As one transitions to the raw/vegan lifestyle, the tendency to overeat fats, mostly in the form of nuts is quite common.

It's understandable to eat large amounts of nuts when transitioning... they are more "filling" than fruits and vegetables and satisfy the hunger as your body adjusts.

In the long term, this can lead to many problems. In his book, The Raw Secrets, Frederic Patenaude describes this in detail and offers alternatives to avoid the difficulties and make the necessary adjustments. A full review of his book is coming up.

Many leading raw food proponents recommend a 80/10/10 ratio... 80% carbs, 10% protein and 10% fats.

In my experience, the urge to eat larger amounts of fat diminishes over time. Eating an adequate amount of fruits and vegetables along with seeds makes up most of your daily intake, satisfies you and lets you happily keep your intake of nuts to a minimum.

Keep it healthy and raw!

Mark
The Vegan / Raw Diet

One of the things many talk about when transitioning to a raw food diet is 'how do I travel when eating raw?'.

Some look at it as a challenge, some as an obstacle, some as the natural thing to do.

Read more...

If you live in the Phoenix metro area, you're in for a tropical treat.

As we near the end of the citrus season here, other tropical fruits
are becoming available at local stores. I'm particular to organic
pineapple, and when I noticed it at my local Fry's, I stocked up.
The brand is the same one carried by our now defunct local
co-op, so I feel comfortable with the choice.

Our local Safeway as well as Sunflower Market also have an
abundant selection of organic bananas and mango... all reasonably
priced.

Enjoy these tropical treats!

Mark

I'm often asked... where do you buy healthy, organic, vegan food?

That's a good question, because many people aren't familiar with the growing number of stores, both online and off that offer a large selection.

Here are a few of my favorites (and some recommendations from friends):

Wild Oats - www.WildOats.com
Stores in most cities throughout US. Not everything is organic or vegan, but they carry an excellent selection. Has better vegan baked goods selection than most others.

Whole Foods - www.WholeFoods.com
Stores in most cities throughout the US. Not everything is organic or vegan, but they carry an excellent selection.

Trader Joes - www.TraderJoes.com
Stores in many cities, expanding quickly. Need to look closely at labels, not all products are healthy, but they carry many healthy brand lines and low prices.

Natures First Law - RawFood.com
Large selection of raw/living foods, beauty, supplements, books, videos, events and appliances. Run by well known raw food advocate, author and speaker David Wolfe. Has low price guarantee. Staff is mostly raw.

NaturalZing - NaturalZing.com
Offers large selection of raw, vegan and organic foods, cooking supplies, personal care, and supplements. Staff is mostly raw.

Oraganic - Oraganic.com
Large selection of organic foods and sweets, vegan, raw foods, health and beauty, food bars and home and garden. Well priced, excellent customer service.

VeganEssentials - VeganEssentials.com
Large selection of vegan foods, snacks, clothes, personal care, accessories, supplements and more.

Vegan Store - VeganStore.com
Top rated veggie store with large selection of foods, clothes, personal care, gifts, accessories, pet and related products.

Many towns now have local co-ops, buying groups, farms or clubs that purchase organic foods in bulk for their members. Check your local natural or health magazines, newspapers or local organizations to find one near you or visit: Find A CSA Near You

Let me know if you have others to add, along with your experiences.

To your best health!

Mark
vegandiet.blogspot.com

Bernando LaPallo just turned 109 years young and credits the raw diet for his long life. He is living proof that eating a mostly fresh, whole raw food diet as the way nature intended slows the aging process and allows you to live a long life without illness. This is uncommon in our world today, but Bernando lives unlike most, he has eaten a mainly raw vegan diet for over 100 years, 2/3's of his diet consists of fresh greens, he walks daily, drinks pure water and doesn't believe in stress. He has outlived some of his children, has never been sick and is more alive at 109 years than most others in the 60's, 70's or 80's.

Read more...

One of the longstanding myths about a diet that avoids dairy foods is that it can lead to osteoperosis. A new study not only proves that this isn't true, it also reports that vegans, specifically those that follow a raw food diet, are overall healthier than the average American, have strong bones, lower BMI, lower markers for disease and have high levels of Vitamin D, which was surprising to researchers since dairy products are normally fortified with Vitamin D.

The interesting part about this study is the expectations the doctors had, particularly that they expected raw food vegans to have low levels of Vitamin D. This shows how flawed the dairy industry is in promoting "milk for strong bones".

Additionally, although the study clearly shows that following a raw, vegan lifestyle is much healthier in all aspects tested (weight, disease prevention, BMI - and by a good margin), the lead doctors don't advocate a vegan, raw food diet.

They do recommend eating more fruits and vegetables, which is a good start, but I think they are missing the point. Fruits and vegetables are only one part of a raw, vegan diet. Adding a variety of legumes, whole grains, nuts and seeds is also essential to a well balanced diet. Additionally, if someone eats more fruits and vegetables (and no legumes, whole grains, nuts or seeds) but still eats red meat, a variety of dairy products and processed foods regularly, this will do little to improve their health. Apparently facts don't make enough difference to make a recommended lifestyle change!

Read more about the study at: Yahoo! News - Raw Food Vegans Thin But Healthy, Study Finds

To your best health!

Mark
vegandiet.blogspot.com

This video shows how Scott Jackson lost over 100 pounds by switching to a raw food diet. He mentions that he didn't do any exercise. Imagine what he could have done with some added activity. Congratulations Scott!

If you're looking for a place to start learning more about the raw food diet, visit: RawFoodHowTo.com