Vegetarianism can be categorized into several groups. Some choose veganism, some decide on pure vegetarianism and another group focuses on a raw food lifestyle. The decision to choose either of the lifestyles is a matter of personal preference, though the motivating factors may differ. In fact, the reasons for choosing a specific type of vegetarianism create the differences.

Raw food lifestyle: the compulsions

The compulsions or beliefs that drive an individual to this lifestyle can be better understood if you know the salient features of the other types of vegetarianism.

• Though there are several categories of vegetarians, including those who eat fish and eggs, the 100% vegetarian or the puritan simply stops having any food of animal origin. There are no further lifestyle alterations that are embraced by this group. Health concerns including weight loss and concerns for the environment are the driving factors.

• Veganism on the other hand is a stricter version of vegetarianism where the individual not only gives up all kinds of meat but also stays away from byproducts of animal origin. Vegans would not also use accessories made with components that originate from animal sources like leather, wool, silk, furs, etc. This group of people are not only motivated by health factors but also by other more humane and compassionate feelings of protecting the animal world, protecting natural resources as well as preventing cruelty to animals.

• The third alternative is eating raw. But this aspect is only the tip of what is to come in the raw food lifestyle. This lifestyle embraces a completely unique set of beliefs, values and commitments. These are subsequently supported by several complementary activities that is part of life for a typical raw food enthusiast. While weight loss may be on top of list of priorities, raw food lifestyle means much more.

Raw food lifestyle: factors that take you there

As mentioned earlier, eating raw is just the beginning of this kind of lifestyle. Here are some beliefs that you need to have to become a member of this class:

• Foods cooked beyond 46 degrees Celsius result in the destruction of most of the nutrients.

• No disease can be cured completely by treating the symptoms only. You need a holistic approach for treatment that involves getting to the root cause of the problem.

• Resources like cooking gas are getting rarer every day. It is imperative that you consider reducing dependence on this critical resource.

• Tobacco, alcohol and caffeine are damaging stimulants and must be avoided at all costs.

• While eating raw takes care of your physical health, you also need to give special attention to the state of your mental wellbeing. To improve your mental health, raw food lifestyle advocates spending quality time with friends and family, spending adequate time in the open in close proximity to nature, developing a creative pursuit that keeps your mind fruitfully occupied and more.

Before giving the final nod of approval to the raw food lifestyle, you should ideally weigh the pros and cons (there are quite a few health concerns) of this option and then take a pragmatic decision in the matter. In stead of following a trend blindly, your aim should be to remain healthy, while taking good care of the world around you.