One of the arguments for adopting a raw vegan diet is that raw foods contain enzymes that can aid in human digestion. The idea is that if we consume “living” foods with their enzymes intact, our bodies can actually utilize these enzymes in the digestion of the food.

This reasoning has just never sat right with me and here’s why:

Enzymes are for the Plant, Not the Person

Raw foods contain enzymes that are necessary for proper development of the plant. For instance, an unripe banana contains enzymes that allow the starch in the fruit to convert to sugar, i.e. to ripen.

Once the process is complete, the enzymes are gone. So in order to actually consume these enzymes, you would have to consume unripe, acidic, nutritionally-underdeveloped food.

Kind of defeats the point of eating nutrionally-packed raw foods, eh?

And even if you did decide to consume unripe fruit, there is no reason to believe that the enzymes in the PLANT would be capable of functioning in YOUR digestive processes.

In short, these enzymes are important for the plant, not for us. Our bodies have their own enzymes that allow us to properly digest the foods we eat.

So Why Eat a Raw Diet?

There are several reasons to eat a diet high in raw foods, the main one being that raw foods are nutritional powerhouses. The food has not been damaged via heat or processing and retains its nutritional integrity.

And, actually, for the enzymes!

As I mentioned, enzymes are very necessary in plant growth. By letting your food fully ripen before consumption, you will allow the enzymes present to work their magic, making the food much tastier and easy to digest…

So what do ya know, plant enzymes DO aid in human digestion after all!

Go raw and be fit,

Swayze

For more information on the best raw vegan diet, be sure to visit www.fitonraw.com and subscribe to Swayze’s newsletter Peachy Keen Ezine. By subscribing, you will also receive the free report The 4 Principles of a Healthy Raw Diet as well as the 5-week mini-course The Fool Proof Transition to Raw.

There few more nerve racking events than the big holiday dinner parties.  Christmas, Thanksgiving, you want them all to be just perfect, a happy family time where everyone is catered for and everyone is happy.  Only this year, your son’s new girlfriend is coming and she’s a vegetarian.  You realise you have never cooked for a vegetarian before.  Just how do you make your vegetarian dinner guest feel at home?

1.            Find out what type of vegetarian they are.

This will help guide you to your choice of recipe.  A vegan is the strictest vegetarian.  They eat no animal products at all so eggs and dairy are out.  A lacto vegetarian will not eat eggs but is fine with dairy products while an ovo-lacto vegetarian is fine with both of theses.

2.            Find out what they like to eat.

Just by making a call to your guest you can quickly find out what their favourite foods are and then it’s just a matter of hitting the cook books or surfing the net for some recipe ideas.

3.            Serve dinner buffet style

This will avoid your vegetarian guest feeling the stick out like a sore thumb when they keep passing on the plates with the meat dishes on until the vegetarian option comes to them.  Labelling the dishes is a great idea too.  The name of the dish with a small “V” in the corner of the label will make it obvious it is the vegetarian option.  In these days of food sensitivity labelling those foods which are low fat or low salt is also a great help to your other guests.

5.            Have lots of side dishes

Not just salad and fruit.  Casseroles, curries and dishes that have a variety of seasoning are best.  Vegetarians are generally open to trying new dishes, tastes and textures so are quite possibly easier to please.

6.            Don’t knock yourself out.

Nobody is going to expect you to cook a separate meal just for them.  Not even the most fastidious of vegetarians would go that far.  Just follow the tips, do your best and have a happy family meal.

If you would like to find out more about being a vegetarian please visit www.myvegetarianlife.co.uk.

 

 

 

 

 

 

A freelance writer working from home.

This may seem like a strange question, seeing as this is a blog dedicated to raw FOODS.  Keep reading and you’ll see why it’s perfectly reasonable.

You see, many raw foodists think that raw food is the end all be all.  They believe that if they shun cooked food and only eat raw food, they will be perfectly healthy.

Perhaps you’re feeling the same way.  Maybe you’ve read all the great testimonials from people who have released over 100 pounds, reversed cancer, and have finally begun to thrive and you are convinced that raw foods are the answer to everything.

