Raw Food Diet Transition

A transition from cooked to raw foods should be a gradually increasing process. Moving to raw foods is a major dietary shift and should be approached as a process of elimination. Add this to my Recipe Box.

Small Steps

According to Living and Raw Foods, a raw food diet consists of raw organic fruits, vegetables, nuts and seeds. Raw foods are consumed in whole and natural condition and are not heated above 118 degrees F. Raw food expert, Frederic Patenaude, recommends defining goals. How much of your diet do you want to be raw? Take a small step by eliminating the most problematic cooked and processed foods from your diet.

Elimination

Begin by subtracting the unhealthiest cooked and processed foods. If you have a daily coffee habit, wean yourself by drinking less coffee. Also omit soda. Drop dairy, fried and junk food from your diet. You are taking common sense first steps, recommended by most healthy dietary plans. Also stop consuming grains, including breads, pastries and cereals.

Big Steps

Your next changes are big ones. Make them gradually, meal by meal. According to Patenaude, the first meal to change is breakfast. Breakfast is the easiest meal to introduce change. Patenaude recommends you start the day with a green smoothie to alkalize your body and provide energy (see Resources). The next meal to change is the most difficult. Change your dinner eating habits. Raw foods at dinner allow your system to cleanse in your sleep. Patenaude suggests beginning with raw fruit for a snack or entree. Eat a salad of raw, organic greens and fresh vegetables. Serve with light dressing. Add steamed vegetables, but do not overcook. By now, you are consuming two raw meals. Continue to eat a cooked lunch until you are comfortable with raw foods at breakfast and lunch. Finally, eat fresh fruits and vegetables at lunch. Learn how to make your own sprouts. As time passes, you will learn new raw and live recipes to add variety to your new way of life.

Considerations

Consult with a health care professional before making any major dietary changes. Establish proper nutrition from the beginning. A local whole foods grocer can recommend appropriate foods as you enter into the transitional stages from cooked, processed foods to raw, live foods. Local community colleges or free universities may offer courses in raw food preparation.