A raw diet generally consists of eating only fruits, vegetables and nuts. All of these foods are nutrient-rich foods that can be eaten right from the vine, ground or tree. Processed foods contain all types of ingredients that can actually cause obesity and other serious health problems. You may think that a raw food life would be very boring but you’d be amazed at how good it can make you feel and that can be enough to stay away from the processed foods you currently rely on.

Only you are in charge of your transition to raw food. Nobody else in the world can make the transition for you. It’s very difficult to do if you’re used to eating a lot of junk and processed foods but it can be done if you are serious about it and you really understand why you want to make the transition in the first place.

The actual transition process will be different for each person. Some people transition better to eating raw food by jumping right in and eliminating all other types of food from their diet right from the start while others need to gradually add more and more raw foods into their diet and slowly cut out the processed foods, junk foods and other unhealthy foods.

Before you get started you should seriously consider purchasing a fruit and vegetable chopper, grinder, dehydrator, sharp knives and good cutting boards. You will need these items to prepare your meals for eating raw food. A dehydrator will "cook" foods without destroying the enzymes and nutrients which is what happens when you cook foods the way you’re probably used to which is using a microwave, stove or oven. Then it’s time to create a simple meal plan that you can follow for the first week or so.

Once you have successfully made the transition or you’re at least working on it your body may go through a detox phase for several days so you are likely to experience insane cravings for the foods you’re used to eating but if you can work past those initial cravings you’ll be in good shape. To avoid dealing with cravings, avoid all of the aisles at the grocery besides the produce and nuts. They’re generally in the same vicinity as one another so that makes it pretty easy.

You can find recipes for delicious raw variations on your favorite "naughty" foods – cashew nut ice cream, raw cacao "chocolate cake", zucchini spaghetti, and even chocolate nut bars.  It’s good to keep some of these on hand for when you are feeling particularly tempted and you can indulge yourself without bad consequences.

If you find yourself slipping back to your old ways of eating then create a journal for yourself and document how you’re feeling. Including how you feel mentally and any physical symptoms you may be feeling such as headaches, stomach pains and the like. It may help you realize how nice eating raw food is and the benefits of living a raw food life.

The challenge when it comes to raw foods is making sure that you don’t fall back into old habits.  Many people fail to make the transition because they do not do the proper meal planning that helps them stick to the diet.  Your eating habit is just like any habit and you need to stick to a new one until it becomes automatic.  But if you come across too many obstacles, you’ll be discouraged and eventually give up.

The whole goal of meal planning is to plan your meals ahead of time, add variety into your meals, and also get all the tools that you need to make it happen.  The first thing that needs to be done is to figure out what you’re going to eat throughout the week.  Think of your favorite raw foods and come up with meals for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

As you do this, you will have to schedule in your meals for each meal of the day and each day of the week.  To help make it easier, you may want to mix in some of your favorite foods to start (as long as they’re not too unhealthy).  If you don’t have many ideas, you should go out and purchase a recipe book for people who want to reap the raw food health benefits.

The secret to making the transition into raw foods is to make sure you incorporate your meals with different tastes.  You should mix in meals that are salty, sour, bitter, sweet, and savory.  An example of a sour and sweet meal can be zucchini spaghetti and tomato sauce.  You get the sour and sweet taste of the tomatoes as well as the balancing flavor from the zucchini.

It’s very important that you include meals that have different tastes so that you don’t get bored of the raw food diet.  Many people fail in making the transition because they eat foods that taste the same.  They did not factor in taste perception when switching to a raw food diet.  Variety is very important when it comes to changing to a new diet.

Another factor that you need to consider is having all the necessary appliances to prepare your food.  Think about what you’ll need from blenders, food processors, juicers, and other kitchenware.  Anything that helps you prepare your food faster will help in making the transition.

Keep variety in your plan and plan your meals around your favorite foods – just don’t cook them.  Recipe books will help with ideas and gradually you’ll be able to come up with your own variations.

You obviously know that there are many raw food health benefits and that is why you’re reading this article.  The secret to making raw foods a part of your life is good meal planning.  Make sure you plan beforehand and that your taste buds are kept happy if you want to stick to this lifestyle for the long run.
 

