| The healthy, positive effects of a raw food diet have | | | | and other chemicals that can be found in many foods. |
| been very much in the headlines recently. Much has | | | | Locally grown means you aren't only helping yourself, |
| been said in books and articles about the negative | | | | you're helping your community. Plus, when food is |
| impact that cooking foods has on our health. Cooking | | | | locally grown, you know you're eating food that's in |
| fruits and vegetables leeches them of vitamins and | | | | season and fresh. |
| enzymes that our bodies need to be healthy. Many | | | | Of course, fruits and vegetables generally have almost |
| people are making the switch to raw foods, and are | | | | no fat, and despite some claims, fat is a necessary |
| finding that they look and feel better. | | | | part of our diet. On a raw diet, we get our fats from |
| However, making the switch to raw foods doesn't | | | | some fruits like coconut and avocado, and also from |
| mean you should dive right in. Any diet change, even to | | | | nuts. The problem is many start a raw diet, and eat |
| a more healthy diet, is a stress on your body. There | | | | too much of these high fat items. If you over load your |
| are steps you'll want to take to make sure that you | | | | diet with foods like nuts and avocado, that's not |
| stay healthy while eating a diet of raw fruits and | | | | healthy either. This is another reason why it's a good |
| vegetables. Many people, when starting with raw | | | | idea to meet with your doctor or dietician to help you |
| foods, aren't sure what they should be eating, and eat | | | | determine the best diet plan for you. |
| too much or too little of certain foods. Even when | | | | A last word of advice is to know the source - not only |
| eating raw, it's important to have a healthy balance. | | | | of the food you eat, but also of the advice you follow. |
| That's why the first step on your journey to a healthy | | | | Friends or family might tell you about how awesome |
| system of eating should be a visit with your doctor or | | | | the raw food diet is, and how great they're doing and |
| a dietician. They can help you set up a diet based on | | | | suggest that you try it. Their advice may be very well |
| raw foods that meets your needs. | | | | meaning, but again, it's important that you check with |
| While of course you'll want to eat plenty of fruits and | | | | your doctor. If, for example, you have a allergy to |
| vegetables, you'll want to stick to those that are | | | | gluten and your friend recommends a diet full of whole |
| organically grown and as much as possible, locally | | | | grains, it can cause serious health issues. |
| grown. Why? Organic foods are free of the pesticides | | | | |