Raw food ideas for lunches

[InLoveWithSweenyTodd]

I have decided to make my lunches at work "raw". Any ideas on what to have for lunch based only on raw food? apart from stuffing myself with mandarins and apples, that is Also, if you have read a book on raw diet that you can recommend please let me know...

Soaked nuts and sprouted pulses are very very good for this purpose, as they are both raw and bursting with nutrition, and easy to digest.

You could also have dehydrated slices of vegeables and fruits such as carrots, sweet potato, and apple.

Seeds such as pumpkin are very tasty and filling, and provide good fats and proteins.

Try not to make fruit the main attraction as too much will probably lead to a mid afternoon energy slump. Even though it is healthy, it is not balanced.

You can do a variety of sauces raw by using sundried tomatoes as a base and blitzing with almonds/cashews for example, with a hefty load of spinach in it.

You could do raw pesto with basil, spinach, cold pressed flax oil, cashew nuts, pinenuts, and some olives.
You can find loads of raw recipes online too.

Enjoy!

Thanks shrooms, I like the idea of eating seeds and nuts, and the sundried tomatoes sauce. Will give it a go!

Does this mean you are going to forgo cooked?
Can I ask why you have made this decision?

Raw foods are believed to be higher in vitamins and have properties that they may lose when cooked as heat destroys some nutrients. It has the advantage of being very filling and nutritious,so commiting to have one raw meal a day is a good way to ensure that you meet your raw 'quota' for the day if you don't eat enough raw foods.

Not that cooked food is bad, of course, but you should have at least half of your fruit and veg raw to get the maximum benefits from them (you don't lose any vits or minerals in the cooking process).

It is also a good way to just make sure you are eating enough fruit, vegetables, nuts and seeds instead of relying on stodgy grains and dairy products, which in their current state aren't really very good for you.

Hi Otherside, no I am still going to eat cooked, because of my dd and my husband. We eat together, I cannot really force that on them. Besides, I like my stews and rissottos too much!. But I want to introduce more raw food in my diet because of the advantages that shrooms has mentioned above , and I thought that my lunches at work could be a good time. I am fed up of sandwiches!!

Thanks. I knew the benefits of raw food but wasn't sure what the point of having an entire meal raw is.
Definitely not for me, I love my sandwiches but as I don't eat meat they quite often contain raw food.

you're seeing either a chinese herbalist or an acupuncturist

How about a coleslaw with vinaigrette dressing, and plenty of added dried fruit and nuts? I don't know whether this would be the main event or a side serving, but it could be quite filling and nutritious

DD takes cucumber, carrots, lettuce, tomatoes and other bits and bobs with either pitta breads or tortilla wraps to school and loves them, I would assume you could do a more adult version?
Maybe add some tune and sweetcorn?

Hmm, I just don't like veggies between bread. I have an almost morbid dislike of lettuce in bread... but I am getting plenty of interesting ideas here, thanks!. Tomorrow I am going for the coleslaw...

Ermm, how about just plain old salad? Veg or or fruit version.

A fresh fruit platter can be eaten with cheese

Would you consider adding any cooked food? e.g. shredded chicken, tuna, white beans, boiled egg, pasta)

On last years Spa of embaressing illnesses there was a chef who was a raw foods chef and he made the most amazing courgette pasta (with no pasta) dish. Ive wanted to make that, I thought I saved it in my faves, will have a look.

This is he Chad Sarno

I am bookmarking that

quite a lot to do here , but wow looks really delish courgette noodles

Just to give you an update on my raw lunch project.
So far I have had:

• tuna and sweetcorn tortilla wraps (thanks VictorianSqalor for reminding me of alternatives to sliced bread)
• avocado and prawn salad with a lemon and pepper dressing and mixed seeds.
• greek salad

avocado in salads is great and really filling.
I find salads don't fill me up unless they have some protein in them.
Seeds/pine nuts/nuts(macadamias/pecans/walnuts) are good also canned chickpeas/beans crumbled feta or just a dollop of hummus on top of a green salad. Smoked salmon or tuna if you are not veggie. Add lots of crunchy veg eg sliced/grated carrot /cabbage/fennel/red peppers so the texture is more interesting.
Also try some interesting dressings -the asian style ones with sesame oil and soy sauce seem to make it all a bit more satisfying.
I used to be really good at taking in lunches pre DS but now often resort to a rubbish sandwich from the rubbish canteen. Now inspired by yr thread am resolving to try harder especially as I am 15 weeks pregnant and should be eating more nutritious food....

I managed a full week, and today I am having carrot+coriander soup. OK, it's not strictly "raw" but it's cold today and I need something warm!!
LadyG, avocado really is fantastic for salads. V filling!