Simple, clean, less acidic, a raw food or vegan diet is often more about what one is not eating that helps improve health, than the other way round. Vegans abstain from consuming products derived from animals (meat, eggs and dairy) while raw foodists eat uncooked meals with the argument that heat destroys food enzymes.
“No heated hydrogenated oils, no processed foods, no junk foods, no dairy, no meat. Taking these things out of your diet for even a limited time will give your digestive and immune system a break from being bombarded with substances and chemicals it struggles to cope with,” informs Dubai-based raw vegan chef Hayley Mac.
A growing number of people across the emirate are thinking differently about their diet and choosing a simple, nutritious raw vegan fare over cooked, processed foods.
In fact, Jonathan Edwards from Abu Dhabi Urban Planning Council plans on selling his oven as it has been unused since he bought it. He admits missing toast, but is sticking with getting his vitamins and minerals directly from source as he feels the health benefits of a raw diet are immense. “I feel younger, generally fitter, my stamina has improved and the diet helps with longevity by slowing down the ageing process,” says Edwards.
During Mac’s workshop, The Change Initiative, at the sustainable goods retail outlet, crunchy, delicious, raw cacao goji berry chocolate chunks and mouth-watering raw almond nut milk did rounds as an eclectic mix of curious and enthusiastic attendees enquired as much about vitamix blenders and dehydrators as they did about where to procure raw food ingredients in Dubai.
Convinced that food has power on health, fashion designer Alessandra Achilles attended the event to expand her knowledge of recipes. “It helped me with some great recipes and ideas of how to eat raw food that’s not only healthy but also tasty. In my opinion one of the biggest benefits that you can see with this diet is an increase in your level of energy. The digestive system works better.”
Where to find it? Well UAE, is full of juice and salad bars and every restaurant will serve you a fresh salad and most offer fresh juices.
Edwards, however, wishes Dubai and Abu Dhabi had some raw food restaurants as vegan elements on the menu are difficult to find. Mac’s suggestion: Eat at a Lebanese eatery. “Not only is fattoush and tabbouleh there, you are served a platter of whole veggies such as tomatoes, peppers and greens. Hundred per cent raw; hundred per cent vegan.”
WHAT NUTRITIONISTS SAY
Low in saturated fats and overall calories, vegan and vegetarian diets are high in fibre, vitamin C, magnesium, folic acid and carotenoids. However, they need to be well planned, explains Lubna Surya, dietician at Aster Medical Centre, who believes raw foods have health benefits but animal and dairy products should not be eliminated from one’s diet. While admitting the same, Mohammad Al Falahgi, senior nutritionist and dietician at Medcare Hospital, also advises non-vegetarians to go vegetarian at least once a week in a year, as it helps detoxify the body.
“According to a study conducted by Cambridge University, pure vegetarians are less prone to health problems compared with non-vegetarians. Almost one third of all cancers are related to the diet. A vegetarian diet reduces the risk for chronic degenerative diseases such as obesity, coronary artery disease, high blood pressure, diabetes and certain types of cancer including colon, breast, prostate, stomach, lung cancer, to name a few.”
BE SUPERNATURAL WITH HAYLEY MAC
Apart from being the founder of Dubai’s first raw vegan online store www.besupernatural.com, Hayley Mac provides private and group food prep classes and food workshops. Selected products from Besupernatural are also available at RipeME & Organic Foods & Café. For more information visit www.facebook.com/besupernatural or write to Hayley@besupernatural.com
CHANGE TO SUSTAIN
The Change Initiative recently opened its doors to supply sustainable solutions with a range of household products, appliances and building solutions that combine technology with good design. The store will soon open a restaurant, Taste Initiative that will provide nutritious yet simple food. For more visit www.thechangeinitiative.com
— Shahana Raza is a UAE-based freelance writer
