Raw Versus Cooked Foods

An Ayurvedic Perspective

Mar 9, 2009 Katie Silcox

Here is an Ayurvedic perspective on how, when and why raw and cooked foods are most appropriate.

The debate is still out on raw versus cooked foods. Many raw-foodies claim that they have incredible amounts of energy by eating raw foods. They are able to withstand disease easier, and raw food does not kill many of the important nutrients and enzymes like cooked food. An Ayurvedic perspective can help us understand how, when and why raw and cooked foods are most appropriate. It can also help us make the decision on how we can make the optimum choices for our own healthy body.

Raw or Cooked?

There is a huge debate within the health community over whether raw foods or cooked foods are better for our human bodies. Without a doubt, Ayurveda normally encourages us to eat fresh foods which are cooked. The digestive system is viewed as a fire, called agni. Whether you eat raw foods or cooked foods, the body is going to have to cook the food itself. Ayurveda says, “Why not give the body a little extra help and cook your food first?”

Digestive Fire and Raw Food

According to Ayurveda, most people do not have enough digestive fire to continually eat a purely raw food diet. While it is true that there are individuals with incredibly strong digestive fire, raw foods, from an Ayurvedic perspective, require more energy to digest. Cooking food also kills off a certain amount of harmful bacteria. In today's world of pesticides, hormones and other man-made toxins, even our organic produce can contain these residues. Cooking the food helps reduce harmful substances. The best diet is usually the easiest for your body to assimilate and digest.

What Ayurveda Recommends

Ayurveda recommends lots of cooked veggies, legumes, whole grains, rice, sprouted beans and seeds, fresh (raw) fruits, and even raw salads for those of us with strong digestion or during the summer time. Of course, have raw foods like fruits and salads in your diet occasionally, but not as the norm. Try not to over cook food, and always try to consume food within an hour or two of making it.

Learn Your Unique Constitution

It is also helpful to learn your body’s own unique constitution. Once you have learned that, you can then begin to use Ayurvedic methods of cooking. These methods are designed to balance vata, pitta and kapha. Furthermore, you will also be able to easily design your own meal rotation plans around this knowledge. Whether eating raw or cooked, it is important to learn the best food combining methods for your body type.

The copyright of the article Raw Versus Cooked Foods in Nutrition is owned by Katie Silcox. Permission to republish Raw Versus Cooked Foods in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.