Articles - Nutrition
The Benefits of a Raw Food Diet
by Yuri Elkaim, BPHE, CK, RHN
Author, Eating for Energy
by Yuri Elkaim, BPHE, CK, RHN
Author, Eating for Energy
If you’re on this page, you may be wondering about the benefits of a raw food diet, right? Well, the
benefits of eating more raw foods are numerous and once you understand them you’ll probably
wonder why you haven’t eaten more raw in the past. You’ll also think twice about eating dead cooked
foods ever again.
Raw Foods Give You More Energy
I don’t think I know of a single person who eats at least 80% raw foods who doesn’t enjoy far more
energy than the average person. I know that when I transitioned away from eating a diet made up of
breads, dairy, and cooked foods, and adopted more of a raw foods diet, my energy went through the
roof. And I’m not talking about the quick surge you would get from an espresso but rather long-lasting
energy that enables you to do more with less.
For instance, eating raw will allow you to sleep less and have far more energy than you ever thought
possible. When I’m eating at least 80% raw, I can easily function on just 4-5 hours of sleep. I literally
bounce out of bed and don’t require any naps throughout the day. Oh yeah, did I mention that I workout
every single day as well? Sometimes, even twice!
Energizing Enzymes
There are several reasons why a raw food diet will give you more energy. First, raw foods are rich in
food enzymes. Enzymes are required for every single reaction in the body. Unfortunately, our bodies
only have a finite number of these enzymes, so when we run out, we run out of life! To add to this, when
you heat foods above 118 degrees fahrenheit, you destroy the food enzymes that are naturally present
in all raw foods. Therefore, if you eat a predominantly cooked foods diet, you’re not getting enough food
enzymes, which means that your body will have to produce and use more of its own to digest and
metabolize your foods.
The more energy your body needs to divert towards digestion, the less energy you will have for other
activities. You will feel more lethargic and tired as your body is trying to breakdown “dead” foods and
figure out what to do with them.
So, the food enzymes inherent in raw foods are a big reason for boosting your body’s energy. They are
the spark plugs and are intricately related to the next property that make raw foods so energy-boosting.
Life Force
When raw foods are left intact, they are also known as living foods. They are called “living” because
they carry an incredible amount of life force. To give you an example of this, let’s look at the difference
between the following two images:
The image on the left is that of “steamed organic broccoli”. The image on the right is of “raw organic
broccoli”. Notice that both pieces of broccoli are organic yet the raw broccoli has a significant aura
around it. This is the life force . The life force or energy emanating of any food or living organism is
captured using a technique called Kirlian Photography. What’s amazing is that the broccoli on the left
was only steamed for 2 minutes! That’s a huge decrease in energy after such a short period of time
under heat.
Now, since every living being has an aura or energy field illuminating from their body, which foods do
you think would enhance yours? The one on the right or the left? I think we both know the answer
benefits of eating more raw foods are numerous and once you understand them you’ll probably
wonder why you haven’t eaten more raw in the past. You’ll also think twice about eating dead cooked
foods ever again.
Raw Foods Give You More Energy
I don’t think I know of a single person who eats at least 80% raw foods who doesn’t enjoy far more
energy than the average person. I know that when I transitioned away from eating a diet made up of
breads, dairy, and cooked foods, and adopted more of a raw foods diet, my energy went through the
roof. And I’m not talking about the quick surge you would get from an espresso but rather long-lasting
energy that enables you to do more with less.
For instance, eating raw will allow you to sleep less and have far more energy than you ever thought
possible. When I’m eating at least 80% raw, I can easily function on just 4-5 hours of sleep. I literally
bounce out of bed and don’t require any naps throughout the day. Oh yeah, did I mention that I workout
every single day as well? Sometimes, even twice!
Energizing Enzymes
There are several reasons why a raw food diet will give you more energy. First, raw foods are rich in
food enzymes. Enzymes are required for every single reaction in the body. Unfortunately, our bodies
only have a finite number of these enzymes, so when we run out, we run out of life! To add to this, when
you heat foods above 118 degrees fahrenheit, you destroy the food enzymes that are naturally present
in all raw foods. Therefore, if you eat a predominantly cooked foods diet, you’re not getting enough food
enzymes, which means that your body will have to produce and use more of its own to digest and
metabolize your foods.
