Want to start on the raw food diet but don't know where to start? I know how confusing it can be to embark on the "raw" journey. You hear of people going 100% raw overnight, never to look back. This is not how it is for most of us though. For me it was more like one step forward, two steps back. I already ate pretty healthy but I just wanted to step up my game, do some detoxing, and have more energy. It's actually easier than you think, you just need to take it a step at a time. I am going to do a little series on my blog to break down the process step by step. Through trial and error, I have found this to be the easiest way to incorporate healthier foods into my life. ( full disclosure: I am not 100% raw although I hover around 75%. I feel it is better to have healthy whole foods (cooked or not) when feeding a family of 7. This is what works for me and I encourage you to find what works for you. It is not all or nothing!Make it fun!)
Step 1 is food (so-called) you should completely eliminate from your diet. You will increase your health immensely just by eliminating these substances!
1. sugar, (this one is tough! ) replace your white stuff with stevia or raw honey if you have to have a sweetner.
2. flour products
3. fast foods
4. processed foods (any packaged food)
5. artificial sweetners/chemicals
6. alcohol
7. caffeine
8. gluten (if you feel you have an allergy)
9. dairy and eggs if you feel you have an allergy ( we drink raw milk in our home)
10.meat (especially if you can't get organic, hormone, antibiotic free. if you don't want to give it up completely then at least keep it to a minimum)
11. refined oils and hydrogenated fats (cold-pressed olive oil is best)
*If you are unsure about the allergies to dairy, eggs and gluten, then eliminate them for two weeks then slowly add them back in individually and see how your body reacts.
Use the rest of this week to get your fridge and pantry cleaned out of all these items because the next step is to go shopping for the right foods.
My hope is that this will help you get healthy or at least thinking about it. Eventually action is necessary and I want to show you how easy this lifestyle can be. 100% raw is not necessary to be healthy but the more raw fruits and veggies you can eat, the better. You will love the way you look and feel! Commit to your health, you deserve it!
Blessings,
Christy
What about Agave Nectar instead of sugar?
ReplyDeleteGreat question! Here is a link to Kevin and Anne Marie Gianni's site http://renegadehealth.com/blog/2009/10/29/agave-nectar-clinical-trials-stopped-due-to-severe-side-effects/ . They have done some research on agave and it is interesting what they discovered. I only use it to make the occassional raw dessert but I wouldn't call it healthy.:)
ReplyDeleteFunny you mention agave. I don't really think it's that great either...pretty highly processed from what I understand. I'll have to check out that link.
ReplyDeleteWe tend to eat seasonally and feel really good that way - heavier, warm foods in the winter, mostly raw fruits and veggies in the summer. Last night we had a full watermelon for dinner...too hot and humid for anything else!
Thanks for sharing my button, btw. :)