Raw Vegan 101: Your Complete Roadmap to a Plant-Based, Living Foods Lifestyle
Embarking on a journey to a raw vegan diet is not just about changing what’s on your plate; it’s a transformative lifestyle embracing the purity and vitality of living, whole, plant-based foods.
But it won’t just transform you physically in terms of energy, healing, and beauty; you’ll likely be transformed spiritually.
This guide on raw veganism equips you with the knowledge and tools to thrive on your raw foods odyssey, whether you’re a curious beginner or a seasoned enthusiast.
It’s not as scary as you think.
It’s not as hard as you think.
But it IS as rewarding and as HEALING as you can possibly imagine.
Of course, this guide will help everyone interested in a plant-based lifestyle, even if they eat consciously cooked whole foods from nuts, legumes, fruits, seeds, and vegetables.
I will show you how to create delectable, nutrient-dense meals that nourish both body and soul.
From demystifying the essentials of a balanced, satisfying, affordable raw vegan diet to dealing with cravings and having enough recipes in your arsenal, each section will reveal a wealth of insights, empowering you to make informed choices.
Enlighten your palate, fuel your vitality, and revitalize your well-being.
Let’s embark on this wholesome adventure together. I’ll make it fun. I’ll keep it simple.
Warning: you may start harmonizing with the rhythms of nature and redefine your relationship with food and the planet!
Whether you’re here for health, environmental, or ethical reasons, ‘Raw Vegan 101’ is your compass to a fulfilling, plant-powered existence.
What is a Raw Vegan Diet, and Is It Healthy?
Raw veganism is more than just a diet; it’s a lifestyle centered around consuming unprocessed, whole, plant-based foods. This means eating fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, sprouts, fermented plants, (sometimes) seaweed (if you’re into that sort of thing), and sprouted grains in their natural state.
Nothing is cooked or heated above 118°F (48°C) to preserve vital enzymes and nutrients.
The philosophy behind raw veganism is to embrace the health benefits of uncooked, organic, and nutrient-dense foods while minimizing the environmental impact of food production.
And, of course, it has the added benefit of not harming our furry friends and helping the environment. The passion or rationale behind one’s choices will vary for everyone.
Adopting a raw vegan lifestyle often stems from the desire to align with nature, promote sustainable living, and reap the health advantages of a high-raw, plant-based diet. It explores the vibrant flavors and textures that nature offers, fostering a deeper connection with the food we consume and the planet we inhabit.
When you understand the principles of raw veganism, it builds the foundation for a journey towards holistic well-being and conscious living.
Definitions of the Raw Vegan Diet
I figured I should touch on this because you’re going to have to make choices about what you consider “raw” and how you want to create your boundaries.
There are many “types” of the raw vegan diet. For example, “Raw til 4” – where you eat 100% raw during the day – and then have a healthy plant-exclusive cooked meal for dinner. This works for certain types of personalities.
You could also call yourself “high raw” following this protocol.
Other definitions say you can be considered a raw foodist if 50-100% of your foods are uncooked. That’s a pretty broad definition!
The key is to know your personality type. Do you “have” to mentally believe you are eating 100% raw, or you’ll fall off the wagon? If that’s you, these subtle differences (in what’s considered raw) matter more.
While I consider this part of the diet silly, I was somewhat caught in that “definition trap” when I first went raw, too. After all, if you can’t define what “raw vegan” means to you, then you can’t define your boundaries.
This is a good place to point out that “100% raw” doesn’t mean “healthy.” But I bet you already knew that.
I think it was Chef A.J. who once said that you should eat the healthiest diet possible that you can actually stick to. Here is where it’s best to find where you have wiggle room.
Some former food addicts or people with eating disorders can put a lot of pressure on themselves to adhere to “all raw” – while completely ignoring self-love and what nutrition best nourishes their cells.
I can save you a lot of time (years!) of struggling here: You Will Never Be Perfect – and that’s PART OF THE JOURNEY. If you’re not perfect, then you know you’re on track. Cut yourself some slack. Drop the guilt. Reset on the next meal if you eat something that doesn’t serve your highest good.
The other factor to consider is your healing journey. The least processed food will help if you’ve come to the raw vegan diet for healing an ailment. So, in this case, you’d minimize the higher fat, the raw gourmet, the consciously cooked foods.
Sprout People make an aquatic grass known as “Wild Rice” – you can soak it in water in the sun, and it will “bloom.” It will taste like cooked rice. If you love rice and this helps make the raw diet sustainable, then so be it.
“Raw cashews” are not raw. Coconut aminos are not raw. Apple Cider Vinegar is not raw. Imported fruits that have to be dipped in formaldehyde or boiling water to kill bacteria or get past customs aren’t raw, either.
If you can live in a tropical climate and grow hundreds of fruit trees year round, plus a huge garden of organic vegetables, you might have a chance to be “perfectly raw.” Obviously, this is not possible for 99% of the aspiring and existing raw vegans.
Don’t let online influencers or books define your label. Focus on health. Focus on high vibe, organic, ripe, sweet fruit and delicious, savory veggies (or fruits like cucumbers and zucchini). The rest of the b.s. in the community is just for views… or sales… or click-bait. Know that you’re doing amazing when you’re taking care of yourself and making choices that align with your highest good.
Don’t compare yourself to any of the online influencers. This is your journey, and that’s exactly how it’s supposed to be. This is where meditation, intuition, self-awareness, the study of nutrition, self-love, and experimentation come in handy.
Don’t ever feel overwhelmed by conflicting advice, either. It’s normal to consume as much raw vegan content as possible at the beginning. It’s great to listen to a variety of coaches. Just know that those moments where you feel overwhelmed by different opinions will pass with time and experience. The longer you’re eating a living food lifestyle, the more you’ll learn what works best for your energy, healing, digestion, and vitality.
When I first found out about this lifestyle, I used every last penny I had to consult different coaches 1:1. I wanted their opinions. I wanted to compare. I wanted to experiment.
With that said, you don’t have to do it my way. You don’t have to read every book (I did that, too). All of the information is free on the Internet. Remember to use your discretion. And enjoy the learning and researching aspect of your new lifestyle.
Health Benefits of a Raw Vegan Diet
The raw vegan diet offers a myriad of health benefits, primarily derived from the nutrient-rich, unprocessed nature of the foods consumed. By prioritizing whole, plant-based foods, raw vegans often experience increased energy levels, improved digestion, clearer skin, and enhanced mental clarity.
The abundance of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants in raw fruits and vegetables supports a robust immune system and may reduce the risk of chronic diseases. One of the many reasons I’m sure you’re here.
