Experimenting with a Low Fat Raw Vegan Diet

Photo credit: drburtoni

Since going raw I have experienced some incredible health benefits however recently I feel like I have reached a plateau. Not all of this has to do with simply my diet however, as I have been recovering from a broken foot so have not been able to keep up with my regular yoga and fitness schedule.

Looking at my diet I have come to the conclusion that I have been eating too many fats especially in relation to my reduced amount of physical activity. Additionally so much of the information I have been exploring while writing my forthcoming book points to the benefits of limiting fat.

So I have decided to do a trial with a low fat raw vegan diet, similar to that promoted by Doug Graham in his book The 80/10/10 Diet.

I am going to start with the goal to eat low fat raw vegan for the month of May and following this I will make a judgment on whether to continue. I will be emphasizing simplicity and intend to eat lots of mono fruit meals, fruit smoothies, green smoothies and simple salads.

I am also entering into this plan with the goal of changing my perspective and letting go of habits surrounding food. Although I have been eating close to 100% raw many of my meals could be regarded as culturally patterned. The raw pizzas and desserts were fine initially but recently I feel a need to simplify my diet and concentrate on eating foods close to their original state.

I also think it is good to challenge our concept of what is a ‘meal’ and step outside the boundaries of habitual routines. Our ancestors would have often had a meal of one fruit, whatever was in season at the time, and this can be a great way for us to not only improve our health but to get in touch with deeper aspects of ourselves and challenge our emotional responses surrounding food.

I’m stocking up on fruit and loving it. To see all that beautiful fruit gives such a feeling of abundance that I believe transfers to our body as a kind of subtle energy. And it just makes me happy somehow!

At the moment our kitchen is overflowing with bananas, pineapple and papaya. We also have canteloupe, mulberries and some avocados and tonight will probably make a trip to get dragon fruit and watermelon and whatever else looks good.

Here is what I ate yesterday:

Meal 1
1 dragonfruit

Meal 2
Pineapple, cucumber, romaine smoothie

Meal 3
300 g mulberries
3 bananas

Meal 4
Spiralized zucchini
Sauce made with blended tomato, mango, red pepper and a little parsley
Yellow tomatoes
Romaine lettuce

Meal 5
10 fresh tamarind

It came out to about 1550 calories with 90% carbs, 6% protein and 4% fat.

Although I have tried many times in the past to eat a diet of only fruit and vegetables I have never been able to go more than about a week. But one thing I have come to realize is that as long as calories are maintained it becomes more feasible. If your calories are low and you dramatically change your diet of course this will lead to fatigue.

The detox effects will also be significantly reduced when calories are maintained because we are providing the body with the raw materials it needs to transport the toxins out of our bodies.

My husband who usually doesn’t like to go without eating meat for more than a day or two is totally embracing this way of life and ate the same as me yesterday, just in greater volume. He says he is feeling great and is fully supporting our exploration on this path. I feel so blessed to have such a wonderful partner who is willing to break the boundaries of conditioning with me. It makes it so much easier for me to follow this path when there is such fluidity in my life circumstances.

There is also a group of people on The Raw Transformation Community who are making the commitment to eat a raw food diet for the month of May. It can be highly motivating when you know you are supported by a group with a similar intention so I would like to invite you to join us.

Even if you are not ready to go 100% raw you are welcome to set your own goals. For example having at least one green smoothie a day, starting each morning with fresh fruit or eating raw until dinner.

The power of raw foods is incredible but until you experience it for yourself it is impossible to know what eating a raw food diet can do for you. So what are you waiting for?