What Do You Call Someone Who Only Eats Raw Vegetables?
An individual who strictly consumes raw vegetables is most accurately described as a raw vegan, a specific type of raw foodist or rawist. While the broader term "raw foodist" can encompass people who eat raw animal products, the addition of "vegan" specifies that only plant-based, uncooked foods are consumed. The term "crudivore," from the Latin for "raw" and "devour," also correctly identifies someone on this diet.
The Core Principles of a Raw Vegan Diet
Raw veganism is based on the belief that heating food above certain temperatures (typically 104–118°F or 40–48°C) destroys the food's natural enzymes and some nutrients. Proponents believe that consuming foods in their uncooked, unprocessed state preserves their full nutritional value and vital energy.
This dietary practice involves a wide array of preparation methods that do not rely on heat, such as:
- Sprouting: Germinating seeds, nuts, and grains to make them digestible.
- Juicing and blending: Creating fresh vegetable and fruit juices, as well as smoothies.
- Dehydrating: Using a food dehydrator to warm food at low temperatures, making things like raw crackers or bread.
- Soaking and fermenting: Softening nuts and seeds, or creating fermented foods like sauerkraut or kimchi.
Exploring Different Terms in the Raw Food Movement
While "raw vegan" and "crudivore" are the most precise terms for someone who eats only raw plant matter, the broader "raw foodist" or "rawist" category includes a spectrum of diets. It's crucial to distinguish between these to understand the full landscape of raw eating habits.
A Comparison of Raw Diets
| Diet Type | Description | Foods Consumed | Exclusions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Raw Vegan | Eats only uncooked, unprocessed plant-based foods. Food is not heated above 40-48°C. | Raw fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, sprouts, legumes, and grains. | All animal products, including meat, dairy, and eggs. Also excludes cooked plant foods. |
| Raw Vegetarian | Eats raw plant-based foods, and may include raw eggs and dairy products. | Raw fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, and uncooked, unprocessed dairy and eggs. | All meat and cooked animal or plant foods. |
| Raw Omnivore | Eats raw plant-based foods along with raw animal products. | Raw fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, raw meat, raw fish (sashimi), raw eggs, and raw dairy. | All cooked foods, both plant and animal-based. |
| Crudivore | A specific term for a raw vegan, derived from Latin. | Raw fruits, vegetables, nuts, and seeds. | Any food cooked or heated beyond a specific, low temperature threshold. |
| Fruitarian | A subset of raw vegans who eat primarily fruits. | Fruits, nuts, seeds, and some vegetables that are botanically fruits (like tomatoes). | Cooked food, most vegetables, and animal products. |
Potential Benefits and Risks of a Raw Vegan Diet
As with any restrictive diet, a raw vegan lifestyle comes with potential benefits and risks. Proponents praise its potential for weight loss, improved digestion, and high nutrient intake, while critics point to possible deficiencies and other health concerns.
Benefits:
- High Nutrient and Fiber Intake: Raw diets are rich in fruits, vegetables, nuts, and seeds, which are packed with vitamins, minerals, and dietary fiber.
- Lower Risk of Processed Foods: By definition, the diet eliminates highly processed foods, which are often high in added sugar, salt, and unhealthy fats.
- Improved Digestion: The high fiber content aids digestion and promotes gut health.
- Weight Management: The diet tends to be lower in calories and higher in fiber, contributing to feelings of fullness and aiding in weight loss.
Risks:
- Nutritional Deficiencies: A strict raw vegan diet can be deficient in essential nutrients like Vitamin B12, Calcium, Vitamin D, and iron, as these are primarily found in animal products or fortified foods. Supplementation is often necessary.
- Reduced Nutrient Absorption: Cooking some vegetables, like tomatoes and carrots, can actually increase the availability of certain antioxidants, such as lycopene and beta-carotene.
- Food Safety Concerns: Eating raw foods, particularly sprouts, carries a higher risk of foodborne illnesses from bacteria like E. coli and Salmonella.
- Accessibility and Sustainability: The lifestyle can be expensive and time-consuming, requiring extensive preparation, and can be socially challenging.
Conclusion: A Specific Name for a Niche Diet
While the term raw vegan or crudivore directly answers the question, the context of the larger "raw foodism" movement is important. Someone who eats only raw vegetables falls into a specific, often health-driven or ethically-motivated, dietary practice. Whether this diet is the right fit for an individual depends on a careful consideration of its potential benefits and significant risks, and it is often recommended to consult a nutritionist to ensure a balanced intake of all necessary nutrients. Eating a variety of both raw and cooked whole foods, as opposed to a strictly raw diet, is generally a more accessible and sustainable approach for overall health.
Authoritative Link For more in-depth nutritional information on plant-based diets, the Healthline article titled "The Raw Vegan Diet: Benefits, Risks and Meal Plan" provides a comprehensive overview.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Is a raw vegan the same as a raw foodist? A: Not necessarily. A raw foodist eats mostly or entirely uncooked food, but this can include raw animal products like meat, fish, eggs, and dairy. A raw vegan is a specific type of raw foodist who only eats unprocessed, uncooked plant-based foods.
Q: Is it safe to eat only raw food? A: While a raw vegan diet can be rich in nutrients, it comes with risks. It can lead to deficiencies in Vitamin B12 and other nutrients, and carries a higher risk of foodborne illness from bacteria found on raw produce and sprouts.
Q: What is a crudivore? A: A crudivore is another term for a raw vegan, specifically an individual who follows crudivorism, a diet consisting entirely of raw, uncooked food.
Q: What is the main argument for eating only raw food? A: Proponents believe that heating food above a certain temperature destroys enzymes and nutrients, and that eating raw, unprocessed foods preserves their full nutritional value and vital energy.
Q: Do raw diets help with weight loss? A: Raw diets are often low in calories and high in fiber, which can aid in weight loss. Several studies have shown that people on raw diets tend to lose weight and have lower body fat percentages.
Q: Can cooking vegetables improve their nutritional value? A: Yes, in some cases. Cooking can increase the bioavailability of certain antioxidants, like lycopene in tomatoes and beta-carotene in carrots, and can reduce harmful anti-nutrients in legumes.
Q: Are there any long-term health effects of a raw vegan diet? A: Long-term adherence to a strictly raw vegan diet can lead to health issues such as dental erosion, weakened bones due to low calcium and Vitamin D, and even fertility problems in women due to low calorie intake.
Q: What is a fruitarian? A: A fruitarian is a more extreme form of a raw vegan who eats a diet consisting primarily of fruits, nuts, and seeds, and little to no vegetables.
Q: Is it hard to get enough protein on a raw vegan diet? A: It can be challenging, as the diet tends to be lower in protein. However, raw vegans can get protein from nuts, seeds, legumes, and sprouted grains if planned carefully.
Q: What about enzymes? Are they destroyed during cooking? A: While cooking does deactivate some food enzymes, the human body produces its own digestive enzymes, and many plant enzymes would be destroyed by stomach acid anyway. There is no scientific consensus that destroying food enzymes significantly impacts human health.
