My friend and I have been researching the benefits of Raw for quite a while. I thought I would share some findings with you.
I found that Raw dieters eat unprocessed organic or natural foods, and whole plant-based foods. From various sources, we compiled a list:


fresh fruits and vegetables
freshly juiced fruit and vegetables (not concentrate, shop bought)
Lentils & Beans
Nuts and seeds
Grains, oats.
Dried or sun-dried fruit
seaweed
Mineral water
Coconut milk


75-100% percent of food in the diet should not be heated over 115 degrees.

Specific Cooking Techniques Include:


sprouting seeds, grains, and beans
Juicing fruit and vegetables
soaking nuts and dried fruit
blending
Also dehydrating food*


You Will Need

*A dehydrator,which blows air through food at a temperature of less than 116 degrees F.

A good-quality juice extractor for juicing fruit and vegetables and a blender/ food processor is also needed

Tips for Energy


Eat fruit and nuts early in the day for a boost.

It is recommended that you increase your intake of vitamins and minerals, and that you consult a nutritionist.

Create a meal plan, making an effort to eat a variety of foods in one day.


Possible side effects of this diet?
Apparently, some people experience a "detoxification reaction" when they start the raw food diet if your previous diet contained lots of meat, caffeine, and sugar. This causes headaches and nausea and obviously cravings can occur.

How do you eat raw beans? Someone mentioned sprouting--what is what exactly? Also, within regards to juice, we just bought a juicer but it isn't cleaned out yet so I haven't used it. I do drink Tropicana though. Is there anything wrong with that (in relation to a raw food diet I mean). It says on the carton that is "100% fresh squeezed orange juice".

I do drink Tropicana though. Is there anything wrong with that (in relation to a raw food diet I mean). It says on the carton that is "100% fresh squeezed orange juice".
tropicana, like most juices you find in a grocery store, is pasteurized, so it isn't raw.

How do you eat raw beans? Someone mentioned sprouting--what is what exactly?


Beans are a seed.... To sprout them, you can simply soak them in water for a couple of days. You will see the bean split and a little plant begin to grow.

I don't know about sprouting them, but don't try to eat red beans raw. They tend to be more toxic than other raw legumes.

Does the 115 degree temperature have some sort of scientific significance?

At about 115 degrees the enzymes in the food are destroyed. It is those enzymes which are vital to keeping a food "alive".

www.rawfoodtalk.com is a good place for more info. And make friends there and bring them back here so we can have lots of rawfooders here. :)

The raw food concept is based on eating "live" food.

If you take a raw nut or seed and plant it in the ground it will grow. If you take a roasted nut or seed and plant it in the ground it will disintegrate. The raw nut/seed still has it's vitality.

That is the basic idea behind eating all your foods uncooked. Cooking kills the enzymes that distinguish "live" food from "dead" food.

It is recommended that you increase your intake of vitamins and minerals, and that you consult a nutritionist.

This wouldn't include artificial vitamins, would it?

I'm a tad leery of diets that require artificial vitamins to be "healthy".

Hey ... I have been adding more protein to my diet. However for breakfast I tend to have oatmeal every morning. I don't always eat protein/carbs meals as before, since it isn't absolutely necessary. I am just wondering if I should cut down carbs for further fat percent loss. I hear so many different things. I know not to eat simple carbs, but I am talking things like rice, sweet potatoes, oatmeal etc.

This wouldn't include artificial vitamins, would it?

I'm a tad leery of diets that require artificial vitamins to be "healthy".

Well define "artificial". You will need to take a B12 supplement, but that is made from bacteria...so I guess it would not be artificial.

At about 115 degrees the enzymes in the food are destroyed. It is those enzymes which are vital to keeping a food "alive".

www.rawfoodtalk.com is a good place for more info. And make friends there and bring them back here so we can have lots of rawfooders here. :)
No offense, but it sounds sort of nuts when you say you want to keep the food 'alive' without giving further explanation :p

I believe the reasoning behind raw and 'live' foods is that the enzymes help keep your immunity high and the body in a more alkaline state. :)