Overview of the Hippocrates Diet

The Hippocrates Diet is named after the Greek physician who is commonly referred to as the father of medicine. He based his practice on the until-then-unheard-of proposition that diet and exercise--not the gods--influenced people's health. Anne Wigmore, a raw food advocate, created a natural, vegetarian diet that is designed to let the body heal itself.

Rationale

The diet focuses on foods that contain oxygen and enzymes, which support its electrical system and provide energy. Storing and cooking food robs them of both, according to Brian Clement, Director of the West Palm Beach, Florida-based Hippocrates Health Institute. Clement and Wigmore believe that freshly harvested vegetables have powerful energy levels (auras). He rules out eating meat, saying that only by drinking an animal's blood immediately after slaughter provides complete protein. He also says that human cells cannot absorb calcium from milk. Food should be room temperature because eating hot or cold food robs the body of energy.

Vegetables/Fruits

The diet involves eating high amounts of raw, organic vegetables, avoiding eating meat and limiting dairy products fat intake. It stresses certain types of vegetables, including "green sprouts, germinated wheat, sunflower and buckwheat seeds," Clement explains. They should be organically grown, eaten raw, dried or pickled without salt. Organically grown fresh or dried fruit can be eaten as is or in sauces, soups, pies or in drinks, according to NaturoDoc.

Protein/Fats

People can get protein from raw or fermented nuts, seeds, beans, avocado, yogurts and cheeses, according to NaturoDoc. Wheatgrass, which can be consumed in juice form, and sunflower greens are complete proteins, according to Clement.

Carbohydrates

People should eat sprouted grains in breads, crackers or cereals.

Additional Advice

The diet discourages people from taking vitamin or mineral supplements, because you can get all of the vitamins you need from raw vegetables, Clement argues. Eating various types of algae three to five times a week will give you all of the minerals you need. Those who do not like the taste of these "sea vegetables," can take them in tablet form.

Wheatgrass juice is high in anti-oxidants, which help protect people from cancer and helps form red blood cells and hemoglobin, Clement says.