Plus, a raw foods diet is naturally low in saturated fats and cholesterol, contributing to better cardiovascular health.
And, of course, consuming raw, unprocessed foods also promotes healthy weight management (i.e., fat loss!) and can aid in detoxifying the body.
Embracing a raw vegan diet has been linked to a reduced risk of obesity, diabetes, and certain types of cancer, making it a compelling choice for those seeking to optimize their health from a holistic perspective.
Is a Raw Vegan Diet Healthier than a Cooked Vegan Diet?
This is a point of debate among many in the plant-based community. In my opinion, living foods are best, overall. In my personal experience, raw foods have more overall advantages than cooked foods. But that doesn’t mean you can’t heal if you consume healthy steamed vegetables, for example. You can! A bazillion people have done it!
The lifestyle that is healthy and easy for you to follow with your own personal circumstances, personality traits, and enjoyment is the diet that is best for you.
I still eat consciously cooked vegan foods, but I ALWAYS feel better on the days when I choose living foods, not denatured from heat.
If you want to dive deeper, Dr. Joel Fuhrman discusses the benefits of cooked vs. raw vegetables in his article here.
Dr. Rick Dina, Raw Food Educator, covers the benefits of cooked vs. raw foods in his newsletter, which I will summarize here:
Raw fruits and vegetables:
- Have the highest nutrient levels. Many of these nutrients are antioxidants, block the formation of AGEs, and/or help our bodies detoxify them with the least amount of free radical generation and inflammation.
- Do not contain acrylamide.
- Contain the lowest levels of dietary AGEs of all foods.
To simplify it for you:
- When we steam foods, we start to lose some nutrients, but we do not form acrylamide and do not increase dietary AGEs.
- When we boil foods, we lose more nutrients than with steaming, but we do not form acrylamide and do not increase dietary AGEs.
- When we cook foods at higher temperatures, such as baking, roasting, grilling, and frying, we lose more nutrients than with steaming and boiling, create acrylamide, and increase dietary AGEs.
These considerations suggest including an abundance of raw fruits and vegetables in one’s diet. If one does not want to eat only raw foods, steaming is our preferred cooking method, as it retains the greatest quantity of nutrients, and does not form cooked food toxins such as acrylamide and dietary AGEs.
If one enjoy breads, baked potatoes, grilled vegetables, etc., also including plenty of raw fruits and vegetables in one’s diet can help to offset some of the nutrient loss and problematic substances in higher temperature cooked foods and help to maintain a high level of health.
Dr. Rick Dina
As Dr. Dina explained above, “glycation” reactions occur within the body due to glucose sticking proteins and fats together. The result is a product called advanced glycation end product (AGE). Understanding more about these, you can stay motivated to avoid them!
You can skim ahead if you don’t want the nerd stuff. But for motivation and explanation, Dr. Dina (who is not a nerd but a really nice, smart guy) goes on to say:
Proteins and fats that become stuck together by glucose do not function as well as they did when they were not stuck together. This is a normal part of the aging process. This occurs more frequently in people with diabetes and helps explain why they are at increased risk for a variety of health challenges as a result of the acceleration of this part of the aging process.
As with acrylamide, another problematic substance created from cooking, discussed in part II of this series, our body has mechanisms to detoxify these proteins and fats that have been stuck together as a result of interactions with glucose in the body. In the detoxification process, free radicals are generated and inflammation increases. The higher the average blood glucose level, the more proteins and fats get stuck together. Then the body has more of these substances to detoxify, and higher levels of free radicals and inflammatory processes are generated.
Interestingly, proteins and fats getting stuck together can also occur in foods. When found in foods they are known as dietary AGEs. When we bring these pre-stuck together proteins into our body in the form of dietary AGEs, they lead to many of the same complications that high blood sugar levels in people with diabetes do. This is because they go through the same detoxification reactions that proteins and fats that get stuck together by glucose in the body do. This adds to the generation of free radicals and inflammation in the body, accelerating the aging process. All else being equal, the fewer free radicals and the less inflammation we have in our bodies, the healthier we are.
Animal foods tend to have higher levels of dietary AGEs than plant foods. As far as cooking is concerned, high temperature cooking methods increase dietary AGE levels. Not surprisingly then, the foods highest in dietary AGEs are animal foods cooked at high temperatures, which is how they are typically prepared. A recent study by the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine showed a 73% reduction in dietary AGEs by switching from a conventional diet to a plant-based diet.
Better yet, we can achieve even lower levels of dietary AGEs by eating our plant foods either raw, or cooked by a low temperature method. For example, roasted nuts generally show about double the dietary AGE levels compared to their raw counterparts. Grilled vegetables show more than double the dietary AGE levels compared to raw vegetables. A baked apple showed triple the dietary AGE content of a raw apple. Steaming and boiling do not significantly increase the dietary AGE levels in foods compared to the raw state either.
The foods lowest in dietary AGEs are raw fruits and vegetables. These same foods also tend to contain the highest levels of antioxidants and are anti-inflammatory. These same foods also help make our body’s cells more sensitive to insulin, meaning healthfully low blood glucose levels and therefore fewer glycation reactions occurring in the body. This is a synergistic way that we see the lowest levels of AGEs formed within the body and brought in dietarily, with the least amount of stress as a result.
Even greater synergy occurs when we consider that many of the nutrients found in fruits and vegetables actually block the formation of AGEs, and/or allow the body to detoxify them without as much of the generation of free radicals and inflammation that usually occurs.
SOURCE: https://rawfoodeducation.com/
Drs. Rick and Karin Dina offer a Mastering Raw Food Course that can be endlessly helpful in your raw food journey. I highly recommend it! And while you’re there, be sure to subscribe to their newsletter to get fascinating tidbits on the raw food diet.
Essential Nutrients in a Raw Vegan Diet
While a raw vegan diet is abundant in essential nutrients, it’s essential to pay attention to key elements to support overall health.
Sources of protein in a raw vegan diet include nuts, seeds, legumes, and leafy greens, providing the necessary amino acids for muscle maintenance and repair. For more on raw vegan protein sources, check out our blog here and read below about muscle building on a raw vegan diet.
Iron, calcium, and omega-3 fatty acids can be obtained from green leafy vegetables, seaweeds, and seeds, ensuring adequate intake for optimal vitality.
This is a good place to add my disclaimer: I am not a doctor – and you should consult your doctor or nutritionist for personalized recommendations on supplementation and healing.
Vitamin B12, a nutrient primarily found in animal products, may require supplementation or careful selection of fortified foods to prevent deficiency.
Vitamin B12 is required for important biological functions like red blood cell production, nervous system function, and DNA synthesis.
