While the reasoning behind strict raw food diets is not, as of September 2011, scientifically founded, adding raw fruits, vegetables, nuts and seeds to your diet is a smart choice for your health. Making meals from raw foods might be simpler than you think. Get creative in the kitchen to explore the range of vibrant flavors raw food can add to your repertoire. Just be sure you don't cook anything to higher than 118 degrees Fahrenheit to keep your meal officially raw.
Breakfast
Plenty of raw foods make a good breakfast. A bowl of sprouted grains with dried fruit and almond milk is soothing during winter months, and is a good source of vitamin B. A smoothie made with bananas, spinach and oat milk might look alarming, but it's packed with calcium and potassium and tastes surprisingly sweet. Eat a grapefruit and a handful of roasted walnuts for fiber, vitamin C and essential unsaturated fats.
Lunch
Raw breads might consist of dehydrated grains or legumes and seeds or nuts. They make a nourishing sandwich when piled with fresh vegetables. Combine avocado, tomato, lettuce, parsley, thinly sliced zucchini and carrots, tahini and raisins for a rich, fiber-filled meal that will sustain you for hours and replenish your body with vitamins and minerals. A raw cookie makes a good finish to this meal; find a cafe that specializes in raw desserts or learn to mix them up yourself.
Dinner
Raw soups soothe and nourish; experiment with blends of leafy greens, sprouted grains and legumes and fresh herbs to find a balance for which you might develop a craving. Adding lemon juice, dried spices and herbs can pack a lot of flavor into a raw soup. And don't forget the side dishes: a bowl of freshly blended pine nut, garlic and parsley puree with a dish of fresh radishes is a crisp and zingy accompaniment. A bowl of sprouted lentils dressed in oil and vinegar can make you feel full.
Snacks
Raw carrot sticks are easy to munch on and packed with vitamin A. Pistachios are filling and provide essential unsaturated fats. Dried fruits are packed with calories, an important consideration if you are having trouble getting enough calories every day. A slice of raw "cheese" or spread of nut butter on raw bread can give you energy to power through a sluggish afternoon. Milks made from nuts and grains are another simple, protein-rich snack.
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