People follow raw food diets to improve their health, elevate their energy, be environmentally conscious and respect animals. A raw diet consists of fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, grains and seaweed. Preparation techniques include dehydrating, sprouting, juicing and soaking. According to the Living and Raw Foods website, a rawist is someone who eats raw at least 75 percent of the time, so understanding options for a raw breakfast is essential to the raw lifestyle.
Significance
Coming up with raw breakfast meals can be challenging, as foods are not to be heated above 116 degrees F. Rawists believe that cooking foods destroys essential enzymes important for digestion and nutrient absorption. Traditional breakfast foods such as eggs, bacon, sausage, bagels, pancakes and even cereals are not allowed on a raw diet.
Benefits
Rawists believe their lifestyle brings about better energy and helps them reach a healthy weight. Improved skin health and better digestion are other positive effects. Starting your day with a satisfying, raw breakfast can help energize you for the day.
Variations on Traditional Breakfasts
Raw breakfasts can include versions of foods common in a regular diet. Try oatmeal made by soaking a tablespoon of flax seeds overnight in water and pureeing the next morning with rolled oats, a banana, chopped apple, cinnamon and about 1/4 cup of water. Add raisins or almond milk to enhance the flavor. "Pancakes" can be made by dehydrating a mixture of mashed banana, coconut meal and cinnamon in the sun or in a food dehydrator.
Misconceptions
A raw food breakfast does not have to involve complex preparations. A simple raw food breakfast might consist of fresh fruits and raw nuts. Smoothies make another easy option. Try making one that provides protein with hemp seeds, banana, frozen berries and water, or with frozen strawberries, bananas and ice.
Commercial Options
Due to the popularity of raw foodism, specialty food markets now sell premade raw products like granola and crackers. For a quick breakfast that involves more than a couple pieces of fruit, combine granola or crackers with plain yogurt, which is allowed on a raw diet. Alternatively, stock up on raw "energy" bars, which are usually comprised of dates, nuts and dehydrated fruits.
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