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Burning Question: What Makes Fish Sushi-Grade?

YumSugar — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 09:00:58 -0700

After seeking out sushi-grade tuna to make my own spicy tuna poke, I became curious as to what exactly constitutes sushi- or sashimi-grade fish.

The terms "sushi-grade" and "sashimi-grade" were created to ensure certain types of seafood can be consumed in raw form - but it turns out that they're more marketing terms than anything else. There are no clear health parameters enforced by the Food and Drug Administration or any other food agency that seafood must pass in order to be labeled sushi- or sashimi-grade. The FDA does maintain that all fish eaten raw must be frozen first.

The moral of the story? When it comes to eating raw fish, you're at the mercy of the person preparing it. Make sure you're aware of the freezing conditions that the fish have been subject to: fish intended to be eaten raw should either be frozen for seven days at -4 degrees Fahrenheit, or flash frozen for 15 hours at -31 degrees. In addition, look out for any warning signs of less-than-fresh seafood, like pearly rainbow or yellowish discolorations, dull flesh, or a fishy smell.

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Name That Dish!

YumSugar — Thu, 07 May 2009 16:15:52 -0700

If you love seared tuna and guacamole, you'd enjoy this popular raw course. Can you name it?

Would You Rather Eat Fresh or Fried Rolls?

partysugar — Sun, 09 Mar 2008 08:50:31 -0700

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Living and Raw Foods Diet

FitSugar — Mon, 12 Mar 2007 03:30:00 -0700

I've been hearing a lot about people on a Raw Foods Diet. It's also called a Living Foods Diet, and many celebrities such as Demi Moore, Woody Harrelson, Bryan Adams, Alicia Silverstone and Robin Williams have reportedly been seen at raw food restaurants and have tried it. Designer Donna Karan and actor Jeremy Piven shed pounds eating raw foods. It was even featured on Oprah.

People following this diet (or you could also say "lifestyle", since there are a lot of folks that eat RAW not to lose weight but for the philosophy) eat only uncooked, unheated, unprocessed, and organic plant based foods. Well...food that has not been heated above a certain temperature. It varies within the different raw food philosophies, but the end range temperature is in between 92ºF to 118ºF (33°C to 48°C). Meals consist mainly of organic and raw fruits, vegetables, sprouted seeds and grains, sea vegetables, nuts, and seeds since they believe cooking destroys precious vitamins and minerals. For instance to eat grains, instead of cooking them, they are soaked. Raw foodies believe their uncooked foods contain essential enzymes, which the body needs to digest foods completely.

They drink only purified water (never tap water), freshly made juices (made with a juicer), and coconut milk. They avoid meat, dairy, sugar, alcohol, coffee (because you make it with boiling water), and all junk food. They only eat foods that are good for you, you know, the ones that are full of vitamins and nutrients.

Why eat just raw and living foods? It is said that you'll have more energy, think more clearly, have improved overall health, and lose excess body weight. Many people have also found relief from migraines, acne, asthma, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, depression, heartburn, anxiety, and Type 2 diabetes.

Fit's Tips: If you want to learn more about it, check out Alissa Cohen's website all about The Raw Food Diet. She even includes recipes for burgers, pizza, cannolis, and chocolate cake - all made with raw foods and no animal products.

Want to see a video showing how to make a pasta dish with raw foods? Then read more

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Reasons People Go Raw

FitSugar — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 10:00:12 -0700

It's World Vegetarian Month and many people are going meat-free for their health, but others are taking their diets to a whole new level - going raw. A raw food diet consists of consuming unprocessed, preferably organic, whole, plant-based foods, at least 75 percent of which should be uncooked.

A raw-food eater might enjoy uncooked veggies, fresh and dried fruits, nuts, seeds, seaweed, soaked dried beans, young coconut milk, and sprouted seeds and breads. The other 25 percent of a raw foodie's diet includes foods that are lightly cooked in a dehydrator, but foods can't be heated above 116° F, because it's believed to destroy valuable enzymes that help our bodies digest and absorb our food. If the good stuff is destroyed, what's the point of eating healthy foods?

Here are some reasons I've heard people give for deciding to go raw:

It's a simple, natural diet, devoid of artificial and processed foods.
For increased energy.
To improve appearance of the skin.
To improve digestion, and prevent constipation.
For weight loss.
To reduce the risk of heart disease.
To eat in a humane way.

Going completely raw may not fit your lifestyle, but it can't hurt to add some raw meals and snacks into your diet. For some raw-food recipes, read more.

	Edamole (substitute minced hot pepper for hot sauce)
	Mango Red Pepper Salsa
	Mixed Nut Butter (use raw nuts)
	Chickpea, Carrot, and Currant Salad
	Corn and Black Bean Salad

If you have a raw food recipe to share, post it in the Healthy Recipe group.

Would You Eat Raw Meat Sushi?

YumSugar — Fri, 10 Aug 2007 07:54:31 -0700

My gal Giggle sent me this video the other day. We all know about fish sashimi, but have you heard of horse, deer, or chicken sushi?! Be sure to check out the video and then tell me, would you eat raw meat sushi?