The more energy your body needs to divert towards digestion, the less energy you will have for other
activities. You will feel more lethargic and tired as your body is trying to breakdown “dead” foods and
figure out what to do with them.
So, the food enzymes inherent in raw foods are a big reason for boosting your body’s energy. They are
the spark plugs and are intricately related to the next property that make raw foods so energy-boosting.
Life Force
When raw foods are left intact, they are also known as living foods. They are called “living” because
they carry an incredible amount of life force. To give you an example of this, let’s look at the difference
between the following two images:
The image on the left is that of “steamed organic broccoli”. The image on the right is of “raw organic
broccoli”. Notice that both pieces of broccoli are organic yet the raw broccoli has a significant aura
around it. This is the life force . The life force or energy emanating of any food or living organism is
captured using a technique called Kirlian Photography. What’s amazing is that the broccoli on the left
was only steamed for 2 minutes! That’s a huge decrease in energy after such a short period of time
under heat.
Now, since every living being has an aura or energy field illuminating from their body, which foods do
you think would enhance yours? The one on the right or the left? I think we both know the answer
As I like to say, “eat alive and you will thrive”.
Weight Loss and Beautiful Skin
The other highly sought-after quality of a raw foods diet is its ability to help you lose weight and
beautify your skin. Almost everyone who has read my book, Eating for Energy, has reported losing
weight they could never lose. At the same time, they notice an instant improvement in their skin. They
look younger and have a natural glow that comes about because of the “living” nature of raw foods,
their abundance of enzymes, and of course the plethora of nutrients that are ingested when eating
more fruits and vegetables.
You will find it easier to lose weight on a raw food diet because your getting more nutrients and,
therefore, your body won’t crave “dead” foods. Second, the enzymes help to breakdown the foods you
are eating and excess energy and fat stores in your body. Third, raw foods are water-rich, which helps
you feel more satiated, as well as hydrated.
Many of these reasons also help us explain why living foods make you look younger and beautify your
skin. Enzymes, life force, water, and high quality nutrients all play a role in natural skin care.
We could talk about the benefits of a raw food diet for hours but the only to truly understand them is to
experience them for yourself. So why not take action today and enjoy the health, the body, and the
vitality that you deserve!
CLICK HERE to get started with an easy-to-follow raw food diet!
Weight Loss and Beautiful Skin
The other highly sought-after quality of a raw foods diet is its ability to help you lose weight and
beautify your skin. Almost everyone who has read my book, Eating for Energy, has reported losing
weight they could never lose. At the same time, they notice an instant improvement in their skin. They
look younger and have a natural glow that comes about because of the “living” nature of raw foods,
their abundance of enzymes, and of course the plethora of nutrients that are ingested when eating
more fruits and vegetables.
You will find it easier to lose weight on a raw food diet because your getting more nutrients and,
therefore, your body won’t crave “dead” foods. Second, the enzymes help to breakdown the foods you
are eating and excess energy and fat stores in your body. Third, raw foods are water-rich, which helps
you feel more satiated, as well as hydrated.
Many of these reasons also help us explain why living foods make you look younger and beautify your
skin. Enzymes, life force, water, and high quality nutrients all play a role in natural skin care.
We could talk about the benefits of a raw food diet for hours but the only to truly understand them is to
experience them for yourself. So why not take action today and enjoy the health, the body, and the
vitality that you deserve!
CLICK HERE to get started with an easy-to-follow raw food diet!
WELLNESS
DIET
A-Z Weight Loss Diets
Diet & Physical Activity
NUTRITION
The Food Guide Pyramid
Healthy Eating Habits
The Superfoods
Best Foods for Anti-Aging
Best Heart Healthy Foods
Best Cancer Fighting Foods
Superfoods to Boost Immunity
WEIGHT MANGEMENT
Calculating Body Frame Size
Calculating Body Mass Index BMI)
PERSONAL CARE
Health & Nutition Resources
Web Links
DIET
A-Z Weight Loss Diets
Diet & Physical Activity
NUTRITION
The Food Guide Pyramid
Healthy Eating Habits
The Superfoods
Best Foods for Anti-Aging
Best Heart Healthy Foods
Best Cancer Fighting Foods
Superfoods to Boost Immunity
WEIGHT MANGEMENT
Calculating Body Frame Size
Calculating Body Mass Index BMI)
PERSONAL CARE
Health & Nutition Resources
Web Links
An Abundant LifeStyle - Your Guide to Health and Nutrition