The raw food diet is a diet based on unprocessed and uncooked plant foods, such as fresh fruit and vegetables, sprouts, seeds, nuts, grains, beans, dried fruit, and seaweed. The eating of meat or fish raw is not something that the majority of raw foodies advocate.

It is a scientific fact that heating food above 116 degrees Fahrenheit is believed to destroy enzymes in food that can assist in the digestion and absorption of food. Once the enzymes are dead then your organs have to work harder and they become overworked and for many they no longer function as they should. Cooking is also thought to diminish the nutritional value and life of food, often rendering the food toxic to your body.   I don’t advocate a complete raw food diet, but I do recommend incorporating 50% or more raw foods into your lifestyle.

There is no denying that there are many reasons why one should incorporate more raw foods in their diet.  Here are 5 possible benefits when eating a raw food diet, or at least incorporating more raw foods in your diet.

1.  Lowers Free Radicals and formation of Disease

The reversal or elimination of many chronic diseases, including heart disease and cancer can be accomplished through a raw food diet. When food is cooked it creates free radicals; a major cause of cancer. When you lower the number of free radicals in your cells, you lower your risk of cancer. A diet that is mostly raw eliminates the need for over cooking foods which in turns lowers the creation of free radicals in the body.

2.  Saves Money

When you eat raw foods you save money. This is because when you eat raw your body is getting more of the necessary nutrients than it needs so there is no need for all the supplements and vitamins that those who eat more cooked food tend to consume. Also with raw food you eliminate many of the pots, pans, and appliances needed for cooking because you prepare it as opposed to cooking it. Another way you save money is because a diet that is high in raw foods eliminates many of the illnesses that are caused by over cooked foods so you are not bothered with many medical expenses.

3.  Saves Time

Raw foods take very little preparation so you spend less time in the kitchen. Most raw food meals that even your children can help in the preparation and some can do the preparation alone.

4.  Normalizes Body Weight

Consuming raw foods will help you achieve your ideal body weight. With raw foods you won’t feel fat and if you are too thin, you will actually start to look healthier. And a huge plus is that you won’t have to worry about counting calories.

5.  More Energy

An excellent benefit of raw food is that most people feel more energy. With raw foods your metabolic rate is higher and you feel like actually doing something. Cooked foods load your body down making it feel tired and you are not as active as you would like to be.

Overall raw food consumption is a great way to create a body that is healthy and looks great inside and out. If you are thinking of adopting a raw food idea make it an aim to have a diet that is 50% to 75% raw.

Jennifer Marnell shares her story of living the life of an obese young woman. Not only was her life in jeopardy from the health risks but she had many embarrassing moments. She finally got that “a-ha” moment and decided to make some drastic changes.

These are the before and after pictures of Jen. At only 5 feet tall, her 300 pounds put tremendous stress on her joints and organs. Jen shares her story of how she rewarded herself after losing her first 50 pounds and she also tells us what she eats now to maintain her 180 pound weight loss.

Listen in and become inspired by Jen! She is now a Fitness Trainer at a local gym and offers distance training/support through her website, FitByJen.com.

Diana Walker, The Cravings Coach

Recommended Resource:

Diana’s Healthy Lifestyle Newsletter, Lose Weight the Healthy Way

Have you ever noticed how your attitude about life changes depending on your general health and what kind of diet you have?

My guest this week is holistic educator and life coach Vanessa Smith from Integrative Wellness Works and she strongly believes that health is the foundation of life. Those who are in good health are more productive and happier with their lives than those who are in poor health. Healthy people also tend to gravitate towards healthy food choices and unhealthy or unhappy people often grab quick, unhealthy foods to fill a void in their lives.

We also chat about ways to add healthy foods slowly into your diet and why eating seasonal foods can help you develop good health.

As always, I welcome you to visit http://www.diana2.com for more ways to kick your unhealthy cravings!

I asked Vanessa Smith the following questions, and here is a summary of her responses:

What have you noticed about people and their eating habits, especially in regard to cravings?

Four main issues I see:

• There is habitual behavior of reaching for certain types of unhealthy foods. This is fed by marketing (“eat this”), media (“be thin”), and expense and cost prohibition (cheaper to buy junk food), but there is a cost in the long run.
• Chemical and hormonal imbalance from eating processed foods and not getting the nutrients you need. This gets in the way of wanting healthy foods because you literally can’t think clearly.
• The stress and fast-paced culture leaves people ungrounded and spinning, where they reach for a sugar high or a fat satiation.
• There is an underlying issue of examining what you really are hungry for, literally and metaphorically. I’ve noticed that people who are unfulfilled in their lives eat out of desire (whatever they want, whenever they want). Conversely, people who are satisfied/content eat out of need (actual hunger and nourishment) and enjoyment. These are anecdotal generalizations, yet, true nonetheless.

How do you turn these issues around?

Pay attention. Ask yourself if you are ready to stop the cycle of feeling bad and treating your body poorly with junk foods. If so, what are you willing to do differently. Have a daily salad. Eat every 3 hours. Increase your vegetable intake by one or two per day. Eat seasonal foods.

Why is eating with the seasons important?

Bodies have different needs depending on the season.

What are the best foods to eat in the summer?

Vanessa goes over cooling foods for us on this Cravings Coach Podcast #18 .
Also check out Vanessa Smith’s website at Integrative Wellness Works

Vanessa’s Summary:

Any step you can take towards cooling foods and eating healthier in general counts. It doesn’t have to be all or nothing. Also, find a role model, someone who is healthy, strong, clear, confident. See that you have the ability to be that. Let them be your inspiration. Also – become your own role model!

Diana Walker, Cravings Coach