standard American diet. They found that the raw
foodists were thinner and had a lower average body
mass index(BMI) than volunteers and that their bones
were lighter. However, they found no sign that the
bones of the raw foodists were more likely to fracture
or that they had a greater degree ofosteoporosisthan
those of people on the standard diet. The researchers
concluded that the bones of the raw foodists were
lighter because they ate fewer calories and had lower
body weights, but that they were healthy bones.
Other research shown that some nutrients, such as
carotenoidsin carrots and lycopene from tomatoes,
are absorbed into the body much more easily from
cooked foods than from raw foods. The enzyme
theory of digestion promoted by some raw foodists is
also not substantiated by any scholarly research, nor
are claims that a raw food diet will prevent cancer.Resources
BOOKS
Alt, Carol with David Roth.Eating in the Raw: A Beginner’s
Guide to Getting Slimmer, Feeling Healthier, and Living
Llonger the Raw-food Way. New York: Clarkson Pot-
ter, 2004.
Bijlefeld, Marjolijn and Sharon K. Zoumbaris.Encyclopedia
of Diet Fads. Westport, CT: Greenwood Press, 2003.
Icon Health Publications.Fad Diets: A Bibliography, Medi-
cal Dictionary, and Annotated Research Guide to Inter-
net References. San Diego, CA: Icon Health
Publications, 2004.
Rose, Natalie.The Raw Food Detox Diet: The Five-step Plan
to Vibrant Health and Maximun Weight Loss. New
York: ReganBooks, 2005.
Scales, Mary Josephine.Diets in a Nutshell: A Definitive Guide
on Diets from A to Z. Clifton, VA: Apex Publishers, 2005.PERIODICALS
Nick, Gina L. ‘‘Consuming Whole Foods in Their Raw,
Uncooked State: A Personal Interview with Raw Food
Nutrition Expert, David Wolfe.’’Towsend Letter.240
(2003):50-2.<http://findarticles.com/p/articles/
mi_m0ISW/is_2003_July/ai_104259135>
ORGANIZATIONS
American Dietetic Association. 120 South Riverside Plaza,
Suite 2000, Chicago, Illinois 60606-6995. Telephone:
(800) 877-1600. Website:<http://www.eatright.org>
Living and Raw Foods Support Groups.<http://www.living-
foods.com/resources/support.html>
Living Nutrition.<http://www.livingnutrition.com>
OTHER
Brotman, Juliano. ‘‘The Living and Raw Foods F.A.Q.’’
LivingFoods.com, undated, accessed April 20, 2007.
<http://www.living-foods.com/faq.html>
Harvard School of Public Health. ‘‘Interpreting News on
Diet.’’ Harvard University, 2007.<http://www.hsph
.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/media.html>
Hobbs, Suzanne H. ‘‘Raw Food Diets: A Reviews of the
Literature.’’ Vegetarian Resource Group October 28,
2002.<http://www.vrg.org/journal/vj2002issue4/
rawfoodsdiet.htm>
‘‘The Raw Food Diet.’’ iVillage.com<http://www.ivillage.co
.uk/dietandfitness/experts/nutrexpert/articles/
0,,282_598387,00.html>
‘‘Raw Food Eaters Thin but Healthy.’’ BBC News, March
29, 2005.<http://news.bbc.co.uk/g0/pr/fr/-/1/hi/
health/4389837.stm>
Wong, Cathy. ‘‘The Raw Food Diet.’’ About.com, March 31,
2006.<http://altmedicine.about.com/od/popularhealth
diets/a/Raw_Food.htm>Tish Davidson, A.M.Reader’s Digest dietseeChangeOne diet
Religion and dietary practices
Origins
Since the beginning of time, dietary practices have
been incorporated into the religious practices of peo-
ple around the world. Some religious sects abstain,
or are forbidden, from consuming certain foods and
drinks; others restrict foods and drinks during their
holy days; while still others associate dietary and food
preparation practices with rituals of the faith. The early
biblical writings, especially those found in Leviticus,
Numbers, and Deuteronomy of the Old Testament
(and in the Torah) outlined the dietary practices forQUESTIONS TO ASK THE
DOCTOR How does cooking affect the nutrient value of
foods I commonly eat?
Can I get the nutrients I need on this diet?
Is this diet safe and healthy for my entire family?
Will I need to take dietary supplements if I
become a raw foodist?
Do you believe the cardiovascular benefits of
this diet outweigh the potential risk of not getting
a balance of nutrients?
Where can I get meal planning advice about a
raw food diet?Religion and dietary practices