Living and Raw Foods F.A.Q.
Resource: www.Living-Foods.com

The Living and Raw Foods discussed includes all plant based (vegetarian/vegan) foods. This is for information purposes only…we are NOT trying to convert anyone.

What are Living and Raw Foods?
Raw and Living Foods contain enzymes. In general, the act of heating food over 116 degrees F destroys enzymes in food. (Enzymes start to degrade in as little as 106 degrees F). All cooked food is devoid of enzymes, furthermore cooking food changes the molecular structure of the food and renders it toxic. Living and raw foods also have enormously higher nutrient values than foods that have been cooked.

What are Enzymes?
Enzymes assist in the digestion of foods. They are known to be the “Life-Force” and or “energy” of food.

Why are Enzymes Important?
Enzymes are important because they assist in the digestion and absorption of food. If you eat food that is enzyme-less, your body will not get maximum utilization of the food. This causes toxicity in the body.

Is there a difference between living foods and raw foods?
Living and Raw foods both contain enzymes. In living foods, the enzyme content is much higher. Raw, unsprouted nuts contain enzymes in a “dormant” state. To activate the enzymes contained in almonds, for example, soak them in water for 24 hours. Once the almonds begin to sprout, the enzymes become “active” and are then considered living.

Why eat only Organic Foods?
When juicing or eating foods, it is very important to choose organically grown produce. “Conventional” or “industrial” produce are grown with pesticides, herbicides, synthetic fertilizers, and other chemicals that are toxic and/or harmful to your body. Organic foods are grown without the use of these harmful substances, taste better, and are more nutritious.

Do I need to eat all organic to be raw?
No, you do not NEED to eat all organic to be raw. I personally recommend eating as much organic food as possible. It has been shown that organic produce contains less pesticide and other toxic residues.

Will rinsing off the pesticide from industrially grown produce help?
Rinsing with cool water will remove some surface pesticide residue, but not the pesticide that was absorbed into the produce as it was grown. Some of the most severely tainted types of produce are strawberries and bell peppers. Some of the least tainted: carrots and avocados.

Is this a “new” fad diet or something?
Not at all! Consider the following: during the vast majority of our existence, what choices did we have for food? What could we have eaten before we discovered fire, tools and implements to kill animals? The original diet for us must have consisted primarily of vegetables, fruits, and nuts! Clearly, a raw, plant based diet is the main food staple throughout the vast majority of humanity. Before the killing and eating of animals, we ate fruits, leaves, nuts, berries, etc.

Is this just another vegetarian or vegan diet?
Yes and NO! This is the ultimate vegetarian/vegan diet. It should be the goal of all vegetarians, vegans and SAD - [Standard American Diet] eaters to eat raw. Once you embrace an all-raw and living food diet, you are more living, have more energy, better health, think more clearly, and become more in tune with your body!

What is the difference between a raw/living foods diet and a vegetarian one?
Vegetarians and vegans believe in only eating a plant based diet. Living and Raw Foodists believe in eating only an uncooked, unheated, unprocessed and organic plant based diet.

What is a Living Foodist or Raw Foodist?
A person who eats 75% or more living/raw food. Optimally one should eat 100% raw and living foods if it feels right for them.

Is a 100% living and raw food diet best?
That depends on the person. Life should not be about 100% raw food but about 100% health. You can eat 100% raw food and be “unhealthy” if you are not eating the correct raw foods.

Is there just one type of living/raw foodist?
There are many subcategories of living/raw foodists. Some include:

     Fruitarian - People who consume mostly fruits.

     Sproutarian - People who consume mostly sprouts.

     Juicearian - People who consume mostly fresh juice.

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