I completely understand the enthusiasm – perhaps even fanaticism – surrounding raw foods.  It’s amazing to see the results that can be achieved just by going raw, especially if you go the low fat, high fruit route.

However, there are a couple of problems with this way of thinking.

Perfection

As I said, many raw foodists see a raw vegan diet as the “end all be all.”  They think they can give up cooked foods, go 100% raw and all their problems will *magically* be solved.

Let’s get one thing straight.  No one is perfect and no one ever will be…and that includes YOU!

I don’t care how little cooked food you eat or much raw foods you stuff down your gullet, you will *never* be perfect.

PERIOD.

Just look at all the raw food “gurus” out there.  Sure, they may market the raw food diet as the only way to achieve the “perfect” body, or to have “perfect digestion,” or to get “perfect” teeth…but that certainly does not make it so.

I mean, if this were really the case, wouldn’t these gurus be the pinnacle of perfection?  Some of them have been raw for 20+ years and yet I know they are nowhere near perfect…because no one is!

If these long-term raw food radicals still aren’t perfect, is there any reason to expect perfection from your own raw food results?

There’s More to Health Than Just Diet

One of the side effects of the mainstream raw food movement’s focus on food is the almost complete avoidance of exercise.  There are far too many raw foodists, gurus included, who rarely (if ever) participate in some form of bodily movement.

It’s as if they believe that eating raw will somehow “cancel out” the fact that they spend all day sitting on their butts!

In The 80/10/10 Diet, Dr. Graham actually lists a total of *32* “Fundamental Elements of Health” that you should be concerned with.

Here’s the first ten on the list:

Clean, fresh air
Pure water
Foods for which we are biologically designed
Sufficient sleep
Rest and relaxation
Vigorous activity
Emotional poise and stability
Sunshine and natural light
Comfortable temperature
Peace, harmony, serenity, and tranquility

See that?

“Foods for which we are biologically designed” (i.e. a low fat raw vegan diet) makes up just ONE single factor!

And it isn’t even first on the list!

Make What You Eat a Priority, Not an Obsession

I’m not arguing that improving your diet is not important.

It is *hugely* important, especially considering the harmful food and drugs that the majority of people consume day in and day out.  Eliminating cooked food and making healthy raw food a priority in your life will have wonderful consequences for you.

However, there’s no need to get obsessed.  Your diet is only ONE factor of many that play a role in your overall health and well-being.  If you truly want to thrive, you must consider every aspect and act accordingly.

Go raw and be fit,

Swayze

For more information on the best raw vegan diet, be sure to visit www.fitonraw.com and subscribe to Swayze’s newsletter Peachy Keen Ezine. By subscribing, you will also receive the free report The 4 Principles of a Healthy Raw Diet as well as the 5-week mini-course The Fool Proof Transition to Raw.

Back in 2007, I made the biggest lifestyle change for me ever.  I say “the biggest” because making this one change gave me the most profound results.  I was finally able to rid myself of anemia…and in only a few short weeks!

So what was this big change?

Did I eliminate animal products from my diet?

No.

Did I start exercising?

No.

Did I stop consuming junk food?

No again.

I stopped consuming grains.

Even though I had already made the above lifestyle changes and had seen good results, nothing brought upon the health and wellness that giving up grains brought for me.

My Quest for More Energy

As I’ve mentioned before, I struggled with anemia for many years.  In 2005, I started exercising in order to lose weight and maybe increase my energy.  I definitely lost weight, but I still felt tired.

In 2006, I stopped consuming junk food on a regular basis.  Still tired.

By 2007, I had cut out animal flesh and animal by-products.  Again, still tired.

While I did see some signs of improved health (i.e. weight loss, clear skin, better hair, etc.) with all of these changes, my energy level barely budged.  I couldn’t help but feel defeated and just, well…tired.

Finally in late 2007, I stumbled upon the low fat raw vegan diet.  Only then did I realize the huge role that grains had played in my life, especially since becoming a vegan.

