Tracy’s Raw Food Journal

Well, I think I have figured out what works for me! I have been so excited about Raw Foods and all the amazing gourmet dishes that can be created using only wholesome, living foods, and I know I am healthier not putting cooked or otherwise processed foods into my body. But, I haven’t been losing the weight I want to lose, which has been discouraging me. I keep reading all these amazing success stories from people who went Raw and have lost all their excess weight and I keep thinking “Why not me?” Aside from the fact that I eat junk food, or my idea of junk food anyhow, every so often. But most of the time I really am pretty good about staying Raw. So…I think I figured out the catch, for me, anyhow!

No starches or grains and very, VERY few nuts and seeds! At least until I get down to my desired weight. A lot of the creative dishes I have been making are very nut or seed dense, which is very gratifying and satisfying for my MOUTH…but I am not getting the results in my body that I desire.

So, here is what I am allowing myself:

All the fruit I want – except I am severely restricting my consumption of dried fruits. I used to snack on dates or raisins and nuts frequently and I am not doing this any longer. Dry fruits are also now in the “condiment” category for me. A few in a salad, that’s it!

All the vegetables I want, with the exception of white potatoes

Nuts or seeds only as a condiment…say, a handful in a fruit salad…but not used as a base for a meal such as raw tacos or refried beans or hummus or pie crust or nut butters/creams or pie fillings or faux sour cream or nut milks or raw cereal, etc, etc, etc.

I feel lighter already after doing this for 3 days and have already lost 2.5 pounds. I am even allowing myself some raw fish…marinated in citrus juice so that it is the texture of “cooked” fish and lightly steamed broccoli along with the occassional cooked yam. And I am feeling GREAT!

So, for those with weightloss issues who are thinking about adopting a Raw Foods lifestyle, try this approach if you are not experiencing success, and see if it works for you, too!