My husband and I are both obese and need to lose 80-100 pounds each. A friend recommended a raw food diet, where you eat as much as you want without having to cook. Does anyone know where I can get info on how to begin, any supplements/vitamins that would be necessary (or how to get everything our bodies need from this type of eating), without me having to order a book?

This is PART TWO of my honest thoughts on the raw food diet, God, life and more…so be sure and FIRST check out PART ONE here: youtube.com PEACE, DAN

The BARF (“Bones and Raw Food” or “Biologically Appropriate Raw Food”) diet is a system of holistic nutrition which is championed by Dr Ian Billinghurst who is an Australian vet. Dr. Billinghurst has published several books on health and nutrition. The best known of these is called “Give Your Dog a Bone”. The BARF Evolutionary philosophy is at first glance an attractive one; it seems to be truly natural because it tries to emulate the lifestyle of the dog in the wild.

But, after due consideration I am of the opinion that the BARF theory, like the emperor’s new clothes, does not stand up to critical inspection.

The BARF or “Evolutionary” Diet is based on the principle that domestic dogs should be fed on a diet which replicates as closely as possible the diet of the wild dog. According to Dr Billinghurst domestic dogs have been fed on processed (cooked) foods for only approximately 70 years and this is not a long enough time to adapt to cooked foods.

To replicate the diet of the wild dog he recommends that all carbohydrate should be avoided and pet dogs and cats should be fed on a diet based on raw meaty bones and raw vegetables . Dr Billinghurst insists that because of this evolutionary history the BARF DIET is the ONLY correct way to feed the modern domestic pet dog.

The problem with the evolutionary argument is that domestic dogs bear little relationship to the original wild dog. Very early in their association it is likely that man selected and bred those animals which suited his purpose e.g. guarding, hunting, more docile, less independent – even better suited to the food provided by man.

There are practical reasons why the diet of the wild dog is not automatically suitable for the domestic dog. The modern dog and its lifestyle bear no similarity whatever to the wild dog. We provide shelter in heated houses, they do not have to forage or compete for food, they eat every day, and they have little exercise compared to a wild dog.

Many dogs have dietary sensitivity which means that they need a highly digestible diet, low in protein and low in fat. I can’t see how that could be achieved with a BARF diet.

Modern farm livestock is reared in such a way that the fat content, even in “lean” meat is very high. So a diet high in meat will inevitably be high in fat too.

The Carbohydrate Question

According to Dr Billinghurst dogs cannot digest carbohydrate. In reality, the dog has very sophisticated, sensitive and efficient mechanisms for breaking down carbohydrate and ensuring its absorption. This could not have evolved if carbohydrate was detrimental.

But, according to BARF, carbohydrate causes so many health problems e.g. inflammatory disease such as pancreatitis. While it is true that low-quality or refined carbohydrate may be undesirable, what vet has not recommended chicken and rice to treat gastro-intestinal disease?

There are other major flaws with the BARF philosophy. One which flies in the face of the facts is the assertion that raw food is more digestible and that cooking destroys that digestibility. Simple common sense and experience tell us that cooking actually increases digestibility. Increasing the digestibility of the food is an important way of treating bowel disease and problems of malabsorption. Cooking does this.

I suspect that any success claimed for the Raw Food system is due to a much more mundane explanation than its grandiose but erroneous philosophy. This is that any benefits are due to the avoidance of ingredients which cause dietary intolerance.

My main criticism of the BARF philosophy is its self-righteousness.

BARFism puts forward a flawed theory with a certainty which bears comparison to religious fundamentalism; it brooks no dissent. It advocates a system which is impractical and does not fit well into the lifestyle of present society, denying the possibility of alternatives, thereby condemning those pet owners, the majority, to feelings of inadequacy for failure to follow its teachings.

I wanted to eat just fruits and veggies maybe yogurt as well but I need a little more research into it. What is a Raw food diet? Do I need to take a vitamin or something?

Can I make Fruit Smoothies using fruit and ice?

You have probably heard the saying ‘you are what you eat’. This is especially true with regard to living a healthy lifestyle. It isn’t actually as difficult to live a healthy way of life as you might think. Here are some tips to help you to choose the right types of food for keeping yourself fit and healthy.

Green is Good

At the top of your shopping list should be fresh fruits and green leafy vegetables. A large number of the nutrients and vitamins that a person needs for keeping their body healthy are contained in these foods. These days there is a great variety of fruit and vegetables on the market, and even if you don’t really like them much there should be some which you can find to appeal to you. Have a go at preparing them in different ways and in a variety of dishes, hot or cold, and find out what you like most. You need 5 to 7 servings or more each day in your diet and this will really make a difference in the way you feel and look.

Eat Organic

We weren’t designed to live on lots of processed foods. One of the major reasons, according to scientists, for the high incidence of chronic health problems as well as life threatening illnesses in our society these days is that we are eating too many processed foods, foods with chemical additives, and unhealthy foods in general. When you go grocery shopping you should try to buy some organic foods, because they are free from preservatives, pesticides and other harmful chemicals. If you are lucky enough to have an organic market in your neighborhood, select some chemical free products when you can, so that harmful chemicals are not so prevalent in your life.

Raw Foods

Uncooked foods are often much better for you than cooked ones. This is especially so of fruits and vegetables. So buy some organic foods, wash them and cut them up, and then serve them just like that. Raw foods have the benefit that they still have digestion assisting enzymes in them, as well as more beneficial vitamins and minerals. Cooking of fruit or vegetables strips them of much of their nutritional value and their beneficial enzymes. Sometimes the cooked foods have lost so much of their nutritional value that you may as well serve up cardboard.

Buy from your Farmers Market

A great source of organic and natural foods is your local farmers market. The vendors here usually live locally and grow their produce locally, which means you are supporting your local economy by buying there, rather than that of a large chain. You could also save money this way; in addition these markets can be fun to visit and in the process you can learn about healthy ways of life.