How To Switch To A Raw Diet

According to Wendy Priesnitz, contributor to "Natural Life" magazine, raw-food diets have existed for thousands of years. A raw-food diet consists primarily of foods that have not been heated at temperatures higher than 116 degrees Fahrenheit. Raw foods are thought to contain higher levels of vitamins and nutrients than cooked foods. They are also thought to contain enzymes that aid in digestion and assimilation of nutrients. Although switching to a raw diet can seem daunting, it can be accomplished by even the most diehard omnivores.

Step 1

Eliminate all meat, dairy products and eggs from your diet. According to the Loving it Raw website, eliminating these items, or switching to a vegan diet, is a good first step to transition to a raw diet. This will help you become accustomed to preparing meals without animal products, which make up a large part of the standard American diet.

Step 2

Take a vitamin B complex supplement that contains vitamin B12, or cobalamin. Natural vitamin B12 is only available from animal sources; it cannot be obtained through vegetables or other plant sources. Although the body stores this vitamin, vegans and raw foodists can develop vitamin B12 deficiencies over a period of years. Vitamin B12 helps protect nerve cells and assists in DNA production.

Step 3

Buy a dehydrator large enough to prepare meals for your household, advises Rita Romano, author of "Dining in the Raw." A dehydrator is used to make breads, pizza crusts and other items for raw-food dishes. A dehydrator should have a temperature control and multiple racks for drying grains and other foods.

Step 4

Stock your kitchen with fresh fruits, vegetables and dried grains and beans. Also, stock plenty of sprouts, such as broccoli and alfalfa sprouts, which are readily available in most supermarkets. According to Romano, sprouts are some of the most efficient sources of vitamins, minerals, chlorophyll and enzymes. Slowly rid your kitchen of cooked items so you won't be tempted to stray from your raw-food diet.

Step 5

Join a community of raw foodists to learn new ways to prepare and enjoy raw foods. Most large cities have communities and support groups for raw foodists and people who are considering "going raw." If there is not a community in your area, you can find communities and support groups online.

Tips and Warnings

According to Dr. James F. Balch, author of "Prescription for Nutritional Healing," switching to a raw diet does not have to mean eating 100 percent raw foods. Any diet that consists of 75 percent or more uncooked foods is considered raw. Adopting this approach can give you leeway for eating out and the occasional cooked indulgence.