The range of raw foods is diverse.
It can include anything from the usual vegetables, fruits and nuts, to some dairy products and even meat & fish. Not only does a raw food diet help prevent a whole series of sicknesses, but it also contributes to healing some.
It is up to every individual raw foodist to decide where to draw the line.
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Going systematically is probably the best approach.
Supermarkets are the least desirable. They are better than nothing is. However, the general recommendation is that you should avoid filling your fridge up from there on a regular basis. The raw foods' nutritious attributes decrease drastically because of the supermarket handling: freezing and shipping time take away numerous vitamins and an amazing number of useful substances.
On the other hand, regarding seeds and nuts, the issue is slightly more accessible. A bit of space and time dedicated to gardening may bring you your own fresh sprouts to supply the much-needed raw seeds. As for the ones you buy, pay attention to the info on the package. Some nuts are raw and some are not.
Surprisingly enough, most dried fruit are cooked. As manufacturers reveal, they heat them for drying way above the 118F raw diet acceptable temperature limit. Actually, the usual temperature for this kind of fruit is somewhere around 200 degrees - producers claim a lower one would interfere with the product's quality. Most of these fruits also have a lot of added sugar. Therefore, the ones that remain acceptable are those dried in the sun, since it is a natural method. The point is that you should do your best to avoid over-heated foods in an organic foods diet.
Recommended Raw Diet Books on Amazon
The Raw Food Detox Diet: The Five-Step Plan for Vibrant Health and Maximum Weight Loss
Amazon Price: $10.85 (as of 10/11/2008)
The Raw Revolution Diet
Amazon Price: $14.93 (as of 10/11/2008)
The Complete Idiot's Guide to Eating Raw (Complete Idiot's Guide to)
Amazon Price: $11.53 (as of 10/11/2008)
Fresh: The Ultimate Live-Food Cookbook
Amazon Price: $12.89 (as of 10/11/2008)
The Raw Food Diet Myth
Amazon Price: $16.95 (as of 10/11/2008)
