The raw food diet was established as an alternative means to a healthier, more active lifestyle. While research on the diet is limited, certain raw foods are known to be more nutrient-rich than their cooked counterparts. However, most health experts do not recommend the raw food diet as a long-term commitment due to risks of nutritional deficiencies and other health issues. While the diet may help with short-term goals like weight loss or illness recovery, sustaining it long-term is very difficult and not supported by medical authorities.

1. Kosher unbiased facts whether you like
them raw or seasoned and seared.

2.  We do not know its chief origins beyond theories, although several
people influenced the beginnings of a diet and culture most commonly
referred to as “Raw Foodism.”
 Sylvester Graham, who was an American Dietary Reformer,
experimented with an effective cholera treatment in the early 1800’s
consisting of raw plant foods and purified water. You however may also
enjoy “Graham Crackers” because of his experiments.
 Maximillian Bircher-Benner MD & a Nutritionist out of Switzerland was
able to recover from Jaundice by eating large amounts of raw apples. This
lead him to research human health relative to the consumption of raw
vegetables. He founded a sanatorium still in practice today. It emphasizes
a very structured schedule with a balanced diet, Spartan-like exercise and
gardening.
 Leslie Kenton’s book called “Raw Energy” introduces the study of “Raw
foodism” which advocates a diet comprised of 75% raw food to prevent
disease, promote energy, and improve overall mood.

3. MYPLATE RAW FOODISM
 Very flexible to several dietary
restrictions or lifestyles.
 Serving sizes, total RDA, caloric
expenditure are explained to
each individual from credible
sources.
 Safe food handling and healthy
preparation advocated.
 The importance of vegetables
and fruits are emphasized.
 Very restrictive even if animal
products are implemented.
 Data specifics or daily plans
originate from a panel of never
ending debate.
 Safe food handling and
emphasis that no food should be
cooked.
 The importance of plant foods
(specifically raw) is emphasized.

4.  The raw food diet was established as an alternative means to a
healthier, more active lifestyle.
 The research behind this diet is limited at best. While the research
amount is magna infinium, it is only based on the effects
consuming raw foods has on the human body.
 We do have evidence however that certain foods are more
nutrient rich when eaten raw. We also know through history
which foods contain certain nutrients.
 The sources of this knowledge are legion and at your fingertips.

5.  It is an excellent way to drop excess weight like leaves in autumn.
 It can help flush out or detox your body to assist in remedy of specific
conditions.
 Skeptics could cite with universal renown that someone who begins to
consume only raw foods will experience discomfort for a week or so.
 After the discomfort phase most people report feeling very well, some of
these people even say they had never felt better.
 It is a VERY difficult diet to stay motivated on due to its restrictions.
Especially if the participants are vegan. Most people do not follow this
diet for that very reason.
 You could also argue that it may be harder for someone to acquire
macronutrient abundant foods based on their agriculture per region. This
could make the diet either more affordable or more expensive, excluding
the cost of equipment such as a juicer or dehydrator.
 Assuming money isn’t a problem, your next challenge is time.

6.  Short answer here is yes/no.
 I would recommend that every nutrient is important.
 I would advise anyone to talk to a doctor or dietician before trying
the diet.
 I urge caution, as no authoritative concrete evidence has been
established on making this diet a commitment.
 If losing weight is your focus, the diet would make this a lot
easier.
 If you have been on the diet and have already lost weight, ask a
dietician or doctor how to maintain the diet in a healthy manner
should you choose to do so.
 Personally, I could never be on this diet because I love bacon, and
bacon isn’t very good raw.

7.  Yes! You will find that cutting calories is very
easy on this diet.
 Macronutrients will be limited to certain foods.
 The fact that you will be consuming food raw
means that in most cases digesting the food
will shift your GI tract into overdrive. Not to
mention chewing on foods like celery burns
calories even before digestion starts.
 As far as balance goes, this does mean you will
need to consume a large amount of certain
foods to keep a healthy caloric intake.

8.  For anyone who eats meat, not at all! Your risk of foodborne illness will skyrocket.
 Can it help with certain ailments? Sure!
 Can it help you lose weight, lower cholesterol and detox the body? You bet!
 Is it good for you long term though? Many health experts will say no.
 Doctors claim eating only raw vegetables and fruit decrease the risk of cancer in
most cases, whereas cooking them does the inverse.
 However raw vegan diets lower bone density and significant dental erosion in
both men and women have been noted. Amenorrhea and being underweight can
also result for women on a raw vegan diet.
 There is much heated argument everywhere about whether or not this diet is
healthy and will likely promote mental /emotional stress even if you are able to
follow the diet to the letter.
 Due to its highly restrictive nature almost any doctor will advise that children not
participate.

9.  The raw food diet is very micronutrient rich.
 It has limitations on how the body can absorb
macronutrients.
 Experts advise against intense resistance
exercise or intense cardio while on this diet.
 Aerobic workouts, pilates, yoga etc… are the
only things specifically recommended in the
diet.

10.  Whether or not this diet is sensible is a matter of debate and
circumstance.
 A Vegetarian will likely tell you that it would be very difficult or
unnecessary over the long term. A Vegan would likely tell you the same.
 Everyone may come to the conclusion that this could be a sensible means
to boost your immune system in time of illness, aid in detox, or to lose
weight easier.
 On the unreasonable side you have the raw foodism movement. Any
affiliate of “raw foodism” per se will not mention anything negative
about the diet. They tend to only provide scientific evidence which
promotes raw foodism ideals and omits any evidence to the contrary.
 I was even able to find an Acupuncturist & Herbologist who happens to
be a Vegetarian, posting on a website called “Mind body green” that the
diet doesn’t make much sense to her.

11.  This is where the diet has great potential and can really shine!
 It continues to be a proven alternative of shredding weight off of
you.
 It can bring cholesterol back to optimal levels.
 It is shown to make certain illnesses more bearable and shorten
their duration.
 It gives most people a positive mental and emotional kick.

12.  You will need a dehydrator or juicer. This not
only creates an initial, hefty price spike, but
also has the potential to be a time vampire.
 Cost of foods vary from region to region,
assuming their availability.
 If you participate in resistance training or
prolonged cardio, you may find yourself broke
and frustrated enough team up with Mario &
rob Donkey Kong of his bananas.

13.  There is an exhaustive source of support for this diet.
 There are about as many groups associated with raw foodism as
raw foodists themselves so finding one you like will not be a
challenge.
 You will likely be encouraged very much by others who
participate in it.
 On the flipside, you may find others who will think you are crazy.
 If you follow the diet you follow the diet, and if you don’t you
don’t. Accountability for new raw foodists is encouraged as the
diet is extremely hard to start and even harder to continue.

14. Maybe you want to lose weight or lower
cholesterol. Maybe you just ran a 10k. Maybe you
just completed a 20-40 day religious fast. Or
maybe you just have a sore throat and eat a
pineapple. This diet is probably a viable avenue
to approach these scenarios. Making this a long
term change for you will be exhaustingly difficult;
especially if you are a Vegan, and bear in mind
most doctors will not advocate the diet as a long
term committed diet.

15.  Comments?
 Concerns?
 Gripes?
 Moans?
 Recriminations?
 Complaints?
 FOREVER HOLD YOUR PEACE!