Is 80/10/10 the Perfect Raw Vegan Diet or a Dangerous Fad?

The 80/10/10 diet is a low-fat, raw, vegan diet that focuses on consuming raw food and carbohydrates. Those on the diet break up their calories as 10 percent fat and 10 percent lean protein. The other 80 percent comes from complex carbohydrates.

Dr. Douglas Graham, a lifetime athlete and raw food dieter since 1978, created the diet. He’s recognized as one of the fathers of the modern raw movement. Among his many credentials, he serves on the boards of the Vegetarian Union of North America, Voice for a Viable Future, Living Light Films, and EarthSave International. He has also worked professionally with top sports performers such as tennis legend Martina Navratilova, NBA pro basketball player Ronnie Grandison, and track Olympic sprinter Doug Dickinson. Clearly, he’s an educated man with clients who love what his plan has done for them.

Graham originally developed the diet as a way to boost athletes’ performance with high-energy foods. His website claims that his plan is the “first to present a low-fat diet and lifestyle program based exclusively around whole, fresh, uncooked fruits and vegetables. From effortless body weight management to unprecedented vibrant health and disease reversal to blockbuster athletic performance, The 80/10/10 Diet delivers in ways no other plan can even hope to match.”

There are some noted benefits to following this strict diet. According to the book “Totally Fit Living,” as referenced by Livestrong, the diet can lower your blood pressure and cholesterol, as well as reduce your risk of heart disease.

Despite the benefits, should we consider this diet the most healthy lifestyle option? Is it a dangerous fad or the perfect eating plan? As with any diet, balance and planning is the key. This is not a diet for the average eater. It has the potential to be dangerous because it is a very low-fat diet. Consider that the Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommends 20 to 35 percent of your daily calories from fat. The human body requires dietary fat to utilize fat-soluable vitamins like A, D, E, and K. Eating a diet too low in fat can interfere with the absorption of these vitamins.

It’s important to keep in mind that this diet may not be for everyone, nor is it the perfect prescription for daily eating. Since the diet is limiting, it will also put a strain on your ability to enjoy nights out at restaurants or dinner parties at friend’s houses. It takes much planning and knowledge in order to follow the plan correctly, which might also translate to a higher grocery bill since you need to consume large amounts of fruits and vegetables. Also, since the plan was created for athletes, if you do not perform at least 30 minutes of aerobic exercise each day and do strength training three times a week, Graham says you will not reap the full benefits of the diet.

If you’re following the 80/10/10 raw diet or want to give it a try, please remember that it cannot be practiced half-heartedly. However, this does not mean that it can’t be done. In fact, numerous healthy individuals have not only benefited, but also thrive on this diet! What you need to know is that like any strict/unconventional diet, it requires commitment and research before you dive in. Otherwise, you might be doing your body more harm than good.

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