Who is the raw food diet suitable for?
A raw food diet centres on fruit, vegetables, nuts, seeds and dried fruit eaten uncooked or only lightly warmed, on the idea that heat breaks down some of the natural enzymes in fresh produce. It suits people who already eat a lot of healthy, unprocessed foods and want to cut back on processed and fried food, and who are comfortable planning meals around produce availability rather than convenience.
It is not suitable for children, the elderly, pregnant women, and people with weakened immune systems — raw food carries a higher food-borne illness risk than cooked food, and these groups are more vulnerable to it.
Who should not use this diet?
The raw food diet has its appeal, but it isn't right for everyone — mainly because of food-borne illness risk and the body's ongoing need for some cooked or dairy foods. Dried fruit such as dates is one of the few foods that fits a raw diet without any cooking or prep at all. Children, elderly people, pregnant women and people with weakened immune systems should avoid a raw diet, or follow it only with real caution if they do. Raw meat in particular is best avoided by people with weakened immune systems, children under 5, adults over 70 with underlying health conditions, and pregnant women.