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Can A
Raw Food Diet Help You Lose Weight?
By Lee Dobbins
While raw foods are not new, the
focus on eating plans that focus on them are and this trend in healthy
eating appears to be gaining strength across the country. The focus of
the diet is on eating uncooked, highly nutritious foods – fruits and
vegetables. Of course, these foods are low in calories and extremely
good for you, but eating them raw or uncooked is favored as it is
believed that they lose nutritional value when cooked.
Those who subscribe to the raw
food diet eat fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, and legumes. They drink
unpasteurized milk, water, juice, and tea. It is a revolutionary way to
eat, but also a natural way and many of those who follow this way of
eating say it keeps them thin and healthy.
However, while the raw food diet
is rich in some nutrients, it lacks others. Although fruits and
vegetables do have some protein and calcium, this diet may be lacking in
these things. Experts are torn on whether it is healthy as a long term
way of eating.
Another thing to consider when
taking up a raw food diet is that most of the fruits and vegetables that
you see in your supermarket are loaded with pesticides. Therefore, it
might be best to consume only organic raw food.
If you decide a raw food diet is
for you, you might consider supplements to compensate for the nutrients
this diet is lacking. Some supplements to consider include vitamin B12,
copper, zinc, and chromium. Also, proteins from plants do not the same
amino acids as animal protein so you’ll have to consume a variety of
different type sof raw foods in order to remain healthy.
Some medical experts see great
benefits in the raw food diet. In addition to enabling weight loss, the
diet can ostensibly increase one’s metabolism, making calorie burning
easier. Some medical experts have also suggested that a raw food diet is
a good antidote to eating disorders. In addition, it can help make your
immune system stronger, and help the body rid itself of harmful toxins.
Some supporters even claim that eating raw foods improves the look of
their skin.
A raw food diet is not recommended
for children, women who are pregnant, people suffering from
osteoporosis, and those who are anemic. If you try a raw food diet, you
should to plan your meals in advance to insure that you are receiving
the maximum amount of nutrients. Also, it can be time consuming to
prepare all the foods you need so make sure that you set aside the time
to chop, blend and puree for each meal every day.
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