Typical supermarket foods contain additives, preservatives, trace pesticides and other environmental toxins. Raw food proponents claim that these toxins cause weight gain, fatigue and compromised immune functioning. Following a raw food detoxification plan purportedly eliminates toxic substances and restores good health. Before beginning a raw detox diet, discuss it with your doctor.
Purpose
The purpose of a raw food detoxifying diet is to remove dangerous environmental toxins from the body. According to TheBestofRawFood.com, harmful chemicals from processed foods, nonorganic produce and the environment accumulate in the body, causing fatigue, weight gain, gastrointestinal problems, irritability and compromised immunity. A raw food diet contains alkaline foods that bind to toxins and remove them from the body. Raw food proponents also claim that cooking food destroys beneficial enzymes that promote immune system functioning and that eating uncooked foods preserves these enzymes and confers a health benefit.
Guidelines
For a food to be considered raw, it can never be cooked above 118 degrees F. Raw foods should be unpasteurized, nonirradiated and organic. All processed foods are avoided because they often contain additives and preservatives. Raw food dieters also eliminate genetically modified organisms from their diets, as these foods are considered unnatural.
Meal Planning
The bulk of a raw food meal should come from leafy green vegetables and raw, sugary fruits. For example, you can eat a large salad with carrots, tomatoes, cucumbers, sprouts and mushrooms. Raw seeds and nuts are valuable sources of protein. TheBestofRawFood.com recommends drinking several raw smoothies each day to detoxify the body. The addition of wheatgrass juice, goji berries, maca or hemp seeds provides antioxidants and increases alkalinity.
Side Effects
Many dieters following a raw food detoxification plan experience side effects during the first few days of the diet, such as cravings, fatigue, irritability, nausea, headaches and gastrointestinal problems. Proponents of the diet suggest resting, cleansing your colon or drinking large amounts of water to overcome these side effects. Consider discontinuing the detox diet and consulting your doctor if these symptoms become too severe.
Considerations
Doctors and nutritionists note that there is no scientific evidence to support the claims of raw food proponents. Your liver and other organs naturally detoxify the body and eliminate potentially dangerous chemicals. While raw food may promote weight loss and boost energy, this is likely because you replace unhealthy, processed foods with healthy, fresh meals. Consult your doctor before beginning a raw food detoxification diet.
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