Raw Food Diet Dangers
Are there raw food diet dangers, and if so, how do we prevent related illness or harm?
The raw food diet is an increasingly popular lifestyle choice. Proponents claim that eating raw foods is beneficial for the body's optimal functioning - and that by eating raw foods, we are eating the way nature intended. They point out that first, humans evolved to eat raw foods and second, cooking and processing foods destroys the desired nutrients.
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Generally speaking, eating only raw food is a healthy lifestyle choice. There are few things we can say to criticize this eating plan. True, many, if not most people, find it a difficult adjustment at first. We are accustomed to eating cooked foods and our society is set up to promote this custom.
When we make the choice to "go raw", we need to keep a few things in mind to accommodate our new way of life.
Gastrointestinal Problems
When converting to a raw food diet, certain individuals experience challenges with gastrointestinal issues and digestion. Common complaints include constipation, flatulence, diarrhoea or even irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).
These digestive problems occur because the person has changed their diet too rapidly. When making this change, it is important to listen to your body. If you begin to experience problems of this nature, simply slow down and introduce the raw food diet at a slower rate. There is no advantage to converting faster than your body wants to accommodate.
Poisonous Substances
Many people do not realize that certain foods are poisonous or toxic if we eat them raw.
One very common food - red or white kidney beans - has a chemical substance called phytohaemagglutinin. Phytohaemagglutinin occurs also in some types of broad beans, although to a lesser extent. Even a small handful of raw beans can produce poisoning.
Similarly, some classes of peas contain a toxic substance called ODAP when raw. Eating these peas raw can induce paralysis of the legs and feet.
Meat
A great many raw foodists are vegetarian and avoid eating meat at all. Other raw foodists do eat raw meat, which can lead to problems.
For one thing, raw meat is likely to contain harmful viruses. These viruses are destroyed in cooking, but a threat to those who eat the meat raw. Parasites are another concern. Parasites are likely destroyed by cooking. Pork, as an example, may contain parasitic grubs.
Mould
The processed foods that we eat are likely to contain preservatives which prevents the growth of mould. Fresh produce, of course, does not contain preservatives.
As a rule, raw foodists purchase larger quantities of fresh food and fresh produce than does the greater population. Since produce typically has a lower calorie count than other foods, the raw foodist must eat more of it to meet the required caloric level per day.
However, when this fresh produce is stored incorrectly, mould can develop. This food should be kept in a cool, dark and dry storage area. Mould grows on bread, as everyone knows, but it can also grow on other foods such as vegetables, seeds, nuts and grains.
Bone Loss
Some maintain that a long term raw food diet can lead to unwanted medical issues. They stipulate that raw foodists, vegans, fruitarians and other who adhere to this type of eating are likely to have a lower bone density than the overall population.
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