Proponents of the raw foods movement center their diet around raw and fresh plant-based food sources, particularly those grown locally or organically. The raw fruit diet further restricts this diet, with all meals consisting of raw fruit, including fruits dehydrated at a low temperature. Some people eat raw fruits for a limited time period, while others use it as their main food plan. Consult with your health care provider before implementing any highly restrictive diet.
Identification
In the article "The Joy of Not Cooking," alternative health writer Blake More points out the traditional American diet features an abundance of overprocessed foods. In contrast, a diet centered around raw and living foods, such as fresh fruit, contains ample vitamins, minerals, fiber and enzymes. A fruitarian diet is naturally low in sodium and free of trans fat.
Expert Insight
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, most people should incorporate more fresh fruit in to their diets. The CDC recommends you get your daily nutritional requirements from fresh, lean foods, including fruit, rather than from supplements and vitamin-fortified foods.
Features
The CDC adds that you should not settle for diet rich in fresh fruits if the diet lacks variety. Keep your diet colorful to ensure you have a healthy mix of plant-based food sources. Purple plums, watermelon, blueberries, pears, apples, bananas, avocado, tomatoes, apricots, melon, mango and persimmons keep a fruitarian diet vivid and diverse.
Warning
A raw fruit diet has some drawbacks. The high water content of most fruits means that some people, particularly those with active lifestyles, do not consume enough calories. In addition, people on a long-term fruitarian diet may have trouble getting enough vitamin B-12. You can take a supplement to compensate for this deficiency.
Misconceptions
A raw fruit diet need not be low in protein. While most fruits do not have the amount of protein in legumes and nuts, they still have enough grams of protein to satisfy daily requirements. Dried fruits, allowed on a raw fruit diet, contain the highest concentration of proteins. A serving of dried apricots, prunes, raisins or figs offers up to 5 percent of your daily allowance. Other options include guava, avocado, kumquats, cherimoya, jackfruit, black currants, red currants and blackberries.
Member Comments