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Health & Fitness

Raw Food Diet Beyond Smoothies

Try the Raw Smoothie diet in your own kitchen. You'll lose weight, feel great and look healthy.

Want to feel great after the holidays? Too much eating and drinking? Give this a try.

I have recently got into the "raw" food lifestyle. It basically involves drinking your fruits and vegetables daily via blender in a tasty concoction made easily in your kitchen.  It requires no fancy blenders, additives, or instructions. I use an Oster blender, very basic. I buy fresh vegetables in bulk and save money.

I start with a base liquid like soy or skim milk, approximately 2 cups of any juice like cranberry, orange or prune juice. Add water, about a cup then add vegetables that I wouldn't routinely eat on a daily basis like purple cabbage, beets, kale, to name a few. I routinely use fresh or frozen spinach and parsley also. You can try green onion, celery and carrots too. Pick a few and start blending. Use about a half cup of what you have to not overload it.

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Additionally, I'll add a scoop of any protein/whey powder to the mix once blending it. A scoop of fat-free yogurt is an excellent protein source too. I have tried Brown Rice Powder but felt it was too gritty.

I buy bulk bags of mixed berries and throw them in sometimes for variety. You can add honey or agave to sweeten it up. Don't forget the fruit juice has sugar. Bananas are an excellent addition for fruit and really "smooth" out the taste.  Don't over do it.

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For adding fiber, which is another thing that's hard to get used to, I'll add oatmeal, powder fiber (Metamucil 2 tsp) to bulk it up. Flax seed, loaded with Omega 3 Fatty Acids are extremely good and easy to blend in. Let it blend and get a large cup like a Big Gulp and enjoy.

Lastly, I add some Spirulina powder to the mix to enhance protein load and antioxidant (a great source of Beta Carotene).

You don't want it too thick, add water to loosen it up to make it palatable.

THE BENEFITS: Natural products, uncooked, enzymes, minerals, protein, virtually no fat, good sugars, fiber, antioxidants. Great anti-cancer foods.

Please visit: http://kristensraw.com/why_raw_details_benefits.php

PLAN: Drink one of these every day for a month. You will feel full and not eat for hours. You WILL lose weight. You will feel great and have natural energy. Give it a try and let me know. Try it as a meal replacement when hungry and going for the chips/ junk.  There are tons of resources on this on the Internet. It is HEALTHY living. Try it, live it, love it. It's your body. You truly are what you eat. 

 

I appreciate any feedback,

Dr. Steven Costalas

Emergency Physician

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