The Raw Option

green juiceWhat is a Raw Food diet?
A raw food diet is one that is made up of fruits, vegetables, nuts and seeds all eaten in their raw state. Most people associated with this diet talk in terms of percentages of how much raw food they eat. When I started I was mostly 75-80% with periods of 100% but now I eat a 100% raw food diet.

There are many variations of diet under the raw food umbrella. Some of these are:-

  • Fruitarians – eat a mainly fruit based diet.
  • Raw Gourmet – create dishes that resemble cooked foods – rely quite heavily on nuts for this.
  • 80/10/10 – Doug Graham’s take – eating 80% of calories from carbs, 10% from protein and 10% from fat.
  • Raw diary and raw meat eaters – some people eat raw milk and products and also raw fish and meat and still consider themselves part of the raw food movement.

I do a combination of the first three. I like incorporating juices and green smoothies into my daily diet and pretty much during the week will eat lots of salads, warmed soups (in the winter) and fruits and then experiment a bit more with raw gourmet at the weekends if I have time. I love to cook so for me now the challenge is to find cooked recipes that I like and convert them to a raw version.

What are the benefits of a Raw Food diet?

The benefits of eating our food in its raw state are many. Minerals, vitamins and enzymes that are destroyed during cooking are still intact and so the food is much more nutrient packed. It is alive with goodness and that goes straight into your body. Going raw has many, many benefits that you will continue to feel the longer you do it, however the main ones are:-

  • Increased energy levels – like someone has plugged you into the mains.
  • Increased clarity of mind and better memory – no more brain fog.
  • Better digestion.
  • Reduced risk of heart disease.
  • Reduces cholestorol.
  • Assists the body’s ability to heal from disease.
  • Improved immune system.
  • Improved skin tone and appearance.
  • Aids weight loss.
  • Improves moods.
  • Leaves you feeling happy – all the time…..yes really….

There are many more benefits and studies are being carried out all the time on how this type of diet works. From a personal viewpoint my energy has never been better, I am never ill on this diet, I feel better, hopefully look better, and just know deep down that it is the right way for me to be eating.

How can The Fit Option help you with your Raw Food quest?

There are several different options to help you decide if this is the right path for you or to help you if you are already decided:-

  • Raw Coaching Plans – our 6 week Raw Coaching Plan to help you through the early transition period of going raw.
  • Raw Talks – working with groups to give a greater insight into the Raw Food diet.
  • Raw Retreats – weekend or week long retreats full of Raw Food and Yoga.