A raw foods diet doesn't make sense for ethical vegans

April 9, 2009

-doesnt-make-sense-for-ethical-vegans

A friend recently mentioned to me that she first went vegan for ethical reasons

and then a raw foods diet just seemed the " next logical step. " I can't imagine

why. To me, there is nothing especially logical or beneficial about eating only

raw foods.

True, raw foods are packed with all kinds of things that are good for you—tons

of fiber and all of the nutrients and phytochemicals that are found in plants.

Although nuts and dried fruits are calorie-dense, a raw foods diet is usually

much lower in calories than many other ways of eating and can be an effective

route to weight loss.

But cooking has some important benefits. Although some foods taste great in the

raw state, cooking improves the flavors of others. Even a quick blanch of one

minute in boiling water perks up the flavor of broccoli and other veggies.

Cooking also expands the food supply; some foods that are difficult to chew or

digest in the raw state can be consumed if they are cooked.

Although excessive heat destroys nutrients, gentle cooking of vegetables can

actually boost nutrient absorption. For example, some studies have shown that

iron is better absorbed from cooked vegetables compared to raw. And leavening

grains—which is what happens when flour is cooked with yeast to make

bread—improves availability of minerals like iron and zinc.

Cancer-fighting antioxidants like lycopene in tomatoes (which reduces risk for

prostate cancer) and beta carotene in carrots, are more available to the body if

a food is cooked. Cooking can also neutralize toxic compounds or anti-nutrients

in foods.

But from an ethical standpoint, there are other factors that are just as

important. Raw foods diets don't help create a realistic image for a vegan

lifestyle. Vegan activists need to model diets that will convince others that

they can be vegan, too. Our diets need to be appealing and practical. And the

type of diet we recommend should be something that new vegans can learn quickly

and can stick with for the long term. When it comes to outreach, a varied vegan

diet that includes cooked foods is likely to do the most good.

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