have raw cake and eat it
RAW FOOD AND DIABETES
In my research into raw food, I was surprised to find that Cousens (2008), claims to be able to reverse diabetes in patients who come to his clinic and participate in a raw food based programme. He suggests that eating raw food, diabetes patients can reduce their medication dramatically and some can stop taking it completely. His diet recommendations include many green juices, sauces, soups and salads, believing that green food has a profoundly positive effect on our health. He believes he has found a diabetes cure.
In addition, he does not agree with the view that a moderate, balanced diet is the answer to diabetes and in his words (2008: 246) ‘Moderation Kills’. He suggests that no sugars are acceptable and the only sweeteners he recommends is the herb stevia. His diet plans also allow carob, which we find to be an excellent addition to sweet foods.
His treatment includes alkalising the body, and suggests (p. 264) that ‘if too much acidic food is eaten and the body, blood and urine become acidic instead of alkaline, then the spleen, liver heart and kidney, which are the blood purifying organs, become overworked and ultimately susceptible to disease.’
He uses superfoods and supplements to add nutrients to the body and using herbs to support the bodily functions. He includes cooked whole grains and pulses as part of his recipe section and does not suggest it is necessary to eat 100% raw. Food from plant sources only are recommended as he considers animal products to be diabetogenic despite having a low GI. Many oils are not permitted apart from coconut and cacao butters and a few fresh, cold pressed nut and seed oils which should be recently pressed and refrigerated to avoid rancidity. He is also concerned about the amount of processed soya in the diet and considers soya to be a diabetogenic food.
He is not the only raw foodist claiming to have found raw food to be the answer to the problem of diabetes. Boutenko found changing to a raw food diet had a dramatic effect on her family’s health problems. One of these such health problems was the diagnosis of type 1 diabetes at the age of 9 who they claim was cured with raw food and still today remains diabetes free over a decade later. You can read more about this amazing family on their website here. I have read of other people who, with a change to a raw food diet, diabetes type 2 and also type 1 has been cured as long as they stick to their raw food diet for life.
You can read more about Gestational Diabetes in this section of this website.
Gabriel Cousens’ Tree of Life Centre recommends The Following Diet (PDF File)
References
Cousens, G, MD, (2008) There is a Cure to Diabetes, Berkeley, California, North Atlantic Books.
Boutenko, V (2007) 12 Steps to Raw Foods, Berkeley, California, North Atlantic Books.
Links
Simply Raw - Reversing Diabetes in 30 Days - Video
