Raw Food Explored » Nutrition

Nutritional Value Of Raw Food Diets

Admin — Sat, 11 Jul 2009 05:19:23 +0000

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How Good Is Raw Food?

A raw food diet is a diet that consists mainly of uncooked vegetables, fruit, legumes and seeds. The raw food diet may also contain eggs and other food that can be eaten raw but not everyone does it that way and there are some risks associated with eating raw eggs and raw meat. As a result, most people who do the raw food diet follow a vegan diet.

The raw food diet is argued to be beneficial to the human body in more ways than one. The main concept of the raw food diet lies with the fact that many vegetables and fruits lose a major chunk of their nutrients once the food is cooked or overcooked. To counter this loss, the concept of raw food diets is fast becoming popular.

However, with advantages, the raw food diet has its own disadvantages. Some critics have argued that a raw food diet is not a complete nutritious diet for people. Therefore, people should ensure that they have the require substitutes for the nutrients that they would not be getting once they adhere to a raw food diet. Also, bear in mind that most experts who support the raw food diet say that only eighty per cent of the diet needs to be raw to get all the benefits.

The diet may be lacking in vitamins like the vitamin D and vitamin B12 if you ONLY eat raw food. Also, vitamins that are present in meat, like the B6 vitamin, may not be available for people who are adhering to the raw food diet 100%. Also, a raw food diet does contain very less zinc, protein and iron. Be sensible about it, listen to your body and include pulses and some protein and you should do well on the raw food diet. A totally raw food diet is not suggested for a pregnant woman or even a growing child. Many medical authorities believe that a raw food diet does not have the necessary calories to feed a pregnant woman or a growing child. Also, recent tests have shown that a completely raw food diet cannot be followed by any person because of the essential nutrients that are not present in a raw food diet. Remember the 80-20 guideline and get a balanced diet.

The most important aspect of any diet is the enzymes. The body needs enzymes to perform a variety of the daily functions. Therefore, enzymes like amylase and protease are quite important for the healthy living of a human. The raw food diet you are following should have the essential nutrients you need for your daily life. Many of these enzymes are destroyed by cooking. The enzymes are also necessary for the body, because they help in increasing the immunity as well as decreasing the fatigue levels of the body.

Therefore, it can be safely said that raw food diets offer advantages over cooked food, but for it to be embraced as a full time diet, you should also include whole grains which have of course been cooked, and a good source of protein. There is several raw food diet recipes available, what with the many cookbooks related to the raw food diets. Also, the Internet is a good place to look for the raw food diets. Just a simple search on any of the major search engines will give you a list of all the websites that cater to raw food recipes and raw food diets.

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Fruit Or Fat

Admin — Fri, 06 Feb 2009 08:52:32 +0000

: Image via Wikipedia

Fruit or Fat – How to get your Calories on the Raw Food Diet

We have gotten pretty phobic about fat in these health-conscious days. The Holy Graille of diets seemed to be the elimination of all fat. There are two facts about that which make it a bad idea:

1. You can’t avoid fats altogether – it is impossible.

2. On the good side, you should know that some fats are good for you.

The raw food diet helps you to eat the right kinds of fats that give your body what it needs without clogging up your arteries. Too much fat thickens the blood and that leads to clogged arteries, strokes and heart attacks.

Calories are units of energy. We have grown so used to seeing calories as the enemy that many of us have lost sight of the fact that we need to consume a certain amount of calories each day. On the raw food diet, you will be getting most of your calories from fruit or fat; sure, you’ll be eating a lot of vegetables too but they are so low in calories that you would need to eat an awful lot of them in order to get all the calories that you need. Most vegetables don’t have very many calories in them and those that do, the starchy ones, aren’t very nice to eat raw.

Your raw food diet won’t be very high in protein, because high protein vegetables like avocado and nuts tend to be high fat too and that isn’t very good for you. So, to get the bulk of your calories on a raw food diet, concentrate on fruit and fats. You will much more successful in sticking to the diet and in deriving all the health benefits from it.

