The myth of the raw food diet

Cold, tired, hungry and weak?

As you’ll be aware, Mr Green switches to a high raw diet during the summer months. Now autumn is here and we’re lighting fires on the occasional evening, I decided to ask him about his raw adventures. I have to admit, when he first started out my questions were along the lines of “What will you eat? Won’t you get hungry? Where will you get your energy? and won’t it cost a fortune?”

Read on to discover the truth!

Motivation

What was the motivation for switching from a meat and two veg to a high raw diet?

It was to reduce weight and attain more energy.

Challenges

What is the most difficult thing about eating a high raw diet?

Initially, feeling hungry!

Easy peasy

What is the easiest thing?

Not having to think too hard about what I bought when shopping. I’m rubbish at shopping!

Learning

What has been your most significant learning since eating high raw?

That raw food can give you more energy than cooked food.

Advice

What advise would you give to someone who was considering making the switch from cooked to raw?

You can’t try it as an experiment; you have to be determined and committed to do it because there is a big adjustment period which isn’t always comfortable.

Hunger

Do you get hungry? How do you deal with it?

Initially yes, I was very hungry, but by having a piece of fruit or a drink I learned to manage this.

Cold

Do you get cold without eating warm and cooked foods?

Yes I did get cold, so quite simply I had to put more clothes on. Eventually your body learns to motabolise calories in a more efficient way so that coldness is no longer an issue. That’s part of the reason why I chose to make the switch in the spring / summer when it’s warmer.

Boredom

Do you get bored with what you are eating on a raw diet?

I did to start with, but as my taste buds became more sensitive to the taste of food, I began to appreciate finer qualities that ordinarily I didn’t notice. I learned that the simplest of food can have the most amazing taste – it was a revelation from the idea of needing salt, fat and sugar to get any sense of taste and enjoyment from food.

Cost

Does it cost more to eat a raw diet?

Not necessarily. If you want to buy good quality, organic food it can be more expensive especially if you’re into exotic fruits and ‘superfood’ supplements. If you are prepared to enjoy seasonal local fruit and vegetables it can be cheaper. Bear in mind if you have a garden you can grow quite a lot of it yourself.

Health benefits

How do you feel eating a high raw diet compared to eating cooked food?

It definitely makes you feel more energised and alert. There is an increase in stamina but I think the main difference is clarity of mind. Other benefit were that I was never ill when on the raw diet – no colds, flu or stomach upsets and I felt my immune system was a lot stronger as a result of eating raw food. I also had a greater sense of vitality.

When doing sudden strenuous physical exercise I had no muscle burn or aching during the days after doing it, which was a highly noticeable difference because getting discomfort is farily normal when you’re on a cooked food diet. I started running regularly and even after the first day of running a couple of miles I felt no discomfort or muscle burn whereas previously this was always present during the first week.