Deficiency in B12 can cause a variety of health problems, including anemia, depression, confusion, fatigue, digestive issues, and nerve damage.8
Insufficient B12 levels increase homocysteine – a risk factor for cardiovascular disease, also associated with cognitive decline and dementia,9 and are also associated with increased risk of Alzheimer’s disease.10
Vitamin B12 is made only by microorganisms. Because our produce is washed and often transported much before we eat it (soil contains B12-producing microorganisms), most of us are unable to get B12 from plant foods.
B12 deficiency is common, especially in vegans who don’t supplement and in the elderly, since absorption efficiency decreases with age.
Our ability to absorb B12 decreases with age, and about 20 percent of adults over the age of 60 are either insufficient or deficient in vitamin B12.11
Supplementation with vitamin B12 is likely important for most people, since research suggests we absorb only a small proportion of B12 ingested, and absolutely required for most vegans.12,13 I recommend approximately 75 mcg B12 daily for most healthy people.
Dr. Joel Fuhrman
Incorporating a variety of colorful fruits and vegetables ensures a diverse array of vitamins and antioxidants, supporting immune function and cellular health. Understanding the essential nutrients in a raw vegan diet empowers individuals to craft balanced, nourishing meals that sustain their well-being and vitality.
Many people choose to get yearly labs done throughout their raw vegan journey.
Tips for Transitioning to Raw Vegan
A Beginner’s Guide
Transitioning to a raw vegan diet is a personal journey that requires patience, experimentation, and a supportive approach. Start by gradually increasing the proportion of raw foods in your meals while reducing processed and cooked items. Incorporate various fruits, vegetables, nuts, and seeds to diversify your nutrient intake and culinary experiences.
Experiment with raw food preparation techniques such as blending, dehydrating, and sprouting to unlock the creative potential of raw ingredients. Seek inspiration from raw vegan cookbooks, online resources, and communities to discover innovative recipes and meal ideas. Embracing a supportive network of like-minded individuals can provide encouragement, tips, and a sense of community as you navigate the transition to a raw vegan lifestyle.
Learning from a variety of sources also helps. There’s not a one-size-fits-all approach. Some coaches recommend higher fruit, some higher protein, while others recommend higher fat. It varies within the living foods community – and it’s OK if you’re not sure yet what approach will work best for you.
It’s OK to experiment. There is no perfect way. But there is a HEALTHY way.
Listen to your body’s cues, honor your unique nutritional needs, and approach the transition with an open mind and a spirit of curiosity.
By gradually incorporating raw foods into your diet and exploring new tropical fruits, raw vegan recipes, and different dressings, sauces, and flavors, transitioning to a raw vegan lifestyle can be an enriching and empowering process!
Grocery List
This one seems obvious. Fruits and veggies! Yes, this is true. But you also need to know how to tell when your fruit is ripe. For this, I recommend you check out @Ms.FitVegan on YouTube (search for the name of the fruit you want to buy) and make sure you know HOW to buy fruit. That matters – a lot.
Also, make sure you know what fruits are in season. For that, simply type in “What fruits are in season in [name your state or country]” and see what pops up!
Since I’ve moved to Iowa (a very different state from California, where I grew up), I’ve been exploring all the options. I’ve learned about all the local grocery stores, the seasonal fruit stand, and the apple trees near my house, and I recently learned about a community orchard I can’t wait to check out!
I’ve also found out about a community vegetable garden where they have an abundance of veggies but can’t afford the water bill, so we decided to create a garden club! There will be so many people in our community who would love to contribute in order to have locally grown, organic produce!
The point is – there are so many options for finding the best produce in your area – even if it’s not a tropical location.
For vegetables – start with all your favorites – you want this to be enjoyable! After your palate adjusts to this lifestyle, then you can be more adventurous and start buying new vegetables each time you shop. You can add them to the blender for a dressing or in a smoothie. Or chop them up into a salad, a small amount at a time. You can even marinate them and stick them in the dehydrator!
There are many ways to slowly incorporate these new veggies into your diet.
There are thousands of different types of fruits in the world. Some say 2,000 – some say over 50,000. I say – there are PLENTY to enjoy over the course of your healthy lifetime. There are so many veggies in this beautiful world, too – you will never get bored.
And, of course, the raw vegan diet includes healthy, raw nuts and seeds. Many other raw foodists include seaweed, kelp, Irish Sea Moss, and Nori wraps. You can make dehydrated wraps, coconut wraps, smoothies, salads, sushi, cauliflower mashed “potatoes” and so much more.
You’ll find your groove after a few months – some like to eat simply raw, organic fruits and veggies in their whole form. And others like to make more complex or dehydrated and fancy raw gourmet meals. With time – and being aware of your goals and personality – the typical “what I eat in a day” will become clear to you.
Don’t expect to get it all “perfect” in your first month. One of the many joys of this lifestyle is the experimentation of different approaches and finding what works best for you.
I can say – regardless of the approach you choose, you WILL feel more energetic.
Where to Buy Good Fruit
Order Tropical Fruit for Them Instead of Flowers!
- Tropical Fruitbox
- Year of the Durian
- Fruit Hunters
- Exotic Fruits USA
- Frog Hollow
- Melissa’s
- Good Hill Farms
- Miami Fruit
- The Farmers on Wheels
- I Heart Fruit Box
- Pardess Farms
The Raw Vegan Diet on a Budget
The raw foods diet can be as expensive as an elite mainstream American diet or as inexpensive as minimalists with financial constraints.
Raw Vegan Books to Help You Transition
There are an incredible number of authors writing on the topic of a living foods plant-based diet.
One such author is Matt Bennett, author of 21 Day Raw Transformation. It includes a lot of tips and tricks to transition effortlessly to a raw or high-raw, healthy plant-based diet.
If you need motivation to stick to your raw food diet, I recommend Raw Vegan Excuses (1 and 2) by Jeannette Donofrio.
Another excellent book if you’re interested in the science behind a raw vegan diet, I recommend the Raw Food Nutrition Handbook by Drs. Rick and Karin Dina.
You can find additional book recommendations in my Raw Vegan Book Reviews blog for more suggestions. I am updating this blog often because I own well over 100 books on the exclusively raw vegan diet!
Raw Vegan Documentaries and Movies for Motivation and Education
“In Food, Inc., filmmaker Robert Kenner lifts the veil on our nation’s food industry, exposing the highly mechanized underbelly that’s been hidden from the American consumer with the consent of our government’s regulatory agencies, USDA and FDA. Our nation’s food supply is now controlled by a handful of corporations that often put profit ahead of consumer health, the livelihood of the American farmer, the safety of workers and our own environment.