Before going raw, a typical day looked like this:

Breakfast: Oatmeal with fresh fruit, orange juice
Lunch: Vegetable sandwich, rice crackers, fruit
Snack: Whole wheat crackers with hummus and salsa, fruit
Dinner: Vegetable stir-fry with brown rice, raw veggies
Dessert: Fruit and rice crackers

As you can see, every meal features some sort of grain.

Every.  Single.  One

This was a huge wake-up call for me.  I couldn’t believe I was eating that much wheat!  I decided then and there that it was time for me to give raw a real shot.

Giving Up the Grains

Giving up grains was not easy for me.  In fact, aside from eliminating salt, I’d say it is the hardest dietary change a person can make.

One reason most grains are so enticing is because they contain the protein gluten.  In Grain Damage: Rethinking the High-Starch Diet, author Dr. Douglas Graham writes:

Gluten, a protein found in many grain products, has been named as a causative factor in several psychoses and neurological disorders. It has been proven to chemically contain fifteen different opioid sequences, or morphine-like molecules.  Opioids that come from outside the body are called ‘exorphins.’

Exorphins are labeled by scientists as addictive and neurotoxic.  They have psychoactive properties and cause related behavioral problems such as addictive eating patterns.  Since the mid-1960s, scientists have repeatedly linked gluten consumption to learning disorders and schizophrenia.

Perhaps this explains why it’s so hard to eat just one cookie or a single slice of bread.

Another reason it is hard to give up grains is not necessarily because of the grains themselves, but what we mask them with.

As I’m sure you have experienced, grains on their own are extremely bland.  And RAW grains?  You’d have to be, well…a BIRD to eat those!

To give them some flavor, we like to add certain salts, spices, and other condiments.  Many of these “flavor enhancers,” such as aspartame and MSG, are more harmful than you might think.

In Excitotoxins: The Taste That Kills, Russell L. Blaylock, MD, provides shocking evidence that these substances (called “excitotoxins”) are highly addictive and actually lead to the destruction of certain brain cells!

In regards to the dangerous effects of excessive monosodium glutamate (MSG), Blaylock writes:

Within fifteen to thirty minutes after being exposed to high doses of MSG, neurons suspended in tissue culture are seen to swell like balloons.  Under the microscope you can see degeneration of the small structures within the cell, called organelles, and also clumping of the chromatin of the nucleus.

Within three hours these neurons are not only dead, but the body’s defense mechanisms begin to haul away the debris.  Under experimental conditions using animals, this degenerative reaction is seen when MSG is either ingested in the diet, injected into the abdominal cavity, or applied directly to the neurons in tissue culture or into the brain by way of cannula or tube.

In short, you may love grains and their accompanying “flavor enhancers,” but they sure don’t love you back!

How to Make Things Easier on Yourself

Often the reason people struggle so much with eliminating grains is because they make up such a huge part of the diet.  It is important to replace them with another calorically dense food if you want to keep the cravings at bay.  This is something that many raw foodists fail to do.

The best advice I can give is to eat lots of sweet fruit.  Sweet fruit is both calorically dense AND high in volume.  This means that you will feel satiated after your meal for many hours.  You won’t find yourself back in the kitchen an hour later searching for some starchy sweets.

You just have to remember to eat a lot!  Put it this way: a cup of cooked brown rice is about 216 calories.  A cup of sliced peaches is only 66 calories!

But really this is a great thing.  What other diet allows you to eat as much as you want and still be healthy and lose weight?

It Was Worth it

The fact that I was able to eradicate my fatigue made all the effort worthwhile.  Thanks to giving up grains, I could actually drive somewhere in the middle of the afternoon without worrying about falling asleep!

Might sound crazy to you, but it was a lifesaver for me.

You Can Do It!

It might be tough at first to give up grains, but I know you can do it!  If you do go raw and find yourself craving grains and other complex carbohydrate concoctions (e.g. bread, pasta, cereal, cakes, etc.), the first step to take is to make sure you are consuming enough sweet fruit.

Keep adding on fruit to your meals until you can remain satiated for 3-5 hours after eating.  That means not even considering eating until meal time arrives.

