Go Raw to Boost Your Vitality

There are a number of ways that you can buy your fruits and vegetables including fresh, canned, frozen, boxed and dried. With all of these options, how do you know which one is the best for you? Many say that buying canned or frozen produce can save you money, but is it really better for you in the long run? Eating raw, organic fruits and vegetables may just be the best way to consume these foods. What this means is that the foods you consume are unprocessed, uncooked, fresh, and basically in the condition that it was grown in. A raw food diet is easier to digest, and will provide your body with numerous nutrients that canned and frozen products won’t. Consuming at least a few raw fruits and vegetables a day is a great way to start.

When you really think about it, foods were consumed raw for years before any type of cooking or preservation method was invented. Our bodies are naturally suited to take in raw fruits and vegetables, and benefit from the high yield of vitamins and nutrients. Cooking foods can actually destroy vital nutrients, and decrease the overall nutritional quality. Many common cooking methods such as boiling, sautéing, steaming, and roasting, all degrade the beneficial characteristics of raw foods through the heat they apply.  Heating foods to over a certain degree can also destroy enzymes in raw foods, which our bodies use as helpers while digesting other foods. High-antioxidant foods such as vegetables and fruits are sensitive to cooking as well, because the phytonutrients within them do not stand well to high temperatures.

When it comes to canning, and other forms of packaging, you need to think about more than just the food. The material that is used in the packaging can have a negative effect on the food itself. Cans are not just pure metal, they are coated with a liner to prevent oxygen and bacterial entry, as well as other things. However, this material, called bisphenol A (BPA), has been linked to many health problems. Canned vegetables, fruits, soups, and legumes are all victims to this substance. Since BPA is a synthetic estrogen, it can mimic the effect of hormones and cause chronic bodily issues. Eating raw fruits and vegetables will avoid the likelihood of coming in contact with this poisonous substance.

Other benefits of a raw food diet include improved digestion due to high amounts of dietary fiber, improved heart health, lowered inflammation, higher energy levels, and clear skin. Choosing organic foods will also eliminate chemicals, fertilizers, and synthetic pesticides. Fresh foods yield the highest amount of nutrients, enzymes, and digestive benefits… and they taste great too! There are many delicious ways to create meals filled with raw foods as opposed to fully cooked or canned. To get the most out of your foods, choose to go raw!