We have bigger-breasted chickens, the perfect pork chop, insecticide-resistant soybean seeds, even tomatoes that won’t go bad, but we also have new strains of E. coli — the harmful bacteria that causes illness for an estimated 73,000 Americans annually. We are riddled with widespread obesity, particularly among children, and an epidemic level of diabetes among adults.”
“What the Health is the groundbreaking follow-up film from the creators of the award-winning documentary Cowspiracy. The film exposes the collusion and corruption in government and big business that is costing us trillions of healthcare dollars, and keeping us sick.
What The Health is a surprising, and at times hilarious, investigative documentary that will be an eye-opener for everyone concerned about our nation’s health and how big business influences it.”
“EARTHLINGS is a 2005 American documentary film about humankind’s total dependence on animals for economic purposes. Presented in five chapters (pets, food, clothing, entertainment and scientific research) the film is narrated by Joaquin Phoenix, featuring music by Moby, and was written, produced and directed by Shaun Monson.”
“The film that environmental organizations don’t want you to see!”
“Alan Murray and Janette Murray-Wakelin are two phenomenal human beings. They broke and set world records by running around Australia (366 consecutive marathons) during 2013 whilst in their 60’s. Most people would cringe at the idea of running one, let alone 366! And they did this after Janette beat cancer, all of this on a raw vegan diet! Janette and Alan are an incredible example of what is possible with the human body.
Now it is time to bring their story to the world in the form of a documentary. This documentary will be an exciting adventure around Australia that will introduce it’s audience to the benefits of a raw vegan conscious lifestyle.”
“Dominion uses drones, hidden and handheld cameras to expose the dark underbelly of modern animal agriculture, questioning the morality and validity of humankind’s dominion over the animal kingdom. While mainly focusing on animals used for food, it also explores other ways animals are exploited and abused by humans, including clothing, entertainment and research.
Narrated by Joaquin Phoenix, Rooney Mara, Sia, Sadie Sink and Kat Von D, and co-produced by Earthlings creator Shaun Monson. Filmed in Australia, with a global message.”
“Discover the untapped human potential that stems from eating an all-star, living diet, free of processing, chemicals and genetically modified foods, highlighting, Evan Strong, Para-Olympic Gold Medalist Snowboarder. Explores lives of pro-athletes in MMA, surfing, baseball, tennis, dance.”
“What if one simple change could save you from chronic diseases such as diabetes and heart disease? Take a deep dive into the plant-based diet documentary that has influenced millions around the world.”
Raw Food for Life: Serving Love and Knives
“Natalie Dowell McIntosh, with the support of her husband Stuart, has literally transformed her life from a world heavily reliant upon medication and riddled with stress and anxiety to a life free of medication, with boundless energy and clarity. How? Simply by re-examining what they were eating and filling their diet with a plant-based diet.”
“Presented by James Cameron, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Jackie Chan, Lewis Hamilton, Novak Djokovic and Chris Paul — a revolutionary new film about meat, protein and strength.”
“VITAL, PROVOCATIVE and ENLIGHTENING. An unforgettable wake-up call. Illuminating, touching, funny, sad, rage-inducing, provocative, entertaining and hopeful.”
Simply Raw: Reversing Diabetes in 30 Days on YouTube
Chronicles six Americans with diabetes switch to a diet consisting entirely of vegan, organic, live, raw foods in order to reverse diabetes naturally.
The participants are challenged to give up meat, dairy, sugar, alcohol, nicotine, caffeine, soda, junk food, fast food, processed food, packaged food, and even cooked food – as well as go without their loved ones and other comforts for 30 days.
The results are amazing!
“The DVD Companion to the Best-Selling Book! Maximizing Health, Energy and Culinary Delight with the Raw Foods Diet. The raw movement is the future. If one can experience a higher state of consciousness, better health, more beauty, eat more delicious food, save time, money, and the planet’s resources, why not say yes to raw?”
So What Should I Eat?!
Short answer: raw, whole fruits, vegetables, nuts, and seeds.
How you choose to eat them is up to you. Many will just eat a bunch of fruit for breakfast (or a mono meal of only one fruit) until full. They’ll have a fruit and greens smoothie for lunch (some will add extras like chia, flax, or hemp seeds). For dinner, a very large salad with lots of delicious veggies and a nut or seed-based creamy dressing with added herbs and spices. This works for a lot of people and keeps it simple.
For those who like more variety, there are a ton of raw vegan recipe books, dehydrated wraps, kale chips, raw gourmet desserts made with coconut oil, and the list goes on. As mentioned, there are many ways to approach this lifestyle, and some are healthier than others.
With time, you may find the raw gourmet or higher fat helped you during your transition, but now you like to keep it simpler. Find what works for you, and have fun doing it.
A Note About Fruit
There is a lot of confusion about fruit within the community. Is too much fruit sugar bad? Can fruit sugar feed cancer? Is it better to eat less fruit as we age?
I won’t settle that controversy here, but I will say that fruit is healthy! True, the quality of the fruit is worse than in the old days. The soil is depleted. The fruit isn’t always picked ripe. However, fruit IS healthy – and it’s a lot better than candy and all the other horrible things people call food these days.
I recommend a book called “Mastering Diabetes” by Cyrus Khambatta, PhD, and Robby Barbaro, MPH, if you’d like to learn more about fruit sugar in the context of a raw vegan diet. And I’ll leave you with this quote from long-time raw vegan and educator Don Bennett:
The sugars in fruits are indeed good for us as long as we get them as part of the fruit, meaning, not as an additive to a processed product, and as long as we’re active… if we’re sedentary all the time, those sugars can feed cancer if it exists (but the fruit does have anti-cancer properties, but one doesn’t cancel out the other). And you shouldn’t eat sweet fruit and “fatty” foods at the same meal; the fat will coat the insulin receptors on your cells and prevent the sugars from entering the cells, thus raising blood sugar levels. The good news is: When eating healthfully, there aren’t many “fatty” foods to eat.
Raw Vegan Meal Planning and Recipes
Effective meal planning is key to thriving on a raw vegan diet. Craft vibrant, satisfying meals by incorporating a variety of fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, and sprouted grains.
Start your day with a nourishing green smoothie or a colorful fruit bowl, followed by inventive salads, wraps, and raw soups for lunch.
For dinner, explore creative, raw pasta alternatives, zucchini noodles, or raw sushi rolls filled with fresh produce and savory sauces.
Experiment with dehydrated snacks, raw desserts, and energy-packed bliss balls to satisfy your cravings while staying true to your raw vegan commitment.
