There are several definitions of a raw food diet. It may mean an entirely vegan diet. It may also include raw meat, fish or eggs, unpasteurized dairy and even dried meats or fish. The thing that all versions of a raw food diet have in common is that nothing you eat should be cooked, and should not be heated hotter than 118 degrees Fahrenheit.
Many raw food chefs and enthusiasts delight in creating raw food versions of conventional dishes. To do so--and to prepare anything other than fresh nuts, berries, fruits and vegetables--you're going to need some kitchen equipment.
Dehydrator
A dehydrator is the only method of food preservation that's compatible with the raw foods philosophy. You can, in theory, dehydrate food using the very lowest heat setting on your oven with the door open. But a dehydrator is easier to use, and won't heat up your home. You can even include meat in your raw food diet by dehydrating it into jerky.
Dehydrating is also a way of adding extra texture to keep your diet interesting. Thinly sliced zucchini, for example, turns into crisp zucchini chips when dehydrated.
Food Processor
Turning raw nuts, fruits and vegetables into facsimiles of conventional cooked meals requires both creativity and food processing power. A good food processor will save you time on chopping and mincing, and it also perform tasks you can't do by hand, like pureeing nuts into nut milk or creating green food smoothies.
Nut Bags
Nut bags are made of extremely fine mesh. Use them just as you'd use cheesecloth, to separate the solids from the liquids. In the raw foods context, this usually means separating nut solids from liquids.
Sprouter
Sprouting seeds and nuts makes them easier to digest and provides a welcome change in texture and taste. You can turn an old mason jar into a sprouter with the addition of a mesh lid, or you can purchase a store-bought sprouting setup.
Slicers
Evenly sliced food is critical for thorough, uniform drying. If you can't afford a food processor or want a low-tech alternative, a quality mandolin-style slicer cuts slices of uniform thickness with a minimum of fuss. Raw Foods With Gia recommends using a spiral-style slicer to turn zucchini and root vegetables into a raw foods version of pasta.
Coffee Grinder
A coffee grinder is another less-expensive alternative to a food processor. These are easier to clean than large food processors, and can be used to break down seeds, nuts and cocoa beans.
Juicer
A high-powered juicer is the best way to turn vegetables into green drinks. You can also use a juicer to make nut milk. If you can't afford a food processor or a juicer to make your purees and smoothies, use a blender.
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