You might think that all foods are alike. Everything you eat, after all, is just a form of fuel to keep your body moving, and besides differences in taste, it’s all just energy.

Well, all right, you probably don’t think that. You know that there is a world of difference between eating a fresh raw salad and, say, a double cheeseburger from the local fast food joint. You know that eating a diet high in raw and uncooked foods is an important way to keep your body healthy and strong.

But if you think the first comment is a foolish one, stop to consider how many people think about raw foods. As a group, they are lumped together in the “good for you” grouping, and for some, that’s as far as it goes. It’s all raw, it’s all good, and really, one raw food item is as good for you as the next.

But that sort of thinking is nearly as misguided as those who can’t see the difference between cooked and uncooked foods. Comparing all raw foods and calling them good is missing out on some of the greatest superfoods that the raw diet can offer.

These superfoods are so chock-full of vitamins, minerals and other goodies that comparing them to “ordinary” raw foods is like comparing apples to…

ALMONDS. You might think these are just another nut, but beneath their shells lay one of the greatest raw superfoods you could possibly find. While it certainly doesn’t hurt that they taste great, offer a satisfying crunch that can be added to any meal and are among the most easily portable of all raw foods, it is what is inside that really counts. Consumption of raw almonds has been shown to help reduce the bad cholesterol in the body; they offer a great source of natural fiber to help regulate your body’s digestive cycle; they contain huge amounts of Vitamin E, calcium and iron; and their bulk can help to fill your stomach in between meals without gorging on excessive calories. What more could you ask for from a simple nut?

ORANGES. Again, this is one of those superfoods that seem to have a secret identity. You see it everywhere, but no one acknowledges what an important role this delicious citrus fruit can play in your healthy raw lifestyle. Oranges contain a cavalcade of important vitamins, have been shown in studies to reduce the risk of such terrible conditions as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases, can help to rehydrate you after an intense workout, and can lower your risk of developing heart and circulatory problems.

MACA. This one is the wild card, the raw food item you might not have heard of before, but should certainly take some time to look at. This Peruvian wonder fruit contains tons of vitamins, healthy acids and assorted minerals that are essential to good health. As an added bonus, this fruit is said to be somewhat of an aphrodisiac, and is nicknamed “Natural Viagra”. It is also known for its amazing ability to restore your blood pressure to a more natural level, no matter where you currently stand. Maca can reduce blood pressure for those who suffer from high blood pressure, and raise it for those who suffer from low blood pressure. Now that is a superfood!