Raising kids ‘Raw’

Raising kids ‘Raw’

By Dr. George I. Traitses

A growing number of families are raising their children on a “raw” diet- usually a vegan diet with uncooked fruits, vegetables, seeds, nuts and sprouted grain as its cornerstones.

While there are many documented benefits to eating fresh foods, some are questioning the trend of going 100% raw.  Because it’s not yet fully developed, a child’s digestive system may not be able to pull out the same amount of nutrients from a raw diet, as an adult’s would, note some detractors. Also, children may be at the risk of anemia, as fruits and vegetables are great sources of vitamins and fiber, but lacking in protein. Beans, chickpeas and other sources of vegetarian protein require cooking to eat, which excludes them from the raw diet.

The answer may lie in moderation. Sergei Boutenko, 29, a filmmaker in Ashland, Ore., ate only raw from ages 9 to 26 and felt his health suffered for it. He now consumes a diet that is about 80 percent raw, with occasional meat and dairy.

Source: “Growing Up on Raw Foods,” The New York Times, by Abby Ellin, June 2, 2014.

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