A diet which is rich in fruit is, overall, healthier than going down the high fat route. It is a good idea to limit fat to no more than fifteen per cent of your overall diet. Five per cent of your calories should come from vegetables. That means that apart from fatty fruits such as avocado and coconut, around eighty per cent of your calories comes from fruit in a healthy balanced raw food diet. Fruit have a lot of vitamins; vegetables have a lot of minerals and so together they are a powerful combination.

You’ll be eating a lot more food than you did before you started the raw food diet since fruit and vegetables are low in calories. That’s why a lot of people find the raw food diet an effective way to lose weight, but you still need a certain number of calories each day. Bananas and mangoes are among the fruits highest in calories, which just one piece of this fruit averaging at just one a hundred calories. The great thing about including fruit in your diet is that often it needs little or no preparation such as peeling etc.

There is good, sound, scientific argument that states that a diet high in fruit is the best way for humans to eat, and that has caused a big increase in the popularity of the raw food diet. Think about what nature is telling is here – our nearest biological relatives are gorillas, chimps and orang utans. They eat an awful lot of fruit!

A raw food diet high in fruit tends to allow people to reach their optimal weight for their height and build. They also increase their energy levels and boost their immunity so they get sick less often.

Raw Food Diet – a Novel Way to Help Weight Loss (articlesbase.com)
Interview with 55 year raw fooder Dr. Fred Bisci – by Paul Nison (rawlivingfoods.typepad.com)

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You Can Make A Health Drink At Home

Admin — Tue, 03 Feb 2009 02:29:05 +0000

: Image via Wikipedia

As you know, processed drinks are not as good as those you make yourself because when you buy them from the store, some of the vitamins and nutrients are lost in the production process. This is why you should only consume a health drink that has been freshly made.

You can make your own health drink by blending either fruits or vegetables. Once you have all the ingredients which include the fruit or the vegetable, water, salt, sugar, water and crush ice, you can already blend it using the blender.

Don’t remove the pulp because it also contains essential vitamins and minerals. Since this is best served cold, add some more crushed ice.

These essential vitamins and minerals that we stress happen to be partners with enzymes and co-enzymes. Without it, we cannot carry out our work and live because this is needed by the body to absorb, convert and digest the food and drinks we consume to give us energy.

When making a health drink with either fruits or vegetables, remember that this should be raw. While some of these can be blended with the seeds still present, you better remove the seeds from orange or grapefruit since it has a bitter after taste.

If you happen to make a health drink that is not organically grown, you better peel off the upper layers because there may still be chemical residue there even if you have washed it in water. In the case of organically grown products, you still have to remove the outer skin of some which include those found in the grapefruit, kiwis, papaya, pineapple and orange.

You should also only make a health drink with fruits that are ripe. You can distinguish a product that is ripe from those that are not by examining the leaves or the sides. If you can’t tell the difference, you will end up drinking something that is not healthful and tasty.

Naturally, you can force the fruit or the vegetable down the mouth of your blender. You have to cut this into small pieces so everything will fit inside including the other ingredients you will be using. Don’t forget to also close the blender by putting the lid on top otherwise the contents inside will come out.

Now turn on the blender and then hold it for a few seconds until everything inside is mixed together. When it is ready, get a glass and then serve.

One thing you should remember about any health drink is that once you make it, you better finish it because the taste will be different after a day. This means only finish what you can consume so you avoid wastage. If you made too much, offer this to someone else who many also want to try it.

The process of making a health drink is not that different if you want to make juice, shake or a smoothie. You just have to prepare the ingredients and if ever what you made is too thick, just add water to make it more fluid.

A lot of people will agree that a health drink is the next best thing to food that you will otherwise consume. You don’t have to cook it since the blender will do all the work without losing any vitamins and minerals which happens when you put this in the frying pan.

