Can a Raw Food Diet Help You Lose Weight?

While raw foods are not new, eating plans that follow this trend in healthy eating appear to be gaining strength across the country. The focus of the diet is on eating uncooked, highly nutritious foods -- fruits and vegetables. Of course, these foods are low in calories and extremely good for you, but eating them raw or uncooked is favored as it is believed that they lose nutritional value when cooked.

Those who subscribe to the raw food diet eat fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, and legumes. They drink unpasteurized milk, water, juice, and tea. It is a revolutionary way to eat, but also a natural way and many followers say it keeps them thin and healthy.

However, while the raw food diet is rich in some nutrients, it lacks others. Although fruits and vegetables do have some protein and calcium, this diet may lack these nutrients. Experts are torn on whether it is healthy as a long-term way of eating.

Another thing to consider when taking up a raw food diet is that most of the fruits and vegetables that you see in your supermarket are loaded with pesticides. Therefore, it might be best to consume only organic raw food.

If you decide a raw food diet is for you, you might consider supplements to compensate for the nutrients this diet is lacking. Some supplements to consider include vitamin B12, copper, zinc, and chromium. Also, proteins from plants do not contain the same amino acids as animal protein, so you'll have to consume a variety of different types of raw foods in order to remain healthy.