Raw Food FAQ
What exactly does it mean to eat “raw food”?
A raw food diet is comprised of plant-based, naturally and organically grown fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, and certain sprouted grains. Nothing is conventionally cooked, which means food is not heated over 118 degrees (or sometimes as low as 107 degrees, depending on who you ask). Digestive enzymes and nutrients remain alive and intact, whereas cooking destroys them. Raw foodists don’t consume products that are chemically processed or pasteurized. Essentially, it means eating food in its purist, most unadulterated state to achieve optimum health, rapid healing, vibrant energy, and glowing beauty.
Do I have to be a vegetarian or vegan to eat raw?
Technically not. Not all raw foodists are vegans or even vegetarians (as with supermodel Carol Alt). For example, a raw omnivore would include beef carpaccio or tartare, raw fish, raw cheeses, unpasteurized butter, yogurt, and milk. Many raw foodists are vegan but include raw honey or bee pollen supplements (otherwise known as beegan). Julie’s Raw Ambition focuses on a raw vegan diet, and sometimes includes cooked or semi-cooked vegan transitionary recipes. In moderation, I may also use certain techniques or ingredients that aren’t technically raw strictly for a specific flavor profile.
Is “raw food” the same as “living food”?
The terms are often used interchangeably but there are minor differences. Let me put it this way. Some “raw” foods, such as seeds or nuts, are not yet “living”. They must first be soaked or sprouted for a period of time so that enzyme inhibitors are broken down, thus making their “living” enzymes available. Unsprouted nuts and seeds are difficult to digest, just as they are cooked. Then there’s also fermented foods like miso and umeboshi plums that have been cultured with live beneficial bacteria in lieu of heat processing. These foods are considered “living”. So not all living foods are raw, and not all raw foods are living.
What’s all the talk about digestive enzymes? Why is that so important?
We all have enzymes that live in our digestive tracts – in the saliva on through the intestines. Think of them as itty bitty worker bees breaking down every bite you eat. There’s a limited amount of these tiny workers – once they’re used, they’re gone. An 80 year old person who’s consumed a lifetime of the Standard American Diet (SAD) has approximately only a third or less of his digestive enzymes remaining from birth. Since enzymes are destroyed during the cooking process, our bodies have to use a tremendous amount of its own enzymes = energy for digestion. Raw food, on the other hand, contains active and intact digestive enzymes. When we eat live enzymes, we free the body’s resources in order to digest food easily and efficiently. This means saving vital energy for more important purposes, like healing, cleansing, and staying free of illness. Your body will thank you for sparing it the exhaustive effort of breaking down heavily cooked and chemically-altered food.
So if I steam my vegetables, are they nutritionally void?
Not at all. I can vouch for cruciferous vegetables like broccoli and cauliflower being particularly rough on the tummy. For me, eating these particular veggies raw just isn’t an option right now (and there’s several others). So lightly blanching or steaming to take that edge off is better than not having them at all. They have so much to offer and still retain most of their nutritional value, but minus some of the enzyme action. Listen to your body and do what’s best for you.
Do I have to eat 100% raw food all the time to gain health benefits? This sounds impossible!
The raw food lifestyle is in no way about being perfect. It’s all about individual progression – no two of us have the same body or lifestyle. If you’re new to raw, it’s so easy to get so excited, yet so overwhelmed with all the new information. I highly discourage going from a standard diet to 100% raw overnight. Besides setting yourself for disappointment and failure, your body will most likely go into a detox shock mode you may not be prepared for. Few people have had success with the all or nothing approach and I applaud them. Read a lot…there’s a wealth of information out there, online and at bookstores. Take it day by day with baby steps and always listen to your body!
If I’m eating raw, am I missing out on certain nutrients, like iron, protein, or B12?
Plant foods are extremely plentiful in both protein and iron. It’s a common misconception that protein has to come from animal foods. In fact most Americans get too much protein in their daily diets. Dark leafy greens are very high in protein, iron, and have an abundance of many other vitamins and minerals. However, B12 is found naturally only in animal foods, so it should be supplemented.
Are alcoholic beverages considered raw?
