Raw Food and Fatigue

It is generally a good thing to include lots of fruits and vegetables on a daily basis.

But read on to find out whether you should eat these foods raw or cooked.

Many of our patients try to eat really healthily by including fruits and vegetables in their diet. These often come in the form of smoothies and salads which are easy to make and are nutrient rich. Unfortunately, many of those same patients report feeling fatigued, bloated and have sluggish bowel movements. The problem could lie in eating too many raw ingredients.

The body has to work harder in order to extract the nutrients from raw foods and this can lead to fatigue and digestive issues. Eating mainly raw fruits and vegetables could be a good way to lose some excess weight quickly, but it is not sustainable in the long run.

Cooking vegetables increases the bioavailability of certain nutrients. Cooked tomatoes have a higher level of lycopene. A salad or a smoothie might not leave you feeling full for a long period of time since they are nutrient-rich but not calorie-dense. Also, fruits and vegetables have to be washed thoroughly in order to remove any pesticides. Eating a salad or drinking a smoothie occasionally will not lead to any major issue, but, doing so every day can.

It is best to cook vegetables to get the maximum nutritional benefit as well as make it easier for your body to digest. Overall, having a balanced diet full of fruits, vegetables, healthy fats, and proteins is essential to maintaining energy, proper gut motility, and nutritional intake.