Should You Fast on the Raw Food Diet?

The raw food diet is a diet which consists of unprocessed and uncooked plant-based foods. Among these foods are fresh fruit and vegetables, bean sprouts, various types of seeds, beans , nuts, grains, dry fruit and even seaweed. The theory behind the raw foods diet is that cooking food above 116 degrees Fahrenheit will destroy or remove enzymes in food that will help with digestion and absorbing the nutrients in food.

Those who follow the raw food diet believe that it is beneficial to health and well-being due to increasing energy, aiding in digestion, easier weight loss, reducing the risk of heart disease and improving skin appearance. It is true that the raw food diet contains less trans fat and saturated fat than the average Westerner's diet.

The raw food diet is also low in sodium, high in magnesium, potassium, folic acid, fiber and photochemicals. For the above mentioned reasons, the raw food diet is therefore thought to lower an individual's risk of heart disease, diabetes, and various types of cancer.

The raw food diet can cause various side effects such as mild headaches, nausea and other detoxing symptoms. Cravings can also occur on the raw foods diet, but will usually subside within a few days. This is especially true if the individual had a previous diet that consisted largely of meats, sugars, fats and even caffeine.

When fasting on the raw food diet, it's important to consider that any adverse side effects that your body may experience on the raw food diet, are going to become magnified while fasting. It's important to pay attention to fluid and nutrient intake when fasting on the raw food diet. Especially since nutritional deficiencies are more likely to occur while on the raw food diet in the first place.

The nutritional deficiencies which can occur on the raw food diet and while fasting on the raw food diet include; calcium, iron, B-12 and protein deficiency. The raw food diet is not recommended in children, pregnant or nursing women, persons with anemia, or those at risk for osteoporosis.

If you are doing the raw food diet, it's important to discuss your diet and nutrition with your physician- this is especially true whenever you are considering fasting while on the raw food diet. Fasting can cause dehydration, dizziness, fainting, headaches, anemia, and if not monitored by a physician carefully- even death.

Due to the detoxifying properties of the raw food diet, it's generally not recommended- or even necessary- to fast while on the diet. Only an individual and their physician can make the determination as to whether or not fasting is appropriate, or needed, on the raw food diet.