There are many clients of mine who despite being on a supposedly very healthy diet have complaints of having issues with dryness of the skin, gas and bloating and abdominal cramps . Upon analysis of their diets I discover that some of them are mostly on a raw food diet. Though the Raw food diet depending on the ingredients consumed can be superior in nutrition ie vitamins and minerals, Ayurveda* believes that raw foods such as salads and raw veggies in large quantities , depending on a person's digestive capability can be very difficult to digest. Cold foods such as salads have the attributes of being light, cold, dry and rough. These qualities are similar to the Vata Dosha, the bio energy responsible for all movement in the body and thus increases Vata. An aggravated Vata Dosha can lead to symptoms such as dryness, feeling cold , disturbed sleep, insomnia, abdominal cramps, gas and bloating, lack of energy , a poor appetite and many more imbalances. Many people do not have the digestive capacity to digest Raw foods and this undigested food could also lead to toxins which may result in many diseases.
*Ayurveda is one of the oldest systems of traditional natural healing in the world. Also known as the sister of Yoga, it stresses deeply on nutrition and lifestyle for optimal health.
Ayurveda believes that there are three bio energies ie Vata ( Air and Ether Elements), Pitta ( Fire and Water ) and Kapha ( Earth and Water) within the body and their balance or imbalance determines the state of good or ill health .