7-Day Raw Food Diet – What To Eat, Benefits, And Side Effects

Weight loss and improved digestion are just some of the many benefits of this short-term diet.

Medically reviewed by Kate TurnerKate Turner, RD, CSSD, CPT
By Charushila BiswasCharushila Biswas, MSc (Biotechnology), ISSA Certified Fitness Nutritionist  • 

Raw, unprocessed foods are rich in nutrients and low in calories. That is why many health-conscious people are switching to eating raw foods. Going on a 7-day raw food diet plan can help you lose weight, lower the risk of heart disease by lowering cholesterol levels, and potentially reverse diabetes. Moreover, raw foods are free of preservativesi  XNatural or synthetic compounds added to food to prevent its decaying by microorganisms or chemical changes. . However, eating unprocessed raw foods may also cause vitamin B12 deficiency (1). So, is going on a raw food diet safe? Or can you strike a balance between raw foods and cooked ones? Read this post to know everything about the raw food diet. Scroll down!

Is The Raw Food Diet Good?

Image: Shutterstock

The raw food diet can be traced back to the 1800s and has become popular in the recent past. And that’s because people who consume 70% of their foods raw are believed to have a longer life and have a lower incidence of diseases and tend to be healthier than others. According to a report by Scientific American, “A raw foods diet typically consists of unprocessed foods that are not heated above 115 degrees Fahrenheit so as to preserve nutrients otherwise lost during cooking.” Raw food dieters have reported to losing weight more quickly, having more energy and being more active. Many people also choose to go on a raw food diet to flush out toxins and avoid potential carcinogensi  XSubstances, organisms (like viruses), or agents (like UV rays) capable of inducing cancer in living tissue cells. . By consuming raw food, you may reduce your risk of heart disease and overweight ( 2) (3). However, following a raw food diet for a long term puts you at the risk of becoming underweight, so practice caution.

protip_icon Trivia
Food is considered to be raw if it has not been pasteurizedi  XA term used to describe food products that have been subjected to mild heat treatment to kill harmful microorganisms. , refined, or ever heated over 104–118°F (40-48°C).

Now, the main question is, what should you consume in the raw food diet, and what should your meal plan look like? Scroll down to find out.

7-Day Raw Food Diet Meal Plan

Though many vegans are raw food dieters, many raw food dieters are also lacto-vegetarians and meat eaters. If you are intrigued, let me show you what you should consume on a raw food diet. Make sure to tweak the foods according to your taste, choice, and availability. You can take a look at the “Foods To Eat And Avoid” section to figure out which foods you can consume.

Day 1

Meals What To Eat
Breakfast (8:00 a.m.) Berry smoothie + handful of walnuts
Lunch (12:30 p.m.) Kale, tomato, and sprouted bean salad + 1 cup coconut water
Snack (3:30 p.m.) 1 cup green tea + 10 in-shell pistachios
Dinner (7:00 p.m.) Lettuce, purple cabbage, olives, and cucumber salad

Day 2

Meals What To Eat
Breakfast (8:00 a.m.) Milk, banana, and nut butter smoothie
Lunch (12:30 p.m.) Cucumber, carrot, and tomato, and sprouted lentil salad with olive oil and lime juice dressing
Snack (3:30 p.m.) Fresh fruit juice
Dinner (7:00 p.m.) Guacamole and watermelon

Day 3

Meals What To Eat
Breakfast (8:00 a.m.) Mung bean sprouts + 2 walnuts
Lunch (12:30 p.m.) Bell pepper, cucumber, and tomato – lettuce wrap
Snack (3:30 p.m.) Baby carrot and hummus
Dinner (7:00 p.m.) Cucumber and kimchi

Day 4

Meals What To Eat
Breakfast (8:00 a.m.) Spinach and banana smoothie + handful of walnuts
Lunch (12:30 p.m.) Watermelon Balsamic salad with pepitas + 1 cup coconut water
Snack (3:30 p.m.) 1 orange
Dinner (7:00 p.m.) Carrot and cabbage salad with ¼ avocado

Day 5

Meals What To Eat
Breakfast (8:00 a.m.) Raw egg protein shake + 4 almonds Or Banana and chocolate shake + 2 Brazil nuts
Lunch (12:30 p.m.) Lettuce wrap + sprouted chilled lentil soup (not heated)
Snack (3:30 p.m.) Apple  & 1 tablespoon raw nut butter
Dinner (7:00 p.m.) Avocado and cucumber salad

