Meal planning for raw food diet success

Aside from mind-set and pure desire, the single most effective way to boost your odds of success on a raw and plant-based diet (in whatever combination, whether it’s 50% or 90%) is meal planning for raw food diet success.

 

Let’s face it, planning often gets a bad-rap in this world of spontaneity, adventure, and go-with-the-flow.

 

Many wince at the thought of planning of any sorts but it is far from boring.  Really.

 

In fact, planning actually spices things up by keeping a range of different dishes, tastes and flavours on our plates because we all know last minute eating is usually a repetition of our go-to, something we have often (and usually plain junk-food).

 

Shift your mindset about planning.

 

Humans, as much as we like to think we are adventurous, brave and daring, thrive on consistency and habits. Why?

 

Well, besides from being hard-wired that way, we only have so much willpower in a day.

 

Now this is a radical thought that I recently learned. Just think about it: We only have so much willpower in a day.

 

Make things a habit, and you don’t exhaust your willpower reserves. Ever notice that you have the most willpower first thing in the morning and, as the day progresses, you begin to waver?

 

This is no coincidence.

 

Each and every time we have to think about something, “Should I exercise? Should I eat that cupcake? Should I really walk the dog today?” we’re using up our precious willpower resources.

 

Once something is habit though – this is where it is exciting – we expend no willpower because it’s not up for debate – it’s a habit, a non-negotiable, and a has-to-happen.

 

Planning your meals in advance means you’ll eat healthier, more consistently and more deliciously, catapulting your odds of successfully eating a nourishing, healthy and vibrant diet.

 

Every night that you have an open space or void about what you’ll have for dinner, is an opportunity for junky, nutrient-void, processed food to enter your life.

 

For example, what happens when you do groceries on an empty stomach? You might just come home and eat a whole pound of cashews or whole box of crackers (or maybe even on the drive home).

 

Plan for lunch before groceries, (in a menu planner) and you’ll avoid this situation all together.

 

The same goes for meal planning. When you plan your meals, you’re setting yourself up for success – it’s that simple.

 

Forget boring, regimented and dry – sure you can live dangerously and opt for a fancy dinner out one night instead of your preplanned meal – just know that you’ll plan most of your meals and avoid eating disasters most nights.

 

This is the single most important shift you can make for yourself when embarking, or staying put, on a more healthy diet.

 

What are your tricks for staying on track on a healthy diet? I’d love to hear your thoughts and suggestions below.

 

 

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