• Skip to main content
  • Skip to secondary menu
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • About
    • Disclaimer
    • Disclosure Policy
    • Privacy Policy
  • Blog
    • Comment Policy
  • Contact
    • Media Kit

Evelyn's Blog

Lifestyle, Health, Fitness, Self-Care, Personal Growth

  • Healthy Living
    • Diet & Nutrition
    • Recipes
  • Weight Loss
  • Fitness
  • Self-Care
  • Personal Growth
  • Reviews
  • Other Stuff
    • Blog Topics
You are here: Home / Diet & Nutrition / McDougall Update and Returning to a Raw Vegan Diet

McDougall Update and Returning to a Raw Vegan Diet

September 23, 2013 by Evelyn Parham

 


Update:  I no longer follow a raw vegan, vegan, or vegetarian diet.  (10/13/2014)


 

I originally started this blog as a raw vegan.  I stopped eating a raw vegan diet because I lost too much weight.  I concluded that a raw vegan diet was not the best diet for me.

I spent most of this year experimenting with different plant-based diets, with my most recent experiment being the Starch Solution.

Finding the right plant-based diet took some time, but I finally know what works best for me.

The Starch Solution (Dr. McDougall)

The Starch Solution (McDougall Diet) is one of many good plant-based diets.   I started the Starch Solution diet in August and have recently decided to stop following this diet.  Below are a few reasons why I will no longer follow this diet:

  • White potatoes (nightshade vegetable) are not good for me.
  • Finger became stiff and sore (injury from my teen years).  This has never happened to me until I started eating potatoes.
  • Stopped eating white potatoes (unplanned, just happened) and inflammation in finger went away.
  • I gained weight.

Note:  I enjoyed eating white potatoes before switching to a plant-based diet, but after switching I rarely ate white potatoes.  It wasn’t until I began following the Starch Solution diet that I realized that I cannot eat white potatoes.

The Starch Solution is not a bad diet.  I can easily continue following the diet while excluding white potatoes, but I fare better eating a higher percentage of  vegetables and less starch.

High Raw Vegan Diet (80/20)

I decided to return to eating a raw vegan diet, but before making the change, I knew I had to figure out how I would make the diet work.

I contacted my raw food coach, Ms. Carolyn Akens.  Ms. Carolyn explained to me what a typical day looks like for a person eating 80% raw vegan food and 20% cooked food.

I understood things better and decided to proceed with my change.  Sometimes you need expert advice to help you do things the right way.

 


Update:  I do not eat any grains, legumes and high sugar fruits.  (10/13/2014)


 

High Raw Vegan Diet Plan (80/20)

Most of my diet will consist of uncooked foods (80%)  and the remaining 20% is cooked foods.  The cooked portion of my diet includes:  whole grains, legumes/beans, and some vegetables.

My plan also includes adding healthy fats/oils (example:  coconut oil, flaxseed oil) back to my diet.   I will keep the amount of fat I consume low.

Here are the basic foods:

  • fruit
  • vegetables
  • legumes/beans
  • whole grains
  • seeds
  • nuts
  • green juice
  • smoothies

Final Words

Finding a best diet is challenging, especially when the diet is a plant-based diet.  If you need the help of an expert, do not hesitate get the help you need.

Plant-based diets are not created equal.  What works for one person, may not be the best option for the next person.

Listen to your body and do what works best for you and your situation.

Eyes wide open, moving forward!

Like it? Share it!:

  • Click to share on X (Opens in new window) X
  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook
  • Click to print (Opens in new window) Print
  • Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email
  • More
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window) Pinterest
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window) LinkedIn
  • Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window) Reddit
  • Click to share on Telegram (Opens in new window) Telegram
  • Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window) WhatsApp

Like this:

Like Loading...

Filed Under: Diet & Nutrition Tagged With: diet plan, plant-based diet, raw vegan, raw vegan diet, vegan diet

Subscribe to Blog via Email

Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

Join 61 other subscribers

About Evelyn Parham

Evelyn is a blogger, reader, and book reviewer. She enjoys adult coloring, knitting, writing, and dancing with her daughter. Learn more here

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Vibrant says

    September 29, 2013 at 10:01 AM

    Hola Evelyn,

    I’m back. tryin to get this healthy lifestyle together – think I should visit more often – your site is the best.

