I decided to use this blog as the foundation for the Raw Foods Blog on my www.tracypartridgejohnson.com site rather than starting a new blog from scratch because I think there is some good information and background already here. However, it has been 2 years since I last wrote a post for this blog, so I need to provide a few updates to bring it current. Afterwards I’m going to offer some of my favorite Raw Food Recipes for your enjoyment and to get your creative juices flowing!
First – The Update!
Over the past two years I have been playing with different configurations of Raw Foods living to see what works best for me and have come up with a few conclusions which may also be of benefit to you. But one thing I have learned is, just like religion, diet is a very personal thing and what works for one person may not work for another. Keep that in mind as you design your own eating regimen so that you can do what works best for your personality, preferences and health objectives.
In addition to the obvious health benefits of increasing the amount of raw food I consume on a daily basis compared to my consumption of refined, highly processed foods, my primary goal with going raw is weight loss. I have struggled with my weight my entire life and I’d really like to get beyond that concern and obsession so that I can move on to more important issues.
That said, I suspect many reading this post my have weight loss issues to deal with, as well. If so, these few insights I’m about to offer my be helpful as you pursue a raw foods lifestyle.
Weight Loss and a Raw Foods Lifestyle
Based on my personal experience I discovered that even though I felt GREAT essentially eliminating nutrient deficient foods from my diet, still, I wasn’t losing that much weight. And here is my belief regarding WHY that is the case;
When you move away from the SAD (Standard American Diet) and the plethora of highly cooked, processed and refined foods consumed on that diet and towards a Raw Foods lifestyle many people look for “replacement” foods to take the place of the old, familiar, comfort foods they are used to eating. In addition to that, most people don’t really know or understand HOW to eat a Raw Foods lifestyle. So, they search the internet and find loads of wonderful information and ideas about what to eat. It really is amazing the vast variety of gourmet foods that can be created using raw ingredients as substitutes for many of the grain, animal, and dairy foods we are used to consuming.
While these raw substitutes are, in most cases, much more nutrient dense and healthier options than the refined grain, meat, and dairy foods we are seeking to replace, they can also be extremely high in fat and thus, calories. The fat isn’t generally saturated fat, so technically that isn’t a bad thing. BUT the high calorie consumption can definitely slow or stop any weight loss objectives you are working towards.
Many recipes you will find on Raw Food websites offer delicious choices for making meat substitutes, dairy substitutes and wheat flour or other grain alternatives. GREAT! But the problem with most of these recipes, when it comes to weight loss, is that most of these substitute foods use Nuts and Seeds as the foundation for their recipes. Avocados are also extensively used. All of these foods are very dense, heavy, and fatty foods. I LOVE the fact that we CAN creatively replace all these unhealthy, refined foods in our diet with nutrient-dense, all-natural, raw alternatives. BUT…if you include these type of foods in your diet on a daily basis you will likely find it difficult to lose the weight. Even though your body will be much healthier because you’re removing all the toxins, preservatives, and “glue” from your digestive system, still, weight loss can be a challenge.
I know it has been for me.
So, here is my recommendation for those of us wishing to become healthier by eating Raw Foods while at the same time shedding unwanted pounds;
While you are actively working on losing weight, eliminate or very severely reduce your consumption of the following raw foods from your diet -
Nuts
Seeds
Avocados
Juices
Dried fruits such as; Dates, Raisins, Cherries, etc.
These foods are all very “dense” heavy foods with the exception of juices. You may be wondering why I would say limit your consumption of juices. A lot of Raw Foodists recommend juice fasting as a means of cleansing you body. There may or may not be value in this. All I can tell you is that it is much better to consume the whole fruit and not just the juice. The reason behind my thinking is that 1.) Juicing removes all of the fiber from the fruit or vegetable you are consuming. The fiber is the part of the food that satisfies your sense of fullness, but more than that, it slows the body’s absorption of natural sugars and thus it’s release of those sugars into the bloodstream. Of course, this is desirable in order to maintain a steady, stable blood/sugar level. 2. If you think about it, you would never be able to consume the same number of whole fruits and/or vegetables as you require for a glass full of juice. It’s just not possible to eat that much Raw Food. It takes me about 8 large carrots, juiced, to fill a good sized mug. Compare that to my ability or even desire to sit down and eat 8 whole, large carrots in one sitting. It’s just not going to happen. So, there is immense value in consuming the whole food and not just drinking the juice.
Then, what DO I eat on a Raw Food diet if I’m limiting my consumption of the above foods?
WHILE YOU ARE TRYING TO LOSE WEIGHT -
Focus on consuming a LOT of leafy greens. Supplement that with as many other raw vegetables as you desire. Then use fruit as dessert or a snack. You can still use the above ingredients as “condiments” in moderation…but remember you are trying to lose weight and piling on loads of high-calorie foods in the form of nuts, seeds, dry fruit and juices just won’t help you in that department.
That said, in my next post I will offer some really great recipes and meal ideas to get you off to a great start with the Raw Foods lifestyle! Recipes that won’t put on pounds and bulk you out.
Until next time…
Blessings and Namaste
~tracy