Does Raw Meat Gross You Out?

YumSugar — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 06:50:00 -0700

A fellow Sugar staffer recently shared stories about her raw meat woes. She can't look at - or touch - raw meat without getting grossed out and feeling nauseated. In particular, skin-on chicken makes her skin crawl, and the juice from red meat leaves her queasy. This got me to wondering: how many of you feel the same way?

What's the Deal With the Raw Food Diet

FitSugar — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 10:00:00 -0700

If I were ever to dabble in eating a raw food diet, I would choose to do so in Summer. There is an abundance of produce in season that is especially uncooked – peaches versus butternut squash. But eating "raw" is about more than just eating salads; it is a complex diet.

The raw food movement stands exactly opposite of processed foods. We know that minimally prepared food is more nutritious, but with the raw diet nothing should be heated over 116 degrees F – the temperature at which important food enzymes are destroyed. Raw foodies argue that these enzymes are not killed by the acidic environment of the stomach, merely deactivated then re-activated once they enter the more alkaline environment of the intestines. Once in the intestines, raw foodists believe these enzymes allow you to fully reap the nutritional benefit from your foods – getting more nutrients from less (processed) food. There are certain movements within the raw food movement that believe you only need to eat raw at least 80 percent of the time to benefit from the diet.

To read about the possible nutritional deficiencies of eating raw and the rules of raw, just read more.

This modification of the rules is important since there are some nutrients your body processes better when cooked. The antioxidant lycopene increases when tomatoes are cooked. The raw food diet is low in B12, found in meat and eggs, as well as zinc. Many people adhering to a strict raw food diet don't get enough calcium or vitamin D and put themselves at risk for osteoporosis.

For me the downside of eating raw would be the amount of time it takes to prepare a meal. There is a lot of soaking involved to create foods soft enough to eat without cooking them. To make whole grains, like oatmeal, you need to soak the grain in boiled water for two to three hours, so you definitely need to think ahead.

Here's a thumbnail sketch of what to avoid and what to eat when going raw:

No animal products – no meat, no eggs, no dairy products. Instead switch to nut and seed milks.
No refined sugar or flour. Avoid white rice. Instead you can make your own snack foods with a dehydrator.
Only cook, the 20 percent of the time that you might be cooking, with cold-pressed unheated oils.
Do eat tons of greens and juice them too. Spirulina and wheat grass are great diet additions too. As well as sprouted greens.
Eat fresh plant foods and avoid processed foods like: frozen, boxed, canned and bottled.
Eat 80 percent or more raw foods.

If you eat raw tell us all about it in the comment sections below.
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Carol Alt Eats It Raw

FitSugar — Mon, 15 Dec 2008 03:30:47 -0800

Carol Alt used to hit the runways, but now she's hitting the produce aisle, since she's way into the raw food diet. She's been following it for the past 12 years, so what got her hooked? Early in her modeling career, she was told to lose weight and did so by dieting (and depriving herself) silly. She became really unhealthy, was always tired and sick with colds and the flu, and had respiratory issues. When she tried the raw food diet, her health dramatically improved, yet she was able to maintain the lean size she needed for modeling. Now at age 48, she still has that amazing figure and is even showing it off in the December issue of Playboy. Carol's goal was to "promote raw eating and to show women that they, too, can look their best at any age."

To hear more about this diet and see a video of Carol explaining how it can help you maintain a healthy weight, read more.

If you're not familiar with the raw food diet, it's just like it sounds. All the foods are organic and raw, including uncooked veggies, fresh fruits, soaked grains, and sprouted seeds and breads. Most raw followers avoid meat and dairy, but Carol eats sashimi (raw seafood), carpaccio (thinly sliced raw beef, veal, or tuna), and raw milk cheeses. It's believed that eating a Raw Food Diet can increase your energy level, help you lose excess weight, relieve migraines and depression, lower cholesterol and high blood pressure, and can also eliminate acne and asthma.

If you want more information, Carol wrote two books, Eating in the Raw ($11) and The Raw 50 ($12). She not only raves about this lifestyle, but she also includes recipe ideas so you can start reaping the same health benefits.

Check out her peppy video interview below.

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Would You Drink Raw Milk?

YumSugar — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 10:43:33 -0700

While there are many proponents of raw milk, there are even more folks against it. Recently a family vacationing at a working farm ran into complications from drinking raw milk (they're going to be okay, but had contracted a bacterial food poisoning because of it). Raw milk sales are actually prohibited in many countries as well as 25 states and DC.

California is one of the states that allows it and I was able to pick up this jug at Whole Foods. The flavor is much richer and strong, I would even consider it somewhat "grassy" tasting, as if you could tell what the cow had fed on. It's nothing like store-bought milk - especially the lower fat versions. It's wonderfully smooth and, for lack of a better word, milky tasting.

So tell me, would you drink raw milk? Or do the health concerns worry you?