What is a Raw Vegan Diet?

A raw vegan diet consists of eating fresh living plant foods that are not heated above 115-118 degrees F. It is a combination of both veganism and raw foodism by definition. No animal products - meat or dairy are eaten on this diet. Typical foods consumed are raw fruits and vegetables, raw nuts and seeds, sea vegetables, herbs , sprouted grains and legumes and fresh juices. There are raw vegans who eat a 100% raw diet but there are also many more who adhere to more of a 75% or more raw food lifestyle. Generally the terms raw vegan and raw foodist are interchangeable. raw food diet

Raw vegans have many different motivations to choosing to eat and live a raw food lifestyle. Many of us come to the diet looking for weight loss or for healing from sickness and disease. Raw vegans have a strong belief that cooking or heating of living foods destroys or alters the nutrients present in the foods that they eat. We believe that foods that are cooked above the temperature of 118 degrees F have lost most of their nutritional value and are now less beneficial and usable by the body. Some foods when cooked can even be harmful to the human body.

Many raw vegans place importance on the environment and creating a sustainable way of life. Following a raw vegan diet allows for the way that you choose to eat to affect your health in a positive way, but it also allows you to treat the earth and other living creatures with respect.

There are also several subsets of the raw vegan diet.

Some raw vegans have made their diets more exclusive. Juicearians or liquidarians have a liquid only based diet where they make their own fresh juices. Sproutarians have a diet of mainly sprouted seeds and nuts. Fruitarians eat primarily fruits and nuts and some exclusively fruits.

Fruitarianism is a large subset of veganism but far more restrictive. Fruitarians believe they are following the original diet of humankind.

Many foods the the raw vegan diet are very simple to prepare as most fruits and vegetables come ready to eat just as they are. If eating grains, seeds and nuts, time is required to either sprout or soak them overnight before eating. This activates their enzymes for better digestion.

There are fabulous raw vegan diet recipes for those who want a more gourmet-type meal. Some raw vegans prefer to create meals which resemble their cooked counterparts. Others like to keep it simple with mono-meals - one fruit or vegetable at a time until satisfied, salads, blended salads, blended soups and green smoothies.

Equipment needed for a raw vegan diet

Kitchen appliances that you'll find in a raw vegan kitchen will usually consist of a blender, a food processor, a juicer and possible a dehydrator. Blenders are key to making fabulous green smoothies and blended salads and soups. Dehydrators can be used to make things like crackers and flat breads and even raw cookies.

Choosing to eat a mostly raw diet is a personal choice and there is growing interest in the lifestyle thanks to some celebrity proponents of the diet - Demi Moore, Carol Alt, Woody Harrelson and Alicia Silverstone. The basic reasons for those who start are the same. More energy, effortless weight loss, better health and longevity. Eating primarily raw vegan food is a investment in your body, your health and in the environment. Many who live the raw food lifestyle also learn to grow their own organic foods and composting what remains after meal preparation of course leaves behind nothing to pollute the environment.

From Raw Vegan Diet back to the Raw Food Diet Solution