After eating more than my fair share of processed, packaged, micro-waved and fast foods, when I decided to “go raw”, I was under the common misconception that if what I ate was raw it MUST be good for me.  Compared to how I had been eating, this may have proven true.  However, eating raw chocolate pie three meals a day doesn’t mean I’m any further along my health journey than where I was before.

As most of us know, even the terms vegetarian and vegan can mean MANY different things.  I could eat a diet consisting mainly of bean and cheese burritos from Taco Bell with a side of Doritos and a diet Coke and call myself a vegetarian.  I think we can all agree that this is not the definition of a healthy diet, vegetarian or not!  The same idea applies to raw foods.  If I ate only raw macadamia nuts and dates one could argue this to be a better diet than Dr. Pepper and potato chips.  But, a “healthy” diet this does not make!

It’s really what a diet consists of that determines whether or not it’s actually good for us.  Variety, the proper amounts of protein, carbohydrates and healthy fats, lots of color and leafy greens, whole, fresh and organic as much as possible- all of these are important things to consider.  And in the long run, it comes down to discerning which foods are the right foods for your body, your goals, your personality and more.

Food allergies and sensitivities, different metabolic types, different caloric needs, nutritional deficiencies, where you live and what your lifestyle looks like; ALL need to be factored into creating a way of eating that tastes good, takes you where you want to go, helps you reach and sustain your goals, and FEELS GOOD too.  Now that’s a way of approaching food and eating that Weight Watchers, Jenny Craig and South Beach can’t hold a candle to.

Truth be told, in general, raw foods are higher in nutrition, enzymes, and life force than cooked, packaged and refined foods.  That much IS true.  But eating a well rounded, fresh, organic vegetable, leafy green and fruit rich diet is also key.  Loading up on raw sweets and raw chocolates and dried fruits isn’t the path to health and vitality, raw or not.

So take this into account with whatever your diet consists of today.  And know that, in general raw can mean healthier when everything else you’re doing and eating is also taken into consideration.  Simply put, eating more fresh fruits, salad greens and veggies is one of the keys to vitality and health.  And preparing them in quick, easy, and delicious ways that are common with raw food recipes can be a way to ensure you’re enjoying every last bite, every day of your life!