Fruits and vegetables, which make up a large part of a raw vegan diet.
The vegan diet contains absolutely no animal products, including eggs, dairy, and honey. Raw vegan food is not heated above 118 degrees Fahrenheit (47.8 degrees Celsius). Some foods include nuts, salads, fruits, and soy products. Many who follow a raw vegan diet also refrain from eating foods that are processed or treated with chemicals like pesticides. Some who eat a raw vegan diet choose the diet for health reasons, while others may be motivated by environmental or animal rights concerns.
Granola can be included in a raw vegan breakfast.
A vegan diet differs from a vegetarian one in that no animal products are allowed. A vegetarian can eat cheese, eggs, or anything else that is derived from an animal. Their main dietary restriction is the lack of animal meat. Many vegans and vegetarians believe that eating animals is inhumane. Raw vegans go further by claiming that prepared foods are also bad, as they harm the environment and contaminate food with toxic preservatives and chemicals. Some also believe that the very act of cooking is bad for the environment, that it is a waste of fossil fuels that contributes to deforestation and other practices that destroy wildlife.
Oranges and other raw fruits provide antioxidants, fiber and nutrients.
Those who prescribe a raw food diet also believe that the act of eating raw food helps promote weight loss and a healthy lifestyle. The act of cooking food, even if it is already organic vegan food, is said to burn the natural nutrients in the food. Many vegan diet plans, and even some non-vegans, include raw food recipes due to this belief.
By soaking the oats overnight in water or fruit juice, the oats can be consumed as a raw vegan food.
The types of raw foods that can be part of raw food recipes include nuts such as almonds and cashews, soy products, and various vegetables. Salads are very common vegan lunches and dinners, while granola, fruit, or soy-based foods can serve as a raw vegan breakfast. Raw vegan foods can also include desserts like smoothies. Soy-based vegan “meat” can be used as long as it is not processed. Other foods that are compatible with a raw vegan diet include seaweed, seeds, and many different types of pasta.
Some vegan diets emphasize the use of organically grown fruits.
Like any other diet that excludes meat, those who eat only raw foods must take extra care to get adequate vitamins and protein that are lacking in many vegetables, fruits, and grains. A diet consisting only of raw vegan foods can be severely lacking in vitamin B12, which is not common in plant foods. Vitamin B12 deficiency can cause health problems such as anemia. Many vegans take vitamins to make up for the lack of vitamin B12 in their food.