Planning your meals around seasonal produce not only enhances flavor and freshness but also supports local and sustainable agriculture. By embracing raw vegan meal planning, you can elevate your culinary skills, nourish your body, and celebrate the abundance of nature’s bounty.
Common Pitfalls of the Raw Vegan Diet
Eating Raw Vegan in the Winter or Other Cold Climates
If you want to go deeper into this topic, I have a couple of book recommendations below.
However, two main struggles people often express are eating raw in the winter and poor digestion on the raw vegan diet.
Eating raw in the cold is also a controversial topic. Some say (such as in the Ayurvedic tradition) that we need to pay attention to the weather and our body’s physiology (or Dosha) when choosing when to eat raw or cooked.
Everyone has a different cultural background, a different climate where they live, different family constraints, and different temperature preferences when it comes to food.
If your goal is to be fully raw, there are ways to make the raw vegan diet work even in the cold. If you’re not dogmatic about the label, then you can still be a very healthy (high raw) vegan, no matter where you live.
You can bring your fruit and veggies out of the fridge so they get to room temperature before you prepare or eat them.
You can use a dehydrator to gently warm your food.
You can drink hot tea or water with cut-up ginger throughout the day.
You can dress warm!
And you can follow a more minimalist approach to eating for the coldest months with less fruit availability. There will always be apples, bananas, (usually) citrus, zucchini, cucumbers, and so many more fruits and veg at the stores and farmer’s markets.
Digestion and Bloating
Yes, this is an issue. If you’re adding more fiber or changing your diet, naturally, you’ll have some gas or bloating. Don’t worry; there’s a fix for that, too.
The truth is, once you’re acclimated to the diet, all those fruits and greens actually HELP digestion because they keep you hydrated and keep your elimination on track.
Oftentimes, gas and bloating can come from not eliminating regularly. The raw vegan diet helps with that!
Most raw foods contain a lot of fiber – which helps with detox, cleansing, and rejuvenation. Overall, the raw food diet is the best thing you can do for your digestive system.
But yes, you have to introduce the higher-fiber foods slowly. Especially if you plan to incorporate raw cruciferous vegetables like kale, broccoli, and cauliflower.
You can also take a high-quality digestive enzyme to help you along the way, at least in the beginning.
There are tons of great books on digestion as you transition to a raw vegan diet (and many videos on YouTube). You can email me your questions. Or pick up a copy of “5-Star Digestion” or “Fiber Fueled” to build your basic understanding.
It’s not as hard as you think. Just takes patience, knowledge, and experimentation in the beginning. Fiber is your best friend when it comes to overall health and longevity – so it’s worth the month or two of transition.
What About Detox?
Yes, this can be a thing. But it’s usually due to your old lifestyle or cumulative damage no longer being suppressed with pills. The body is always detoxing. The kidneys and liver always do their job. So don’t get too paranoid about detox, and don’t worry about trying every parasite cleanse and detox program.
Some symptoms can arise when the body is flooded with only the cleanest food and nutrients and hydration for the first time in its life. That’s why it’s best to transition slowly.
Some recommend colonics for this stage of the journey. I am not recommending them. I am not “not” recommending them. I’m saying that this is where your trusted health advisor comes in, as well as your intuition and your personal experience.
If you go running after all the health advice and coaches online, you might “over-cleanse,” and you might underestimate what’s actually wrong with your body. You can ignore more severe health concerns that you’re misinterpreting as “detox.”
You also have to consider what’s wrong with you. Is it a minor inconvenience or is it a major health ailment? This comes into play when deciding how to heal, who to consult, and what to do.
My point is that I want to be really careful here because of all the misinformation out there. And because I like to stay on the side of caution. This is YOUR journey and YOUR health, and you can’t experiment if you have something seriously wrong. Make sure you research your options and have more than one expert opinion. This can include coaches who have been raw for more than a decade – and it can include licensed health practitioners.
Be conservative and transition slowly. I care about you! And I want you to find a sustainable path to good health. This isn’t just another diet, it can be a lifestyle of compassion and good health if you approach it cautiously, intelligently, intuitively, and stay educated.
Recommended Guidebooks for Overcoming Raw Vegan Struggles
If you have a specific question or struggle I haven’t addressed, please feel free to add it in the comments below, and I’ll be updating the blog often. For now, I’ll say that two authors (and friends) who cover a few of the challenges of the raw vegan diet and how to overcome them are Matt Bennett and Jeannette Donofrio.
Matt’s book, “21 Day Raw Transformation,” and Jeannette’s book, “Raw Vegan Excuses” (parts one and two), will help you explore and overcome the difficulties of being raw in a cooked world. More importantly, they’ll offer practical solutions for overcoming them.
And here’s a secret for those of you who have read this far – I have a book coming out, too! Stay tuned to this space and be sure you’re signed up for the Shari Likes Fruit newsletter. I’ll notify you first!
Find the approach that works for you. You’re the boss of your life!
How to Go Raw Vegan For Weight Loss
Many people find the raw vegan diet because they want a quick fix to lose weight. I don’t recommend a plant-based, living foods diet if weight loss is your only motivation.
I recommend getting educated first and foremost. Then, you will work from a foundation of overall health and wellness (and, in most cases, an ethical stance on eating animals) as you begin your weight loss journey.
You can focus on how food makes you feel after you eat it. Does it bring you joy and energy?
Matt Bennett has a book on weight loss coming out. And I have a Mindful Eating Guide and Journal coming out with Ms.FitVegan. Both books will help you on your journey.
If you want to be notified when those books become available, send me a message here.
In the meantime, focus on living foods – fruit, vegetables, lots of greens, nuts, seeds, and sprouts. Stay hydrated. Eat apples for snacks – cut them up in fun ways so you enjoy eating them. Peel them if need be. And get your sunshine and walks each day when possible.
A “diet” should be enjoyable, sustainable, and healthy. If you have a disordered relationship with food or other issues, please seek professional help. Message me if you need resources.
Raw Vegan Recipes to Lose Weight
I have a few recipes on my site that you can incorporate into your diet for weight loss. Be sure to check them out here – they include salads, raw hummus, vegetable blends, and desserts!
Living Foods is so fun because of all the creativity of the chefs and artistic types, but also the simplicity of the diet for those who desire minimal effort when it comes to food prep. Mono-meal, anyone? 🙂
Building Muscle as a Raw Vegan
Yes, it’s absolutely possible. I did it! And you can do it, too. However, it’s such a controversial topic I will provide general guidelines. And if you want to know more, you can hire a coach, message me, or use your own body as part of your education.
