A raw food diet is one that eschews any foods that have been brought above about 116 to 120 degrees Fahrenheit at any point in production or preparation. To raw foodists, these temperatures destroy crucial enzymes in food. Though many raw foodists are also vegetarian or vegan, and eat primarily organic foods, this is not strictly required. Raw food bodybuilders use only raw foods, primarily those with beneficial proteins and fats, and dietary supplements to sculpt their bodies.
Function
The essential function of a bodybuilding diet is adequate calories to trigger an anabolic state and enough protein to foster production of muscle mass. Imposing a raw food diet on bodybuilding makes this basic challenge more difficult because many raw foods are low in calories and protein, and physical activity burns significant calories. Healthy fats are the most calorically dense foods generally available to raw foodists. A raw food bodybuilding diet carefully combines the most calorically dense and protein-rich options available.
Features
The staple sources of protein and fat in a raw food diet are nuts and seeds. Many commercial nut butters, however, are not considered raw because they use roasted nuts. Raw nut butter can be made at home from raw in a food processor, adding oil and seasoning as needed. Another common choice among raw foodists is soaking nuts in water. The result is a soft nut paste that can be flavored with everything from garlic to lemon juice, and combined in a variety of recipes. Fat is important for a raw food bodybuilder because it is calorically dense and improves the overall palatablity of raw foods. Olive oil and avocado are two prime sources of raw, vegan fat. Other oils from nuts and seeds, like flax, hemp and walnut are commonly used.
Benefits
Most raw foodists claim that raw food is more vital than cooked food and provides more enzymes and nutrients. Even if this were not true, significant benefits exist to eating raw foods. Hemp seed in particular is a popular choice for raw food bodybuilders because its high protein, fiber and mineral content is matched with a superior ratio of omega-3 fats not found in any other food. Hemp powder can be added to recipes in place of flour or as a topping to increase the protein content, or made into a smoothie. Though science on the other claimed benefits of raw foodism is sparse, a review of raw food studies suggests that raw foodists have lower blood cholesterol levels and higher intake of essential vitamins and minerals. This is possibly due to a lower inclusion of meat products in the diet.
Significance
Imposing the raw food restriction means some foods can't be eaten, or can only be taken when prepared certain ways. Most beans are toxic to eat unless either cooked or sprouted. Thus, beans consumed by raw food bodybuilders are generally bean sprouts. Except for raw edamame and tempeh, soy protein is not generally a popular food amongst raw foodists because processing into tofu or soy milk involves heating and excessive processing. Fermented soy products like tempeh are generally eaten cooked, but can be taken raw.
Misconceptions
Though few raw foodists eat raw meat, it is one way raw food bodybuilders can increase their protein intake. Some raw foodists enjoy high quality meats, particularly organic varieties, eaten raw, and strange as it may sound, this is not a particularly rare occurrence. Sashimi, a preparation of raw fish, for example, is a traditional Japanese food available in most sushi restaurants. Carpaccio and steak tartare, both preparations of raw beef, also have long traditions. And raw eggs, too, have a long tradition of consumption among bodybuilders of all kinds despite the risk of salmonella.
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