Raw Foods Diet

There is a small percentage of people who are on a raw food diet. I’m not saying this diet is bad here but I do want to make some comments on it. Raw food advocates suggest nuts, seeds, beans, fresh fruit and vegetables, grains, legumes and juicing for their nutritional needs. They are saying that we kill our natural digestive enzymes once something has been heated over 118 degrees, so much of what is eaten is void of nutrition. 


I have to agree that cooking destroys some nutrients and enzymes in our foods. That’s a given for anything  that is processed.  But we get do get enzymes and nutrients both from our bodies and the fresh whole foods we eat. I always suggest both uncooked and cooked for a balance. and cooking foods doesn't kill all the nutrients.

But note if you are on acid blockers, many of your vitamins and nutrients are lost.  Older people also are at risk for not digesting food well. Or if you are habitually stressed you don’t digest your food well.  Even how you chew your foods depends on how well you absorb nutrients. 

Few people have the time to do all the preparation it takes and it makes eating out rather limiting. You also have to be careful about obtaining enough calcium, protein, B12, Vitamin D and losing weight if that is a concern.There are factors that inhibit digestion for sure, but a raw food diet isn’t the entire answer either.


Readers what are your thoughts on this subject?