As a general rule, alcohol isn’t raw except for wine and sake because they’re fermented, not cooked, at very low temperatures. But we should be mindful of the source and choose organic, biodynamic and sustainable products. A lot of wineries use animal-based resins for the filtration process and produce waste that results in polluting the environment.
Should I go on a raw food diet to lose weight?
There are some incredible examples of how a raw food diet has changed people’s lives through weight loss. The dramatic success stories of Philip McCluskey, Wendi Dee, and Angela Stokes always immediately come to mind because they so perfectly represent human beings possessing the power to heal oneself. So yes, eating a raw food diet can definitely result in weight loss just as underweight people may gain a few pounds. Raw foods work to put your body back into its natural balance and that includes achieving your ideal weight. However, I would never advise the raw food diet or any diet as a short term solution only to contribute to a yo-yo cycle. Weight loss is a form of healing and should be part of undergoing positive permanent changes in lifestyle and eating habits. The beautiful Penni Shelton has created an amazing raw food community, Raw Food Rehab, which is focused specifically on weight loss, detox, cleansing, and more. The RFR community offers all the support one could ever ask for, especially if you’re new to raw.
What happens if I fall off the “raw wagon”?
Ugh. This term irks me because of its immediate negative connotation. Taking on a raw food diet shouldn’t be looked at as “I have to eat perfect and if I don’t I’ve cheated.” There’s no raw wagon, no raw police waiting to round you up and shame you for having a bowl of penne alla vodka for dinner. Do what your body is comfortable with. There’s always the next meal.
Aren’t healthy and organic foods expensive? Can I go raw without going broke?
I look at it this way. You spend money to keep your car maintained, to decorate your house, to buy clothes and shoes, or to entertain yourself. But shouldn’t your body and your health be the #1 investment you can make? You only have one, and what you prevent now through a healthy lifestyle can save you a lifetime of ailments and medical expenses, and drugs to fix it all. This is the very predicament our society suffers from today. However, there are many ways you can maintain a raw, organic, and healthy lifestyle on a budget. Check out “12 Ways to Save Money & Stay Raw”. Another thing, it’s easy to get mind-blown with all the superfoods and supplements out there that can indeed be pricey. My advice is to do as much research as possible. It takes time, but eventually you’ll find what works for you and keep all these extras at a minimum.
Isn’t it hard to eat raw when dining out?
For sure this can be challenging. Unless you’re fortunate enough to have raw food restaurants in your neighborhood, the most obvious choice would be to order a salad. The key is planning ahead. You could make the restaurant meal your only cooked meal of the day. Or if dining out with friends and you know you’ll be taunted by the smell of french fries, then curb your appetite with healthy raw snacks before going out. If you generally eat out most of the time, get yourself into the habit of preparing as many meals as possible at home, whether you eat at home or take them with you.
Is the raw food diet just another Hollywood trend?
It could be considered a trend because with celebrity interest brings mainstream attention. In reality, the raw food diet has been around for thousands of years with the modern Western movement beginning in the early 1900’s. I believe here and now in 2010, America is at a crossroads of all-time high obesity and chronic disease, with an emergence of dietary awareness. We’re at realization that there’s a lot wrong with our big picture. We’re tired of being sick, we want to feel better, to be healthier, to know where our food is coming from. There’s unprecedented interest in real natural, organic, and whole foods than ever before (just look at the growth of Whole Foods Market). So I don’t think the raw food diet is going anywhere soon, even when Hollywood moves along to the next “trend”.
Do I have to have a lot of expensive kitchen equipment to make raw food?
Absolutely not, especially when you’re first starting out. A regular oven set to its lowest temperature can be used in place of a dehydrator. Blenders and food processors are pretty common staple appliances. A juicer is highly recommended (not to be confused with a citrus juicer), and they can range in price from $50 to $500.
Where would I purchase a juicer, dehydrator, and other tools?
You can check out my Amazon store list on the right side of this page, plus the resources page for a list of online retailers. Williams-Sonoma, Crate and Barrell, Target, and other major retailers also carry a nice variety of tools and appliances.
How do I learn more about preparing raw food?
Check out my resources and blogs pages where you’ll find books, products, raw communities, and blogs by some of my favorite awesome raw people.
Have a question or comment? Contact Julie.
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