Fad Diets and Nutrition

Is Your Diet as Nutritious as You Think?

Finding a fad diet that works is a tall order, especially when many fall short on nutrition
By Hollis Templeton fitbie
 

The Diet: Raw Foods

What’s missing: Sometimes cooking brings out the best in food—and not just in terms of taste and texture. Heating makes certain nutrients, like the beta-carotene in carrots, easier for the body to absorb. Similarly, lycopene, a carotenoid pigment that protects against prostate cancer, is only found in cooked tomatoes or tomato sauce. Not surprisingly, the nutritional shortfalls of a raw foods diet mirror those of a vegan or vegetarian eating plan, which can lack protein, calcium, vitamin D, vitamin B12, iron and omega-3s.

What this means for your health: In addition to missing out on the antioxidant (read: cancer- and disease-fighting) power of carotenoids, a raw foods diet can mean low bone mass, putting you at risk for osteoporosis, according to a study published in the Archives of Internal Medicine.

Make up for it: Focus on getting enough calories each day. Raw foods are not particularly calorie-dense, so even if you feel like you’re eating like a pig, you may not be giving your body the energy it needs. By hitting your calorie requirement, you’ll be more likely to get sufficient amounts of vitamins, minerals, protein, carbs and fat, too.

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