Is eating a raw diet healthy?

 

The evidence is clear that raw diet can support improved health in a variety of ways.

But does adopting a raw diet mean never eating cooked meals again?

Not necessarily.

Raw diets are versatile and can be adapted based to individual preferences and needs.

For example, one person may include certain animal proteins, like eggs or fish, while another may exclude them completely.

For the diet to be considered raw diet, fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, legumes and whole grains remain the primary sources of nutrients.

That said, raw diets are less about what we should be eliminating and more about what should be increased.

The Mediterranean, Nordic and Ornish diets are all good examples of raw diets that can be adapted to individual tastes and preferences.

In fact, that including small amounts of cooked or half-cooked meals in your diet can be a smart move.

Many of the benefits of a raw diet have been also shown to be true of a lacto-ovo vegetarian diet (someone who eats dairy and eggs) and a Mediterranean diet.

There is a potential downside to going entirely raw eating.

Exclusively raw, or vegan, diets are lacking in vitamin B12, which is very important in early brain development, central nervous system health and also in maintaining a healthy supply of red blood cells.

If you’re going 100% raw, speak with your doctor or a registered dietitian about supplementing with B12.

Exclusively raw diets also are very low in iron, increasing the risk for anemia as well as increasing the risk of developing early cognitive decline.

So talk with your doctor about iron as well to make sure you’re getting enough.

All that said, both of these problems can be prevented through diligent use of supplements, or simply by eating a raw diet that includes limited quantities of eggs, dairy products, fish and sometimes chicken.

Smart planning is the key to making it all work.

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