Are Healthy Drinks That Healthy (losethattyre.co.uk)
The Freshness Factor: What do You Look For in Fruit Juice (eatdrinkbetter.com)
Health Benefits From Home Made Juices (articlesbase.com)

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Any Disadvantages Eating Organics?

Admin — Fri, 07 Mar 2008 07:43:02 +0000

What Are the Disadvantages to Eating Organic Foods?

Are you interested in making the switch to organic foods? If you are, you may want to first verify that you are making the right decision. You likely already know the many benefits to eating organic foods, as these benefits are often prominently displayed and advertised. With that being said, we rarely hear the disadvantages to eating organic foods.

One of the few disadvantages to eating organic foods is the cost. Do you know how much most organic foods costs? If not, you may first want to examine those costs before you make the decision to switch to organic foods. There is nothing worse than being blindsided or surprised with the cost of organic foods. After a close look, you will see that organic foods do cost a little bit more money, but that increase in cost can add up overtime.

Although the cost of organic food may turn you and other hopeful eaters away, it is also important to know that there are multiple ways in which you can go about saving money. For example, you can search for organic food sales at your local natural food stores or supermarkets. You stock up when you see those sales or choose to shop at a store that is know for their everyday low prices on organic foods. Organic food coupons can also be used. These coupons can be found online, with a standard internet search, in many stores, as well as in weekend newspapers.

In addition to costs, another disadvantage to eating organically is the limited selection of products that some individuals are faced with. Luckily, not everyone is faced with this organic food eating disadvantage. Often times, those who live in small cities and towns find it the hardest to buy organic foods. With that being said, it doesn’t matter whether you live in a small town or a huge city, there are still a number of different ways that you can go about buying organic foods.

A great way to buy organic foods if you live in a small town is by going directly to the source, organic farmers. This is great way to get your organic fruits and vegetables, as many small towns now have organic farmers. You can also search for specialty organic food stores by using online business directories, your local phone book, or by asking those that you know for recommendations. The internet can also be used to shop online.

As previously stated, you can shop online to buy organic foods, but it is also important to know that there are a number of cons or downsides to doing so. This is mostly due in part to the requirements of shopping online. For example, a computer and internet connection is required to shop online. Many online shoppers also need to pay for shipping costs. Speaking of payments, most online food stores only accept credit or specific debit cards, namely those that can be processed as credit cards.

Although there are a number of disadvantages to eating organic foods, it is also important to remember the benefits or advantages to doing so as well. For starters, organic foods are all natural and safe to eat. There is no having to worry about potentially harmful chemicals, additives, and pesticides. Organic foods are also helping the environment and the economy.

Here is one place to shop for organic raw food. Namely Amazon. Click here to compare different products, ingredients, new arrivals and consumer appraisals respectively. The good thing is that you have Amazon in your back if something should not go your way in the buying process as trouble with contacting the seller, unexpected shipping time or product dysfunctions.

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The Importance of Maintaining a Good Daily Diet With Antioxidants Values

Admin — Sun, 10 Feb 2008 10:19:28 +0000

According to many sources of research findings antioxidants has shown to be more valuable for the body and it’s functions than we thought at first.

Antioxidants in itself is described in wikipedia as a;

[molecule capable of slowing down and preventing the oxidation of other molecules. Oxidation is a chemical reaction that transfers electrons from a substance to an oxidizing agent. Oxidation reactions can produce free radicals, which start chain reactions that damage cells. Antioxidants terminate these chain reactions by removing free radical intermediates, and inhibit other oxidation reactions by being oxidized themselves. As a result, antioxidants are often reducing agents such as thiols or polyphenols.].

And many years of research shows us that;

[Low levels of antioxidants, or inhibition of the antioxidant enzymes, causes oxidative stress and may damage or kill cells.]

However, we have to have in mind that as of today no proven evidence has been found, that a lack of antioxidants should cause or serve as a consequence of stroke, neurodegenerative diseases, cancer or CHD. On the other side conditions as Alzeimers, parkinson, reumatoid arthritis, diabetes and some other ailments has shown some influental aspects involved( wikipedia).

