RAW FOOD,WHAT IS IT?

Ann Wigmore was the pioneer of Raw Food. This American is at the origin, in the fifties, of this new way of eating and she claims to have survived two cancers thanks to its benefits which are now recognized by many dieticians and nutritionists. Raw Food, contrary to what one might think is not crudivorism (a branch of vegetarianism consisting of eating only raw foods) and would translate more as “raw cooking” than “raw food.”

The basic principle of Raw Food or “raw cuisine” is to consume only organically grown, unrefined, unprocessed, raw or minimally cooked foods (fruits, vegetables, oilseeds, sprouted seeds, seaweed, 1st cold-pressed oil). Cooking should not exceed 42 degrees Celcius, the limit for food to retain the maximum nutrients, fiber, vitamins, enzymes and antioxidants they contain and beyond which they would tend to be destroyed. Enzimes play an important role in digestion and in the absorption of nutrients and therefore it is our digestive system and more particularly the pancreas that must do the job for them leading to a weakening of the body.

Adopting Raw Food is beneficial to health and allows the body to detoxify, boost the immune system, improve the cardiovascular system and brings a boost of energy and vitality. Initially composed of only plant foods, Raw Food has evolved and now tolerates animal foods and raw dairy products.

As for kitchen utensils, we leave pots, pans and frying pans in the cupboard and invest in a dehydrator, a cold juice extractor for detox fruit and vegetable juices and a steam cooker with an adjustable thermostat.

The great classics of Raw Food are :

• Green smoothies made from blended fruits and vegetables. These drinks are very rich in fiber and nutrients.
• Superfoods that provide a large amount of nutrients even when consumed in small doses: kale, acai, guarana, aloe vera, coconut …
• Oilseeds for their contribution in omegas and fats: cashew nuts, pistachios, hazelnuts…
• Sprouted grains that improve digestion and are a considerable source of energy: squash seeds, chia seeds, lentils, quinoa…

Industrial food is absolutely banned from this type of diet, as are added sugars, salt, coffee and tea. But we consume fruits and vegetables for their vitamins and minerals, legumes and young shoots for their proteins and fibers, seaweeds and herbs as food supplements and good fats: avocados, olives, nuts as well as natural sugar: honey, maple or avave syrup, stevia, dates…

Adopted over the long term, this diet can be very restrictive and cause deficiencies. It can be harmful if it is not well controlled, which is why it is essential to be followed by a dietician or a nutritionist before starting. But it would be a shame not to take advantage of the real benefits of Raw Food because even when practiced as a cure, its benefits are notable. So why not take advantage of the upcoming summer to try new recipes and discover new flavors?