (underweight) or have anemia.

It is therefore important to consult a doctor before starting.

Raw-cooking recipes

Raw food is cooked using processes that preserve all of the nutrients. This raw cooking requires the use of utensils suitable for raw food, such as thermostatically controlled steamer, juice extractor or blender for soups . Here are some recipe ideas for eating well and healthy.

Raw protein bars

For bars rich in nutrients and protein, use a few walnuts, prunes, 80gr of whey isolate nutripure and about 10gr of organic powdered ginger.

Mix the nuts with a food processor until you obtain a powder. Pour in the rest of the ingredients and mix everything together with a little water if necessary to obtain a very sticky dough. Place the dough in the center on baking paper, fold the two ends of the paper over the bars. Crush the dough with your hands to give it a flat, rectangular shape. Place in the fridge for 3 hours or more and keep in the fridge for 5 to 7 days in an airtight container

Nettle smoothie

Take 12g of fresh nettle or 5g of powdered nettle. Add 60 ml of vegetable milk (almond, rice, oats, etc.) and 1/4 of mashed banana. You can also add red fruits (mixture of fruits, strawberries, raspberries, cranberries, etc.). The more you add, the thicker the smoothie will be. And finish with the juice of 1/2 lemon and 1 teaspoon of honey and mix.

Granola

Mix dates, honey and maple syrup to obtain a smooth puree. Add:

• Oatmeal
• Puffed rice cereals
• Sunflower or pumpkin seeds
• Apricots
• Coconut
• Chocolate chips.

Mix all the ingredients and spread them out with the back of a spoon. Cover with plastic wrap then refrigerate for 2 hours .

Brownie

In a blender, put 100g of walnuts and 100g of hazelnuts, add 200g of dates and 50g of cocoa and 1 teaspoon of salt. Mix then in a pie dish, place cellophane film, pour the dough and spread everything. Put the whole thing in the refrigerator for about 1 hour. Sprinkle more cocoa at the exit, it’s a treat!

Salad

Select small courgettes, large courgettes contain more starch that is difficult for the body to assimilate if they are not cooked . Cut the zucchini into thin slices with a peeler or mandolin. Prepare a vinaigrette by mixing mint leaves, chilli, cilantro, Thai basil, ginger, garlic, lemon juice and first pressing oils. Season with salt and pepper, then pour the mixture over the grated zucchini. Serve immediately.

Ceviche

To make the ceviche, marinate raw fish in lemon juice for 6 hours in the fridge . Cut onions, olives and tomatoes then add them to the fish which has been drained beforehand. Complete with olive oil, oregano and salt then add chopped cilantro. Mix everything together, add ripe avocado and serve immediately.

Although it is stricter and less flexible than our normal diet, raw food is a lifestyle that is going in the right direction. She advocates organic food that can offer maximum nutritional benefits. If you don’t have the time to cook raw, consider organic raw bars. They are perfect for adopting a healthier and more responsible diet without depriving yourself.

Take care of yourself