What Are Raw Foods?

Finding yourself getting tired of all the preparation required to prepare and cook ingredients to make a meal? Then read on for PlantX’s explanation of the “raw food” trend, and see if it’s right for you.

What is a Raw Food Diet?

“Raw food” is a catch-all name for any uncooked, unprocessed, or minimally processed (for less strict raw foodies) foods. More specific definitions of “raw food” define raw food as a product that has never been heated over 40-48°C (104-118°F). Common raw foods include fresh fruit and vegetables, nuts, and seeds. For some, it may also include fermented foods like sauerkraut and kimchi, or fermented dairy products like yogurt and kefir.

Is a Raw Food Diet Healthy?

Now you know what might be considered a “raw food,” but why should you consider including raw foods in your diet? Here we’ll go over the benefits that a diet rich in raw foods can provide for you. Raw food enthusiasts claim that cooking food can be detrimental to the nutrients and enzymes found in food, leading to worse health. Although this is may be true in some cases, it is not entirely correct! Some nutrients are indeed degraded while cooking, like B vitamins and vitamin C. On the other hand, some nutrients become more easily absorbed when cooked, like some antioxidants, beta-carotene, and lycopene.

Raw foods are a great addition to a balanced diet, like the kind you can get from our vegan meal delivery service. It’s always good to increase the number of fruits and vegetables you consume daily: you’ll be getting more fiber and more of some vitamins and minerals, and a raw food diet is generally low in calories. By including more raw foods in your diet you can help you cut down on less desirable carbohydrates, like bread and refined sugar. And sure, eating more natural foods can help you save time on cooking, too!

Sprouted Foods

Some of our favorite foods and recipes at PlantX are raw foods. Sprouted foods are one of the most-talked-about ingredients among raw food enthusiasts and for a good reason! Not sure what sprouted foods are? They’re exactly what they sound like. Hemp seeds, rice, nuts, quinoa, beans, and other types of food can all be easily germinated at home by soaking them in water until they start to grow a tiny little plant. This process multiplies the nutrients available because the seeds are preparing to become a plant or tree, resulting in higher protein, fiber, and vitamin content. Check out the PlantX Recipes page for more tasty ways to consume raw foods!

Raw foods are pure, simple, and a great addition to any plant-based diet while being easy to prepare and satisfying to eat. Talk to your doctor before considering making your diet primarily raw, but as a part of a balanced plant-based diet, raw foods are a great way to eat well and enjoy a boost of powerful nutrition.