Eating Raw

by Yuri Elkaim, BPHE, CK, RHN
Author, Eating for Energy

If you are looking to begin eating a raw food diet, you might be a little lost as to where exactly you should start. From the outside, it might seem as though all you will be eating is handfuls of fruits, veggies and nuts. But never fear, we have a list of substitutions for you, so that you can replace the regular items in your every day diet with healthier, raw options.

In the morning, don’t reach for the coffee machine. Instead, get yourself a tall glass of water. Coffee, on top of being the boiled juice of roasted beans, is a diuretic, which will leave you dehydrated. You haven’t taken in any fluids during the night, so the last thing you need in the morning is to flush out what little you have in you. A glass of water will help to hydrate you after your slumber, and wake you up in a way you thought only caffeine could.

To go with your drink, you might regularly grab a bowl of cereal. But those toasted and sugared flakes, rings or clusters can’t compare with a bowl of fresh fruit with slivered almonds. The sugars that occur naturally in the fruit will give you the quick energy you need to start the day, and the almonds, besides providing that satisfying crunch, will add some protein and carbohydrates to the mix. And instead of the processed and pasteurized milk that you’re used to, try a glass of almond milk instead - it’s just as creamy.

At that mid-morning meeting, the company might trot out a box of doughnuts for everyone to snack on. After all, they’re all feeling the energy deficit from a lacklustre breakfast. But you still have energy to spare, so you can resist temptation. If the munchies do strike, grab an apple. Again, when you’re snacking, sometimes you need a good crunch.

When lunchtime rolls around and everyone heads out to the local fast food joint, you can pull out the lunch you threw together in less time than it will take them to get through the line to place their order. A great option is a spinach salad with mandarin orange segments, walnuts and a simple oil and vinegar dressing. It’s healthier than anything on the menu, and the flavors will be a lot brighter, too.

Around three o’clock, you will notice that your office mates will start to fade, and will head for the coffee pot or the snack machine. But you came prepared with a quick and delicious smoothie, just in case you felt a bit peckish. Again, this can be prepared in the morning by throwing together some fresh berries with a bit of citrus, and some chia seeds.

Dinnertime is a snap, too. You won’t be starving by this time, but you’ll be ready to eat. A red pepper, stuffed with thinly sliced zucchini and a zesty tomato puree will really hit the spot, and be just as filling as the pizza you would normally order. And yes, it will take less time to prepare than the delivery would take to get there.

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Raw Food Diet, Weight Loss, Eating for Energy