Benefits of the Raw Food Diet

Talkin’ Detox
Fruits, veggies, even some booze -- sounds like a raw diet might not be too weird after all, especially for someone looking to shed a few pounds and jump-start the day with a frothy shake or smoothie. But is it something that you can -- or want to -- commit to long-term? If a quick pick-me-up is more your style, why not try a weekend detox? There are several choices on the detox market, and thousands of believers drop big dollars and pounds while using special detox powders, drinks, meal plans and cleansers [source: Ellin]. However, be warned that if you choose a detox diet program, you might feel sluggish, hungry and moody while you’re on it. The days afterward might find you feeling more clear-headed and energized.

­Clear skin, lots of energy and a slimmer, sexier you? What's not to love about a lifestyle that promotes­ that? Many followers of the raw food diet say that when you eat raw, unprocessed foods, you're getting the full nutritional content of the plant without the chemicals, colors and other additives often pumped into the foods we eat today [source: Books].

When you heat your spinach in the microwave or cook any veggie in water, it loses a certain amount of minerals and nutrients. Raw vegetables retain their nutrients, especially eaten with the skin, and are easier to digest because the fiber content remains intact [source: Virginia Cooperative Extension]. But if something must be cooked, 110 to 120 degrees Fahrenheit (43 to 49 Celsius) is the generally accepted high temperature [source: Williams].

What else is possible on this diet if perfect hair, skin and weight are just the beginning? With the right amount of planning and experimenting, you can invent creative new meal ideas. But, of course, there are plenty of naysayers who believe the raw food diet is not all that it's cracked up to be. Learn about raw-food criticisms on the next page.