Jasmine
Hi
I have been vegan for some time and recently switched to a mostly raw diet (last November) I have had some lapses but the health benefits are obvious e.g. fewer allergies, no PMT, more energy and a dramatic change in life perspective. (More laid back and tolerant). I have not heard of the
parasite thing though. I know that on an all raw diet, the food moves through the gut much more quickly so that
parasites have more trouble attaching themselves to something, but I personally will continue to take occasional
parasite herbs and Zap occasionally.
The diet is a lot easier than you would imagine because it frees you from the "its one o'clock' so it must be lunch time mentality. It is so easy just to pick up some fruit or some nuts or pack some dried fruit etc. that you can just eat whenever you feel hungry. Also, friends have all been pleasantly surprised when presented with dehydrated cookies etc. It is also okay eating out as most restaurants will do a salad and some will try really hard to do something special.
I think the trick is not to be too hard on yourself and make the changes gradually. If a cooked sauce makes the raw veggies taste better to you, go for it and if you absolutely must have that jacket potato then eat it with a lot of salad. I would advise though that you avoid all cooked fats from the start as they can make you feel yuck and make sure you get plenty of cold pressed oils such as flax or Udo's etc.
Check out www.fresh-network.co.uk (UK based) and look on Amazon for raw food "cook" books, two brilliant ones are Juliano's “The Uncook Book” (quite special) and Nomi Shannon's “Raw Gourmet.”
Lots and lots of luck
Jasmine