Small Change #8: Eat More Raw Foods
Now, don’t get me wrong, heating foods (especially those that contain things like beta-carotene) can actually be good for you. So I’m not going to tell you that an all raw diet is the way to go, just make sure you are eating raw produce as well as cooked.
- You should be eating a good portion of your fruit in it’s raw state. Neither cooked or juiced (homemade juice would be fine though as it’s not heated!).
- Vegetables are a bit harder for most people to eat raw since most of them taste better and are actually easier to digest for certain folks. So when you do cook them, try lightly steaming them until they are just done. Don’t overcook them or you’ll deplete a good portion of the nutrition inside!
Much of the problem is that now a days we seem to consume so many cooked and processed foods that we’re missing these important vitamins, minerals, and enzymes from raw foods. Try replacing those snack crackers with a piece of fruit or veggies and dip. Make yourself a smoothie for an evening snack instead of reaching for the bag of chips. Have a fruit salad and yogurt for breakfast instead of cereal. Overall, just try and make a conscious effort to eat more of your foods in a more natural and unprocessed state. Your body will thank you!
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About donielle
Donielle is an amateur herbalist and natural momma to two littles (with another babe in heaven) after dealing with infertility. She has a passion for nourishing nutrition, natural living, and spreading the word on how food truly affects our health. Her blog Naturally Knocked Up focuses on fertility and reproductive health and her book on natural fertility will be available in June 2012. She also runs a local blog (Grand Rapids Natural Living) and is active the local community in order to provide the area with resources and information for natural families.
Two days ago I started feeling sick (I just came to Haiti, so this was to be expected at some point. It’s kind of like “conditioning” everyone gets sick at least once!) but I put myself on a “raw” food diet for two days and the sickness never stuck!
I was so pleased, as it really hindered my work here to be not feeling well.
I’m still trying to eat mostly raw food since that truly is the best alternative here, although I did add milk to my banana smoothie this morning…
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Great timing! We just started doing just that very thing! I had to take away bread for a week to get them to go for the raw fruits and veggies. I think we have all made it through our carb withdrawals now. The kids claim they are starving and my poor hubbies plumbing is all messed up but on the bright side I feel great!
Leticia
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I am new to your site, I am looking forward to following you! I was wondering if you had ever heard of Juice Plus if so what your thoughts are on it…I have been struggling with IF for two years, I have had an ectopic pregnancy and a molar pregnancy in those two years. In the last year I have been slowly moving to all natural, I love your suggestions and information! Thank you!
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