According to the American Diabetes Association, about 1.6 million people in the United States are diagnosed with diabetes each year. This condition is characterized by inefficient production or synthesis of insulin, a chemical that controls sugar levels in the bloodstream. Diabetes may cause symptoms such as fainting, fatigue, lack of mental focus and nervousness. When left untreated, it can be fatal. Alissa Cohen and other nutrition professionals believe that a raw food diet may help to manage or reverse diabetes.
Dietary choices should not replace conventional treatment for diabetes. Talk to your doctor before switching to a raw food diet.
Step 1
Buy a blender, food processor, dehydrator and a sharp chef's knife, advises Matthew Kenney, author of "Everyday Raw." These tools are necessary for preparing raw foods while minimizing time spent in the kitchen.
Step 2
Include raw vegetables, which are abundant sources of dietary fiber, vitamins and minerals. According to Alissa Cohen, author of "Living on Live Foods," these foods may help to regulate blood sugar levels, decreasing the body's need for insulin.
Step 3
Dehydrate soaked, raw grains, such as millet and wheat, to make low-carbohydrate pizza crusts and tortillas, advises Cohen. Soak the grains for about 24 hours, then chop them in a blender and place the mixture on parchment paper and place it in a dehydrator. Dehydration times vary depending on the type and thickness of the grains.
Step 4
Make raw hummus by softening garbanzo beans in water that is no warmer than 114 degrees F for four to six hours. Then, soak them in fresh, cold water for 24 hours. Blend the soaked garbanzo beans with fresh cumin, lemon juice, cold-pressed olive oil and tahini, or sesame paste. Hummus is a rich source of protein and dietary fiber, according to Cohen.
Step 5
Blend raw fruits such as apples, oranges, bananas, kiwi and mangoes with filtered water to create nutritious, low-carbohydrate smoothies, advises Kenney. Add raw cacao nibs, almonds, hazelnuts, flax seeds or spinach to add flavor and boost fiber content.
Step 6
Sprout chickpeas, lentils, alfalfa seeds and other pulses and seeds by soaking them in water for 24 hours, then rinsing them with fresh, filtered water and allowing them to sit for up to three days. Sprouts are packed with vitamins and minerals, and may be used to top salads, wraps, raw pizzas and other foods, notes Cohen.
Tips and Warnings
- Plan at least two or three days in advance for raw diabetic meals. Some foods, such as sprouted grains and raw tortillas, may take more than two days to prepare.
Things You'll Need
- Blender
- Food processor
- Dehydrator
- Chef's knife
- Raw vegetables
- Raw grains
- Parchment paper
- Garbanzo beans
- Cumin
- Lemon juice
- Tahini
- Raw fruits
- Pulses and seeds
References
- American Diabetes Association: Diabetes Statistics
- "Living on Live Food"; Alissa Cohen; 2004
- "Everyday Raw"; Matthew Kenney; 2008