And remember, you don’t have to go 100% raw right now!  There is no reason why you can’t gradually replace all your staple grain dishes with raw ones.  For instance, if you usually have oatmeal or toast for breakfast, try a couple of juicy melons instead!

Yes, that’s right.  I said TWO whole melons.

Find an approach that works for you and giving up grains will be fun, enlightening and, maybe for you, even life-saving.

Go raw and be fit,

Swayze

P.S. For more information on the harmful effects of consuming grains, raw or cooked, check out my article:

Should You Eat Grains?

For more information on the best raw vegan diet, be sure to visit www.fitonraw.com and subscribe to Swayze’s newsletter Peachy Keen Ezine. By subscribing, you will also receive the free report The 4 Principles of a Healthy Raw Diet as well as the 5-week mini-course The Fool Proof Transition to Raw.

In my last article on becoming a morning person, I provided 3 awesome tips for waking up each morning refreshed and energized:

1. Eat a healthy, low fat raw vegan diet
2. Stop using an alarm clock
3. Finish your last meal at least 2 hours before bedtime

There was one important point that I forgot to address for becoming a morning person.  This one may actually be the most important tip of all…

Get Enough Sleep!

I know many raw foodists claim that eating raw means you get to sleep less and less and less, sometimes no more 5 hours a night.

NO, NO, NO!

This is one health and wellness area where mainstream medicine and media have got it right.  The average human – I don’t care if you eat burgers and fries all day or live on sunshine and moonbeams – needs at least 8 hours of sleep
every night.

In fact, you may find that you need MORE sleep since going raw!  Many people discover that they are able to be (and actually want to be) more active and, as a result, need to sleep more.

But there’s no reason to rely on a number to tell you how much sleep you need.  As long as you are waking up naturally feeling ready to go – you did get rid of that retched alarm clock, didn’t you? – you are getting enough sleep.

Some days you may need more, some days you may need less.  Let your body be your guide!

Go raw and be fit,

Swayze

For more information on the best raw vegan diet, be sure to visit www.fitonraw.com and subscribe to Swayze’s newsletter Peachy Keen Ezine. By subscribing, you will also receive the free report The 4 Principles of a Healthy Raw Diet as well as the 5-week mini-course The Fool Proof Transition to Raw.

Are you thinking of becoming a vegetarian?  Are you wondering what you can eat and stay healthy?  Perhaps you’ve made up your mind to change your lifestyle but you’re not sure what sort of vegetarian you are going to be yet.  Hopefully this article will help you make your choice by explaining the options open to you.  So, what do vegetarians eat?

I daresay by this point you will have been scouring through cookery books and recipe sites to see if anything tickles your fancy.  You will have found recipes for all kinds of vegetable dishes some of which will contain things like beans, cheese and eggs.  You may have also found references to things you have never heard of.  Let’s look at some of these:

Tofu

Tofu is a soy product uses in many vegetarian recipes.  In its natural condition it is pretty bland but this is where its strengths lay because it is very versatile.  It is usually found in three different forms:

Silken Tofu – is thick and creamy in texture and is great for puddings.  It usually comes in packages that don’t need to be kept in the fridge so is very handy to keep in as a “staple”.

Soft Tofu – crumbly and soft this Tofu is a bit like cottage cheese.

Firm Tofu – as its name suggests this is the firmest of the Tofu trilogy.  It can be slice and diced like meat for stir fries and the barbecue.

Seitan

Seitan is made from the wheat gluten left over when starch is rinsed out of bread dough.  It has a chewy, meat like texture can be used as a substitute for meat in many recipes.  It is often found in canned vegetarian products at your local supermarket such as “vegetarian chicken casserole”.

Tempeh

Tempeh is cakes of fermented soybeans.  It’s stronger in taste and firmer in texture than tofu which makes it great for sandwiches.  Because of its meaty texture and slightly spicy taste, a lot of vegetarians have this as an alternative to breakfast sausage.  However, unlike the sausage, Tempeh is low in fat, high in fibre and packed with vitamin B12.

TVP

TVP or textured vegetable protein is made from soy flour and is often found in things like veggie burgers and veggie mince.  TVP is incredibly like meat, especially mince (ground meat for our US friends) that it makes great chilli and wonderful spaghetti bolognaise.

