Becoming Raw: The Essential Guide to Raw Vegan Diets

by Brenda Davis, Vesanto Melina, Rynn Berry

This book contains a wealth of information on the raw food lifestyle. Nutrition experts Brenda Davis and Vesanto Melina once again provide the essential information needed to safely embrace a new dietary lifestyle. As they did for vegetarians and vegans in Becoming Vegetarian and Becoming Vegan, they present the first authoritative look at the science behind raw foods. And both old converts to raw foods and new recruits alike will be fascinated with food historian Rynn Berry's presentation of the first narrative history of the rawfoods movement in the United States.
More people are jumping onto the raw foods bandwagon either to lose weight, fight chronic health problems, or simply to benefit from the high level of nutrients found in uncooked or sprouted foods. Readers will find science-based answers to tough questions about raw foods and raw diets, easy-to-follow nutritional guidelines, and practical information on how to construct a raw diet that meets recommended nutrient intakes simply and easily.
A section of over forty-five recipes provides dishes for any time of day and every occasion. Nutritional analyses are given for each recipe. Also included is a section on what foods and equipment are needed to get started and what raw food preparation basics are good to master.
This book is a major contribution to the raw foods movement.

Genres: Nutrition, Vegan, Health, Nonfiction, Cookbooks, Food, Vegetarian

374 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2010

Reviews

[Mark Braunstein · Rating 5 out of 5]

In the interest of full disclosure, I first must admit that my initial interest in this book was only my friend Rynn Berry's contribution of a single chapter, the historical overview of raw foods as a movement in Europe and especially USA. Rynn's writing here, as always, is edifying, sparkling, and captivating. I enjoy reading anything Rynn writes, even his very literary reviews of restaurants I never intend to visit. Ever erudite, he could write an owner's manual about car repair of the Model T Ford and make it worth my reading just for his brilliant writing style alone.

My attention drawn to his one chapter, I then poked around the rest of the book by the two other authors. Though written in a simple expository style, its information is insightful, judicious, well organized, and well researched. Indeed, this is the best single compilation about a raw foods diet that I've read or browsed, and during the past 40 years I've read and browsed many such books. As an inveterate high raw vegan since 1970, mine is the voice of experience. The authors are not themselves raw foodists, so present their information with objectivity and authority, the former which most raw foods authors lack, the latter which most raw foods authors feign. And do not be misled by the title, as this book has much from which even those who years ago "Became Raw" can learn.

[Deanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fantastic resource! I love that it is truly science and research-based. There's no fanaticism or "all or nothing" type mentality. And, it debunks several myths that hard-core, raw food only proponents love to use. Thank you Brenda! I appreciate the rational but positive approach to this eating lifestyle. And, even if I don't want to eat all or mostly raw, it certainly inspires me to eat more fresh fruits and veggies!

[Trish Silva · Rating 5 out of 5]

Finally finished this one! It took me a long time, not because it was a bad book, but because it is so dense with information! The information is scientifically based and sound. Also, the arguments for or against raw are fairly made and the book is full of tons of useful nutritional information.

I would certainly recommend this book to anyone interested in altering their diet to a whole foods, plant-based diet whether or not you are planning on going raw.

[HadiDee]

An amazing source of information on diet and nutrition, possibly too much for a an average reader, and recipes too.

[Van]

THE book to digest!

[Nicool · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very informative. Much more detailed than I expected.

[Molly · Rating 4 out of 5]

While still reading, I jumped ahead to the recipes and I tried the Ruby Red Salad...it was awesome!

[Swarthout · Rating 4 out of 5]

raw veganism is the eating of only uncooked plant foods in your diet. i've been vegan now 5 years (im vegan i had to mention it, of course). raw foodism is addressed here, a lot of the people who practice rv are woowoo pseudoscience, but i do think incorporating raw foods is beneficial. vitamins are largely deactivated by heat and the absorbtion of some nutrients decline when cooked. the main issue i have is the lack of grains and legumes in the diet, which are the "meat" of veganism. they are super healthy and there is absolutely no good reason to not eat them regularly. this diet is not sustainable in my mind because if this and extremely restrictive.
that said, i learned a lot and have started eating more raw greens because of it. ive also learned about how good healthy fats are, and started eating more nuts and avocados.
i would say it would be a tremendous dietary change that you could do to lose weight pretty quickly if you have type II diabetes and want to decrease your blood sugars and weight, but once you are in that place free from t2d i think incorporating cooked foods is fine.
if you are looking into eating more plant based i would suggest the author's other book, becoming vegan. its a superb resource and primer for the nutrition side of veganism, and i would suggest reading it before plunging in to a 100% plant based diet.

[Shadow the Hedgehog · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a well-researched and scientifically-based look at the pros, cons, myths, and truths about raw vegan diets. It also includes recipes with full nutritional break-downs and sample menus.

[Dori · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an excellent book! I am just starting my raw vegan journey and found lots of valuable information in this book!!

[Deb · Rating 5 out of 5]

* THE raw reference*

_Becoming Raw_ is *the* textbook on raw veganism. But, don't let that scare you away! Although the book is solidly based on oodles of accurate and up-to-date scientific studies (some chapters have well over 100 references cited!), the authors present the information in a way that--like the raw food itself--is highly and easily digestible.

A well-balanced, much-needed, highly-informative, go-to book for the raw vegan diet, _Becoming Raw_ is a great reference and resource...and for those of us nutrition nerds, it makes a great cover-to-cover read as well. In addition to covering all the crucial topics, concerns and controversies of a raw vegan diet, this guide also provides a wide array of menus and recipes. And, just like an enzyme, _Becoming Raw_ helps us get the maximum benefits from whole raw food sources.

If you're hungry for a solid, no-sugar-added overview of raw vegan nutrition and health, this book will surely satisfy.

[Stephanie Vogel · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must have for any one interesting starting or just incorporating a raw vegan life style. Lots of scientific based evidence for eating raw as well as some of the dangers of it. Also includes some terrific recipes and menu suggestions. I cannot recommend this book enough!

[Amy]

REading on again, off again, so will mark as to read. It's taking forever, because I'm just not that interested/passionate in the subject, though there are those around me who are.

[George · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a very good source of information on nutrition, containing some of the latest research on the topic. A recommended reading for anyone interested in nutrition, not only raw vegans.

[Monique · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tis book is an all around reference book. A must read for anyone considering living a RAW food lifestyle. It's too much to take in at once so I'll keep it as my go-to book.

[Alex]

Fascinating! Excellent and very scientific.

[Sharon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Comprehensive, factual, great recipes, cut through the hype over raw w science based information.

[Emma Chen · Rating 4 out of 5]

It can be quite useful with all the scientific studies to arm you against people's questions like "where do you get your iron" but not so interesting reading through it

[Jillian Eslami · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very helpful!

[Cheryl P]

A must read for anyone interested in healthier eating, is interested in the raw food movement; and enjoys knowing facts, myths and different arguments to various levels of raw eating.

[Renée · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent nutrition primer for raw-inclined vegans. Science!!

[Jude Grebeldinger · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lots of good info on sprouting and alternative ingedients.