Raw Vegan Diet

In this day and age, with consumers becoming more and more health-conscious, various dietary trends are emerging, reflecting this health-conscious nature. Vegetarianism and veganism are popular dietary choices and there is an ever-increasing array of options out there for vegans and vegetarians. A very strong emerging trend is that of the raw vegan diet. There are a few good reasons for choosing a raw vegan diet, and – contrary to what you might think – opting for a raw vegan diet does not mean being able to eat less.

People who follow a raw vegan diet avoid all animal products and food cooked above 118 Fahrenheit. Most of what is eaten within the diet is fruits, vegetables, nuts, legumes, seeds, herbs, grains and plant-derived oils. You may look at this list and struggle to think of recipe ideas, but most individuals who follow a raw vegan diet find they become highly creative in the kitchen and are able to create some delicious and nutritious snacks and meals.

There are two main reasons one might choose a raw vegan diet. Firstly, many individuals believe that cooking food removes some key nutrients and therefore lowers the nutritional value of the food.

Some people also believe that cooking results in the production of dangerous substances due to the interaction of the heat with the foodstuff. As well as these concerns, there is also some concern about cooked food being more fattening than uncooked food.

This may be due to how it is cooked (in oil) or for some other reason, and there is some evidence that suggests heated fats and carbohydrates cause more weight gain than raw food. Secondly, a lot of individuals who follow a raw vegan diet do so due to environmental concerns.

They believe that cooking is harmful to the environment due to the fact fossil fuels and wood are often used to feed the heat source. The belief here is that consuming cooked foods indirectly results in deforestation and depletion of the Earth’s natural resources.

There are some individuals who can be classed as following a raw vegan diet who fall under one of three subcategories: fruitarians, juicearians and sproutarians. Fruitarians mostly eat fruit and nuts, juicearians consume all their food in juice form and sproutarins mostly consume seeds. Most individuals however do not limit themselves to these extreme measures and prefer to experience everything the raw vegan diet has to offer.

Aside from the health benefits related to concerns about weight gain, loss of nutrients and by-products of cooking, some individuals claim a raw vegan diet can be good for the body in other ways, resulting in better skin condition and more energy.

It is possible to get many great recipe ideas on the internet and through the numerous books published on the raw vegan diet. It is a rising trend not just because of the health benefits, but because it genuinely offers a delicious and exciting way of consuming food.