The 80/10/10 Diet and Raw Foodism

I've started to do a lot of  research into raw foodism.  This sparked my interest after I watched a documentary called 'Health Food Junkies'.  You can imagine from the title that the documentary was never going to portray the raw foodists in a fair light.

A raw food diet basically means that the 'followers' only eat foods that are completely raw such as fruits and vegetables and some foods that have been heated to no more than 40oC in a device known as a dehydrater.

For many people this type of diet is a lifestyle and while some 'turn 100% raw' over night, others make the transistion from vegetarian to vegan to raw vegan to low fat raw vegan.





I have signed up to go to a raw food workshop in a few weeks' time and will blog about that experience too.  I am genuinely intrigued and eager to learn but for now at least I don't think this diet/lifestyle is for me.

If you search 'raw foods' on google or you tube you will find hundreds of people that have adopted this lifestyle and have only positive things to say.  They claim that after a period of initial detox they have been left with an abundance of energy, no body odour, clear skin, a clear mind and some have even claimed that as a result of eating this way they have been released from the mundane rat race and found their 'true life purpose'.  Now -  this is the point that concerns me.  It's when people start talking about their daily diet in the same terms as a religion that I start to feel a little uncomfortable.

I personally do not believe that any diet (although this isn't really a 'diet') that encourages people to be so restrictive about what you can and can't eat is good for you in the long term.  I suspect that initial 'highs' people experience are more from the detox and the psychological aspects.  I will need to find out more about the health of those who have followed this way of eating for 20 years or more and see that they truly have no deficiencies or health problems for me to be as committed as this lifestyle requires. Some people have reported problems with their teeth (due to the high fructose in the fruit) and lacking in vitamins D and B12.  Once you start eating this way your body becomes more and more senstive to things like dairy and cooked foods and so trying to return to a 'normal' diet can be a struggle.

I have no doubt that incorporating much more raw fruit and veg into my daily meals will do me only good.  This book and research has made me come to think that the extra protein I've been searching for in the morning protein shakes and grilled chicken breasts is probably unnecessary.  I'm going to replace my morning protein shake with an extra glass of water and a couple of pieces of fruit.  Never say never but for now - this just isn't for me.