The principles of bodybuilding apply equally to a meat-eater as they do to a raw vegan. But if someone is undereating or simply eating fruit all day—and they don’t have any genetic advantages in terms of building muscle—they will have to play with their calories and macros.
There are purists who are vehemently against raw vegan protein powders. There are purists that would never deviate from 80-10-10 (80% carbs, 10% protein, 10% carbs). And, of course, there are those who don’t believe we should artificially inflate our muscles but instead focus on functional fitness, flexibility, cardiovascular health, longevity, and strength.
Everyone has a valid point. I’m not here to argue. I want to include a few tips here for those who are worried about losing muscle if they transition to a raw diet. And for those who are worried that they can’t gain muscle if they transition.
Excluding the initial period of going fully raw, when many will shed some fat and inflammation and look a bit thinner, gaining muscle is definitely possible.
Workout HARD. Lift heavy weights. Do calisthenics. Track calories to ensure you’re eating ENOUGH for your metabolism. And make sure you have all the essential amino acids through a diverse, plant-based diet.
There are some high-quality, toxin-tested, raw protein powder companies out there. Do your research. There are also foods that one can include in their smoothies that help with muscle building, such as alfalfa, hemp seeds, sprouted pumpkin seeds, dark, leafy greens, broccoli, sprouted peas, sunflower sprouts, chia seeds, raw hummus, and sprouted buckwheat, to name just a few.
If you need more calories, add dates, avocados, and bananas to your smoothies.
Hire a fitness coach or calculate your macros using an online tracker based on your fitness goals. Use a calorie tracker such as Cronometer to make sure you’re hitting those goals.
That’s it. If you lift weights or do calisthenics—and have the right calories and macros—you’ll build muscle. Some have the genetics to gain easier than others, but the raw vegan diet won’t be the reason you can’t add muscle and tone up.
Creatine is another supplement that many bodybuilders add. It’s been widely researched and is regarded as safe.
Taking a quote from Robert Cheeke’s NY Times Bestseller The Plant-Based Athlete: A Game-Changing Approach to Peak Performance:
…you can build as much muscle on a plant-based diet as you can on a omnivore diet. You just got to pay a little more attention to your sources.
Because one, the the protein in plant material is bound up in the fibrous material of the plant, like the intact plant sources.
So let’s say you’re eating like beans or legumes or whatnot, and they can have a decent amount of protein like 16 grams. But It’s only about 70 80 bioavailable because it’s bound up in that fibrous material and not accessible to some of your digestive enzymes.
And it tends to be lower in essential amino acids and leucine.
So what I tell people is if your plant-based, you know, you probably need, you know, an extra 10 20, Protein, total. To get kind of the same amount of high quality proteins. If you were like omnivore. Yeah and you can do it but I think most you know, vegans if they’re looking to build muscle would do well to kind of supplement with like some kind of isolated protein powder just because it makes it a lot easier
Layne Norton, PhD on RawTalk Podcast
Again, I’m not recommending protein powders. I recommend that you do your research. If you want to increase your muscles beyond what would be considered normal, lean, and healthy for your body type, you can supplement with a raw vegan protein powder. It might help you when you’re not able to eat enough food for the total grams of protein your body might need for your specific body type, weight, and workouts.
Juice Fasting vs. Water Fasting
Juice fasting is useful for those who have something to heal but can’t take the time off work to rest and recover, as is recommended when water fasting. Low-glycemic juices such as celery, cucumber, and cilantro are ideal for maintenance. High-glycemic, pure fruit or cane sugar juices are fine for the endurance athlete but certainly not natural or required for a healthy, raw vegan diet.
There are some well-known promoters of juice fasting and juice cleanses within the raw vegan community. It is promoted as a way to remove “mucoid plaque” in the bowels or for individuals with food addictions who need the restrictions of juicing only in order to lose weight. It removes the temptations of cooked foods or processed foods because choice is limited to juices only.
Although a controversial topic, I will simply say that there is a time and a place for juice fasting. But if a person is doing it as a “quick fix” for weight loss – and not for health-promoting reasons that involve resting the digestion – then I do not recommend it.
The same is true for water fasting—I recommend it for healing purposes. The science and research behind water fasting go back decades. Countless books and scientists have validated its benefits.
The benefits from water fasting and autophagy for people with diabetes, obesity, diseases such as cancer, and longevity are quite clear.
I recommend the TrueNorth website for additional resources and research papers on water fasting. I will also post a blog on this website with my recommended books on Water Fasting. Keep an eye out for that, and make sure you’re subscribed to my yearly newsletter.
However, if a person hasn’t built a strong foundation and education on the raw vegan diet and practiced the lifestyle consistently on their own first, then I don’t recommend water fasting unless a person is in crisis. In that case, I highly recommend a supervised water fast by competent practitioners.
Again, I recommend visiting the TrueNorth Health Center‘s website and educating yourself through the many books on water fasting. You can email me for a list.
I recommend a water distiller for any water you drink, fasting or not. It removes contaminants regardless of the source. If you’re not on a strict water fast, you can add minerals by adding a squeeze of lemon juice or cucumber slices.
Stay tuned to this space for a detailed blog on why I distill my water.
If you’re interested in the water distillers I use and recommend, use promo code “SHARILIKESFRUIT” for a 5% discount.
Raw Vegan Shopping Guide
Navigating the aisles for raw vegan essentials can be an exciting and enlightening experience. Prioritize organic fruits and vegetables to minimize pesticide exposure and support sustainable farming practices. Stock up on various nuts, seeds, and dried fruits to add texture and flavor to your raw creations.
Explore the world of superfoods such as spirulina, chlorella, maca, and hemp seeds to infuse your diet with an extra nutritional boost. When selecting kitchen gadgets, invest in a high-speed blender, a food processor, and a dehydrator to expand your culinary repertoire. By curating a well-stocked pantry and equipping your kitchen with the right tools, you can embrace the art of raw food preparation with confidence and creativity.
You can check out my Free Resources page to download a copy of the “Raw Vegan Staples” to always have on hand. It can also serve as a Raw Vegan Grocery List – just be sure to add ALL the organic, whole, hydrating fruits and veggies to the list!
Common Challenges and How to Overcome Them
Embarking on a raw vegan journey may present certain challenges, especially in social settings or when dining out. However, with thoughtful planning and open communication, these obstacles can be navigated gracefully.
When attending social gatherings, consider bringing a raw vegan dish to share, allowing others to experience the deliciousness of plant-based cuisine.
I have a “Raw Vegan Cheat Sheet” for handling work and social events as a raw vegan. You can download it here.
