Guest guest Posted November 12, 2004 Report Share Posted November 12, 2004 THE RAW DEAL By Christina McNamara http://www.qctimes.com/internal.php?story_id=1039192 & l=1 & t=Food & c=13,1039192 Last Updated: 11:23 pm, Tuesday, November 9th, 2004 At this time of year when we’re beginning to focus on Thanksgiving turkey with all its trimmings – not to mention Christmas fudge and cookies – the diet practiced by Colona, Ill., chiropractor Kathy Ramsey definitely goes against the grain. Or maybe it’s with the grain. Ramsey promotes the “raw food diet,” which focuses on eating fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, and sprouts, and eating them at a certain (some would say “uncooked”) temperature. The diet excludes meat, eggs, and dairy products. Ramsey believes the diet can be virtually a medical miracle for people suffering from food allergies, digestive problems, and terminal illnesses, and in January she founded a business called Nature’s Raw Energy to make it available to others. She admits that response hasn’t been great, and that the diet has its critics, particularly those who say it is too low in protein, a much-needed building block for the body. But adherents such as Ramsey counter that uncooked fruits, vegetables, nuts and grains have more nutrients and digestion-aiding enzymes than cooked food. “The main concept of the raw food diet is that once you cook food over 120 degrees, enzymes become dead and food is altered into another state,” Ramsey says. “Vitamins, minerals and enzymes are lost. Enzymes help the body break down food and absorb vitamins and minerals.” Ramsey admits that following the diet is a big change for most people. Foods must be cooked in a dehydrator, rather than an oven, which takes longer. “You can make cookies, crackers and breads,” she says. “Some things take only four or five hours; others take 24 to 48 hours.” While the diet may seem restrictive, Ramsey finds lots of ways to create variety. “You can create juices,” she says. “You can create milk and cheese out of nuts. I teach people how to make almond milk.” Another key component of the raw food diet is drinking a green, chlorophyll beverage called wheatgrass juice. “Wheatgrass juice has all of the essential amino acids,” she says. “The body can create all of the protein it needs.” Ramsey says those who have tried the diet through her business have reaped benefits. “I had a lady with lung cancer. She did really well. Her lab results improved,” Ramsey says. “I dealt with someone who was extremely overweight and lost 100 pounds. I believe it can help any condition (except) ones that are genetic. Cancer, tumors, irritable bowel syndrome, and other problems disappear.” Vicki Bean, a registered dietician at Trinity Medical Center, is among those who question the diet. “Any time you restrict a diet there can be problems,” she says. “Vitamin B12 would be a concern since it’s only found in animal products. Zinc would be another concern, as well as protein.” Kimberly Kirchherr, a corporate dietician for the Midwest division of Jewel-Osco, also has reservations about the raw food diet. “My concern would be watching the danger zone of 40-140 degrees,” she says. “Cold foods should be stored under 40 degrees. Hot foods should be kept over 140 degrees.” On the plus side, both Bean and Kirchheer like that the diet encourages heavy consumption of fruits and vegetables, and that it is low in cholesterol and sodium and high in fiber. Before making any major dietary changes, though, Kirchherr offers this advice: “Talk with a doctor before starting any diet. People with a compromised immune system must be very careful. Start with a doctor or a dietician that can access your medical records to be sure that the diet will benefit you.” FOR MORE INFORMATION Want to learn more about the raw food diet? Chiropractor Kathy Ramsey offers three-hour workshops; the next one is Tuesday, Nov. 16. She also holds potlucks from 6 to 7:30 p.m. the third Thursday of the month at Greatest Grains, 1600 N. Harrison St., Davenport. (Nov. 18 is the next one.) Attendees are asked to bring a raw food dish to share. Twelve-day residential detoxification retreats are also offered, helping people get rid of toxins, focus on healing and learn how to follow the raw food diet. For more information, call (309) 755-0200 or visit the Nature’s Raw Energy Web site at www.naturesrawenergy.com <http://www.naturesrawenergy.com>. Cookbook offers ‘raw food’ recipes Editors of the new book. “The Complete Book of Raw Food: Healthy, Delicious Vegetarian Cuisine Made with Living Foods,” people can enjoy the tastes of a traditional Thanksgiving meal and still eat healthfully. Raw foodists, who believe that heating foods above 115 degrees kills essential nutrients, eat a fully vegetarian and dairy-free diet, but the book’s chefs believe they have found delicious ways to replicate many traditional favorites, such as broccoli with cheddar sauce, lasagna, and apple pie—all without cooking or baking. The recipe below, for example, is a raw gourmet version of one of Thanksgiving’s most comforting staples: sweet potatoes. “People who aren’t raw foodists — or even vegetarians — should find this recipe a great compliment to Thanksgiving dinner,” says the book’s contributing editor Julie Rodwell. “It offers the wonderful, familiar taste of sweet potatoes, without the heaviness. Also, the gourmet touch of offering this traditional Thanksgiving staple as a soup will really impress your guests!” Sweet Potato Soup Serves 2 1 sweet potato (shredded and soaked overnight) ¼ red onion, chopped ½ small clove of garlic 1 apple, chopped ½ teaspoon Chinese five-spice ½ teaspoon cinnamon ½ teaspoon Celtic sea salt Blend all ingredients with 1 cup of water until smooth. Serve warm if desired. — Excerpted from “The Complete Book of Raw Food” (Healthy Living Books, $25) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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