The First Obstacle: Fear & Overwhelm Anytime we start something new, it can be overwhelming. When this “something” is related to food habits, then it’s a whole other level of overwhelm altogether. The problem is, we have years and years of history tied to our eating habits. Therefore, when you start making changes to your diet, it naturally has a ripple effect on many other areas of your life too.
Just think of all the festivities, celebrations, and memories you have that are associated with food. Sometimes when people first encounter the idea of the raw food diet, they almost shut down, just because of the fear factor.
Then the nutritional indoctrination syndrome comes into effect: What about protein? Calcium? Where do I get my Omega Fats, etc. ?Lastly of course, there’s the confusion that comes when you realize just how much conflicting information there is out there on the raw food diet!
High fat or low fat?
High fruit or no fruit?
Supplements?
Superfoods?
Dehydrators?
Juice extractors…
… and a whole lot of thing-a-majiggers that can add up to sheer OVERWHELM for the raw food newcomer. It’s an information tug-of-war out there and who should you believe??!
What’s the Solution?
Often the best way to get started with raw food information, is to just get out there and see what you’re attracted to. What kind of language does the ‘expert’ use? How do their resources make you FEEL? These two factors alone will tell you a lot about where you’ll be the most successful with raw food. If you’re naturally attracted to the people providing the information, and the information they’re giving, you’ll be much more likely to enjoy the process and thus, much more likely to stick with it.
The next best thing you can do, is to find a support program. For many people, the raw food lifestyle is new territory, and getting a full-support program where there are specific tools and steps to help you along the process can make the whole thing seem a lot more manageable. The Raw Divas offer The Body Enlightenment System, a full-support diet, exercise, and personal development system to guide people into a very simple, effective, and most of all, sustainable raw food lifestyle.
Now, just because it’s “normal” to feel a bit of apprehension and fear when approaching a new way of eating, doesn’t mean it’s a valid reason to hold you back from having the very best health possible. Let the words of these famous divas drive home the message about fear!
Feisty Women and Their Thoughts about Fear You gain strength, courage, and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face. -You must do the thing which you think you cannot do. Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. Nothing in life is to be feared. It is only to be understood. Ultimately we know deeply that the other side of every fear is a freedom. …and one man sums it all up rather nicely in terms we can really understand: Don't be afraid to go out on a limb. That's where the fruit is. |
The Second Obstacle: Digestive Disasters
As raw newcomers adjust from a cooked food diet that is low on water content and high in calories, to the raw food diet, which is very high in water content and low in calories, there are two common problems that arise that create a lot of problems:
1. People under eat. Raw newcomers, especially those who are committed to the low-fat path, simply do not manage to eat ENOUGH calories. While this can go on for a few days without any significant problem, eventually hunger sets in with a vengeance and the cravings can be more than your average health-seeker can stand up against.
What’s the Solution?
Be sure to eat enough fruit and greens, and monitor the consumption of your calories using a tool like www.fitday.com, or www.nutridiary.com.
2. The other thing that can happen, is that in the search to replace the “heaviness” of raw foods, many newcomers will go straight for the avocados, nut bucket and dried fruit bin. This brings on a host of problems with blood sugar, tooth decay, energy-loss, and once again accounts for some nasty cravings.
What’s the Solution?
Stick to simple foods when you’re starting out. This will help you to get accustomed to how certain foods react in your body. Also, be sure to eat ENOUGH so that you avoid the uncomfortable cravings which often arrive after a few days on raw. Lastly, be prepared for the raw food diet’s famous feeling of lightness! It might fool you into thinking you need to keep eating, but be aware that raw food just doesn’t feel as heavy as cooked fare, and filling the gap with a lot of fat and heavy, dried foods, can easily make your raw journey a tough one.
Save nuts and dried fruits for rare occasions, and even then, in very small quantities, and be sure your fat intake stays reasonable.
The Third Obstacle: Not Enough Support
While the Raw Food Diet is rapidly gaining popularity, it’s true that many of us are still lone carrot munchers in a sea of burger-eaters! It’s true that bravery has its rewards, but we know it’s not easy to be the trail blazer in your home or your community. While you may not have all the support you need in your local environment, there are plenty of tools and support online that can help you to achieve your health goals with confidence.
Being a part of a community like The Raw Divas is a great place to start. Of course, when you are enrolled in one of our programs, like the Body Enlightenment System, then community takes on a whole new look.
If you have community, camaraderie and support, then all the other obstacles in your path can seem to simply melt away.
Here’s the bottom line:
If you’re struggling to approach or succeed with the raw food diet, then just take one day at a time. Trust your intuition, find a community or program that will offer the tools and support you need, and above all trust the process.
