You’re probably aware that raw, unprocessed foods are wonderful for your body as well as your waistline. Raw diet foodists believe that eating foods that are raw promote optimal health as they preserve certain enzymes and nutrients that would otherwise be destroyed by high temperatures used in cooking.
A raw food diet isn’t for everyone, but that doesn’t mean that raw foods can’t be a part of a diverse diet! Consider trying one of these simple raw meal recipes to get started.
Raw Oat Groats with Fruit and Spice
These raw oat groats with fruit and spice make for a delicious morning meal, but keep in mind that regular oatmeal or steel cut oats will not work for this recipe. Oat groats aren’t flakes, but have the appearance of thick brown grains of rice. They are best soaked for 36-48 hours before use unless you like a more chewy texture.
Ingredients:
- 4 cups soaked, sprouted oat groats
- 1 ½ T. almond butter
- 1 ½ medium-sized organic bananas
- 1 T. fresh ground cinnamon
- ¾ cup raisins, soak for 1 hour and drain before using
- ½ tsp. nutmeg
- ¾ cup raw, organic honey
- 1 organic apple, cored and grated
- Sliced apples and dried shredded coconut to garnish
Instructions:
- Place all ingredients except grated apple and garnishes in a food processor; blend well.
- About half way through, stop and remove half of the mixture and place in medium-sized bowl.
- Blend the remaining mixture well and then combine the two in the bowl which creates a creamier base as well as a chunky texture.
- Next, stir in the grated apples and garnish with the sliced apples and shredded coconut.
- Cashew Apple Salad
This recipe makes a great side salad but is filling enough to eat as an entire meal. Keep in mind that it doesn’t keep well, so you’ll need to be able to immediately eat it all or find someone to help you!
Ingredients:
- ¾ cup raw, organic cashews
- 1 organic carrot
- 1 organic apple (Granny Smith works well for this recipe, but any type can be used)
- 1 T chopped onion
- 1 T lemon juice
- 1/8 tsp. sea salt
Instructions:
- Place all ingredients into a food processor.
- Pulse briefly until the salad has the appearance of a chicken salad. It doesn’t take long, so be sure and go slow.
- Consume right after mixing.
Carrot-Ginger Soup
This soup is a terrific introduction to tasty raw foods and is excellent as part of a raw detox. Ginger is great for digestive health and is packed with essential nutrients as well.
Ingredients:
- ½” chunk of fresh, organic ginger
- 5 large organic carrots
- 1 organic avocado, peeled and pitted
- 2 T. fresh organic cilantro leaves
- 1 T. GMO-free liquid protein concentrate (like Bragg Liquid Aminos)
- Black sesame seeds to garnish
- 4 T. olive oil
- Pinch sea salt
Instructions:
- Finely grate the ginger and juice the carrots to produce about 2 cups of carrot juice.
- Place ginger, carrot juice, avocado, cilantro and liquid protein concentrate in a blender; mix until smooth.
- Pour the soup into individual serving bowls and garnish with sesame seeds.
- Drizzle with olive oil and sea salt.
The more raw meals you can incorporate into your diet, the better!
-The Alternative Daily