Nutritional Yeast

You will find this in most health food shops usually in flake form.  It’s a favourite with vegans because it is a rich source of vitamin B12.  It has a pleasant cheesy flavour that compliments winter vegetables very well.

I do hope this article has been of help to you and that if you require any more information on becoming vegetarian you will visit www.myvegetarianlife.co.uk

A freelance writer working from home.

In an ideal world, we would get all the nutrition we need from the food we eat however research supports what many holistic health professionals have long said, in this day and age we simply aren’t getting the nutrients we need from our diet. Reasons for this lack are numerous from poor nutrient soil quality and intensive farming techniques to western food diets and modern day stressors placing a greater demand on our bodies. The lack of nutrient intake has become so significant that The Journal of American Medical Association (JAMA) now recommends a daily multivitamin as a way of supporting our nutritional needs and promoting better health.

A daily multi may not answer to all of today’s ills but it is seen as a form of “insurance” against less than optimal nutrient intake (Fletcher & Fairfield, 2002). Taking a daily multi may also promote increased energy and reduced stress levels in the short term. In the long term, it may offer some benefits for increased cardiovascular health and improved eye and brain health as well as a decreased risk of osteoporosis.

Sounds pretty good? The question is, when looking at the array of multivitamins available, how do you know which one is for you? Walking down the aisle of a healthfood store or pharmacy it is possible to identify 15 or more different types of multivitamin & mineral: one for women, another for men, a seniors version and one that promotes cardiovascular health, more ingredients or less…the list goes on.

Given the multitude of choices, it can be difficult to know which one is best suited to your individual needs. Keep in mind it might be different one than for your spouse, friend or child. So firstly, let’s look at some key questions to ask yourself when deciding which multi is right for you:

1. Gender – do you want a multi that is formulated specifically for your gender? Specific multis for men or women are based on a common set of assumptions about their differing nutrient requirements. A men’s multi is more likely to contain more zinc and less iron than a women’s multi. Zinc is required for prostate and reproductive health in men. Whereas while women also need zinc, they lose some iron each month during their menstrual cycle so the assumption is that they have a greater need for this particular nutrient.

Women’s multivitamins are also more likely to contain higher levels of folic acid, up to 400mcg per daily tablet. This is to help combat the likelihood of neural tube defects which is linked to low levels of folic acid in women during pre-conception and early pregnancy.

2. Age group or specific needs – multis are often formulated for the specific needs of the young, the elderly or for pregnant women. Children’s multi formulations tend to be quite simple and lower dose purely because they are smaller and as a result, require less daily intake of key nutrients than adults. Key nutrients for brain, eye and motor skills in children include vitamin A, zinc, iron, iodine and fish oils. When choosing a multi for your child, ensure at least the first 4 nutrients are included. Fish oil may or may not be included however, can be taken separately.

With regard to seniors, homocysteine lowering factors for cardiovascular health are essential and these include folic acid, vitamin B12 and B6. Vitamin E is also important as low levels in the elderly are associated with poor immune function. Sometimes, ingredients that support digestion such as digestive enzymes or hydrochloric acid are also included. This is to support the decline in digestive function that is commonly associated with the ageing process.

In addition to extra folic acid, multis for preconception, pregnancy and breastfeeding are likely to include omega 3 fatty acids, often in the form of fish oil. Omega 3 fatty acids are essential for foetal brain and eye development so are important. If this ingredient isn’t included it is a good idea to take it in addition to a multi. The other key factor to look for in preconception/pregnancy multis is that it excludes vitamin A and instead includes betacarotene or even better, mixed carotenoids. There is some risk that in high doses, vitamin A may have harmful effects on a growing foetus. Compulsory label warnings will state that doses over 5000iu of vitamin A may be harmful during pregnancy. On the other hand, vitamin A precursors betacarotene and/or mixed carotenoids are not harmful during pregnancy and supply the body with these necessary nutrients.

