With so many fad diets and special lifestyles in existence, it’s difficult to assess exactly what way of life or eating model is best for you. From the meat-centric carnivore diet to the fat-focused keto diet to the various plant-based diets and beyond, you almost have too many diets at your disposal. Some of these diets don’t focus on the healthiest foods, though. This is not the case for the raw vegan diet.
What Is The Raw Vegan Diet?
The raw vegan diet is not a new model of eating; rather, it has been around since the 1800s. Raw vegan supporters believe that this diet is the most ideal for optimal health, but some health experts don’t advise it for everyone. Food is considered raw if it is never heated over 104-118º Fahrenheit. Raw veganism focuses on fresh fruits, vegetables, and raw nuts and seeds. By its very nature, the raw vegan diet is plant-based and avoids all meats, poultry, dairy products, processed, refined or pasteurized foods.
Why Don’t You Cook Food On The Raw Vegan Diet?
When you heat food past a certain temperature, the nutrients and enzymes start to break down. Raw food is living, so to speak, while cooked food is somewhat dead. This is why many vegan or raw vegan restaurants refer to raw dishes as “living foods.”
Why Do You Have To Eat Raw During A Dherbs Cleanse?
The Standard American Diet is one of the worst diets in existence, and many people suffer severe health problems because of it. From bacon-wrapped hotdogs and buttered popcorn to chocolate brownie sundaes and cupcakes, it’s safe to say that Americans don’t eat the healthiest foods. These foods contribute to clogged arteries, chronic inflammation, and impacted colons, so it doesn’t make sense to eat them while you’re cleansing. Instead of focusing on those foods, which led you to cleansing, we turn your attention to raw fruits, vegetables, and raw nuts and seeds. The raw vegan diet helps people in two ways: it aids the cleansing process and it helps promote weight loss, if that is your reason for cleansing. There are many raw vegan meals you can make, and you can always visit our cleanse approved recipe section (click here) for meal ideas.
How To Start Eating Raw Vegan
Stock Up On Raw Foods
You cannot start this diet if your fridge isn’t stocked with an assortment of raw fruits and vegetables. If you don’t have enough of these foods, you’ll easily fall off the diet and reach for something buried in your cabinets. Speaking of which, get rid of any junk, snacks, or non-raw foods in your kitchen. There’s no room for sugar-laden, sodium-rich, toxic foods on the raw vegan diet. Don’t forget that you can buy raw nuts and seeds, both of which help to fill you up between meals. You can also purchase dried fruit, so long as it is free of chemicals and added sugars.
Invest In Some Quality Kitchen Tools
You don’t need a juicer, but having a good blender is a game changer for living raw vegan. In fact, you’ll become best friends with your blender with all the smoothies that you’ll make. Another excellent kitchen tool is the spiralizer, but please opt for the one with the crank. Don’t get the handheld one because you’ll tire yourself out or get frustrated, and not all veggies or fruits fit in it. If you plan on making energy bites, nut “meat,” or raw vegan desserts, a food processor may come in handy. For other kitchen tool recommendations, please click here.
Eat A Lot…We Mean It
One of the biggest mistakes people make when they switch to the raw vegan diet is that they don’t eat enough. You have to remember that fruits, vegetables, nuts, and seeds have fewer calories than the foods you typically eat. When you don’t eat enough, you can experience fatigue, headaches, stomach pain, and lethargy. If your goal is to lose weight, this tip is extra important. The body will hold on to fluids and weight if you don’t eat enough, so please drink large smoothies, eat large salads, and explore raw vegan entrée options to increase your caloric intake.
Find Inspiration Online
The Internet is an amazing place, especially if you need help on a diet. With so many food blogs, Instagram pages, and YouTube channels dedicated to raw veganism, it’s easy to find inspiration for recipes, exercise pointers, and lifestyle tips. We understand that many people are busy, but it’s so easy to watch a short video detailing how to make a new recipe. Use these resources to your advantage in order to succeed on the raw vegan diet.
Anything in life that’s worth having doesn’t come easy. The raw vegan diet is drastically different from what most people are used to, but that’s okay. Don’t be afraid of change, and don’t get mad at yourself if you slip up on the diet. You should not shame yourself for eating a cooked meal. The best thing you can do is get back on the horse to ride again. It’s acceptable to have setbacks in the beginning! Just remind yourself that you are eating this way to improve your health.
Vincent Stevens is the senior content writer at Dherbs. As a fitness and health and wellness enthusiast, he enjoys covering a variety of topics, including the latest health, fitness, beauty, and lifestyle trends. His goal is to inform people of different ways they can improve their overall health, which aligns with Dherbs’ core values. He received his bachelor’s degree in creative writing from the University of Redlands, graduating summa cum laude. He lives in Los Angeles, CA.
