Transitioning into a raw diet has reportedly been very difficult for many who’ve tried. Whether a person is choosing to go raw as a permanent lifestyle change, or simply plans on sticking with it until they reach their weight loss goals, their eating habits are about to change drastically. This can lead to many complications if the proper planning and preparation is not used. In order to transition into a raw diet you need to plan ahead, do some shopping, and cover all the details before executing the transition.

Most good diet plans come with daily and weekly meal planners which help you over the hump of “what do I eat”. They will give you plenty of ideas and even recipes which cover you from morning to bedtime. The same must be done for a raw food diet. The internet and bookstores are chock full of recipes and tips for eating raw without going hungry, and some sites even offer small meal plans for breakfast, lunch and dinner. The trick is to tailor a plan which meets your needs and can curb cravings.

To create a personal meal plan, begin by writing down a list of your favorite foods. This should include snack foods, regular breakfast, lunch, and dinner meals, and any sweets you happen to love or consume regularly. For example, if you just can’t go a week without some chocolate ice cream, put it on the list. Once you’ve got the list, you can begin finding raw replacements for your favorite foods. Do a quick search for “raw ____ recipes”, inserting a type of food in the blank. Then be sure to copy a recipe or two (there may be many) you find.

Now you’ve got a basic recipe list, you can begin a meal plan. To make the transition into a raw diet easier, you will probably want to start slowly by replacing one meal at a time. Dinner or breakfast are the easiest to start with. One week, plan out what you will have each day for the replaced meal and follow the plan. The next week replace another meal and snack, and continue each week until your entire diet is raw. Don’t forget to replace drinks like coffee, soda, and milk in your plan, too! This transition plan should cover about 3-4 weeks.

Now you’ve got two very good lists to start you down the right path, so it’s time to do some shopping. Make a list of all the ingredients you will need to make your meals for the first week or so and make your way to the store. You’ll spend most of your time in the produce and bulk food sections. Note that as you transition you’ll probably be buying raw and cooked foods, which may make your food bill a bit higher. Once you are entirely raw it should regulate itself again.

Finally, the execution of your raw food diet is very important. You may wish to write down your reasons for choosing this kind of diet and any goals you may have such as “lose 100 pounds” or “raw food cleanse for 90 days” or simply “live the rest of my life raw.” Write this down or save it into a text document and look at it every day. Keep yourself on track by giving yourself a pat on the back each day you are one step closer to achieving your goal. The transition into a raw diet is journey, but once you’ve completed it you will feel ultimately accomplished and your body will thank you for years to come.