SUCCESSFUL TRANSITION INTO RAW FOOD DIET, AND BACK TO ORIGINAL LIFESTYLE AFTER 4 YEARS. EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW OF ANJALI SANGHI

We bring to you an exclusive interview with Anjali Sanghi where we dwell into her successful transition into a 4 year raw food diet and back to her original lifestyle.

Anjali Sanghi is a distinguished Indian artist, award-winning author, and educational innovator. She is well known for her innovations is various fields, which include her award winning Recipe Books. She has also dedicated over 25 years in inspiring people worldwide, through her creative works & 'Spreading Peace through Art'.

Q1. When and why did you start a raw food diet? Was your transition overnight or over a period of time?

“In early 2013, me and my son needed change in diet due to some separate food sensitivities we were experiencing. Along with my previous experiences in holistic healthcare and nutrition, I consulted specialists to help bring step by step transition into my cooked diet. During this time I also came across different kinds of raw food diets. I deeply researched into them, and came across what was most suitable for me. Eventually, I started that raw food diet. It may seem like an overnight transition, but in reality it had actually taken many months of step by step progress to successfully transition into raw food diet.”

Q2. Which benefits of raw food diet you experienced? Why did you not experience severe detox symptoms like many people do when they try to start or transition into a raw food diet?

Within 3 days of raw food diet, I felt several benefits, higher energy levels and overall betterment. As per my experiences shared in above reply of Question 1, I did not experience severe detox symptoms which may appear in the beginning of a diet transition. The reason being that I had transitioned into it in a very step by step and informed way. I was also made aware about difference between disease and detox symptoms. I also knew the significance of leading a well-balanced and good lifestyle, instead of only focusing on the diet.

Q3. Why did you home school your son during this period? Has he joined school or is he still being home-schooled?

My son was also eventually transitioned under supervision, into a fully raw diet. It was ensured that his diet was suitable for his age and the nutrition he required. Along with the change in diet, we also followed other therapeutic practices which could help him overcome his food sensitivities. To help him to recover fully, he was advised to transition from schooling to home-schooling. During this time I undertook many courses and teacher’s training to continue his education at home. He enjoyed his days of home schooling, where he had the opportunity to learn freely as per his heart’s content.

Seeing his educational & co-curricular excellence, after 4 years, he received admission into a good school in India.

Q4. How did you ensure your son was socially accepted and mingled with other kids of his age, and other people, at a day to day level?

“We are aware that, we and our kids do not ask each other about the diet we follow when we meet each other. We start talking to each other based on many other factors. This allows everyone to talk to each other at ease. Also kids are very quick to get along, and play. My son also met many children during classes, in parks, festivals and on nature & science visits.

“Due to the nature of my work he also accompanied me to seminars, fests, and had the opportunity to meet not only with kids of his age; but also with many inspiring personalities. These people not only included famous personalities, but also good people from all backgrounds. They included farmers, artisans, potters, smiths, teachers, doctors, professors, internationally renowned speakers, chefs among others. So he got to meet and interact with the best.”

Q5. Why did you transition from a raw food diet of 4 years to your original lifestyle?

“The long term raw food diet was very helpful for our overall well-being. It is well known that raw food has been used as medicine since ancient times. But it is also a fact that different ailments require different kinds of medicines and also medical advise.

“During these 4 years, we had enjoyed this simple life, overcome our previous issues and become stronger. But, I was facing a severe sensitivity towards pollution. The allergic reactions and constant weight loss had started to hamper my daily well-being. This required another kind of intervention for the body to heal deeply. When I started this next transition, I realised that me and my son were able to easily have cooked foods. Hence both of us, slowly and steadily came back to our original lifestyle.”

Q6. Why do you emphasise about change in lifestyle over change of diet?

“It is often said that many problems can be solved, just by realigning our lifestyle. Not so long ago, understanding of lifestyle a person followed was based on the goal they had in life. Generally the lifestyle practices were followed generation after generation. The lifestyle itself included many purification and other practices. The food choices in their lifestyle was based on local availability. The food was fresh and seasonal. Everything was prepared fresh, with hand. The timing of having food and quantity were followed properly. The long term food was also preserved in natural ingredients.

“Presently, the reasons for following a certain lifestyle choices have changed. The quality of food is also very different, than what it was few decades ago. But with good guidance of a kind Mentor, can help us reconnect to our true priorities, and guide us towards a lifestyle that is truly best for us and our future generations.

“It is well known that ancient Sages and Saints also used to have fully raw diets. But just ask your self - Can a modern person receive same or similar benefits in today’s times if they just shift to a fully raw diet?”

Q7. What were the most asked questions during your fully raw life?

The most asked questions were about topics like food raw food combinations and sequencing for good digestion.

But the most pressing questions always came from parents who wanted to transit their children into a high raw or fully raw diet. I always informed them about first understanding the fully raw life, much before considering it for their kids. Understanding your children deeply, their actual requirements, and gaining knowledge is very essential before taking the first step towards this.

Many people also said that they were not able to digest cooked foods without discomfort or pain, once they had transitioned into a long term fully raw food diet. Thus it is very important to take informed decisions and gain required knowledge about this, before transitioning.

Q8. What suggestions do you have for people from India who wish to be on a long term fully raw diet? 

A suitable quantity of good quality fresh fruits and salad in daily diet is required by all. But if for any reason you wish to change to a fully raw diet for short term or long term; then the first step must always be to learn deeply about it. There are many different kinds of raw food diets which are advocated in India and around the world. Always be aware and cautious about what can suit you and what will not in long term. Informing family, having good relations, financial and other considerations can also help you to choose a right path to recovery and better health through good food and lifestyle.

We thank Anjali Sanghi for sharing her valuable experiences about raw food diet and lifestyle, for kids and adults.