Communicate your dietary preferences with friends and family members, fostering understanding and support for your lifestyle choices.
When dining out, research raw vegan-friendly restaurants in your area or communicate with the staff to customize a raw meal.
Embracing the challenges with a positive attitude and a spirit of adaptability empowers you to stay true to your raw vegan values while navigating diverse social scenarios.
Raw Vegan Community and Support
Engaging with the raw vegan community can be an invaluable source of inspiration, guidance, and camaraderie.
Connect with like-minded individuals through social media groups, local meetups, and online forums to share experiences, recipes, and encouragement.
I recommend an online support group where you can make friends on a similar journey to optimal health.
My friend Eva and I had a community called Thrive and Shine, but it is closed to new members. I initially met Eva through Ronnie from Fruity Fridays, another raw vegan community.
I have another friend, Jeannette (aka Ms.FitVegan), who runs a weekly online community called Mistfit Mondays. Mention “ShariLikesFruit” to attend your first session for FREE and see how you like it!
The more connections you can make with high-vibing friends, the better. You’ll feel supported in a world where you might feel like an outcast eating living foods!
Attending raw food workshops, retreats, or festivals can provide immersive experiences and opportunities to expand one’s knowledge of raw veganism. One such festival in the U.S. is the Woodstock Fruit Festival, and there’s one in the UK called the UK Fruit Festival. Many fruit festivals are held worldwide.
The festivals are all about fruit, fun, connection, activities, education, lectures, recipes, inspiration, and FUN!
Seek mentors, coaches, influencers, and educators in the raw vegan space to deepen your understanding and refine your raw food prep skills.
By embracing the support and wisdom of the raw vegan community, you can cultivate a sense of belonging and empowerment on your journey toward a plant-based, whole-food lifestyle.
9 Best Tips to Start a Raw Vegan Diet: A Summary
#1 – Meal Prep and Recipes on a Raw Vegan Diet
There are many books on meal prepping and many recipe books. I have several raw vegan recipes on this website, and there are hundreds of books with incredible recipes. I can help you find what’s best for your taste preferences and time constraints. Contact me, and I’ll help guide you.
Generally speaking, it’s easiest to focus on fruits, greens, and smoothies during the day and a savory salad with a healthy raw nut or seed-based dressing at night. That keeps things simple, affordable, delicious, and satisfying.
Some people love the comfort foods of childhood. Some love to “cook” and prepare elaborate meals for themselves and/or their loved ones. And some like to keep things simple and focus on mono-meals for most of their days.
Knowing your personality type and what stage you are in your journey – being realistic about your long-term goals for this lifestyle – will all help you ensure success.
#2 – Attitude is Everything
Know your WHY. You’ve heard this many times. There’s a reason. If you don’t have a strong enough reason for entering this lifestyle, you won’t stick to it long-term.
#3 – Organic vs. Conventional on a Raw Vegan Diet
I do recommend organic produce. Better yet, I recommend Veganic! You can Google Dr. Will Tuttle and learn more about the importance of reducing pesticides, Glyphosate, and many other toxins that people are spraying on our food supply.
Veganic farming uses only plant-based fertilizers, no chemicals, no GMOs, and no animal by-products. Veganic farmers also encourage the presence of wild native animals on the farmland.
There are also imported fruits that are commonly dipped in a “treatment” or hot water to get them approved for selling in stores. It can feel overwhelming, even disheartening, to go down the rabbit hole of finding healthy produce. It can make it feel like it’s too hard or there’s no way to stay raw.
But those are excuses—not the truth. It’s actually fun to educate yourself at the beginning of your journey, especially because you’ll be an informed consumer about what is going into your precious temple!
If you can’t find pesticide-free produce at a given point in your journey, then clean the residue as best you can. It’s always going to be better than eating processed junk, fast food, or animal products.
For cleaning produce, people have used vinegar, baking soda, clean water, or commercially available “natural” produce washes. Do your best in each instance.
If the fruit or vegetable doesn’t have a thick skin, then you know those are the fruits and veggies for which you want to get organic, for sure, if possible.
Even fruit with thick skin can still suffer from toxins if the soil is exposed to toxins. So again – stay informed. Make the best decision you can with the time, budget, and education you have. But never use any of it as an excuse to fail.
You’re still doing better than 99.9% of the population and you need to bless ALL the food you consume and visualize it nourishing all of your cells.
The sun and the water bless your food. And all the people who were involved in growing, picking, shipping, and selling that food to you.
We are certainly blessed. And that’s the best attitude to have with every meal.
#4 – Socializing as a Raw Vegan
The short version: eat a little something before you go so you’re not starving. Bring food with you in a cooler or in your purse so you have backup. If you have a special dietary request or don’t want to say you’re a raw vegan, just tell them your doctor (or trainer or nutritionist, etc.) has asked you to avoid “x” food for a while. They’ll never argue with that. And check our blog and handy “cheat sheet” for more support!
#5 – Dealing with Emotions
This is a big one. And this is one of the main topics of the book I have coming out next year (which also covers mindfulness). If you’re suicidal or depressed, I recommend professional help.
If you’re simply a person who reaches for comfort food to avoid difficult emotions, there are a lot of ways to deal with that. Try keeping a food diary to identify triggers, practicing mindful eating by savoring each bite, and finding healthier coping mechanisms like exercise, meditation, or engaging in hobbies when you feel stressed or emotional.
More on this soon. It is absolutely workable, I promise!
#6 – How to Avoid Pitfalls
Long-term juice cleansing, refusing supplementation when you’re deficient or experiencing health issues, water fasting, and following “online gurus” can all derail your raw vegan journey. As mentioned above, stay focused on what makes you feel best, what digests and eliminates best, and give yourself a TON of grace on this journey. You can’t avoid all the pitfalls, but you can learn from every step along the transition. Never be hard on yourself. This is a journey about self-love and healing. You’re exactly where you’re supposed to be! Reach out if you need support.
#7 – Nutrition, Essential Amino Acids, and Supplementation
Fruits, vegetables, sprouts, microgreens, nuts, and seeds. Whole, organic foods from nature – that’s it. It’s relatively simple. Continue to focus on a diverse range of whole foods like nuts, seeds, legumes, and leafy greens. You can consider supplements for nutrients like B12, vitamin D, and omega-3 fatty acids if you’ve been advised to take them from a trusted, licensed health practitioner. Again, this is a debatable topic with strong opinions on both sides.
#8 – Eating Disorders and the Raw Vegan Diet
As with ANY diet, the raw vegan diet can be abused. As with ANY diet, the raw vegan lifestyle can attract those with eating disorders. As with ANY diet, the living food lifestyle can create eating disorders if people don’t approach it for the right reasons.
