You decided to make the switch to follow a raw vegan diet, and you are desperately scouring the web for raw food guides, recipes, and any and all tips to succeed. Whether you are cleansing or attempting to improve your overall health and diet, we commend your decision to go raw vegan. A raw food diet helps you preserve your nutrients and enzymes by not cooking the food, but there is still work that needs to happen in the kitchen.
Health Benefits Of Going Raw Vegan
By solely focusing on fresh fruits, vegetables, and raw nuts & seeds, you will supply the body with a wide range of nutrients. Avoiding foods like dairy products, refined grains, alcohol, meats, meat products, processed foods, and artificial sweeteners can help decrease bloating, skin rashes, reduce stress on the liver, and improve overall heart health. Various studies have concluded that a raw food diet may improve blood cholesterol levels and lower a person’s risk of heart disease. Randomized controlled studies have also found that focusing on raw fruits and vegetables may lower the risk of type 2 diabetes, decreasing blood sugar levels and increasing insulin sensitivity.
Let us ease your transition into the raw food lifestyle by recommending essential kitchen tools that are a blessing to any raw chef. Let us also say that you don’t need all of these items to succeed on a raw vegan diet. That being said, diversity is key when it comes to raw foods, and these tools make it easier to create a variety of raw meals, which you can view by clicking here.
A Great Blender
To make smoothies, nut milks, sauces, and condiments, you need one thing and one thing only: a great blender. A bargain blender will only get you so far, so invest a little extra money into a high-speed blender that has some serious horsepower. You don’t need to drop your entire paycheck on a blender because powerful blenders are sold at various price points. You don’t want to be the person who can’t make a smoothie because the blender is underpowered.
A Spiralizer
While spiralized vegetables are sold in certain grocery stores, owning a spiralizer can be a lot more cost effective. You can get a great spiralizer for about $10-$15, and you can use it on fruits or vegetables. Don’t waste your money on handheld spiralizers. Instead, get your hands on the one with several blade attachments and a crank because it is much easier to use. You won’t be eating pasta, but zoodles are the next best thing!
A Nut Milk Bag
Since you cannot purchase plant milks from grocery stores (due to the use of sweeteners, preservatives, and processed ingredients) while you are cleansing, you’ll benefit from having a nut milk bag. It is much easier to use than a cheesecloth, it is reusable, and it won’t give your homemade plant milk a grainy texture. A nut milk bag is inexpensive and essential for anyone who plans on regularly making plant milks.
A Dehydrator
Dehydrating foods can help preserve your ingredients, and a small amount of dehydrated ingredients can offer intense flavors to other recipes. They range from about $40-$200, and the ones in the lower price range work great. Whether or not you invest in a dehydrator will depend on what you like to eat. If you feel that you won’t use it a lot, you don’t have to get it, but you should consider it if you enjoy raw crackers, raw chips, raw burgers, or even raw pizzas!
A Great Knife
With all the chopping, dicing, and slicing that you are bound to do during your raw vegan diet, a great knife is the most important kitchen tool for a raw food chef. Don’t sink your life savings into a knife set, but purchase an all-purpose chef’s knife from a reputable brand. While you’re at it, get a great cutting board to go along with your new knife! Feel like a pro in the kitchen and cut with ease.
A Food Processor
A food processor isn’t absolutely necessary, but it can do the work that most blenders cannot. When it comes to making raw nut meat, homemade ice cream, or thick creamy sauces, a food processor comes in handy. A moderately priced food processor will suffice, but avoid the cheapest variety. You also don’t want a microprocessor because it won’t hold enough food for the recipes you want to make.
