Raw Food Reality

Question

http://www.drmcdougall.com/medical_nutrition.html I don't want to rain on the raw food parade... BUT I encourage everyone interested in following a 100% raw food diet to read the Dr. McDougall nutrition link above. The McDougall Diet (human being diet) is based on "starches" and, though I enjoy raw food, most of it is fats and sugar (nuts & fruit). I definitely enjoy raw food restaurants and raw veggies, but the majority of my diet is based on starch. If you take the time to read Dr. McDougall or visit his clinic I think your's will be, too :)

Tatiana · Answer

One thing I would like to point out, while reviewing his credentials, Dr McDougall is a medical doctor (an internist specifically) and it does not note any specific nutrition degrees or licenses. While I have no doubt he is very passionate about what he does and I am not trying to pick on him specifically, doctors are not necessarily experts in nutrition and quite often know very little. In order to become a medical doctor, there is usually little or no requirement for nutrition. In the realm of medicine there are many specialties. There are physical therapists, brain surgeons, internists, registered dietitians, etc, etc, all with their area of expertise and specialty. You wouldn't send a patient to a brain surgeon to heal a knee sprain any more than you'd send a brain tumor patient to a physical therapist. After reviewing Dr McDougall's nutrition page, much of it is very sound and basic nutrition information. The current recommendations for carbohydrate intake based on nutritional standards are very flexible, around 45-75%. There are a couple incorrect items on his page, including facts on Americans. Most Americans eat quite a lot of carbs, way more than the 40% he posted. However he is correct that most of it is refined carbs and sugars. I am also a bit concerned about 80+% of the diet being carbohydrate. You need to make sure to leave room for healthy fats and proteins as well. So while I do think his overall ideas and what he is promoting is positive, I think some people could come away with the wrong idea. I think the more important things to look at are limiting or eliminating intake of animal products to help reduce saturated fat/cholesterol intake (as well as animal rights but I'll focus on nutrition) and to limit the intake of refined grains and sugars. Focus on a balanced diet, meaning you get in carbohydrates, proteins, and fats. If you focus on making healthy choices and including all your food groups you usually don't need to worry about your exact percentages (gr8vegan -meaning if you eat mostly carbs and you get a variety and are healthy then you're doing great!). Here's a link to a newer vegetarian food guide pyramid made to be flexible to different types of vegetarians. http://www.eatright.org/cps/rde/xchg/ada/hs.xsl/governance_5105_ENU_HTML.htm gr8vegan, I also think you have a good point, however. I think anyone interested in following ANY diet make themselves educated on what they are doing and what else is out there.

Tatiana · Answer

I just wanted to add specifically about Dr McDougall that he seems to have a good general knowledge of nutrition, I'm not in any way meaning to call him a quack or anything.

Tatiana · Answer

Okay, I did a bit more research on Dr McDougall specifically.  It looks like he definitely recognizes a wide variety of medical professionals and does his research.  The more I read his page the more I like it actually.  His nutrition information is sound.  To me personally I think the most important take home message about his diet that I agree with is the plant-based diet approach in general.  How you exactly decide to do it is up to the person as long as they eat balanced (as I showed above).  I think I must like this topic cuz I just keep posting! I just have to keep looking and be thorough, it's just part of my profession, haha.  I just want to help make sure all of you happy cows out there get the best, most sound information that you can. :P

Aardy · Answer

I'm wondering if tempeh and tofu are considered raw food if you don't cook them?  And how can you ever have a hot meal just eating raw foods?

peanut · Answer

I know that tempeh is a fermented rice,I forget if there is any heating in the process, but tofu isn't cooked directly,the soybeans must be cooked to soften and then,like cheese is made into a curd and then pressed into a patty/tofu block. You are allowed to heat food up to 120 tops but I think that some only go as high as 117 F. Which would just be warm to a little hotter to the touch. Look up some recipes and it's amazing what you can do w/raw foods.

dimamuzhetsky · Answer

What is tempeh?Hot raw foodism is not achievable indeed,unless taking as such consumption of spicy stuff like cayenne,peppers,etc.They are guaranteed to heat You up from the inside

ahimsa32fa · Answer

Heating food is not exactly the same as cooking.  It's the temperature that is critical; the higher the temperature, the more nutrients are lost.

When one eats hot food, the body must cool it down to digest it and this wastes a bit of energy.  Very cold food and drinks must be warmed by the body before digestion begins as well.

AneebAkbar · Answer

Consider reading Dr. McDougall's nutrition advice. His diet focuses on starches rather than the fats and sugars often found in raw food diets. While raw foods can be enjoyable, incorporating more starches may be beneficial for overall health.
https://lillestromflytt.no/lager-lillestrom/

Dr.BenjaminMcLean · Answer

It sounds like you've found a balance that works well for you with a focus on Dr. McDougall's starch-based diet. 
It's important for anyone considering a 100% raw food diet to educate themselves on various nutritional perspectives. Finding what suits your body and lifestyle is key to long-term health. 
Enjoying raw foods alongside a balanced diet can offer a variety of benefits.

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