7 Things You Need to Know Before Your Transition to A Plant-based Diet
Let’s get one thing straight from the top; the way you eat is not your fault but it is your responsibility to change.
Eat clean and vegan movements could not be as big as they are if what we’re eating as a society wasn’t the norm. It is ingrained in our culture to eat meat and processed food products. So no, it’s not your fault. That doesn’t mean what you’re eating isn’t making you sick. Our world is engineered around the eating habits that support food factories and meat farms. Even when you decide to eat healthy, you’re at the mercy of food processing practices that stem from economic decisions.
Transitioning to a plant-based way of eating is challenging when you’re not aware of the way our foods are made and what ingredients far removed from their natural states are doing to our bodies. I recommend these 3 documentaries that you can find on Netflix - Cowspiracy, Vegucated and Food, Inc.
@@Our world is engineered around the eating habits that support food factories and meat farms.@@
Once you’ve made the decision to change the way you eat, allow yourself the space to transition safely. In my transition I learned these 7 things that made a big impact on me that you need to know before you journey to the good side.
A true detox or elimination is not a party, it’s necessary work
In 2015, I did my first 40 day fruit and herb fast, which is something everyone should do once a year. It was the most challenging but rewarding detox I’ve experienced. Detox has become a buzzword for the good and the bad, so I like to use the term elimination. Elimination takes many forms and is an important part of transitioning that most people neglect, leaving them struggling to stay on track. Going back to eating from the earth is a form of elimination, and it comes with its reactions. It isn’t uncommon to experience withdrawal symptoms that can be expressed as headaches, flu like symptoms, nausea, and dizziness, which are all a part of the process. Some people start to eliminate and pull away when their body starts to react. Stick with it.
@@Going back to eating from the earth is a form of detox or elimination.@@
Don't do it cold turkey, and have a support system
Do not expect to just do this! It’s called transitioning - you are transforming from the sick version of yourself to a healthier, happier you. I survived my transition because I had a firm goal in mind and through the practice of meditation. My journey was not just for the health benefits, but for a overall life transforming experience. It’s a process that you have to allow to happen by doing the work. There are times where you may want to say, “this is not for me.” That’s okay too, don’t beat yourself up. Remember why you chose to make a life change (because it is a life change). If you’re looking for a quick weight loss fix, I can’t help you there. The method: make small incremental changes until you’ve completely eliminated harmful food products from your life.
@@Don't rush your transition. It’s a process that you have to allow to happen by doing the work.@@
Share your reasons with someone close to you that you speak to at least three times a week, and ask them to morally support you. Share your craving stories with them, share the changes, the backsliding and the gains you notice. It’s also normal to feel possible isolation and frustration in social settings. You can combat that by being adventurous and involving your friends and family in your journey. Read vegan recipe blogs for new ideas, bring your friends with you try a new vegan/raw food restaurant or juice spot, or host a vegan party. You might even convert a friend or two while building your support system.
Your cravings will be turned all the way up
You’ve spent your whole life collecting worms and growing candida inside your body. They run the cravings show. When you start to change your habits and eat clean, your worms are not gonna be impressed. You will crave everything you stopped eating as if what you gave up is the only thing that can satisfy your hunger. Do not give in. What I do during a tough episode of cravings is trick my pallet (and the worms) with a fruit or date-sweetened smoothie. Your brain will register satisfaction and you’ll be able to ignore what the worms thrive on. My philosophy is input good fuel until you no longer crave the bad. If I give into a craving, I make sure I take herbs that eliminate worms. Sticking to my herbal regimen and cleaning is possibly the biggest factor in my success when it comes to staying on track.
@@Sticking to my herbal regimen and cleaning is possibly the biggest factor in helping me detox the healthy way.@@
Enemas, why bother?
We simply do not get everything out when we go to the bathroom. Years of buildup can affect colon and liver health and stunt weight loss. I do an enema 3 times a week as a part of my elimination regimen. Enemas tip the scale so that you aren’t putting good on top of bad. Try it once, professionally or at home, when you’ve started to change your diet and pay attention to how you feel immediately after.
All produce are not equal, hybrids can be dangerous
It’s amazing how so much foods we eat are hybrids and some are hybrids of hybrids. How could putting to fruits together, or two vegetables together be a bad thing? Twice the nutrients, right? Nope. When a hybrid is created some have an excess of starch or nitrogen, which can produce excess mucus - the main cause for so many other illnesses. The main goal of elimination is getting rid of mucus, so consuming starch- and nitrogen-filled hybrids like spinach and broccoli is counterproductive. Some good hybrids are avocado, limes with seeds, and lemons with seeds.
Go raw, even partially
Cooking removes some of the good stuff from foods, bottom line. I’m on the tail end of my transition and I try to eat raw as much as possible but it’s challenging. I started by adding one raw meal a day to my routine. Breakfast is the easiest place to start because you can have fruits in the morning. I suggest trying raw dinners next because you have a little more control than when you’re out at work. When I eat raw, I get full quicker and stay full longer.
Water is not just water anymore
Do research on the type of water you buy if your main source is bottled water. Brands are adding fluoride, chlorine, and other additives to water and removing minerals we need. There are also some health professionals that advocate for alkaline water but I stay away from it. My recommendation is do your research and invest in a good filter so you have more control over what you’re drinking.