What are the best foods to eat raw?

Chris Health Benefits of Raw Foods, Raw Food Diet, Raw Foods June 19, 2023July 10, 2023

Best vegetables to eat raw for weight loss

There are several foods that are commonly enjoyed raw due to their natural flavors, textures, and nutritional benefits. Here are some examples:

Fruits: Many fruits are delicious when eaten raw and provide essential vitamins, minerals, and dietary fiber. Some popular choices include apples, bananas, oranges, grapes, strawberries, watermelon, pineapple, and berries.
Vegetables: Raw vegetables are packed with nutrients and offer a refreshing crunch. Options like carrots, celery, bell peppers, cucumbers, cherry tomatoes, broccoli florets, and salad greens (such as lettuce, spinach, and kale) are often consumed raw.
Nuts and Seeds: Various nuts and seeds can be enjoyed raw and are rich in healthy fats, protein, and fiber. Examples include almonds, walnuts, cashews, pistachios, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, and chia seeds.
Leafy Greens: Many leafy greens are commonly eaten raw in salads or as garnishes. These include spinach, arugula, romaine lettuce, kale, and microgreens. They provide an array of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.
Fresh Herbs: Herbs like basil, cilantro, mint, parsley, and dill are often used raw to add flavor and aroma to dishes, salads, dressings, and sauces.
Sushi-grade Fish and Seafood: Certain fish and seafood, such as salmon, tuna, yellowtail, and scallops, are consumed raw in dishes like sushi, sashimi, and ceviche. However, it is crucial to ensure they are fresh and sourced from reputable suppliers.
Coconut: Fresh coconut, particularly the flesh and water, is commonly enjoyed raw. It is a good source of electrolytes, healthy fats, and dietary fiber.
Sprouts: Sprouted legumes, grains, and seeds (e.g., mung beans, alfalfa, lentils, quinoa) are often eaten raw and are packed with nutrients and enzymes.
Honey: While not a “food” in the traditional sense, raw honey can be consumed as a natural sweetener and offers potential health benefits. It is advisable to select high-quality, unprocessed honey.
Tartare and Carpaccio: These dishes typically consist of raw or lightly cured meat, such as beef or fish, which is sliced thinly and seasoned with herbs, spices, and sauces. They are often found in gourmet cuisine.

Additionally, it’s worth noting that some individuals, such as those with compromised immune systems or specific health conditions, may need to take extra precautions or avoid certain raw foods altogether.

When consuming raw foods, it is essential to prioritize food safety. Wash fruits and vegetables thoroughly, store them properly, and ensure they are fresh and free from contamination.

The best raw food to add to your diet

Chris Health Benefits of Raw Foods, Raw Food Diet March 29, 2023March 29, 2023

The benefits of raw food

Raw food can be a great addition to a healthy diet, as they are often nutrient-dense and can help to increase the variety of foods you eat.

Here are some of the best raw foods to add to your diet:

Leafy Greens: Leafy greens such as spinach, kale, and arugula are rich in vitamins and minerals and can be eaten raw in salads or used as a base for green smoothies.
Nuts and Seeds: Nuts and seeds are a great source of healthy fats, protein, and fiber. Raw options include almonds, walnuts, chia seeds, and flax seeds.
Fruits: Many fruits are delicious when eaten raw, including berries, apples, bananas, oranges, and kiwi. They are a great source of vitamins, minerals, and fiber.
Vegetables: Raw vegetables such as carrots, cucumbers, peppers, and tomatoes are a great way to add variety and crunch to your diet. They are also a good source of vitamins and minerals.
Sprouts: Sprouts are highly nutritious and can be added to salads or sandwiches for an extra nutrient boost. Popular options include alfalfa, bean, and broccoli sprouts.

It’s important to note that not all raw foods are safe to eat, so it’s important to do your research and properly wash and prepare your raw foods to reduce the risk of foodborne illness. Additionally, some people may have difficulty digesting raw foods, so it’s important to listen to your body and make adjustments to your diet as needed.

Raw food versus cooked food

Benefits of eating raw foods — Raw Foods

What Has Happened to our Food?

Chris Health Benefits of Raw Foods, Raw Food Diet, Raw Foods v Cooked Foods March 15, 2023March 29, 2023fresh produce

Many people today eat an increasing amount of fast foods, take away foods, processed foods and other foods low in nutritional value… it’s all about what’s most convenient, quick and easy to whip up for your family or yourself.

Health problems often stem from sugary fast food drinks, convenient drive-through food outlets, supermarkets crammed with boxed, packaged, processed high-fat, low-fat, high-sugar, low-sugar food products. The problem with these foods is that most of the goodness has been taken out and replaced by high doses of salt, sugar, long-life preservatives, anti-moulding agents, content high in flavourings, gums, emulsifiers and food acids.

There are also extracts of lower grade imported foodstuffs. So called energy drinks are simply loaded with extra sugar. Good fats are removed and replaced by manufactured substances that we believe are causing a range of health issues. All these processed products have replaced good wholesome, natural foods that many of us have grown up on.

Statistics have shown that our western nations are getting fatter. Gut health issues and bowel cancer are commonplace. Our hospitals are overflowing with people suffering issues stemming from obesity, diabetes and high blood pressure. And doctors are prescribing pills for a myriad of medical conditions caused simply by a poor diet.

Adding Raw Foods to your diet

Many foods in the past have been over cooked. Eg the over-boiling of vegetables can remove most of the nutrients and all the goodness, taste and nutrients often go down the plug hole. There are certain vegetables that we don’t eat raw, but when steamed lightly, taste and nutrition is retained, and it tastes delicious. These foods include broccoli, cauliflower, etc. but there is no nutritional benefit to our bodies in food that has been over-cooked.

We need to get back to basics. We need to emphasise the foods that are natural to our human species.

Raw Foods