The raw food diet is a strict diet which limits many foods and makes it almost impossible to eat out. Although it is challenging, the lure of the raw food diet is usually weight loss, along with increased energy and improved digestion. Foods commonly enjoyed by African Americans are usually cooked and therefore not included on the raw food diet. There is, however, a way to blend both the raw food diet and the traditional soul food diet eaten by African Americans.
Raw Foods
Raw food diets allow eating only uncooked fruits and vegetables, as well as sprouted raw nuts, beans, lentils and grains. Raw food diets are vegan, which means they do not allow any meat, eggs or dairy. According to Dr. Bernarr, writing on the website Raw Food Life, heating destroys many of the enzymes and nutrients in foods, so eating foods raw allows people to reap more nutrients and energy from the foods they consume.
Foods Common Among African Americans
Although every person is different as far as his own food history and preferences, there are statically some foods that are enjoyed most often by African Americans. According to the website Food in Every Country, foods brought to America from Africa which are still current favorites of African Americans include okra, peanuts, black eyed peas and rice. Collard greens, grits and hush puppies are also traditional foods enjoyed by African Americans.
African American Foods Already Eaten Raw
Some foods commonly enjoyed by African Americans are easier to include in a raw food diet than others. For instance, peanuts and black eyed peas can easily be included on the raw food diet as long as they are not cooked but sprouted overnight in water instead. Any raw fruit or vegetable can be enjoyed on the raw food diet as well. Tomatoes and some greens are perfect examples of components of soul food which can be included on a raw food diet.
Preparation Methods
Even though foods cannot be heated on the raw food diet, they can be prepared in different ways to make them more palatable and appetizing. For instance, a raw pizza can be made by creating dough from blended sprouted seeds, beans and nuts. The pizza can then be topped with a tomato puree and any vegetables. One popular method of preparing foods so that they are not heated, yet they taste different, is using a food dehydrator, which takes out the moisture of the food and leaves a chewy or crunchy taste. Blenders and food processors can also alter the taste and texture of raw foods.
Changing From Cooked to Raw
Many foods common in African American communities are cooked and include items which cannot be included on a raw food diet, such as fish or pork. Recipes for these types of foods can easily be altered so that they can be included on the raw food diet. For example, instead of eating fried okra coated in eggs and bread crumbs, the recipe can be altered so that okra is coated in a mixture of raw nuts, seeds and vegetable oil, and then dehydrated. Other popular foods among African Americans, like sweet potatoes and collard greens, also have a more palatable taste when dehydrated overnight in a food dehydrator.
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