One final note about folic acid, it is important that a preconception/pregnancy multi supplies a daily dose of at least 400mcg of folic acid as this is considered the minimum dosage requirement for protection against neural tube defects.

3. Dosage – most multis these days are “one-a-day” however some may require a second tablet to meet a higher daily intake of nutrients. While one tablet a day is convenient, keep in mind that a multi generally offers lower doses of essential nutrients and is usually not enough to counteract a specific nutrient deficiency. A specific nutrient deficiency is considered a serious condition. Higher doses of nutrients may be required and in such cases the supervision of a health care provider is essential.

4. Strength – the level of individual nutrients in a multivitamin & mineral can vary quite a bit when comparing labels. A basic multi will generally have a lower level of nutrients and cost less. More comprehensive multi formulations will often have higher nutrient levels and come at a greater price. Generally, you get what you are prepared to pay for with higher prices multis providing higher levels of nutrients.

5. Vegan/Vegetarian – if this is a consideration, look for the label claim of “vegan or vegetarian”. Some multivitamins & minerals may contain ingredients of animal origin such as vitamin A from cod liver or enzymes. If you are unsure, ask.

6. Interaction with prescription medications – if you are taking prescription medications it is important to check with your health care professional before you take any nutritional supplementation and this includes multivitamin & mineral preparations. While there is risk of negative interactions, there may also be significant benefit to taking a multi if you are on certain medications. Examples include the Oral Contraceptive Pill which tends to increase vitamin B group losses or mineral laxatives which deplete fat soluble nutrients such as vitamins A, E, K and D. Again check with your health care provider before proceeding.

7. Synergies/interactions with other nutritional medicines – if you are taking other nutritional supplements, it is important to ensure you are not doubling up. For example, if you are taking or iron supplements you may not need the additional level of these nutrient provided by a multi. In this case, you may choose an iron free multi.

Once you have considered your requirements for a multi, there are some key quality issues to look out for:

What to look for from a quality perspective: 
1. Vitamin E – natural vitamin E is 100% more bioavailable than synthetic vitamin E and for this reason alone is a better choice. Look for d-alpha tocopherol, the natural form. Avoid the synthetic form which is listed on the label as dl-alpha tocopherol.

2. Vitamin A or Betacarotene – choose betacaroten or mixed carotenoids over vitamin A particularly if you are a woman of child bearing age or vegan/vegetarian.

3. Herbs included or excluded – in most cases, herbs included in multis are well below therapeutic dose so don’t offer much benefit. In addition, the inclusion of herbs will push up the cost. More often than not, herbs are included to make a multi look more comprehensive without offering much additional benefit.

4. Antioxidants – look for the inclusion of antioxidants such as vitamin E, betacarotene and zinc for their important free-radical quenching benefits. Other beneficial antioxidants that may be included are lycopene and luteine.

After considering the above recommendations, if you still have in doubt, ask your health care professional or in-store naturopath/nutritionist which multi is best for you. And please remember, while a multi offers both short and long term benefits, it may not be the only answer to your health issues.

 

Medical literature, for the most part, tends to suggests that acne is caused by four major factors. These factors are contamination of the skin by bacteria, blockage of the pores by external substances, inflammation of the skin tissue and the repercussions of overactive oil glands. There is, however, a fifth factor that pops up when one surveys the literature dealing with acne and the factors that cause it. This factor tends to feature more in literature that is dedicated to the ‘alternative’ and ‘complementary’ medicine viewpoint. This fifth factor is diet. The point is that those holistic health professionals, who advocate that diet is a major factor which influences one’s state of health, argue that acne is caused by eating foods that are high in fat, high in carbohydrates and low in fiber. Such holistic health thinkers argue that to combat the acne problem, one must adopt what can be termed, an acne diet.

