Ever since I started college, I have been extremely interested in health and nutrition. After periodically experimenting with the vegetarian and vegan diets, I discovered the raw vegan lifestyle and found that it was the most appropriate for me in light of my ethical views and desire to walk in optimal wellness. In recognizing that more and more people are discovering that they also want to make the raw vegan diet an integral aspect of their life, it’s important to share information regarding how to help people have success in their transition to this lifestyle. Here are three strategies you should consider implementing:
1. Don’t Listen To Non-Experts.
One thing that I became increasingly aware of after beginning the raw vegan diet is that there are a lot of individuals within the medical and nutritional fields that really do not know that much about this lifestyle. This is unsurprising since the most prevalent mode of eating for most citizens of the U.S. is the Standard American Diet (SAD). In light of this fact, it is important that individuals seeking to have success on the raw vegan diet seek advice and information from people who have extensive education and information about it. I have learned much from raw vegans such as Dr. Douglas Graham, who authored the book The 80/10/10 Diet. There are a variety of other raw food experts whose advice you will likely find helpful as you pursue the raw diet, and you should be sure that the information you receive is coming from an erudite source.
2. Consider How You Feel.
Although the phrase “raw vegan diet” may seem to suggest just one mode of eating, there are innumerable ways that an individual can follow this diet. Originally, I decided to follow the 80/10/10 diet. Yet while I enjoyed the food types and quantities in the diet, I found that I like eating a little more fat than is permitted given that I love nuts like cashews. Eating the nuts precludes me from feeling deprived and enables me to consume smaller quantities of fruit, which is perfect for me because I don’t like consuming the large meals required in the 80/10/10 diet. While the mode of eating I’ve just described works for me, it may not be ideal for you. And while it’s always good to be scientific and methodical about everything that you do, considering how food makes you feel-with respect to things like satiation and mood-is also important. After all, if you don’t enjoy eating the foods that comprise your raw vegan diet, you are likely to turn back to cooked foods and other unhealthy products that can contribute to decreased wellness.
3. Buy Food In Season.
Buying food in season is advantageous for raw vegans for two reasons. First, it’s cheaper. And as many raw vegans know, this diet has the potential to be fairly expensive (depending on your food preferences and where you prefer to purchase your produce from.) In addition to saving money by purchasing your food in season, doing so offers the benefit of better taste. In discussing why buying food in season is important, Michele Morris notes that “When food is not in season locally, it’s either grown in a hothouse or shipped in from other parts of the world, and both affect the taste.” By buying food in season, you can increase the likelihood that you attain the fresh, flavorful taste you want.
Conclusion
The fact that many raw vegans have been happy with their dietary lifestyle for numerous years is enough proof to suggest that this mode of eating can be fun and healthy. To make sure that you have success on your own raw vegan diet, consider implementing some or all of the strategies that I’ve listed above. Good luck!