Spring is in the air, and with it comes the panicky rush to squeeze back into flirty sundresses and short shorts. This is when we haul out our lists of 'must-try diets' to lose those last pesky Christmas pounds.

If your weight loss goals include a healthier approach to eating, you might consider the Raw Diet. As with any new regimen, you need to know what you're getting into and whether it's right for you.

Eating ‘raw’ means eating foods that have not been cooked or processed. Cooking and processing destroys active nutrients in food and adds oils and chemicals that end up as fat and cellulose on the body. Eating more raw foods, then, leads to weight loss, increased energy, and glowing skin.

Like any substantial change in your eating habits the Raw Food diet should be carefully planned, ideally with a dietitian. This is because raw foods are low in protein, fat, iron, B12 and calories - nutrients that are crucial for our day-to-day functions.

For example, hair is composed of protein, fats, and water. In extreme cases, dieters who do not plan properly experience massive hair loss, and some even stop menstruating! As appealing as it sounds to have no more periods, it is a dire warning that your body is nutrient deficient. Children and pregnant or breastfeeding women should not consider a strict raw diet.

Adjusting your planned Raw Diet will get you the benefits of weight loss, better skin and higher energy without the harmful side effects. The easiest ways to do this: (1) go on a raw foods ‘cleanse’ for a limited time or (2) just eat more raw foods with every meal.

What are the foods permitted in a Raw Diet? All fresh and organic fruits and vegetables, nuts, whole and sprouted grains, beans and legumes, and dried fruit. You will have to forego tea and the coffee because they are made from processed particles, but try making your own hot drink from a slice of lemon and hot water. Even almond milk is so easy to make at home: just soak a handful of almonds and then blend them with pure water.

You can find a huge variety of raw food recipes on the web. Look for Karen Knowler’s videos on YouTube, or try the Raw Food Coach  for more information.

by Nidhi Punyarthi