This fifth factor has gained more credence in recent years due to the research findings in the area of diet and acne which show that persons who stick to a vegetarian type diet typically have less acne problems. In the regions of the Pacific Islands and parts of Africa, it has been found that the problem of acne is almost nonexistent. Even among the youth in these societies, research has found that the incidences of acne break outs are no where near the levels one would record in western cultures. The reality is that in these regions, the vegetarian diet is the type of diet that is mainly observed. This is in stark contrast to what obtains in most western cultures, if not all. The point is that a meat based diet is still predominant in the western regions of the world. The majority of persons in the western regions of the world eat meat and meat products. Of course there is, a small percentage of people in the western regions of the world that would claim to be vegetarian or vegan. You can bet your last dollar that this percentage is indeed very small even though the number of persons deciding to become vegetarian or vegan has grown.

The acne diet calls upon the dieter to eat fruits, especially those that are red and orange in color. Fruits that are red or orange in color are reputed to have skin rejuvenating properties, helping to fight the condition of acne by keeping the skin healthy. Apples feature high on the list of fruits that help to fight acne and keep the skin healthy. The fact is that apples contain plenty minerals and vitamins that help to keep the skin vibrant.

So the acne diet promotes the eating of fruits, especially those that are red and orange in color. Vegetables are also seen as an important part of the acne diet. Most vegetables, notably green leafy vegetables, are high in vitamin E. Vitamin E is very effective in the acne fight due to its powers as an antioxidant. Vitamin E helps to protect the skin cells from the degenerative effects of free radicals which play a major part in the formation of diseases in the body.

Vegetables are also high in fiber which is needed to aid bowel movement. It should be noted that good bowel movement is important, not only to keep the colon clean but to help the body eliminate those harmful toxins. The acne diet also calls for the inclusion of more peas into the diet. Peas such as green peas and lentil peas are a good source of protein. Peas, along with broccoli, also aid the digestive system and this obviously vital since proper digestion of one’s food is always important.

 

One of the biggest complaints I hear about a high fruit raw vegan diet is that many fruits are high-glycemic foods.  This means that the sugars in these foods enter the bloodstream far too quickly, leading to a raise in blood sugar levels.

The individuals who believe this are simply not examining the whole picture when it comes to determining a foods absorption rate.

Index

The glycemic index is used as a way to measure how quickly particular foods are digested and how quickly the sugars in those foods enter into the blood stream.

For example, pineapple rates 59 on the glycemic index.

An index rating of 1-55 is low, 56-69 is medium, and 70 and above is high.

By only relying on the glycemic index, it appears as though many fruits are medium-to-high glycemic foods.  In other
words, the simple sugars in these foods enter your bloodstream very quickly.

The problem here is that the glycemic index only measures the rate at which the sugar enters the blood, not the amount of sugar in a particular amount (let’s say a serving) of food.

That’s where the oft-ignored glycemic load comes in.

Load

In The 80/10/10 Diet, Dr. Graham explains the glycemic load and how it is necessary to truly make sense of sugar
digestion.

The glycemic load is calculated by multiplying a food’s glycemic index value by the amount of available carbohydrate per serving (grams of carbohydrates less fiber), then dividing by 100.  Thus, fruits, which are, mostly water, have a low glycemic load even though they rate high on the
glycemic index.

For example, watermelon rates high on the glycemic index at 72.  However, its glycemic load is low at only 4.

A glycemic load rating of 1-10 is low, 11-19 is medium, and 20 and above is high.

As it turns out, all fruits rate low to medium on the glycemic load scale.

So stop worrying about eating “high-glycemic” fruit and go EAT MORE FRUIT!

Go raw and be fit,

Swayze

For more information on the best raw vegan diet, be sure to visit www.fitonraw.com and subscribe to Swayze’s newsletter Peachy Keen Ezine. By subscribing, you will also receive the free report The 4 Principles of a Healthy Raw Diet as well as the 5-week mini-course The Fool Proof Transition to Raw.

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Many people have special health conditions or religious beliefs which govern the way they eat.  This can mean that they must forego certain foods or ingredients which others take for granted.  It can also mean that extra thought must be given when choosing the right gift to give them on special occasions or during festive events.  Gift hamper companies are now acknowledging these requirements and are offering hampers to satisfy individuals who fall into these categories.

