TRANSITIONING TO RAW

May 20, 2011 By Bro

SOME HURDLES

A. Taste preferences
B. Digestion issues
C. Unfamiliarity
D. Family interference
E. Preparation
F. Convenience
G. Unpleasant side effects

HOW TO OVERCOME THE HURDLES

A. Taste Preferences
Raw can get some getting used to, especially considering the current favorites of the more jaded palate that has become accustomed to today’s cooked, junky or processed foods. After all, we often grow up on a diet filled with sugars, salt, MSG and other taste enhancers, additives and chemicals. Plus, much of today’s foods are fried, roasted, grilled which adds very identifiable and addictive flavorings. Raw can seem rather… bland.

Solution…
The good news is that, most likely, all you have to do is give it time. Gradually, as the body acclimates, fresh raw foods become more delicious, more pleasing to the tongue and body. It gets better and better.

Try to remember the benefits, the good you are doing for your body. Also: know that in time, you’ll wonder how you were ever able to eat all that salt, sugar and fat. It will even become repugnant to you as you cleanse, detoxify and purify. : )

Use some basic, simple and delicious recipes. This will help make your whole transition more of a delight than a despair. : )

How long can it take to fully adapt? For us, it took a year. For others, much shorter, others a bit longer. But… the year was very wonderful, filled with amazing health and beauty benefits.

B. Digestion Issues
Most people do quite well incorporating more raw foods into their diets. However, a few people may seem to have difficulties such as indigestion, gas, bloating, or other symptoms. Why is this?

This can be caused by a number of factors.

• A overtaxed digestive system
• Lack of Digestive Enzymes
• Lack of Hydrochloric Acid
• “Sensitivities”
• Not enough chewing
• Unfamiliarity
• Improper preparations or food choices

Solution…

• Add raw foods gradually. Give your body a chance to acclimate to the new foods.
• Chew thoroughly. Much digestion actually goes on in the mouth while chewing. Chewing is good for you. : )
• Limit higher sensitivity foods such as raw legumes, raw potatoes, raw sweet potatoes or more spicy types of raw foods such as onions, garlic, leeks, peppers, aromatic herbs, legumes, spices, seasonings. Allow your body to acclimate and adapt gradually. You can introduce these others a little at a time and gauge your body’s reactions.
• Choose mild foods to start with. Lots of fresh, organic fruit in season, fresh, tasty, minced salads, delicious smoothies with fresh fruit and a nice mix of baby or sweet greens. Children love these smoothies!

C. Unfamiliarity

Nothing helps like a few yummy cookbooks, especially in the beginning.

Solution…

We here at BestRawOrganic tend to believe that the fancier and more intricate the recipe, the more likely one is to quit using them. So, try and keep it simple for yourself, especially in the beginning. Gradually add more and more delicious little tricks.

Another wonderful help is, if one can afford, is to visit raw food restaurants. Even if just once in a while, the recipes will inspire you and help keep you on track.

The easiest recipes consist of simple smoothies, perhaps a few juices (not essential for those who are not seriously ill), some sprouting, salad dressings, and a wonderful knife to cut up fresh fruits. Some other super easy dishes include zucchini pasta and cauliflower popcorn.

If can become very familiar, very quickly! : )

D. Family Interference

People who are around you such as friends and family can be very sceptical of the changes you are making to your diet. They are apt to have suspicions about any changes that seem “radical,” or “fringe.” And “raw and healthy” definitely can meet the radical, fringy kind of classification. Visions of strange, wraithlike vegetarians dance through your loved ones’ heads.

Solution…
A few appreciative bites of regular foods at family gatherings, along with a pleasant, affable, calm attitude on your part goes far. Lots of smiling, nodding, and then, when your skin starts to glow, your energy skyrockets, your attitude improves and you lose weight, it will all speak for itself, this radical, fringy little diet thingy of yours.

List form for you:

• Forget about being a purist – a few tastes of family fare probably won’t hurt.
• Smile alot. : )
• Watch the acceptance grow as you glow.
• Stay calm, be affable and pleasant as possible.
• Better to keep radical ideas to self, rather than create consternation in others.
• Loving attitude with lots of patience. Your new rawesome diet will help you keep the happier mood!

E. Preparation

This can be easier done, than one might think. However, it can seem harder to be creative with such simple fare as fresh raw fruits, vegetables, sprouted seeds, grasses such as wheat and barley, nuts, legumes.

Solution…
Cut up fruits to delectable bitesized portions, fix a quick and fabulous dressing, mince a few favorite greens and vegetables, throw in some sprouts and favorite treats, then voila! A lovely meal with energy saving, super easy cleanup.

F. Convenience

It takes a little more time to prep vegetables than throwing some freezer item into the microwave. But… remember, the rewards are GREAT. And it gets so easy that you may likely want to throw that food altering microwave right out the door… Sometimes, convenience means less healthy. Very important to remember, and consider.

Solution – Some Helpful Prep Hints…
• Prep right after you shop.
• Quick rinse your veggies for easy use for later.
• Make a nice large fruit salad then refrigerate for several days.
• Have a nice paring knife and chopping knife. Helps make things easier, even more fun. A great knife is a joy forever. : )

G. Unpleasant Side Effects
Most people make the transition quite easily with little or no side effects. Others can get a number of side effects when they adopt a raw diet. Perhaps they adopt too quickly, or too stringently. Doing things more gradually and easily takes care of most unpleasant side effects.

Rare Side Effects One Can Experience During a Transition Phase From Cooked Foods To Raw Foods

Tummy Aches – These could be to your body’s unfamiliarity with lots of vegetables and fruits in one sitting. Try eating smaller portions, gradually adding more and more over a period of days, even weeks.

Indigestion – Be sure to thoroughly chew or blend your raw foods. Big chunks of raw vegetables can be more difficult for the body to digest.

Fatigue – Are you eating enough? Be sure to eat plenty of fruit and lots of vegetables. You definitely want to get enough food. Make smoothies. Very satisfying, and energizing.

Irritability – This could be due to more hunger, indigestion, unfamiliar foods. You could be detoxing. Detoxing can occur when your body eliminates factors from your body through your digestive system, skin, hair follicles, bowels. These factors may create mood changes as they circulate more freely through the system.

Hunger – Easily fixed! Eat more delicious raw food.

Headache – This also could be due to detoxification, or simply not eating enough with plenty of variety. Be sure to get enough fruit if there are no reactions.

Change in bowel movements – This will naturally occur. Did you know that healthy raw food eaters have looser stools with much less to no odor? Amazing, but true. : ) In time, your bowel movements should change.

Detox symptoms – See Irritability and Fatigue above.

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Soon, you will discover that fresh, raw and organic can contribute to amazing changes and benefits to skin, hair, health.

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