Since the 1950's, there has been a debate among those in the physical culture regarding cooked vs. raw food diets. This debate still goes on today, especially with the natural bodybuilding realm. Some of the arguments are that you need meat protein to build muscle.

Hemp Seed Powder and Wheat Grass are much richer sources of protein than meat which has been treated with hormones and cooked and difficult for your body to digest.

There are immeasurable advantages of a raw food diet for a natural bodybuilder. You will find that you will have more lifting strength and require less rest between sets. Vital nutrients such as enzymes, minerals and vitamins have been depleted from the foods through the cooking process.

You look at the strongest animals such as the gorilla, hippo, rhino, elephant, and they are all consumers of raw food. They seem to be able to build strong muscle without eating cooked foods, wonder how that works?

A Gorilla's diet is 100 percent raw as are the diets of the other animal's listed. You can be healthy and build a strong, well-sculpted body with raw organic fruits, green leafy vegetables, nuts and sunflower seeds.

Your body becomes clogged and weighed down by cooked foods and is depleted of the energy sources needed for bodybuilding. It takes a strong mind and will to be successful at a raw bodybuilding diet. Cooked foods blow up, or give an inflated look to muscles that only last for a temporary time. A real foundation of muscle is built upon a raw food diet of whole proteins and carbohydrates that can only be found in raw, uncooked foods.

Just observing the nutrients in fruit alone is enough to convince you of the benefits and nutrients to your body. Botanical fruits are what I am referring to when I speak of fruits. Bontanical fruit is seeded fruit that regenerates within itself to create more fruit. These include but not limited to avocado, cucumber, red and green peppers, squash, and tomatos.

You will find the benefits and advantages to a raw food diet versus a cooked diet for your natural bodybuilding routine. Keep a journal and document how you feel with your raw food diet, you will be able to determine what foods help you the most.

You are building a natural and healthy foundation that will last as long as you continue to build.