http://www.tidningennara.se/Undermeny/Chattarkiv/Raw-food-chatt-med-Asa-Johansson/
Åsa:
Thanks to everyone who sent in questions and showed interest in raw food. Wish I had time to answer more of you! But I hope to have been able to help and inspire eating more healthy and beautiful foods.
Wish you many colorful delicious meals!
Hugs Åsa
Britt: Hello! I read your texts on raw food in Nära magazine. But what are enzymes?
Åsa: Hello Britt,
Enzymes are a type of protein that among other things will take care of digestion and absorption of nutrients. They must be “active” to do their work. Most become inactive over 110 degrees F. It is one of the reasons that we eat the food unheated.
Hugs
Ellen: Hello! Do you eat 100% raw food? Or does it happen that you sometimes eat something cooked?
Åsa: Hello Ellen,
At times I eat 100% raw, more in the summer than winter. But I do not want to put any labels on my diet. I think it is important with flexibility. I like to eat a cooked meal, like lentil soup, bean stew and oven roasted root vegetables on a chilly winter evening. But I balance that with a lot of greens and fruits etc. Raw about 70-80%. Hugs
Susanna: Hello! What is the difference between being a vegetarian and raw food eater? Vegetables and fruits apply to both, right? Is one better than the other? greetings Susanna
Åsa: Hello Susanna,
Yes both vegetables and fruits. As raw food eater you do not prepare above 110 degrees F. As a vegetarian, you can add dairy and/or eggs. As a vegan, no animal products, maybe not even honey, but the fruits and vegetables can be cooked.
Hugs
Veronica: I amt tired of eating smoothies for breakfast. I need more suggestions of what I can eat instead! Thanks!
Åsa: Hello Veronica,
Make delicious fruit “mush” in a food processor. Like apple, pear, a handful of Brazil nuts, some berries and a handful of greens.
Or make filling puddings with buckwheat and nuts as base. Add seasonal fruits or berries. Now I’ve feasted on peaches, nectarines and plums in my puddings. In winter lovely oranges, apples and season with cinnamon and cardamom spice.
Hugs
Natalia: Maybe a strange question, but can you really feel full from eating cold food? I am thinking of the fall, can you not eat anything warm if you are eating according to the raw food model? Are you allowed to drink anything hot?
Åsa: Hi Natalia,
Yes you can, but first I want to say that the food should never be eaten cold. It should preferably be at room temperature. And you can heat it to about 110 degrees F. It feels warm to eat, and you can always heat your bowl or cup too.
Yes hot drinks are fine, just make sure they are not hotter than you can dip your finger in it. To assimilate teas, rose hip powder, lemon and ginger for example, no enzymes are necessary for digestion, so think lukewarm is good!
Hugs
Sara: Hello. How much raw food do you have to eat to be able to call yourself a raw foodie?
Åsa: Hi Sara,
They say that 75-80% is a “high raw” diet. If you stick to that you will get very many advantages. And maybe not more than that is needed to maintain health and vitality.
Hugs
Tyra: Hello! Can you give tips on various sources of protein? Where can I find them if I want to eat raw food? Grateful for answers!
Åsa: Hey Tyra,
Protein is composed of amino acids, chains of amino acids. Vegetables, fruits, nuts, etc. contain all the amino acids. You have no problem getting protein with a varied raw food diet. Sources with especially a lot of protein are spirulina algae, chlorella, seeds and nuts, and as well all the green leafy vegetables. They are very important.
Hugs
Karin: Hey! What exactly is the point of eating raw food?
Åsa: Hello Karin,
The food has all its nutrients intact, all chemical elements are intact. The food is easier to digest, which gives more energy for cleansing, healing and repair. You receive oxygen from the food, which would otherwise be destroyed when heated. You get chlorophyll – sunlight, and life force, the abstract force that can renew our energy, and also can prevent and reverse disease. This food can affect us mentally, which can make us have more balance and harmony in our lives.
Hugs
Åsa: Hello Åsa! Pretty name;) How long have you been eating raw food?
Åsa: Hello Åsa,
I came in contact with raw food about 30 years ago and ate then 25-40% daily, but started with raw food full time 10 years ago.
Hugs
Sulle: What are your views on soybeans? Previously, I have heard that they should not be that good. I have long believed that they were so nutritious and beneficial, and now I hear the opposite! I feel confused. What’s the deal?
Åsa: Hello Sulle,
Soybeans have been used in Asian cultures for thousands of years and are no problem for them. But they eat them fermented, i.e. lacto-fermented like tempeh, miso, natto etc. And that makes a big difference. Soy is “rough” for us to digest. It contains mostly calories and protein (but there are much better sources of protein), and just a few micro-nutrients, trace elements and so on. Much of soy might also be genetically modified.
Hugs
Tomas: Hi Asa! What are chia seeds really? I understand that they are healthy, but they do not look very tasty. / Tomas
Åsa: Hello Thomas,
They taste a bit nutty, but have no strong flavors of their own. Therefore, they are perfect in puddings, smoothies, etc. Try and mix with your favorite fruits or berries.
Hugs
July: Hello! I just bought a dehydrator and think it’s fun to dry mushrooms and fruits! I was going to ask you if you know what happens to the nutrients in plants when you dry them? Thanks in advance! / July
Åsa: Hello July,
Since you dry the food gently, at maximum of 110 degrees F the nutrients are intact. Compared to if you would dry them in a conventional oven which has both high heat and no air circulation like in a dehydrator. The result would then be as if they were baked.
Hugs
Martin: Hey! Can I lose weight if I start eating a raw food diet? Thanks! Regards Martin
Åsa: Hello Martin,
With a high-raw diet, which is more than 75-80% raw food, the body can clean out and empty fat cells, where much of our toxins and waste products are stored. This is where it is the least harmful for the body to store them. After a while, provided you eat a varied raw food diet, you will receive a lot of nutrition and can build both fat tissue, muscles, etc. Many bodybuilders and athletes live and thrive on a raw food diet.
Hugs
Sanna: Hello Åsa! I have just found out that I have diabetes type 2. How does raw food and diabetes together? Do I dare try?
Åsa: Hi Sanna,
Google Gabriel Cousens and his center in Arizona, United States. And the film Simply Raw – Reversing Diabetes in 30 Days. Exciting to follow 6 people and their journey during 30 days. So much that can change so fast in such a short time.
Hugs
OSAS: What are the benefits of raw food compared to eating a varied standard diet? If I eat a lot of greens, do I still need raw food then?
Åsa: Hi OSAS,
Lots of greens like in raw food is very important, but you can add fresh berries, nuts and other colorful vegetables too. And eat varied. To have a major part of the diet consist of raw food is very good and the most natural as well.
Hugs
