Combating Online Misinformation about Raw Foods
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I am so tired of reading articles about a mysterious Raw Food Diet created to help you lose weight. The authors warn against this "diet" because you can't find all of the foods you're "supposed" to eat, claim that everything "has" to be organic, that you have to follow complex recipes, that you can't get enough nutrients, that the time needed to prep foods is best spent elsewhere, etc. Everyone is entitled to their opinion, but when certain statements are promoted as fact, there should at least be references.
I'm becoming an activist in 2009 - I am combating the incorrect assessments of eating raw. Among the messages I am spreading:
- It's not a weight loss scheme.
- It's not a fad.
- It can be as simple or as complicated as any individual willfully chooses to make it.
- It doesn't require expensive superfoods or non-seasonal produce unless you want it to.
- Getting the family involved in prepping raw foods for the week might actually be a GOOD thing.
- Yes, we can get our nutritional needs met
- There is no official Rulebook of Raw; we are free to create a raw food regimen that fits our unique health needs and lifestyle.
Today I read an article simply titled "Raw Foods Diet" and was annoyed at the assertions made by an anonymous person calling him/herself "MysteryShopper." There were no credentials or references provided, and no reference to any personal experience eating raw. This article actually wasn't as bad as some I have read, but I sent in my response anyway. Below is what I wrote.
"Thank you for your review of eating raw. I'm not sure where you got any of your information, as you cite no references. Can you update your article for us with that information?
Let me begin by saying there is no such thing "THE raw foods diet." Eating raw is not a fad or a weight loss scheme. It's part of a holistic health regimen that people can choose to adopt in the way that best fits their health needs and lifestyle. There are no rules about what you are "allowed" to eat, only that your food is raw (hence, "raw foods").
If you cannot afford organic, for example, then don't buy organic. Some foods absorb more pesticides than others, so people need to decide which non-organic foods to eat. There is plenty of information available online about the best non-organic foods. You say some foods are hard to find, but what foods are you talking about? If I can't find a certain food, then it can't be in my menu. Pretty simple! That doesn't stop me from eating raw foods. As for "how raw" one's diet is, there is no mathematical way to label the percentage of one's diet as raw, nor any rule that you should eat "70%" raw. You must choose what works for you as a unique individual.
As for nutrients, fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds and grains are chock full of calcium and protein. I've used nutritiondata.com to ensure that my daily intake provides me with all of the nutrients, including protein, that I need. I prefer to avoid vitamins, so I learned how to get all of my nutrients through a raw food diet. Everyone can do this if they are serious enough about taking control of their own health.
As for the time it takes to prepare raw meals, we can choose to eat frozen Lean Cuisines (full of chemicals) and save a few minutes, or we can learn how to use a portion of one day each week to prep our fresh vegetables for the work week. Children and partners can pitch in as well. I know this is something we are not used to in this world of fast food and packaged items masquerading as edibles, but that doesn't make it impossible.
Yes, there is a learning curve to eating raw. I would hope that anyone reading about eating raw foods will do their own research to determine how this way of eating may be helpful to them. It is possible to create a raw diet that fits one's health needs and lifestyle. I recommend that curious people check out welikeitraw.com and just read what some people are saying and doing in the raw foods community. We are a diverse group of people of many different ages, backgrounds, health needs, and philosophies. Sites like these will make it clear that there is no one "raw diet."'
What do you think are the biggest misconceptions about eating raw?
What misinformation about eating raw irks you the most?
This article freakin' rocks, Alison! Thank you for telling it like it is and for cutting through all the crap. I hope you don't mind if I refer to this from time to time because you've spoken the truth with evidence to back you up. Right ON - SISTER!!
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