For these reasons and more, I want to include a disclaimer of sorts. If you think you have an eating disorder or you’re looking for a quick weight loss hack, the raw vegan diet is NOT FOR YOU. Seek help. You’re a beautiful soul and you deserve all the best this world has to offer.
If you’ve come to the raw vegan diet for health or animal welfare reasons, enjoy it! And remember, no guilt about “falling off the wagon” or eating cooked food or whatever. There is no such thing as a “perfect” way to eat. You’re doing the best you can and the real world provides a wonderful education, especially when we make mistakes. Embrace them!
There is no need for strictness or absolutism. That’s not what the raw foods lifestyle is about.
Cleanses. You are not likely to need one. And if you’re not building a foundation of healthy eating ahead of time, then you’re likely to go back to the same lifestyle that led you to that cleanse.
Water fasts. There is a ton of literature on the healing benefits on extended water fasting. With that said, it is dangerous to do alone and likely not necessary. If you believe you have a condition that warrants a water fast, be sure you’re guided by a reputable water fasting facility.
Choose health. There is no “good” or “bad” on this journey. Focus on loving yourself and choosing the foods that make you feel good. If you think you ate something that made you feel yucky, then reset on the next meal. It’s that simple. As you know, the past is gone. Don’t bring it to the present. The next meal will be glorious!
Find your why. You’ve heard it before, but this is a big one. Once you have a DEEP REASON, that you feel in your heart and soul, following a healthy plant-based journey becomes easy and fun. It makes all the other obstacles fall away effortlessly. You may have to meditate, find a coach, or journal a bit before you connect with your why and your purpose.
#9 – How to Succeed
Keep your kitchen stocked with an abundance of fruit and veggies. Only allow positive content in your head.
Before you hire or follow a coach or influencer online, research them. Learn what makes them qualified. Talk to their former clients. Read their books. Don’t get caught up in the dogma.
Raw Vegan Questions and Answers
What Are Raw Vegan Foods?
Raw vegan foods are plant-based foods that are consumed in their uncooked, unprocessed state, including:
Fruits: Fresh fruits like apples, bananas, berries, and oranges.
Vegetables: Leafy greens (spinach, kale), carrots, cucumbers, and bell peppers.
Nuts and Seeds: Almonds, walnuts, chia seeds, and flaxseeds.
Sprouts: Alfalfa, mung bean, and broccoli sprouts.
Seaweed: Nori, dulse, and spirulina.
Herbs and Spices: Fresh herbs like basil, parsley, and spices like ginger and turmeric.
Cold-pressed Oils: Olive oil, coconut oil, and flaxseed oil. Note that many raw vegans believe oils are considered processed foods so they do not include them in a healthy, raw vegan diet.
Plant-based Dairy Alternatives: Raw nut milks and raw vegan cheeses made from nuts and seeds.
Dehydrated Foods: Raw snacks like dehydrated fruit chips or raw granola.
These foods are typically eaten raw to preserve their nutrients and enzymes.
Are Raw Wraps Vegan?
Yes, raw vegan wraps can be considered raw vegan if they are made from raw, unprocessed ingredients and made from dehydrating (as opposed to cooking). Typically, these wraps use:
Raw Wrappers: Leafy greens like collard greens, lettuce, or seaweed, or raw sprouted grain tortillas.
Fillings: Fresh vegetables, fruits, nuts, seeds, and raw spreads or dips.
As long as all components are raw and plant-based, they fit within the raw vegan diet.
Can Raw Vegans Eat Bread?
What is a raw vegan substitute for bread, you might ask. Romaine lettuce cups! Scooped portabello mushrooms! Dehydrated wraps! Raw and sprouted bread. Scooped cucumber “subs.” So many delicious, non-cooked bread options!
Can Raw Vegans Drink Coffee?
Raw vegans generally avoid coffee because it is typically roasted, which goes against the principles of consuming only raw foods. However, some raw vegans may choose to drink alternatives like herbal teas or raw cacao, which are considered raw “enough” and can provide a similar flavor profile without being roasted. Teeccino is roasted, but considered a healthier coffee option without the caffeine.
What Celebrities Are Raw Vegan?
Who cares! Just kidding. Sometimes, people like to see long-term, living examples of this lifestyle. Honestly, celebrities often have a lot of work done, so it’s hard to see a manifestation of their true health on their skin.
Lenny Kravitz has dabbled with the raw vegan diet. Other famous (cooked) vegans include Alicia Silverstone, Joaquin Phoenix, Venus Williams, James Cameron, Michelle Pfeiffer, Billie Eilish, Woody Harrelson, Pamela Anderson,
Many dabble with the lifestyle, like Miley Cyrus, Madonna, Gisele, Beyonce, Robert Downey Jr., Jason Mraz, Lizzo, and Ariana Grande, but by the time you’re reading this, some may have returned to their previous lifestyle.
If any of these celebrities want to contact me and update the record on their current diet, I look forward to chatting with them and interviewing them for my channel.
In terms of long-term, raw vegans in our non-celebrity community, we have Chris Kendall, Dr. Fred Bisci, Paul Nison, Karen Ranzi, Anne Osbourne, Dr. Tim Trader, Loren Lockman, and Dr. Doug Graham, to name a few.
I recently did a few taste tests with Loren when he was in town. Be sure to follow him on IG at @LorenLockman.official.
I know you’ll have more questions as you progress on your journey. Send them to me here and I’ll personally reply to you – and add your question to this blog. The goal is to be of service to as many humans as possible – especially those who love animals, love fruit, and want to heal their bodies and minds!
Embracing a Raw Vegan Lifestyle is a Profound Journey of Self-Discovery
The culinary exploration, the increased energy, and the conscious living of the raw vegan diet are profound. While some may struggle at various stages in their journey, most will agree they felt their best when exploring the living foods lifestyle.
By understanding the principles of raw veganism, prioritizing essential nutrients, and mastering the art of raw food preparation, you can unlock the potential for vibrant health and holistic well-being.
Transitioning to a raw vegan diet requires patience, creativity, and a supportive network to navigate potential challenges and embrace the rewards of plant-powered living.
As you embark on this transformative odyssey, remember to approach the transition with an open heart and a curious spirit.
Embrace the abundance of nature’s offerings, celebrate the diversity of raw vegan cuisine, and honor the interconnectedness of your well-being with the planet.
If you want anything else covered, please comment down below, and I will add it!
Whether you’re here for health, environmental, or ethical reasons, may this guide empower you to redefine your relationship with food and the planet, one raw, vibrant bite at a time.
