raw foods: I'm trying to look into some new things to change my diet with. I already stick to something loosely macro, but I'm curious as to what is up with other things. I don't totally get the raw foods concept. If you eat raw, why did you switch?|||Raw foods provide enzymes, and that helps to break down food, aiding in the digestive process. You cannot get enzymes from cooked foods, they are destroyed when heated. Vitamins are also destroyed through heating. Raw organic foods carry more bio-photons, which are an energy source. With the enzymes, bio-photons and greater nutritional value working together in synchrony, the cells absorb more nutrition, which leads to greater energy that is available within the cell for use. So, you have greater energy overall, you absorb more energy from the calories you ingest and the cells burn the energy more cleanly and efficiently. Once your energy levels are perked up the momentum can continue if you get proper amounts of exercise and rest. Basically, there is no hindrance in the consumption of the energy, whereas before, with cooked foods, there are all different kinds of blocks. People who regularly eat raw food then try some cooked food may describe the cooked food as being like "cement", in that it weighs you down and is not digested correctly. To use some metaphors, using raw food is like throwing gasoline or dry,combustable paper on the fire (of your cells). Eating cooked food is like throwing paper mixed with dirt and water. The fire will still burn, just not as well. Overall, a person will have a feeling of dryness in their being, lack of energy, and sluggishness when one eats cooked foods. When one ingests raw food one feels perky, wet, and accelerated. http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;鈥?/a>|||Some vegs follow a naturalhygiene diet. These people believe that a healthful life includes phys, mental, and emo health. Following a natural hygiene lifestyle includes getting fresh air and sunshine in addition to eating foods naturally. People who follow this diet do not cook their fruits and vegetables. They only eat them raw or steamed. I think people should just eat healthy, not follow a specific diet plan within being a veg or carne. Macro is generally considered horrible, so good thing you're loose with it... :p Best luck|||I went raw on the advice of my doctor, to deal with horrific allergies. Most people choose a raw food diet as a way of handling chronic health problems, like migraines, allergies, hormone imbalances, IBS, eczema, Chrohn鈥檚, etc.|||The idea that a HIGH RAW diet is closest to what God intended our bodies to Thrive on. The idea that cooking kills most of the natural health benefits of the foods. I went Raw for my health. i had chronic problems that this was a way to repair VS the rest of my life on drugs that the side effects alone would destroy my health. It's not rocket science it's actually very simple. What makes it hard to start is our old mindset. For the last 50 plus years we have been over loaded with the PR of Meat, Dairy & Egg industries. if this is something of interest to you google it, look at local Meet-up groups many places have raw Food groups now. Take it 1 step at a time... you do not have to change it all at once. These days I rarely even use a RAW Uncook book..most foods are over loaded with fats for my taste. But a good one to start with is Raw Food made Easy by Jennifer Cornbleet. My kitchen is pretty basics I do own a mid-price range Juicer & a basic Blender with a tiny food processor attachment. Doing a Raw Diet does not mean never eating anything cooked. Many people do a combination 75% to 100% Raw with the balance in cooked foods. ideally Raw all day until evening meal.. Then large raw salad followed by cooked foods, this would be the time to eat things that can not be eaten raw grains, potatoes etc.|||Eating vegetables Raw vs. Cooked provides different intakes of nutrients from the vegetables. For some vegetables when you cook them they lose some nutrients and allow other nutrients to be absorbed, while some vegetables are most nutritious uncooked. Going "raw" does not necessarily provide the best or most benefits from vegetables. You should do some detailed research on benefits from vegetables raw versus cooked. Hope that helped :). I'm not a vegetarian but my girlfriend is, and I know a little bit about health and nutrition.|||no you cant have everything raw cause some food without cooking will not be digested others will have no nutrients if cooked so you will have to study what you can have cooked and what raw