    Loading...
    • Evelyn Parham says

      September 29, 2013 at 5:33 PM

      Hey Vibrant,

      It is so good to see you. I hope all is going well.

      There’s no better time to get this healthy lifestyle together than the present. Let’s do this! 😉

      Thanks for making me smile today!

      Loading...
  2. Mary says

    September 28, 2013 at 4:06 PM

    Hi Evelyn, Good luck to you as you continue to fine tune, 80/20 sounds like a good way to add balance to a raw vegan diet. It’s such a great time of year for fresh produce, that ought to help you as you are starting out on this.

    Loading...
    • Evelyn Parham says

      September 29, 2013 at 5:20 PM

      Hey Mary,

      Thanks for stopping by!

      Yeah, this time, I really feel like I can stick to this.

      You’re right about the produce. I’ve been seeing all the different winter squashes and everything is so beautiful.

      Take care,
      Evelyn

      Loading...
  3. Aqiyl Aniys says

    September 23, 2013 at 9:04 PM

    Hey Evelyn, I have a question. You wrote”originally started this blog as a raw vegan. I stopped eating a raw vegan diet because I lost too much weight.” But how was your health?

    Loading...
    • Evelyn Parham says

      September 24, 2013 at 9:43 AM

      Hey Aqiyl,

      My health was fine. I just looked sickly (because I had gotten so small), family members were wondering if I was sick. Anyway, I realize now that I was not eating enough that’s why this time around I will not skimp on eating some cooked foods.

      Loading...
  4. Kymberly says

    September 23, 2013 at 11:15 AM

    Why can’t you eat white potatoes?

    Loading...
    • Evelyn Parham says

      September 23, 2013 at 11:47 AM

      Hey Kymberly,

      I injured my finger when I was around 14-15 years old. White potatoes are night shade vegetables. I started having problems with the injured finger: bad soreness, stiffness even aching, which I have never had.

      I stopped eating white potatoes, really by accident and started eating sweet potatoes more. Accident = need to buy from store, just hadn’t got around to it. Anyway, I read an article by Aqiyl that mentioned white potatoes being a night shade vegetable and how some people are sensitive to the chemical in the potato, which can cause inflammatory conditions to flare up.

      I realized that I was no longer having the issue with my finger after I stopped eating white potatoes. Guess, I’m sensitive to white potatoes.

      Good question!

      Loading...
  5. Carolyn Akens says

    September 23, 2013 at 9:38 AM

    Evelyn, I love the way you always invite us on your journey. You explain everything step-by-step. You are an innovator and a gift to all of us! Thank you, Evelyn!

    Loading...
    • Aqiyl Aniys says

      September 23, 2013 at 10:02 AM

      I agree with Carolyn. Thanks for taking us on your journey. I am digging your choice of a high raw vegan diet.

      Loading...
      • Evelyn Parham says

        September 23, 2013 at 11:38 AM

        Hey Aqiyl,

        Thanks for your support!

        I knew you would. 😉

        Have a great week!

        Loading...
    • Evelyn Parham says

      September 23, 2013 at 11:36 AM

      Hey Ms. Carolyn,

      Thank you for helping me on this journey. You are truly an inspiration. I appreciate your kind words.

      Loading...

Primary Sidebar

Subscribe to Blog via Email

Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

Recent

  • Why You Need to Build Yourself Quietly: Be Silent
  • Out with the Old, In with the New
  • What did we do before the internet?
  • 5 Simple Habits for a Healthier You in 2025
  • New Year Goals For 2025: Fitness, Write, Weight Loss

Categories

About Evelyn

Evelyn is a blogger, reader, and book reviewer. She enjoys adult coloring, knitting, writing, and dancing with her daughter. Learn more here Read More…

Main Pages

  • About
    • Disclaimer
    • Disclosure Policy
    • Privacy Policy
  • Blog
    • Comment Policy
  • Contact
    • Media Kit

Archives

Privacy & Cookies: This site uses cookies. By continuing to use this website, you agree to their use.
To find out more, including how to control cookies, see here: Cookie Policy

© 2025 · Evelyn Parham · Built on the Genesis Framework

%d