Frequently Asked Questions About Raw and 811rv

Nutrients and Nutritional Concerns

Will I get enough of the nutrients my body needs from fruits and vegetables?

The very best quality vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, phytonutrients, enzymes, co-enzymes, fiber, water, protein, carbohydrates, and fats come from fruits and vegetables. They are complete nutritional packages and provide the body with everything it needs to function properly. Of all foods, fruits are richest in vitamins and water, and second richest in minerals and fiber, while vegetables and leafy greens are richest in minerals and fiber, and second richest in vitamins and water. The other two nutrient groups, proteins and fats, are needed in smaller quantities; so, while fruits and vegetables are not high in protein and fat content, they still remain their ideal source. All nutrients come in the proper proportions and ratios that the body can utilize optimally. No man-made vitamin tablet or other supplement can compare with nature's handiwork. Essentially, fruits supply nutrients in quantities that most closely approximate human nutritional needs and vegetables come in second place.

Where will I get my protein from, and is 10% enough?

There is more than enough protein in the raw diet to satisfy your body's needs in sweet fruit, which averages 4 to 8% of calories from protein, and vegetables and leafy greens, which average 15 to 20% of calories from protein. This is a surprise to most people, who have been taught incorrectly, that they need large amounts of protein to be healthy. Actually, the reverse is true: most people suffer from an overdose of protein each day, and this accounts for a great deal of ill health, such as constipation, leading to toxemia and eventually, cancer. While excess protein consumption is linked to many acidic conditions in the body and resultant diminishing health, there is not even a medical name for the condition of underproteinization. The acidity caused by excess protein consumption must be counterbalanced by the body. It is done by taking the precious alkaline mineral, calcium, from the bloodstream and bones, setting the stage for osteoporosis and tooth decay. It is no coincidence that fruits and vegetables contain just the right amounts of protein to build and maintain the human body.

Don't you have to cook grains in order to get their nutritional benefit?

This question presupposes that grains such as rice, wheat, barley, and oats are helpful to the body's nutrition. Actually, they are not. The fact that they must be cooked to be edible is the first clue that something is wrong with them. They are bland to the taste and are virtually inedible without salt, spices, and condiments, the deadly "excitotoxins". Grains are acid forming in a body that needs to be slightly alkaline. Many people have substituted cooked grains in place of meat in their diet, and as a consequence, have shown a marked reduction in cardiovascular disease. However, because cooked grains create a condition known as acid toxemia, these same people will instead, suffer from a higher risk of arthritis and cancer. Cooked grains also contain opioids (which are addictive), cause daily mood swings, and contribute significantly to obesity.

Don't fruits run counter to the low-carb mania inspired by the high-protein diet gurus?

With respect to Dr. Atkins, his thesis missed the mark. His first error was that he failed to distinguish between the two types of carbohydrates: simple and complex. Fruit is a simple carbohydrate from a whole food source, and cooked grains such as bread, rice, pasta, and cereals are complex carbohydrates. Simple carbohydrates are easily digested, and their sugars are readily absorbed by the cells of the body for use as fuel. Complex carbohydrates are more difficult to digest, require substantial amounts of energy in the conversion to sugar, and are denatured by the cooking process, making them difficult for the body to assimilate and creating toxic byproducts. In short, they are fattening and unhealthy. By eliminating nearly all carbohydrates from the diet, Dr. Atkins ensured that the fat villain, complex carbohydrates, would not be available, and the followers of his diet would, in fact, lose weight. The problem however, is that he threw the proverbial baby out with the bath water by removing simple carbohydrates from the diet, as well.

Do I need to take supplements?

There is no need for supplements if you are eating an adequate raw diet and engaging in frequent vigorous activity. All the vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients the body needs are supplied by eating a variety of fruits, vegetables, and leafy greens. Indeed, most supplements are concentrated from plant foods, and the body does not appreciate these concentrated levels, having to work to expel them similarly to the toxic residue from cooked foods. It is always better to correct the diet than to supplement it. Many people hold the belief that more is better, but actually, supplements do little besides foster nutritional imbalances. That said, in individual cases it may be necessary to supplement the diet nutritionally during the initial phases of lifestyle change rather than risk potential health damage. The health of each individual always takes priority over any philosophical position.