The ayurveda raw-food diet is a diet that combines food and philosophy, as ayurveda means "knowledge of life" in Sanskrit. According to an article by Tom Billings in "Living and Raw Foods," the largest online community dedicated to educating the world about the power of living and raw foods, this restrictive diet has been used for over 5,000 years.
Ayurveda Diet Approaches
According to Diet.com, there are several approaches or variations to the ayurveda raw-food diet. One strict approach, the vegan approach, is to eat only vegetables and fruit and nuts, but no animal products, including avoiding eggs and dairy products. Another approach is the vegetarian option, that involves not eating meat, but consumption of eggs and dairy is allowed. The third option, the least restrictive form of the diet, involves eating both meat and vegetables, as long as they are raw.
Ayurveda Raw-Food Diet Philosophy
Unlike many other diets that have goals such as weight loss or specific health benefits, the ayurveda raw-food diet is based on the desire for purity, an effort to be closer to nature, rejection of conventional medicine, the belief that cooked foods are toxins and that living food contains beneficial bacteria and micro-organisms. Additionally, many followers of this diet believe that raw foods contain more nutrients than cooked food and that cooking deactivates vital enzymes needed to digest food.
Staple Foods
Low in calories, carbohydrates and proteins, this diet is considered by many to be quite strict. Staple foods on the diet include fresh fruits and vegetables, nuts and seeds, whole grains, legumes, unpasteurized fruit and vegetable juices, coconut milk, seaweed and wheat grass and bottle water. In addition, for non-vegans, raw eggs and unpasteurized dairy products are included, which can help increase protein.
Food Preparation
There are four kitchen tools that are extremely helpful in preparing the food. Examples of food preparation include cutting, chopping, grating and juicing. Time-saving tools for food preparation include a blender, a food processor, a juicer and a food hydrator for fruits and vegetables with temperature that does not exceed 116 degrees Fahrenheit.
Advantages
According to Diet.com, the most well-known advantage of the ayurveda raw-food diet is weight loss. Due to the low-calorie, low-carbohydrate nature of this diet, weight loss is a frequent outcome. Other benefits include increased energy, improved skin, decreased risk of heart disease and chronic conditions, better digestion, a stronger immune system and enhanced mental clarity and creativity.
Warning
Raw meats may be contaminated with harmful bacteria and parasites. Certain raw foods are considered poisonous, including raw kidney beans, buck wheat greens and the leaves and large stalks of rhubarb. Also, upon beginning the ayurveda raw diet, it is important to start slowly to avoid what is called "detoxification symptoms" including headache, nausea, cravings and depression. It is also important, particularly for vegans, to prevent nutritional deficiencies by taking vitamin supplements.
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