Day 6

Meals What To Eat
Breakfast (8:00 a.m.) Chia seed pudding + handful of walnuts
Lunch (12:30 p.m.) Vegetable salad
Snack (3:30 p.m.) Puffed rice salad
Dinner (7:00 p.m.) Zucchini salad + 1 piece of dark chocolate

Day 7

Meals What To Eat
Breakfast (8:00 a.m.) Oats smoothie
Lunch (12:30 p.m.) Cucumber and tomato salad + buttermilk
Snack (3:30 p.m.) 10 in-shell pistachios + ½ grapefruit
Dinner (7:00 p.m.) Raw papaya salad

How You Will Feel By The End Of Day 7

By the end of Day 7, you will feel rejuvenated and energetic and look a lot slimmer. If you are a lacto-vegetariani  X Vegetarians who consume dairy products like cheese, milk, etc. They refrain from meat and egg consumption. or a meat eater, it will be a little tough for you for the first two days. But by Day 3, you will start to get into the groove. And by the end of Day 5, you will notice a significant reduction in your weight and feel more alert and active.

To follow the raw food diet, you have to be a little conscious about what you can and cannot eat. Here’s a list – scroll down.

Raw Food Diet – Foods To Eat And Avoid

Foods To Eat Foods To Avoid
Fresh veggies Cooked/baked veggies, meat, legumes, grains, etc.
Fresh fruits you can eat raw Toasted nuts and seeds
Nuts, seeds, and nut butters Pasta
Sprouted legumes Alcohol
Almond milk and nut yogurt Junk food
Edible grade coconut oil, olive oil, and avocado oil Coffee/tea
Seaweed Refined flour and sugar
Kimchi and sauerkraut Pasteurized milk and juices
Raw eggs and fish Table salt and refined oil

Basically, 70% of your food should be uncooked. If you can consume raw eggs and fish, go for it. But for safety concerns, it is best to avoid doing so. Here are a few recipes to show you how easy, quick, and nutritious raw foods are. Take a look.

Raw Food Diet Recipes

1. Raw Food Breakfast Oatmeal Smoothie

Oatmeal smoothie breakfast recipe for 7 day raw food diet plan

Image: Shutterstock

Ingredients
  • 2 tablespoons rolled oats
  • 1 frozen banana
  • ½ cup almond milk
  • 1 teaspoon flaxseed powder
How To Prepare
  1. Toss all the ingredients into a nutribullet.
  2. Blitz until it forms a smooth texture.
  3. Pour it into a glass, and your breakfast is ready!

2. Raw Food Lunch Lettuce Salad

Image: Shutterstock

Ingredients
  • ½ cup chopped iceberg lettuce
  • 4 halves cherry tomatoes
  • ½ cup cubed cucumbers
  • ¼ cup finely sliced purple cabbage
  • A few olives
  • 2 tablespoons olive
  • A pinch of sea salt
  • A pinch of ground black pepper
How To Prepare
  1. Toss all the ingredients together.
  2. Drizzle olive oil and add a pinch of salt and black pepper.
  3. Give it a final toss, and lunch is served!


protip_icon Quick Tip
Remove the outer leaves of the lettuce and cabbage heads, cut them into wedges, and wash them in a colander under running water before preparing the salad to remove any dirt, insects, or pesticide residue.

3. Raw Food Dinner Vegan Carrot Salad

Vegan carrot salad recipe for 7 day raw food diet plan

Image: Shutterstock

Ingredients
  • 1 cup finely chopped or grated carrot
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon chopped cilantro
  • ½ teaspoon dried rosemary
  • 2 tablespoons lime juice
  • A pinch of sea salt and black pepper
How To Prepare
  1. Toss the carrot and chopped cilantro in a bowl.
  2. Add olive oil, lime juice, rosemary, and seasoning.
  3. Give it a final toss, and dinner is ready!

So, you see, it is really easy and hassle-free to prepare raw food recipes. Plus, they are loaded with nutrients.

Let’s take a quick look at the benefits of the raw food diet.

