Raw Food Diet and Food Safety

Many dietitians advocate for raw food diet, which arguably provides good weight loss results and is health, but many people say they don't vegetables and fruits before eating them.

Raw Food Diet plans are so popular that a simple search brings numerous results. In fact some books on raw food diet even come up with second editions. For example the book by Jordan Maerin titled "Raw Foods for Busy People," published by Lulu press.

"Enjoy and prepare simple raw foods, the healthiest foods nature has to offer, while living a busy lifestyle. This book is perfect for raw food beginners, busy people, health-conscious slackers, and those on temporary cleansing programs. It makes a great gift for the raw-curious as well, since it is the simplest and least intimidating raw food recipe book on the market. It includes over 120 recipes, almost half of which are or include machine-free options. The 2nd edition includes a weekly organization chart, 3 new recipes, and updated references," reads the description of the book.

Raw food diets may be good as long as people don't engage in risky food handling practices. According to the survey conducted by RTI International for the partnership of Food Safety Education "Eighty percent of participants also admitted knowing that fresh fruits and vegetables need to be washed before serving but 61 percent reported that they actually wash them." This is a serious warning sign to be watchful when using a diet involvig raw food.

Raw food diet cons

"The latest word on raw food diets comes from a new study which shows that vegetarians who eat only raw foods have abnormally low bone mass, a sign that they may be vulnerable to osteoporosis. The study, published in the March 28, 2005 issue of the Archives of Internal Medicine, found that other markers for bone health among the raw foods group were normal. However, the intake of calcium and vitamin D was very low (only 579 mg per day of calcium and 16 units of vitamin D) among those on the raw foods diet compared to 1,093 mg of calcium and 348 units of vitamin D among a control group that ate a typical American diet." - writes Dr. Andrew Weil, M.D.

Sample raw food recipe for those following raw food diet

Raw Vanilla Almond Milk

• 1 cup soaked almonds - (Soak in a bowl in the refrigerator overnight and rinse before using)
• 3 cups water
• 1 vanilla bean, seeds scooped out
• 3-5 soft pitted dates (or soak hard dates in water for 1/2 hour) or other sweetener to taste such as honey or stevia

To make raw almond milk blend the soaked almonds with the water until smooth. Then strain the mixture through a sprout bag, cheesecloth, or strainer into a big bowl. Save the almond pulp in a container and put in the refrigerator for later use.

Put the almond milk back into the blender carafe and blend in the vanilla seeds and dates or other sweetener until smooth. This milk will last in the refrigerator for about 3-5 days. Shake well before using. Variation: Blend in a banana and use a pinch of nutmeg to make a festive rawnog.

Learning to eat a raw food diet is mostly trial and error. Whatever is available and one wants to eat is generally adequate. Some say Raw Food Diet may be a possible treatment for eating disorders, but whatever option you choose, make sure you handle the food hygiene and safety correctly.  Wash the food before you eat.

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Source: eMaxHealth on Sep 17 2007 21:37:34