Many companies offer specialty food hampers so that those who suffer with food allergies or health problems or who adhere to certain religious requirements or philosophical ideals can indulge as well.  The organic food industry, for example, has grown enormously as consumers search for the best way to ensure they and the planet remain healthy.  Hamper businesses have noted this and several have introduced organic produce into their food hampers.  Products such as olive oil, vinegars, jams, teas and coffee can all carry the organic label and make for a wonderful and tasty food hamper.  Such a gift is perfect for the organic conscious recipient and they will be able to gratify themselves without compromising their beliefs. This style of hamper is also ideal for those who are vegetarians or vegans.  gift hamper companies are likely to have access to unique products and they have done the hard work in locating items which may have been difficult to track down.  Likewise, if you are looking for a gift for someone who is gluten intolerant or requires Kosher food, there are now hampers which have been designed to cater for this.  Gluten free hampers in particular, are a brilliant way to surprise someone, who has had difficulty locating products which are tasty and delicious and come in a variety of choices.  A gluten free hamper can be created to supply a whole day’s food from snacks such as vege chips and cookies, to in between meal treats like rocky road, fudge and nougat to main meals including jam spreads for breakfast,  pasta and pasta sauces, dressings and marinades for lunch and dinner.  Such a hamper can indeed brighten the day of someone who struggles to find food which they can actually eat and enjoy.  Chosen wisely, the contents of this hamper can last for a very long time.

Similarly, some food hampers can also be given to those who are lactose intolerant, diabetic or who require heart healthy produce.  These types of hampers often include soy products and cereals. Sugar free products that are appetizing to the palate can be almost impossible to find.  However, hamper companies do have access to many of these and gift hampers now include sugar free lollies, gourmet nuts and crackers, as well as coffees, green tea and oils.  This type of gift will certainly reduce the time wasted on locating such items and can also guarantee that the recipient can experience food sensations that everyone else takes for granted.  The heart healthy hampers can contain wholegrain pastas and delectable dark chocolate almonds for pure enjoyment.  This type of hamper can also be given to anyone whose health is always upmost in their mind.  In general, people have become more health conscious so it is pleasing to know that these types of hampers are readily available and can provide a sense of satisfaction to those who often miss out on the treats enjoyed by others particularly over festive periods such as Christmas and Easter.

Specialty gift hampers are an excellent gift for someone who is constantly searching for ways to improve their dietary requirements.  They not only provide a better quality of product but can also ensure that the recipient is able to experience delicious food and a gift that is perfectly suited to their specific needs.

Nicole McIntosh has been making specialty hampers though her company I Love Hampers for many years. She is an expert in creating and distributing all types of gift hampers. You can visit her website at www.ilovehampers.com.au

What to eat daily as a vegan and getting all the nutrients you need?

I am new to being vegan and am having trouble finding meals to eat that are not salad or soup. I am also feeling tired. What should I eat to get all the nutrients I need. If your a vegan, whats your typical daily menu?

Answer
I take a B12 vitamin every morning

It sounds like you need to start experimenting w/cooking vegan meals!

Breakfast ideas: Soy milk, cereal
hemp bagel w/ soy cheese
spinach bagels
oatmeal w/hemp seeds and fruit

Lunch: Leftovers from dinners
grilled cheese w/soy cheese, tomatoes, onions
wrap w/hummus sprouts tomatoes and peppers
wrap w/guac, tomatoes, soy cream cheese, salsa
black bean burritos

Dinners: Ethiopian lentils
sloppy joes, sub lentils for the ground beef
Pasta w/pesto sauce+sauteed veggies
homemade Pizza w/ soy cheese and tons of variations of veggies and sauces
Pad Thai
BBQ tofu
Marinara and tofu w/ veggies
Mushroom and rice with vegetable gyoza

Other/Snacks:
Vegan ranch w/ veggies
Pita chips and hummus
Trail mix
Soy or coconut milk ice cream
Dark Chocolate
there are tons of vegan recipes out there for cakes, frostings, breads cookies
make some vegan french onion dip
fruit salad
kabobs

Basically whatever you ate before you were vegan you can eat now you just need to learn variations of them! It actually turns out to be really entertaining once you begin the journey. Good luck!

Thank you for reading. Please stick around and check out the other vegan articles and products that we have available.