So often those who eat lots of cooked, processed foods argue for their choices. Many try to refute what raw foodists or natural health advocates say. Some want to be persuaded.

I’m not here to persuade or argue with you. I’m here to help you to make the choice that is best for you. I offer experience and knowledge. I offer a perspective.

You must choose. Whatever you are doing right now with respect to your health is a choice. In other words, you have already chosen. And you get to choose again and again. And again.

Every decision is a choice.

In response to a reader, I wrote Lose Weight with Raw Foods. While I was addressing a specific reader question, this article is far more than just about weight loss. It presents an approach for making choices that supports you in adding more raw foods to your daily meals, which will result in more normal weight.

In this article, I suggest two approaches to healthier eating: (1) fewer refined foods and (2) more raw foods. I like to keep it simple. Sometimes people get overwhelmed with the idea of eating raw foods, thinking it must be a total commitment in order to be effective. Many raw foodists promote this idea, often because they themselves have chosen a 100% raw food diet.

Truly, it does not need to be a 100% commitment to be effective. In fact, that is extremely difficult for a variety of reasons. One slip and you’ve failed. That’s no fun! Check out Eating Raw: Must it be 100%? for encouragement to make a choice to eat MORE raw foods. Such a choice moves you in the direction of greater health.

You might make the initial choice to eat more raw foods for any number of rational reasons. When you have the direct experience of eating raw foods for a while, you continue to choose, but usually for different reasons than the ones that prompted the journey.

Most individuals turn to raw foods initially because of a health challenge, especially a health condition that has not been corrected with popular, traditional methods. Information has become more readily available thanks to the Internet (Thank you, Internet!). Not everything you read on the internet is accurate, but with a discerning eye you can find what you need.

Some people who have been eating primarily processed foods get discouraged when they consume raw foods, especially if they make a dramatic shift. Certainly it’s possible that Eating Raw Food Can Activate Detoxification, but the process can be moderated (see article). If you have such a reaction, it is proof that your body is toxic and is benefiting from the cleanse.

After your body is cleansed, you will feel lighter, more energetic, and more conscious. You will have greater mental clarity and enjoy your work and play more. You will be more creative, motivated, and relaxed. Feeling lighter will also translate to the scale if your current weight is not ideal.

Please don’t take my word for it. It’s your choice.