What Do You Eat?!

When I tell someone that I am a raw vegan, they usually proclaim, "But...what do you eat?!" And my response? A lot of really delicious foods!

I can understand why an outsider would assume that anyone on a raw vegan diet is absolutely starving. But that is actually quite the opposite! The best part about eating a natural, plant-based diet is that you feel healthy. I feel clean and pure when I eat clean and pure produce. It's as simple as that! I have a healthy weight, I have a ton of energy, my skin looks clear, I feel like I think more clearly, my digestion system feels regulated now (no heartburn, bloating, diarrhea, constipation, etc.)...basically I look healthy and happy! One interesting thing is that my taste buds have changed...so now instead of craving foods like bread, sugar, and grains, I crave fresh fruits and vegetables. And they taste so good! The best thing about eating natural, plant-based foods is that you generally do not have to count calories. You can eat fruits and veggies until you are full (and it's okay because they are nutritious and great for you!). Plus, fruits & veggies have more fiber than a large burger and fries, so you actually feel full faster.

Here's a great list of natural, raw foods!
(The foods with a * are most likely too acidic for someone with IC to eat. Start out with the other foods, then only add these into your diet when you think you are ready.)

Fruits – cleanse ~ purify ~ energize

Apples
Apricots*
Bananas
Blackberries*
Blueberries
Boysenberries*
Cherries*
Dates
Grapefruit*
Grapes*
Kiwi*
Lemons*
Limes*
Mango*
Nectarines*
Oranges*
Pears
Pineapple*
Plums*
Raspberries*
Strawberries*
Young Thai Coconut
(Any other seasonal fruit in your area)

Leafy Greens – strengthen ~ mineralize ~ alkalize ~ heal

Arugula/Rocket
Baby Lettuce Mixes
Butter or Bibb Lettuce
Collard Greens
Dandelion
Kale
Mixed Greens
Mustard Greens
Romaine
Sorrell
Spinach
Swiss Chard
Watercress
Wild Edible Greens (lambsquarters, purslane, etc.)

Fresh Herbs/Spices - heal ~ balance ~ alkalize

Basil
Cilantro
Cumin
Dill
Garlic
Ginger
Lavender
Mint
Oregano
Parsley
Rosemary
Sage
Thyme
Turmeric

Vegetables & Non-Sweet Fruits

Avocados
Beets
Bell Peppers
Broccoli/Broccoli Rabe
Cabbage
Carrots
Cauliflower
Celery
Chili Peppers*
Cucumber
Fennel
Garlic
Ginger
Jicama
Onions*
Mushrooms
Peas/Shoots
Radish
Ramps/Wild leeks
Scallions
Shallots
Sprouts
Summer Squash
Tomato*
Turnips
Zucchini (Courgette)

Sea Vegetables

Arame
Dulse
Kelp
Nori
Wakame

Nuts/ Seeds/Bulk Dry Items

Almonds
Brazil Nuts
Cashews
Chia Seeds
Coconut (Dry/Shredded)
Dates
Dried Cranberries*
Goji Berries*
Flax seeds
Hemp Seeds
Macadamia Nuts
Pecans
Pine Nuts
Pistachio
Pumpkin Seeds
Salba Seeds (White Chia)
Sesame Seeds (white & black)
Sunflower Seeds
Walnuts

Grains/Legumes/Seeds – preferably sprouting

Alfalfa
Barley
Broccoli
Buckwheat
Fenugreek
Lentils
Garbanzo Beans (chickpeas)
Mung bean
Oat groats (gluten free)
Quinoa
Radish
Sunflower Seeds
Wheat berries
Wild Rice

Condiments

Apple Cider Vinegar*
Coconut Secret Products
Miso* (Unpasteurized)
Mustard* (Stone ground or Dijon)
Nama Shoyu*
Nut Butters (Raw)
Nutritional Yeast
Sea Salt (Himalayan is preferred)
Sesame Tahini
Vanilla Powder or alcohol free extract

Oils

Coconut Butter/Oil
Cold Pressed Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Flax Oil
Hemp Oil
Cold Pressed Sesame Oil
Walnut Oil

Sweeteners

Agave Nectar (raw)
Coconut Nectar
Honey (raw & local whenever possible)
Lucuma Powder
Maple Syrup
Stevia (powder or liquids)
Yacon Root Powder or Syrup

Superfoods

Bee Pollen
Blue Green Algae/Green Powders
Carob Powder
Cacao Nibs
Cacao Powder
Chia Seeds
Goji Berries*
Maca*
Mesquite Powder
Spirulina