Yup despite what you may have been led to believe, there is a place in today’s contemporary raw food diet for cooked foods and even lean animal proteins. These foods are even preferred over dense nut patties which (while raw) are too heavy to efficiently digest.

No need to declare war on anything that’s not a raw vegetable

In general, as you start to eat more whole, natural, raw foods no need to declare war on anything that’s not a raw vegetable, fruit or leafy green. As you know enjoyment of cooked foods is encouraged to help with your transition to more raw foods. Even the occasional enjoyment of a serving of lean meat, fish and even dairy will still put you far ahead on your detox and cleansing adventure – which is what eating more raw foods is all about. It’s the “blockages” in our bodies from a poor diet, overeating, environmental toxins, and a few big nights of indulgence over the years that are contributing to these blockages and preventing us from rising to a higher plane of health.

Its about eating light, clean foods the body knows how to fully utilize and eliminate

The belief in this healthy living lifestyle is that processed foods and too much foods leave residue in the body which gunk up its flow. So we want to try and eat as many “clean” foods as possible; “clean” in this instance refers to foods that the body knows how to fully ingest, digest and then fully eliminate (in case you were wondering these “foods” that the body can fully eliminate are fruits and veggies!). Any excess waste or food stuff the body doesn’t know how to digest eventually turns into excess weight.

Lean meats, fish and dairy can aid in a successful transition to raw foods

Lean meats, fish, dairy in small amounts, will be comfort foods and will aide you in your migration to eating more whole, plant based foods. They are actually stimulants for you, which is why you may feel withdrawal symptoms if you go cold turkey on them and suddenly do not to eat them.

Skip the dense nut patties, they’ll just inhibit the body’s detoxification work

Interestingly, however, lean meats and fish actually digest faster than a dense vegetarian nut patty giving the body more energy and time to spend elsewhere on healing and repair work. So in a choice between the two, the meat and fish is preferred over the dense nut patty. Be patient with yourself and the journey. And remember that any dietary change that is quick to take place – no matter how healthy its supposed to be – never lasts. But making small, consistent changes gives your body the foundation it needs to support optimal, long-term health.