Raw Food Diet Benefits

Image: Shutterstock

  • Helps detoxifyi  XMedical or physiological removal of harmful toxins or poisonous substances from the living body. the body.
  • Can aid weight loss (3).
  • May improve digestion.
  • May reduce the risk of heart disease, obesity, and diabetes ( 2) (3).
  • May help reduce your risk of cancer (4).
  • Can provide relief from constipation.
  • May improve liver function.
  • Can boost your skin, hair, and nail health.
  • May increase your energy levels.

Note: There is limited evidence to back some of these benefits. Hence, more studies are warranted.

Raw Food Diet Side Effects

Image: Shutterstock

Though there are good reasons you should follow the raw food diet, consuming raw foods for a prolonged period can make you vitamin deficient. There are also certain side effects of eating uncooked food including:

  • Harmful bacteria and other germs are not killed when you consume raw food (5).
  • If you have a weak digestive system, you may not be able to digest raw food.
  • Cooking brings out some of the nutrients in some veggies like bell peppers and tomatoes.
  • Raw foods may cause inflammation in your digestive tract.
  • Raw foods may cause you to become deficient in vitamin B12.
  • Most people are unable to consume raw eggs or meat.

So, it is clear that the raw food diet is not for everyone. If you are healthy and have no health issues, continue consuming cooked food. Occasionally, you can detox your body by going on a 2-day or 3-day raw food diet. That said, the raw food diet may be a good option for those suffering from a few health problems. Scroll down to find out if you should follow it.

Who Should Follow The Raw Food Diet?

Forget the diets that others are following. Follow a diet that suits your health conditions and lifestyle. The raw food diet does promote a healthy lifestyle and may help prevent certain diseases. Should you follow it? Possibly yes, if you:

  • Are obese
  • Are diabetic
  • Are looking to detox
  • Suffer from constipation
  • Have gallstones
  • Have hormonal imbalance
  • Suffer from sore muscles and joint pain frequently
  • Are allergic to certain processed foods
  • Have high cholesterol
  • Suffer from heart disease
  • Are fighting cancer

Raw foods are free of preservatives. They are nutrient-dense and low in calories. A raw food diet may help you with weight loss, digestion, and cancer prevention. A week on a raw food diet may assist you in experiencing beneficial changes in your body because it is an excellent diet for regaining your health. However, you must also eat cooked meals to compensate for nutritional shortages. This is a great diet to regain your health. However, consult your doctor or a dietitian for advice before beginning a raw food diet.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much weight can you lose on a raw food diet?

It depends on your individual BMI, age, gender, fitness levels, and consistency in following the diet.

Can raw vegans drink coffee?

No, coffee is not allowed on a raw food diet.

Can you survive on raw food?

While it might be possible to survive on a raw food diet, you must consider its several side effects before continuing it for a prolonged period of time.

Is peanut butter raw?

No, peanut butter is usually made from roasted peanuts and, hence, is not considered a raw food.

Can you eat sweet potatoes on a raw vegan diet?

Yes, you can eat raw sweet potatoes, but it may lead to gas and abdominal discomfort for some people.

Key Takeaways

  • Raw foods contain zero preservatives and lots of essential nutrients.
  • A raw food diet may help you shed extra calories, lower cholesterol levels, and improve overall health.
  • People with weak digestive systems should avoid this diet.
  • A 7-day raw food diet is good for those with specific health conditions.

Sources

Articles on StyleCraze are backed by verified information from peer-reviewed and academic research papers, reputed organizations, research institutions, and medical associations to ensure accuracy and relevance. Read our editorial policy to learn more.

  1. Long-term consumption of a raw food diet is associated with favorable serum LDL cholesterol and triglycerides but also with elevated plasma homocysteine and low serum HDL cholesterol in humans
    https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16177198/
  2. Raw and Cooked Vegetable Consumption and Risk of Cardiovascular Disease: A Study of 400,000 Adults in UK Biobank
    https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fnut.2022.831470/full
  3. Consequences of a long-term raw food diet on body weight and menstruation: results of a questionnaire survey
    https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10436305/
  4. Raw versus cooked vegetables and cancer risk
    https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15342442/
  5. POPULAR DIETS: RAW FOODS1
    https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/fs404
Was this article helpful?
thumbsupthumbsdown
The following two tabs change content below.

LATEST ARTICLES