With a living raw foods dietary program you are giving your body exactly the right types of nutrients it needs. This raw fuel is the perfect balance of vitamins, minerals and other essential nutrients that the human body requires for optimum health, energy and strength.

A raw food program consists of a variety of unprocessed and uncooked plant substances. Among the choices of foods you can eat are bean sprouts, crunchy seeds, tasty nutmeats, kelp, fruits, whole grains, legumes, lentils and a wide assortment of other delicious veggies.

It is well known that there are live enzymes in food products which are highly beneficial in the digestion process. Unfortunately these enzymes are often destroyed when food is prepared because most cooking processes will raise the temperature of the food above 116 degrees Fahrenheit. This high temperature destroys the life sustaining energy of the enzymes and voids much of the food’s nutritional and health benefits.

According to research if you want to truly derive the greatest value from your meals then a minimum of 75% of your daily diet must be eaten in its purest, raw state. Only raw foods contain living sources of energy that your body can use for fuel. For the healthiest living, raw foods are one of your best choices even if you only manage to use these products for 30-50% of your dietary needs.

Those who have already learned about a raw food diet have also discovered that some of the benefits of this type of eating program include clearer, smoother skin; natural weight loss; improved digestion and elimination processes; better health; more energy; high levels of strength and endurance; reduced instances of GI problems and a lowered risk of unhealthy physical conditions such as atherosclerosis, arthritis and heart disease. There is also a lower risk of cancer and diabetes for those individuals who follow the healthy guidelines of a raw organic food program.

With the raw food diet an individual will be ingesting foods in their purest form. This means less exposure to foods with high levels of saturated fats and trans fats. A raw food diet is also naturally high in healthy nutrients and minerals such as fiber, folic acid, potassium and magnesium. This healthy eating program provides you with those essential proteins, carbs and vitamins your body requires including high levels of antioxidants and phytochemicals yet with raw foods you are eating very little sodium.

With a raw organic food diet you will never be hungry because there are so many wonderful food choices available to you. You can eat beans, fruits, veggies, unprocessed organic products, whole grains, nuts, seaweed and a variety of crunchy, healthy seeds. You will also be able to select fresh juices, coconut milk and water to hydrate your body.

To maintain the integrity of raw organic food you should eat as many of these items as possible in their natural state. If you want to add some variety to your meals or you simply want to make some of the food items a little easier to chew and digest there are some low heat cooking techniques that you can use to create new dishes with raw organic food using a food dehydrator.  If you maintain the cooking temperature below 115 degrees F the live enzymes are not destroyed.

For variation on your raw foods meal program you can include the sprouting of seeds and grains for a nutritionally rich food source that can be added to your regular meals or snacks. You can also juice your fruits or vegetables by hand or with a juicing machine. Blending your fruits and veggies together to make smoothies can add a delicious simple variation to your diet while adding more easily assimilated nutrients.  Blending and dehydrating different raw organic seeds into flat breads can remove the cravings for crackers and bread.

The most important thing to do is to keep it interesting and enjoy the process.  Here’s to great magical health.

So it’s no question why many people are trying to move to a raw food diet plan. They want to support their health, lose weight, and maintain an attractive body. But transitioning into raw diets is not the easiest of tasks. You may find that it is less convenient than your previous diet. However, if you already plan your meals ahead of time, you may find the raw food lifestyle will be easy for you and you won’t resort back to your old habits.

Effective planning is very important when it comes to switching your diet. The first thing you need to do is to figure out what your favorite foods are. Rather than starting to eat raw food exclusively, you could slowly make it a part of your diet in order to identify what your favorite foods and dishes are. This diet can take some time and commitment before you get used to it.

Once you figure out what your favorite foods are, break down meals into your three daily meals throughout the day – breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Then allocate the food and dishes you want to eat for your meals and to each day of the week. In the beginning, you may even want to set a cheat day where you get to eat your past favorite foods. Some people actually find that they don’t need a cheat day as they get used to raw food planning as there are some really delicious recipes out there.

