Over the last two years of being 100% raw, I've experimented with different varieties of the raw food diet.
You see, there are those that eat a high fat raw diet, a diet high in fruit, a junk food raw diet, lots of dehydrated raw foods as well as a mix.
I've noticed that many switching to a raw food diet first focus on the raw aspect, mainly making raw versions of the foods they now eat cooked. Raw pizzas, burritos, lasagna, spaghetti, crackers, breads, shakes, salads with lots of ingredients, milk... lots of nuts, seeds and more. This is a great first step, getting one used to raw foods. However, it's normally very high in fat and nutritionally unsound for the long term.
Over time, I see that simple foods become more appealing. Mono eating becomes more common... eating just one fruit or vegetable at a time.
My journey was very similar to what I've described here and since the new year, I've made another distinction which I believe is the best choice for me and my health. The 80-10-10 diet conceptualized by Dr. Doug Graham has answered many lingering questions and refined my eating habits. Basically, the concept is to eat raw fruits and vegetables in the following proportions: 80% carbohydrates, 10% protein and 10% fat. And it's the percentage of calories, not in volume or weight (for example, a pound of lettuce has volume, but very few calories). When I started, I analyzed how I'd eaten in the past, thinking it would be pretty close to 80-10-10. Was I surprised to find that I had been getting anywhere from 40-60% of my daily calories from fat! Ahhhh!
You get most of your calories from fruit and lots of greens, mainly at the dinner meal.
After revising my diet and following the suggestions made by Dr. Graham, I believe I've found the best raw food diet... the ultimate raw food diet. The diet that I believe we're made for and can thrive on.
There were many improvements to my health after switching, especially digestion. Many of the true benefits of a natural diet started appearing and I know will continue. Meals are easy and fast to make, delicious and fulfilling.
I'll continue to write on my experiences on 80-10-10 and would love to hear yours!
To your best health!
Mark
P.S. Have you read 'The Garden Diet'? - It's a collection of 12 digital books, including the brand new eBook titled "Forever Young, The Anti-Aging Guide" by Storm and Jinjee Talifero.
