Raw foods- what does that mean??
I've been thinking I need to eat more raw foods (because they're so fiber-full) Is anyone on a raw food diet? What does it actually mean? More salads, vegetables, and fruit? Any tips you can share would be appreciated, because right now I feel like a rabbit.
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9 Comments:
Adding more raw food to your diet is one thing, going on a raw food diet where you eat nothing that has been cooked is a whole different ballgame. I've never done it, personally, but I know people who have tried.
If you're going with all raw foods, you're going to have to cut out anything you might buy in a can or jar, since that's been cooked in the processing. Most nuts you buy are roasted, although you can find some raw versions if you look. No bread, no grains unless you can find a way to eat them raw...it's really very limiting. No dried beans, because they have to be cooked. How do you feel about raw meat?
If you're just trying to add more fiber, you can switch to whole wheat products, eat more whole grains of other types, and choose veggies with more fiber.
I don't think cooking removes fiber, so raw vs. cooked may not make any difference. The fibers may be softer, but I don't think the fiber disappears, but I could be wrong. And if you want to add fiber from grains, like oatmeal, brown rice, dried beans, etc., you're going to want to cook those things.
dbcurrie at 12:55AM on 04/14/08
Raw foods are those that have not been heated beyond 118 degrees F - the belief is that enzymes and other nutrients in foods get destroyed at this temperature (and above), thereby reducing the nutritional quality of the food, so foods should not be heated beyond this temperature in order to maintain their full nutritional value. While it is true that most plant enzymes start to denature at 45 degrees C (113 degrees F) and are completely denatured by 60 degrees C (140 degrees F), I don't think I agree with this diet because the acid in your stomach is going to denature the enzymes anyway.
That being said, a raw food diet does include lots of raw vegetables and fruit, but it also includes nuts and grains. If you get creative, you won't be limited to salads - here are a few recipes from Matthew Kenney that might serve to inspire you. (Matthew Kenney opened Pure Food and Wine - a raw food restaurant in NYC - but he is apparently no longer affiliated with it. I've been there twice and have loved it both times - even my parents liked it!).
Pineapple-Cucumber Gazpacho - I've made this and it's really good.
Zucchini-and-Green-Zebra- Tomato Lasagne With Basil-Pistachio Pesto - I've also made this and it, too, is excellent. It's really filling because of all of the nuts (in the pine nut "ricotta cheese" and in the pesto).
Spicy Thai Vegetable Wraps With Tamarind Dipping Sauce
Green Curry Coconut Noodles
Key Lime Mousse Tarts
There's also Gone Raw, a raw food site that has lots of recipes and a forum for discussion.
I went on a raw food diet for a week a few years ago and it didn't do very much for me. Actually, it made me cranky because I spent so much time on food prep! These days I just try to eat a salad and 3 pieces of fruit every day.
raspberry eggplant
charm city cupcake at 12:59AM on 04/14/08
Raw is made up of Vegetables, Leafy Greens (which is a vegetable lol but it is a HUGE component), Fruits, Raw Nuts, Raw Seeds, and some people do sprouted grains. Personally... I agree with Charm City... go with the salad. I tried the Raw diet for a while. I really agree with it... it just didn't agree with me. It is a very intense diet and not something I could stick to.
But with that said... get in your greens! And eat a lot of raw veggies. They're tasty, portable, and good for you too.
StudentStomach at 2:29AM on 04/14/08
There are some raw food cookbooks - my memory is that Charlie Trotter did one, or helped with one. The foods look gorgeous, but generally have quite a bit of prep.
I have a friend who brought a raw tartlet to dinner, it was absolutely delicious - I wished she had made a tart instead of tartlet - I definitely wanted more.
I just checked amazon, there are a lot of books now with simpler recipes - good luck.
cmckenna at 8:50AM on 04/14/08
Whoops, I should have been better with my word choices. I'm not going on the raw food diet (too scary) but rather I'm looking for ways to integrate more raw foods into my established diet. Like today I'm having a little egg salad over spinach, baby carrots, and an apple, when I used to have a slice of pizza.
I'm also doing a cleanse (pills made with organic ingredients, taking a fiber supplement) and I was advised that raw foods also help in this process.
@charm city cupcake: thanks for the recipes and ideas! Those are great creative ways to eat raw, instead of carrying a bag of baby carrots with me at all times!
LiveToEat at 9:42AM on 04/14/08
How about "raw milk"? I realize that this refers to non-pasturized milk but I'm wondering if this could apply to any other food the same way. Uncooked, therefore unpasturized......?
RichardCrystal at 1:35PM on 04/14/08
I don't claim to be a raw food expert, but I'm pretty sure that a raw food diet is vegan.
charm city cupcake at 2:38PM on 04/14/08
My daughter has been on a raw food "lifestyle" for years now. She is well-versed in nutrition and herbs and supplements. In fact, I've been encouraging her to write about her experiences and recipes and submit them for publication. Initially, she lost about 25 pounds, but has stayed the same for many years now and is extremely healthy. She isn't bored with the food at all and is always experimenting. I've eaten at raw food restaurants with her and ordered things like spaghetti and meatballs. I'm not certain of all the ingredients, but they not only looked like the real thing, they even tasted a little like meat and pasta. She doesn't feel deprived and is healthy, so I'm happy. Personally, I love meat too much. She made a faux cheese out of veggies that was delicious and she will occasionally eat smoked salmon, so I'd say no dairy. She will eat cooked fish if I prepare it, but I don't think she eats that at home. We are on opposite coasts, so I'm not as certain as I'd be if she lived with me.
PerkyMac at 2:57PM on 04/14/08
There is probably some official definition of a raw foods diet, but individual practioners will bend the rules as they see fit. Some people go all the way -- nothing cooked, ever, others will allow a certain temperature, and I even knew one person who said that canned beans were acceptable (even though they were dried beans that were cooked and canned) because he didn't cook them further after opening the can.
Since you're not going all the way with a raw diet, you can just take what you like from the concept and incorporate it into your normal routine.
If this is a short term thing, the easiest thing to do is stock up on fruits and veggies that you like eating raw, and just add them to your regular meals, in whatever form appeals to you. Shredded veggies added to a sandwich can add some flavor and crunch, for instance.
But if it's all about fiber, don't discount grains and beans, just because you have to cook them. Some hummus added to a sandwich would be nice. Heck, a hummus and shredded veggie sandwich on whole grain bread sounds pretty good. Hmmm....I might have to give that a try.
dbcurrie at 1:22AM on 04/15/08