It’s important that you add as much variety as possible without making your meal plan complicated. If you eat too much of the same foods, you will slowly get sick of eating them. That’s why you need to diversify but make it so that it’s not hard to prepare your meals.

The great thing about raw food is that it doesn’t require the cooking time. However, you still need to think about preparation. Think about what kind of prep work you need done so that you can take your meal to work and while you’re on the go. This way, you won’t falter and end up at a fast food joint around the corner. Some people I know make up their own version of a "trail mix" of nuts, seeds and dried fruit and keep it in a cooler in their car for such occasions.

You will also need to prepare beforehand with the right appliances to make your raw food diet plan successful. It’s important that you equip yourself with the right blender, food processor, and juicer. You may also want to buy a coffee grinder to grind foods such as cacao beans, nuts, and seeds. By following this plan, you will be able to successfully transform into a raw food diet. Planning and preparation is very important if you are serious about making this positive change for yourself.

One of the most substantial benefits you get from going 100% raw is the fact that your body will get much more nutrients out of the food than if it was cooked or processed. You will also find that when you switch to raw food living your body will digest food more efficiently as the raw foods naturally have just the right amount and kinds of enzymes needed to digest that food which helps your digestive tract do its job.

You will find that you do not eat near as much because you are fuller faster and longer. This is due to the fact that you are getting much more nutrients from the raw foods. You will be able to eat less and go longer without having to snack in between meals. Many people tend to overeat when they are on a regular diet because their bodies are deprived of vital nutrients as the cooking and processing of foods destroys the nutrients and natural enzymes and so just don’t have enough in them to keep your body satisfied.

Organic raw food is the best way to go when you start your journey on raw food living. Organic foods are free from chemicals and pesticides and they are just so much healthier for you. When you first start out with raw foods try to keep it simple. Some people try to make some complicated dishes with raw foods and end up getting frustrated which can lead them on the path back to processed foods. There are certain raw foods that are considered to be super foods. This is because they are dense with nutrients and they provide you with high quantities of the nutrients your body needs.

An easy way for you to start your day is with a smoothie made with simple ingredients. Try a basic recipe that you can tailor to your particular tastes as follows:

- 3 tablespoons nut/seed mix (such as LSA – 3 parts linseed, 2 parts sunflower seed and 1 part almonds)
- Grind this first, then take out of the blender and add after the liquids (or keep a batch in the freezer)
- 2 pieces of fruit such as Pineapple and Pear – or equivalent quantities of frozen berries
- 2 cups of green leafy vegetables like Romaine Lettuce or Baby Spinach
- 2 dessertspoons of Lecithen – makes a nice creamy consistency
- 2-3 cups of liquid – almond milk, soy milk or water (or a mixture)

If you like it sweeter – add Stevia Powder – the powder seems to taste much nicer than the liquid for some reason.

You could also add super foods to help you get the right start to your day.

Some of the best super foods are bee pollen, coconut and flax seed oils, spirulina and goji berries. By combining these into a delicious smoothie for your first meal of the day, you will find that you have lots of energy.

Your body is likely to go through a natural detoxing phase when you get started on raw food living. This will help to clean all of the unwanted foods in your body that have not digested properly. Some people prefer to do an all natural cleanse to help get their body ready for taking on organic raw food. This really helps you to get started but it is not necessary.

For the best help in switching to raw food living, check out some of these great books. Each offers great tips and advice to help you get started with the life style that will change your life.

Your Natural Diet: Alive Raw Foods
By T.C. Fry and David Klein

Eating in the Raw: A Beginner’s Guide to Getting Slimmer, Feeling Healthier, and Looking Younger the Raw-Food Way
by Carol Alt

12 Steps to Raw Foods
by Victoria Boutenko

Raw Kids: Transitioning Children to a Raw Food Diet
by Cheryl L. Stoycoff

Raw Food Made Easy For 1 or 2 People
by Jennifer Cornbleet

Raw Food Celebrations
by Nomi Shanon and Sheryl Duruz

Feel Good Food Guide To Intuitive Eating
by Susie Miller and Karen Knowler

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