Is a Raw Food Diet also alkaline by default? Generally speaking, yes. Many foods that typically make up a large part of a raw food eating regimen, such as fruits and vegetables, are foods that also tend to have a higher pH on the acid-alkaline food scale. This brief article offers a few things you should know before embarking on a raw food diet plan.
Raw food dieters consume higher fiber content and lower calories in general. Vitamin B and C are reduced in potency when heated, so raw foods will typically yield greater values. Greater emphasis is put on consuming fruits and vegetables which are commonly alkaline forming in the body.
On the other hand, some foods yield higher nutrition when cooked like asparagus, spinach and mushrooms. They still yield great nutrients eaten raw but some nutritional values are enhanced when heated. Heating certain foods can yield higher beta-carotene and lycopene potency.
Deficiencies are often in the protein category when on a raw food diet. This is because most raw food diets exclude animal products. Care should be taken to provide clean absorbable protein.
Hydration is also critical in maintaining balance when on a raw food diet. Alkaline water is harmonious with the raw food philosophy. Many raw food diet coaches and authors promote the use of natural spring water as the source. Spring water that comes from cold springs through natural stone contains essential mineral content that is often lacking in a raw food diet.
Although raw food diets can be challenging at first, most people have great results with improving bloodwork numbers and weight loss. If you manage the deficiencies with the right amounts of protein and alkaline spring water, the benefits will outweigh the challenges.
At Alkalife, we always promote balanced eating. Diets often have dramatic results, but our nutritional requirements are diverse. Never exclude foods without learning what nutritional values you may become deficient in.