Starting a raw food diet can feel intimidating, but it's one of the best decisions you'll ever make. I first encountered raw foods through my work as a marketing consultant. One of my clients  was helping a raw food spa through their start up phase. He asked me to write some materials for them. At first, I was skeptical - but their raw food diet detox didn't sound all that bad. Fresh fruit? Delicious. Fresh vegetables? Healthy for sure.  Soon I was curious, and eating apples for snacks instead of cookies.  Within six months, another raw food diet author asked me to write something for her, and I began starting a raw food diet myself. Although the raw food diet detox phase can be challenging, the clarity of mind and improvement in my energy levels had me hooked; I wanted to encourage everyone starting a raw food diet to keep going!

The Basics of a Raw Food Diet

People starting a raw food diet often wonder what the basic premise is behind this radical way of eating. Most people who eat a raw food diet believe that heating foods above 118 degrees Fahrenheit (or a temperature slightly lower than that) kills life-giving enzymes in food. We're all born with enzymes. Enzymes are chemicals that help our bodies metabolize food and conduct many life processes. People who follow a raw food diet believe that everyone is born with a set amount of enzymes, and that eating a Standard American Diet (SAD) uses up a great deal of those enzymes without replenishing them. Cooked foods, processed foods, chemical additives and preservatives and many other aspects of the SAD diet create a toxic overload in the body. By eating raw and living foods, our enzyme reserves are replenished or at least we aren't tapping into the reserves any more. Most people who eat raw and living foods also choose organic, vegan produce. By basing their diet on fresh, wholesome organic fruits, vegetables, nuts, grains and seeds, raw food diet followers are already eating more healthfully than the majority of people.

Raw Food Nutrition

The most frequently asked question about the raw food diet is, "But will I get enough protein?" Raw food nutrition is the subject of much debate. The truth is that you can get all of your nutrients, including protein, in raw and living foods. The plant kingdom provides a cornucopia of vitamins, minerals, carbohydrates, wholesome fats, and protein, plus antioxidants. Nuts and seeds are especially rich in fats and protein. Some raw food diet followers are even athletes, such as Jeff Sekerak, the super fit vegan, who walked 40 miles a day in Death Valley's scorching heat eating nothing but raw fruit! Raw food nutrition provides all that your body needs for vibrant good health. The only possible nutrient that one could be deficient in is vitamin B12, and some vegan supplements can provide all the vitamin B12 you need.

Starting a Raw Food Diet: How to Begin

There are many ways of starting a raw food diet. Some people like raw food author Alissa Cohen recommend going "cold turkey" and eating 100% raw foods from day one. That may be too extreme for some people. Others, like Dr. Ritamarie Loscalzo, the experts at Raw People, and the health and wellness experts at Revitalive in Massachusetts recommend gradually eliminating unhealthy habits and foods and replacing them with healthy raw choices.

Some ideas for starting a raw food diet include:

• Eating "raw until dinner", or eating nothing but raw foods until dinner time, then enjoying a cooked, vegetarian meal.
• Gradually changing from processed food products such as frozen dinners, packaged side dishes and canned vegetables to fresh vegetables and whole grains.
• Eliminating tobacco use, alcohol, caffeine, white sugar and white flour.
• Eating nothing but fresh squeezed raw fruit juice or fresh fruit for breakfast.

It takes time to wean yourself away from unhealthy foods. It's the rare person starting a raw food diet who can jump right in and give up all the comfort foods, the addictive foods such as caffeine, and the unhealthy but delicious foods such as potato chips. Most people start gradually, and over time realize they feel better eating raw foods.

The Raw Food Lifestyle

The raw food lifestyle refers to the overall peaceful, organic, vegan lifestyle most raw food diet followers ascribe to. Nearly every raw food diet followers is vegan, eating no animal products. Organic and locally grown produce often forms a large part of the diet. As people continue eating a raw food diet, they often find they have more energy and begin exercise programs. Yoga, tai chi, and gentle exercise such as walking can be part of a raw food lifestyle, or more strenuous activities.

Many people who eat a raw, vegan diet find themselves with greater mental clarity and increased intuition. It's not uncommon to talk to a raw food diet follower and hear them speak of greater spiritual connections, too. It's no wonder that many ancient religious practices incorporated fasting or vegan diets.

Tips for Starting a Raw Food Diet

If you're starting a raw food diet, take it slowly. Seek support from experienced raw food diet followers. There are plenty of message boards, forums and bulletin boards online as well as local groups nationwide. Raw food books, diet coaches and others provide mentoring, raw food diet resources and more.

If you have a serious illness, see your doctor before starting a raw food diet. The raw and living foods lifestyle is a healthy, wonderful way to eat, but be sure to consult your doctor if you've got a chronic illness.

Raise a glass of fresh raw vegetable juice and toast the raw food diet!