If you have read any of my posts regarding nutrition and weight loss, you have seen that I am a huge endorser of all things natural and pure. I was jolted into making sweeping lifestyle changes when I was diagnosed with breast cancer.

For a while, I tried an exclusively raw food diet. I purchased lots of cook books with yummy gourmet recipes and devoted myself 100% to this lifestyle. I found that no matter what I ate, when I followed these recipes, there was no way that I could gain weight. In fact, I lost it. Raw foods and the recipes that you can prepare with them are the perfect weight loss foods. On raw food, I felt better than ever and watched many chronic issues I had disappear. The nagging headaches, body aches and a general feeling of ill health were history and I felt like I had shaved 20 years off of my age.

However, as creative as these gourmet recipes were, and as wonderful healthy weight loss food that it was, I found myself consumed with preparation. It took me literally hours everyday to prepare dinner. And, many of the recipes I created took days to prepare. They had to be dehydrated or soaked for a day or more. I had to do lots of planning and found that this was taking more time than I could devote in the long run.

I had to find a weight loss food plan that was both healthy and easier to prepare. I decided that I could still consume lots of raw foods everyday (green smoothies, fresh vegetable juices, salads) and get the benefit from these foods but still enjoy a hot meal that is healthy.

I chose to stay with the basic principle of raw food – pure, natural foods that are not processed. But, I incorporated some delicious vegan meals into my regime. I also drink a lot of green tea. Research has shown that green tea weight loss can be accomplished if you drink several servings per day.

My food shopping trips are the same as they were when I was preparing raw foods. And, when I get the chance, I go to my favorite raw restaurants in New York City, Pure Food & Wine and Raw Soul. But now I don’t have to spend as much time and effort planning and implementing meals. I always shop the perimeter of the supermarket. This is produce, tofu, fish, and anything that is not highly processed. The concentration of processed foods is located in the middle section of the supermarket. These are sections that you should consciously avoid.

I search Google constantly for recipes for fresh vegetables that I have in the house. Google is my favorite cook book! I always find healthy choices that I can use directly or tweak. My diet consists of fresh, organic fruits and vegetables (including lots of green leafy vegetables and cruciferous vegetables), nuts, whole grains (including brown rice pasta instead of other pastas – delicious) and healthy fats such as olive oil and coconut oil. I eat tofu a couple of times a week and find it extremely versatile.

I don’t feel like I am depriving myself nor do I ever feel “starved”. I eat when I am hungry and until I am satisfied. I lost weight at the same rate that I did when I was exclusively raw. And, I am happy with the time it takes to prepare meals for my family. We are all eating healthier.

Try cutting out processed junk foods from your diet. Slowly replace them with healthy choices. Your health will improve and you will lose weight!