A raw food diet detox is based on eating 100% or very high amounts of uncooked plant food that encourages the removal of toxins from your body that make you sick. You can experience cell renewal, rejuvenation, increased energy, weight loss, better skin, better sleep, improved joint and muscle function and better mental clarity with a raw food detox diet.

Raw food diets generally consist of vegetarian or vegan food but some people may eat raw meat or fish. The basis for a raw food diet detox is the generally accepted fact that when the body is taking in a reduced amount of devitalized food and toxins the body will take the opportunity to detoxify or cleanse stored toxins.

Why Raw Food?

Raw food is also known as “living food” as it contains vital enzymes and nutrients that are destroyed by conventional cooking. It has a life force that enables it to sprout and grow. Proponents of the raw food diet detox claim that the body is better able to detoxify when it is given foods that are high in life force, enzymes, high levels of vitamins, minerals and phytochemicals. A raw food detox diet is low in toxins.

What’s Wrong with Cooked Food?

Heating food above 117F (47C) will destroy vital enzymes that are thought to be needed to aid their digestion rather than depleting the body’s reserves. Heating food above this temperature for more than 3 minutes coagulates and denatures protein causing deficiency of some amino acids. Overheating fats results in the formation of cancer forming agents. 30 – 50% of vitamins are destroyed. Minerals will leach from food when cooked in liquid and are wasted unless the liquid is then used for soups or gravies.

Recent research has shown that many vegetables loose their antioxidant substances when microwaved or boiled. Other research has revealed that heating foods to high temperatures as occurs with many food manufacturing processes causes the formation of substances called acrylamides that can be dangerous to your health. No wonder there is such interest in a raw food diet detox.

Benefits of a Raw Food Detox Diet

• Increased energy and stamina
• Improved concentration and mental focus
• Feeling of wellbeing and clarity
• Improved digestion
• Improvement of joint and muscle problems
• Cell renewal and rejuvenation
• Slowing of the aging process
• Stabilization of blood sugar
  

What to Eat on a Raw Food Diet Detox

• Fresh Fruits preferably unsprayed and organic
• Vegetables in season and organic
• Herbs and Wild Greens
• Fresh fruit and vegetable juices – some argue that these should not be used as they are not whole foods
• Seeds that can be sprouted
• Nuts soaked first for 12 hours in pure water
• Sea vegetables – Nori, Dulse, Kelp, Algaes
• Sprouted Foods – Grains, pulses and seeds
• Dehydrated foods – gently dried at low temperature to retain life force and enzymes

Starting on a Raw Food Detox

Going on a Raw food Diet Detox has never been easier. Greater interest in raw food diets has resulted in more availability of a better variety of raw and living foods in major supermarkets and farmers markets. There is an abundance of raw food diet books, magazines and recipes to inspire and help you.

Start by increasing the amount of raw food you eat. What better way to start the day than with a green smoothie – delicious! Eat more fruit or have a large salad every day. Add a handful of sprouted seeds or beans too your salad.

For more in-depth information on going raw successfully I highly recommend Karen Knowler’s e-Book

“How to get started with Raw Foods”

Image by Evelyn