In our over-processed, over-additive filled diets these days we often forget that nature actually did a pretty damn fine job preparing food for us. We know we should be eating over 5 servings of fruit and vegetables a day but do we do it? Let me introduce you to raw foods.
Ok, maybe you think raw food sounds a little well …. raw! Maybe you think it involves a lot of crunching through hard carrot and celery sticks. Well, fear not! Raw food is delicious, tempting, and easy on the pocket.
Here are 5 reasons to start entering the world of raw food:
1. Quite frankly, raw food is good for you
The raw food diet is made up of fresh fruit, greens and vegetables, and natural fats such as avocados, olive oil, nuts and seeds. These types of foods deliver you the vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, essential fatty acids, and fiber that you need in your diet to bring you to good health.
2. Raw is the ultimate fast food
Raw is the ultimate fast food. It takes little preparation and you don’t need a fancy kitchen. It’s perfect if you have limited time or limited space.
3. Raw won’t weigh you down
A raw meal will leave you feeling satisfied but not weighed down like some other meals, particularly those high in carbs. It gives you the energy you need without making you feel like you need a lie-down to digest your food or an extra button on your trousers.
4. Raw is free from bad carbohydrates
Going raw is free from bad carbohydrates like white sugar and white flour. It doesn’t have saturated fats. It’s filled with unrefined ingredients and high in fiber.
5. You don’t have to go raw full-time
Simply swopping a few of your weekly meals for raw food recipes will instantly increase the goodness in your diet. Raw foods are also perfect for a gluten-free diet as you won’t be using anything unnatural or remotely grain related.
Ready to give it a go?
A raw food diet consists of fresh fruit and vegetables, fresh herbs, raw nuts and seeds, dried fruit, dried herbs and spices, oils and vinegars, and natural sweetners. You can add other exciting touches like almond butter, capers, carob or cocoa powder, dijon mustard, nori sheets, kalamata olives, tahini, sun-dried tomatos, shiitake mushrooms, and vanilla.