Like any dietary theory out there, raw foodism contains its own nuggets of wisdom that can support a healthy lifestyle. But, before assuming that raw is the way to go, give it a try and see what you experience. Your body should be humming when you're nourishing it properly.

Why Raw? Here are a few features:

1.) More energy - Do you ever get tired after eating a meal? Are you eating mainly cooked and processed foods? An interesting fact: Avocado contains the enzyme lipase, which is the enzyme that digests fat. Therefore eating raw avocado requires less energy from the body as enzymes needed to digest it are already produced by the food itself! Less work on the body and some extra energy to spare!

2.) More alkaline environment - The Standard American Diet is rich in meats, cheeses, and denatured and highly processed carbohydrates. These types of foods eaten in excess over time may start to create an acidic environment in the body. A chronically acidic body is a breeding ground for degenerative disease, especially for people under chronic states of low-level stress. Raw foods, especially greens, sprouts, fruits, and vegetables bring the body into an alkaline state, an environment for the body to heal itself, by itself. Note: Millet is one of the few grains that actually has an alkaline effect in the body.

3.) Awareness of subtle energy - In many sacred texts, spiritual seekers embrace live-foods for their life force energy. Raw foods are naturally expansive and not quite as grounding as say, an omelet. The combination of expansiveness and digestive ease, can allow for upward energy and deeper awareness and clarity.

Keep in Mind ...

a) We live in Michigan. Although raw foods (in different amounts) can support you year-round. Spring and summer are particularly good times to add in raw foods. If nature wanted us to eat lots of raw foods in the winter, it would provide a large local winter harvest of fresh produce each December.

b) If you have a tendency to be deficient (weak, thin, cold, etc.), proceed with caution. Raw foods are cooling. If you have a tendency to be cold frequently, waiting until summer may be a great idea for you. Also, for those with yeast concerns, the dampness from raw foods can be aggravating. Last, everyone's digestion is wired a little differently. Some find that digestion improves with the addition of raw foods, while others find that digestion and elimination is weakened.

b) Diet must match lifestyle. Would it make sense for a yogi living in a cave meditating all day to consume turkey, mashed potatoes, and grandma's green bean casserole? The energy that meal produces would not match up with that yogi's lifestyle. In the same way, it is important that you meet yourself where you are so that foods supports your own lifestyle.

"I have no clue where to even begin with something like this."

No worries! Adding raw foods into the diet can be as simple as adding fresh smoothies or vegetable juices to your daily diet. If you have more of a creative streak, there are many, many raw food recipe resources online. For those of you who don't like to cook, raw foods can be an easy upgrade!

As with any dietary change, the more drastic the change the more jarring it may be on the body. Some people thrive with a diet overhaul while others do well with gradual change that fits into their lifestyle.

Visit Laura at www.RealFoodWellness.com