People often ask us about a raw food diet detox program. It's not new, but the raw food detox diet is becoming increasingly popular. A raw food detox diet can be followed for a short period of time, such as a few weeks, to allow the body's digestive system to rest and to allow the liver to recover, or it can be followed long-term. Many people find it difficult to sustain such a diet over a long period of time, but even just a few weeks can make a difference. You might want to try it for a week or two every few months.

While the purpose of a raw food diet detox program is to detoxify the body, you will likely lose weight while following this diet. That is because the diet consists largely of fresh fruits and vegetables. Grains, dairy products, and meat are eaten sparingly. No junk foods are consumed.

Why follow a raw food diet? A raw food detox diet can help many health problems, because it is easy on the liver. Processed foods contain many harmful ingredients, including artificial colors and flavors, preservatives, refined sugars, and artificial sweeteners. These build up and can affect the liver, which becomes overburdened when trying to filter them out of the blood stream. These toxins can cause depression, fatigue, skin problems, digestive problems, difficulty losing weight, and a depressed immune system (meaning you get sick easily). A raw food diet detox program can eliminate many of these problems. Consult your doctor before beginning a detox diet plan to learn more about the potential health benefits, and to make sure its safe for you.

The diet can prevent many other health problems, as well. It is a low fat, low sodium diet that can help to prevent high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and heart problems. It may protect against certain forms of cancer. It is a very healthy way to eat.

What does a raw food diet consist of? On a raw food detox diet, typically at least 75% of the food consumed is raw, uncooked food. These foods consist of fresh fruits and vegetables (usually organic), nuts, seeds, sprouted seeds and grains, dried fruit and juices, rolled or flaked grains, and herbs and spices. Cooked foods may include grains such as brown rice, legumes, and perhaps poultry, although many people who follow a raw food diet are vegetarians.

Here is a sample raw food diet detox menu:

Breakfast
Fresh fruit salad topped with almond slivers, wheat germ, and sunflower seeds; organic yogurt.

Lunch
Mixed salad consisting of organic vegetables with oil and vinegar dressing; strawberry and banana smoothie.

Snack
Organic apple juice.

Dinner
Raw mixed vegetable soup (blended); ½ cup brown rice (cooked); ½ cantaloupe.

Drinks
Filtered water, organic juices, soy milk or coconut milk, herbal teas.

You can buy raw food cookbooks at any bookstore or find sample menus and recipes online.

Along with a raw food detox diet, an herbal supplement can help to eliminate toxins from the body and help the liver function better. Look for all-natural supplements so as not to put any additional toxins in your body.