The guest speaker of today will explore it further. Read on..

Antioxidant Supplements
By J Lindgren

A key ingredient to improving your lifestyle and living a healthy life is antioxidants. There are several antioxidant supplements out there that can help you live a healthy life, that are natural and won’t cause you any damage. You can also eat different types of food that contain antioxidants as well, although supplements are the ideal way to get the right amounts of antioxidants.

If you take in more antioxidants through food and supplements, there are a few benefits that you will have, with the first being cell protection. Antioxidants can help to protect your cells from damage, which helps to fend off diseases. Many times, you can have a lack of vitamins in your body, which will cause you to recover from diseases or injury very slow. If you have the right amount of vitamins and antioxidants in your body, you will notice the differences.

In most cases, you can get antioxidant supplements dieting is a very important part of life, therefore you should always keep your health under control and make sure you eat well.

There are non synthetic supplements out there as well, that are ideal for keeping your health maintained. They can be easily absorbed by your body, unlike that of synthetic supplements. Synthetic supplements are well known for their absorbing, as it can take a long time before you see any type of results. Non synthetic on the other hand, gives you almost immediate results, as they are easily absorbed by the body and do not have any type of side effects.

Some chinese herbs contains high levels of antioxidants. One example is Antioxidant Herb Tea and is made of wild cephalotaxus sinensis, trichosanthes fruit and spreading hedyotis (oldenlandiae herba).

These ingredients provide triterpenoid saponin, coumaric acid, flavonoid, methatriacontane, stigmasterol, ursolic acid and oleanolic acid. Chinese medicine uses them as strong antioxidants to boost the body defenses, to facilitate better blood circulation, remove stagnancy and toxins, and dissolve accumulated mass.

Ingredients: cephalotaxus sinensis, trichosanthes fruit, hedyotis herba, green tea and jasmine flower.

Keep in mind that even though you may be taking vitamins that contain antioxidants, you will still need to remain on a healthy diet. You will need food that contains the minerals and vitamins you need as well, although the supplement vitamins will give you more. You can also use vitamins and supplements that contain antioxidants if you are not able to eat the right foods that contain these precious nutrients.

For more reasons than one, you should always make sure that you include foods and supplements that contain antioxidants in your diet. If you are not taking in the right amount of antioxidants, you will be at a risk for disease or other harmful effects. Antioxidants do a lot for your body, which is why you want to ensure that you are taking in the right amounts. You can find many different vitamins and supplements that include them, all you need to do is make sure that you are eating right and doing all you can to lead a healthy lifestyle.

For more news about how to get more energy from vitamins and supplements visit http://vitamins.ourstemcells.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=J_Lindgren
http://EzineArticles.com/?Antioxidant-Supplements&id=568262

Talking antixoidants Vitamin C, Vitamin E, and Melatonin is of primary importance for the cell process. Flavonoids and Carotenoids as well. Glutathione serves as one of the most important cellular antioxidants with antioxidant properties.

Our brain is of importance and vulnerable for so called oxidativ stress.

With reference to Dr Joseph Mercola at mercola.com, you may get a lot of antioxidants by eating garlic and oregano which are very rich on antioxidants especially when eating this raw and unprocessed. The highest activity of antioxidants is found when taking it in raw, however, you may also add it successfully into a fresh fruit juice or blend it in a well tasting good cup of herb tea.

You may find Vitamin C and Carotenoids in fruits and vegetables.

You may find Vitamin E in vegetables oils.

You may find flavonids in tea, coffe, soy, fruit, olive oil, chocolate, oregano and red wine.

vitamin C
melatonin
carotenoids

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Raw Food Explored » Nutrition

Nutritional Value Of Raw Food Diets

Fruit Or Fat

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You Can Make A Health Drink At Home

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The Importance of Maintaining a Good Daily Diet With Antioxidants Values