When temperatures are high and smoothies and salads abound, a raw food diet can seem like the easiest thing in the world. The real test happens when the days get shorter and those chilly winter months swing into full effect. With a few tips, you can stick to your healthy raw food diet and keep your immune system going strong all winter long.
While most people assume eating raw means always having cold food, you can actually let your food get to room temperature or warm it slightly (never above 104° though or else you’ll be killing off healthy enzymes). Warm your plates, silverware and mugs so you aren’t holding on to cold dishes while eating or drinking. A dehydrator is a great way to warm your food safely. Not having to munch on chilly, just out of the fridge foods when its cold outside can help you maintain your sanity and keep you on track with your raw lifestyle.
Partake in slightly heated soups, broths and teas. Try warming raw almond milk with a little bit of cinnamon and clover, the warmth of the drink combined with the inner warming effect of the cinnamon will have you toasty in no time. Adding peppers, garlic, ginger, onions and spices such as cayenne and black pepper to your meals will also aid in warming you from within.
Mixing more fruit into your diet during the winter will help your energy levels which will increase your internal temperature. The carbs found in fruits can actually be more beneficial to keeping you warm than say fats or protein.
Try staying bundled up, even when you’re inside. A cozy scarf, thick socks and sweaters can make you all snug and comfortable and ultimately make that plate of veggies seem more appealing. You could also take a long hot bath before a meal for the same affect.
Some raw foodist living in cold damp areas can suffer from what is known as “damp spleen” which is basically a build up fluid around the spleen. Symptoms can include poor appetite and digestion, fatigue, and bleeding disorders. If you find you are suffering from this, try incorporating more of the warmed foods and focus on getting plenty of mustard leaf, celery, garlic, kidney beans, scallion, radish, pumpkin, turnip, plum, button mushroom, onion, parsley, and lemon. All of these are considered “draining” foods.
I hope these tips help keep you warm and comfortable on your raw food diet throughout the winter months!
I would love to hear your tips for keeping the body warm as a raw foodist in the comments below.
