The idea of the raw vegan diet is that you eat vegetables, fruit, nuts and seeds that are uncooked or dehydrated at less than 110 degrees F. The idea can seem quite alien to some people although it is a very natural diet, the kind of diet that man lived on before he discovered fire, additives and McDonalds. Here are some frequently asked questions, answered. Please feel free to email me with any questions that you have that have not been answered here valcharman@therawhealthclub.co.uk
Where do u get your protein from on a raw vegan diet if you dont eat meat or fish? I get my protein from fresh fruits & greens. If you have too much protein in your diet it makes you blood more acidic and that leaches calcium from you bones and teeth (see nutrition page for vitamins and minerals in food)
What about calcium if you don’t eat dairy? Again calcium is found in fresh fruits and greens and if you are not eating a high protein diet you do not need as much calcium (see nutrition page for vitamins and minerals in food)
Is the diet expensive? In the transition from cooked foods to raw foods you will probably find that you need a higher concentration of oils and nuts to satisfy your hunger and you will want to try gourmet recipes that mimic the cooked dishes that you are used to. These can be quite costly but as you continue to eat raw you will find that you need these less and less and so the costs reduce. To save money you can shop at supermarkets like Lidl and Aldi where there is a good range of inexpensive fruit and vegetables. You should be able to find a local greengrocer who may have cheap produce of on a Saturday afternoon as it won’t keep until Monday when they reopen and they may be willing to supply you with a box of bananas at not much over wholesale prices. If you have over ripe bananas you can freeze them for smoothies or make them into banana fruit leathers (see links page for details of dehydrators)
Do you have to have a Vitamix blender? You can use an ordinary blender or smoothie maker to make smoothies and a food processor for sauces and nut butters (see links page for details of Vitamix blenders)
What exercise should I be doing? If you are new to raw food, have not been doing any exercise but feel that it would be beneficial, then I would recommend starting with something very simple like walking, cycling or yoga. If you have an exercise bike then you can exercise even if the weather is bad. Once you have improved your level of fitness you can take on more strenuous exercise. (see the links page for free exercise videos)
Do I need to restrict my food intake like other diets I’ve tried? Firstly, raw food is not a ‘diet’ it is a lifestyle change. It’s not a quick fix to get into that dress for a wedding, it is a whole new way of eating and thinking about what you are feeding your body on to keep it healthy and working properly. At first when you replace cooked with raw foods you will probably find that you need to indulge your cravings for fatty food by preparing the more gourmet recipes that contain a lot of nuts and seeds and oils (see links page for loads of sites with mouth watering recipes) but as you transition and your cravings subside, you can opt for the simpler things like green salads, fruit salads, mono meals where you eat just one type of fruit. There is no need to restrict the amount of food you eat, if you feel hungry, eat whatever you fancy until you feel full.
How can I give up cooked food when I like it so much? Start by reading the Why raw? page which tells you what is wrong with what you currently eat. Then introduce smoothies and salads into your diet every day and after a couple of weeks of doing that take the decision to transfer completely onto the raw vegan diet. If you need support along the way then The Raw Health Club is here to help with free mentoring. Just email me and I will be your Raw Buddy valcharman@therawhealthclub.co.uk
The 30 Day Wellness and Weight Loss Programme is now available and includes a guided meditation which uses hypnotic language to get your subconscious mind on your side and help you make healthy food choices and resist old style foods easier. Find out more HERE
What about Vitamin B12 Deficiency? Many people are lead to believe that the only way to get Vitamin B12 in your diet is to eat meat and dairy whereas it is actually the case that a raw vegan diet of organic plant based foods contains plenty of Vitamin B12. A very informative document on the subject is available HERE