Definitions of raw and vegetarian eating styles, terms and concepts

Raw foods - Foods from nature; fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, herbs, sea vegetables etc. that have not been heated enough to kill their enzymes, i.e. over 118 degrees.

Whole foods - Foods as they are found straight from nature, not processed. The edible part of the plant still in its original package, with all of its water, vitamins, minerals, enzymes, phytochemicals, amino acids, essential sugars and fats, oxygen, fiber, etc -intact, with nothing added or taken away. Whole foods are healthier than their refined counterparts, e.g. olives are healthier than olive oil, almonds are healthier than almond butter, apples are healthier than applesauce.

Living foods - Foods from nature that still have their bioelectrical charge. This energy charge or aura can be clearly seen with Kirlian photography. When we eat living foods their sun energy, in the form of an electrical charge is transferred to us, absorbed directly into the cells in our body. The fresher, riper, more organic the plant, the stronger its energy field is. Nuts and seeds are soaked to remove their enzyme inhibitors. This starts their growth process and brings them into a living state. Cooked and processed foods are dead; they have no life force or electrical charge in them.

Raw Foodist - One who eats primarily raw foods in their diet. There are various types and degrees of raw foodism; some eat 70 percent raw and others eat 100 percent uncooked, unpasteurized and unrefined foods. Most raw foodists include sprouted, dehydrated and fermented foods in their diets - foods that still have their life force and nutritional components intact.

Vegetarian - One who does not consume meat. There are many types of vegetarians; some eat other animal products (dairy, eggs), some don't. Vegetarians have various motivations for not eating meat: ethical, health consciousness, spiritual, environmental etc.

Ovo-Lacto - A type of vegetarianism who does not eat meat but will consume eggs and dairy.

Vegan - One who does not consume meat or other animal products in their diet. Strict vegans will not eat honey or use or wear any animal products, including leather, wool, fur, silk or down feathers.

Freegan - One who will consume meat rarely and only if it is going to be disposed of uneaten. They will not buy meat or eat meat that has been bought for them. They do not support buying animal products or giving money to animal exploitation.

Flexitarian - One who is not a full vegetarian - they will eat meat, but will not eat meat of any animal that have lived or died in cruel conditions.

Macrobiotic diet - A diet based on an Oriental philosophy of health and longevity. It is a diet based on local, seasonal and organic cooked foods including whole grain cereals, legumes, vegetables, fruits, seaweeds and fermented soy products. Foods are combined according to their yin and yang properties.

Natural Hygiene - (aka oropathy) emphasizes a very pure raw food diet based on living, whole foods. Mono-eating, eating meals of just one food, (e.g. a bunch of bananas or mangos or a melon) is a common meal practice. They believe that the main cause of disease or illness is toxemia, poisoning of the blood. They insist that medicines, including herbal medicines, drugs and vaccines are poisonous to the body. The body has the power to heal itself and disease will only exist when the body is prevented from doing this. Fasting is the main method of healing.

Naturopathy - Similar to Natural Hygiene but it differs in that it allows natural, herbal and homeopathic medicines.

Paleo diet - (aka caveman diet or hunterer-gatherer diet) consists of a diet of wild plants and animals that were habitually consumed by people during the Paleozoic period, over 10,000 years ago. Most foods are eaten raw although all foods may be eaten cooked if desired. Foods included in the diet are ones that can be obtained using Paleolithic tools and practices such as: meat, fish, fruits, roots, mushrooms, nuts, honey etc. Foods not available at this time, such as dairy products and grains, are eliminated from the diet.

Anopsology - (aka instinctotherapy) is a raw food diet created by Guy-Claude Burger. It has similarities to the paleo-diet, focusing on foods that humans would have eaten before fire or the development of agriculture. It can include meat and excludes grains, dairy and any processed foods, including anything that has been ground, pressed or squeezed. It also excludes seasonings. One of the main tenets is that foods are pure, and that different foods should not be combined in any one bite. Mono-eating is common practice and followers are guided by their senses. A smell or taste change, for instance, is a signal to stop eating.

Liquidarian - One who consumes mainly liquids in their diet. Most people consume only liquids for short term healing diets. Long term liquidarians are rare.

Sproutarian - One who consumes mainly sprouts in their diet. They are usually not eaten exclusively but combined with a varied raw food diet.

Living foodist - A version of sproutarian. This is a diet created by Ann Wigmore and is based on sprouts, wheatgrass, fermented, and raw blended foods.

Fruitarian - One whose diet consists mainly of fruit. Like raw foodists, there are many types. Some eat 75% fruits and others 100%. Some eat seeds, including sprouted seeds and some eat green leafy vegetables. Most fruitarians will eat only those parts of the plant that can be gathered without harming the plant.

Breatharian - One who believes that food is not needed to sustain human life. They exist for extended periods of time sustained only by the sun's energy and prana, a vital life force.

Flowtarian - I liked this one, it's from: Voice Yourself "One that is sensitive and insightful to the fluctuating needs to serve the body, mind and spirit and the geographical, emotional and spiritual location of the body"

Squidwardarian - a consumer of exclusively Krabby Patties, but only ones that aren't paid for, or can be scraped off a spatula, or stolen from Patrick Star when he is jelly fishing. Squidwardarians can become extremely crabby from this diet.