Raw Food Knowledge

“The information contained herein has been compiled from various sources and for informational purposes only. No statement should be taken as medical advice. The body’s ability and power to heal itself depends upon the totality of diet, nutrition, lifestyle and environmental factors. No claims for the cure of any disease is intended or implied. Always consult a holistic health care professional.” --– Rawk Star Café

What is a Raw and Living Food Diet and What does a “Raw Foodist” eat?

raw food diet A raw food diet, or more appropriately termed raw food lifestyle, is primarily comprised of uncooked, unprocessed, sustainable and often organically (whenever possible) grown plant-based foods such as raw fruits and vegetables, nuts, seeds, sprouts, fresh and low temperature dried herbs and sea vegetables. Raw foodists also drink fresh fruit and vegetable juices and some include some moderately processed items such as extra virgin and/or cold pressed oils, raw nut/seed butters, un-pasteurized fermented foods, etc. Most raw foodists do not consume animal products of any kind, nor foods containing chemically processed, pasteurized or irradiated ingredients. While some raw foodists may include raw (un-pasteurized) dairy products, raw meat, raw eggs and sushi into their diets, the majority of those who self-identify as “raw foodists” are vegan. While the exact definition of raw food varies, a basic guideline for raw food is that it cannot have been heated above 115 degrees F. Due to the sometimes varying temperatures of dehydrators and the sensitivity level of different foods, here at Rawk Star Café (in order to better control these variables) we do not raise the temperature above 105-110 degrees F when warming or dehydrating.

Why go raw?

The benefits of going raw are numerous. In addition to helping you feel great inside and out, studies have shown that eating live, enzyme-rich foods contain resources that can alleviate many illnesses, prevent many health problems and strengthen the immune system. Raw foods can help you achieve a stable body-mass index, cholesterol and blood pressure level; clear eyes and more youthful skin; more energy and physical stamina; an increase in brain power and clearer thinking; and can help to minimize a range of common ailments, from the flu and common cold to obesity-related diseases.

People who follow a raw and live-food diet generally believe a number of principles:

Raw foods are packed with natural fiber, viable vitamins and minerals (especially organic foods) and are enzyme-rich. Enzymes act as a catalyst to regulate the digestive process in the body.

When you heat food much above the maximum of 115 degrees F, the viable vitamins (especially water soluble vitamins), minerals and enzymes – which aid in the digestion process – begin to degrade or become completely destroyed.
Once vitamins, minerals and enzymes are destroyed, the human body takes on the “added” stress of having to digest these “dead” foods without the aid of the enzymes nature gave us already present in the food. This causes the body to work hard – drawing from other important bodily processes and depleting the body of energy which makes you tired and drained.
In the long term, consuming foods depleted of essential nutrients and without enzymes, creates stress on our organs, increases inflammation in areas of weakness, negatively affects our immune system, leads to toxicity in the body (toxemia) and eventually chronic disease.
In addition, a lifestyle of eating foods devoid of vital nutrients and full of chemicals and synthetics (such as cooked, processed and packaged foods, “fast” foods, etc.) can cause one to OVER-EAT due to MALNURISHMENT (yes, even if overweight), eventually resulting in obesity which can further result in diabetes, etc.
Raw and living foods, particularly those that are organically grown, have a much higher nutrient value than conventionally grown foods and most definitely more nutrients than foods that have been cooked, pasteurized, irradiated or manipulated in any other way.
When you are hungry and eat raw, organic foods with a higher nutrient content, the “I’M SATISFIED” button rather than just the “I’M FULL” button is turned on sooner. Therefore, people tend “not” to over-eat like they do when they eat and fill up on cooked and processed foods. This is due to the body being properly nourished, therefore “satisfied”.
Raw and living foods contain “good” bacteria and other micro-organisms that stimulate the immune system and enhance digestion by populating the digestive tract with beneficial flora.