Raw Food Blog

Food allergies are the result of the body’s immune system having an adverse reaction to normal foods. . . . This is very individualistic. Some people who are allergic to nuts are allergic only to specific ones, and many outgrow their allergies. Genetics can be responsible for allergies, since a weakness in the immune system can be inherited.

If the bowel’s mucous membrane is sick (if it cannot absorb nutrients, or because of fungus or wrong eating) the screening pores of the natural wall are becoming bigger. If they are, then larger substances in food (mostly proteins) are entering your bloodstream where they should not be doing so. Your body is sending out antibodies to fight those substances off. If there is too much to fight off, the body will remember that substance and produce antibodies in a larger quantity than it normally needs to make sure they are killed quickly. In other words, the body produces antibodies to counter what it conceives to be an attack and in so doing, it causes an allergic reaction. This is what a food allergy is. Traditional medicine calls it the leaky-gut syndrome.

The body manufactures two specific antibodies in response to this situation. IgG antibodies are increased in common food intolerance or ‘hidden’ allergies. These are the usual short-lived but uncomfortably annoying allergies that should be avoided but are not life-threatening. Classic food allergies produce IgE antibodies, and this can result in anaphylactic shock, which requires emergency procedures to survive.

Adhering to a raw food diet usually has one of two results when it comes to allergies. Probably the most common consequence is that after complete detox is achieved, the allergy disappears and the foods can be gradually reintroduced. The enzymes in raw foods aid digestion but must be eaten very slowly and chewed well to fully realize the benefits.

The other solution is exactly the same one found on any diet-substitution. People who are allergic to nuts and/or avocadoes can find replacements that deliver the nutrition without the problems. Sunflower seeds are one likely substitute. Hemp seeds are becoming more popular as they have shown no propensity for causing allergic reactions. By substituting hemp seeds, sunflower seeds or quinoa for any kind of nut, you can easily adjust other recipes.

Quinoa is not actually a grain but as a substitute it provides excellent nutrition, especially for those who don’t consume nuts or grains. Quinoa is classed as a vegetable protein, which is very easy to digest. It is gluten free, and usually non-allergenic. It contains all the essential amino acids along with iron, potassium, B vitamins, zinc copper and manganese. Raw foodists usually stop eating grains after a certain point, but quinoa is a good bridge.