Happy Healthy HCLFV

Thrive on a Plant Based Lifestyle with HCLFV

HCLFV stands for High Carb Low Fat Vegan in which 80% of daily calories are from plant based carbohydrates and about 10% from plant based fats and 10% from plant based protein.  

Eating this way is aligned with our  natural, species-specific diet, providing us with adequate energy so we can thrive in our daily lives as well as live in harmony and balance with the planet. I’ve found that eating this way has led me to feel my most vibrant, energetic and happy.  

This is the High Carb Low Fat Vegan Lifestyle. When one chooses to eat this way, the majority of calories comes from plant-based carbohydrates (no animal products). Fruit makes up the majority of one’s daily calories and fat as well as protein stay relatively low (approximately 10% or less of each of one’s total caloric intake). 

Most people, and especially the medical community including doctors and registered dietitians/nutritionists, approach health in an extremely fragmented manner.  For example, doctors give a person high blood pressure medication but ignore the underlying cause: arteries clogged with fat.

The whole foods lifestyle is one that takes a big picture approach to life. It attempts to get at the underlying causes of poor health by addressing the root of diseases rather than trying to patch up their symptoms.

1. Raw fruits, vegetables, nuts, and seeds are the ideal food for human consumption, and the basis of a raw food lifestyle. 

2. Consume no irritants or stimulants like coffee, alcohol, and tobacco.

3. Avoid heated fats and proteins like fried oils and roasted nuts, as they are carcinogenic. 

4. Completely avoid the harmful animal proteins meat, dairy and eggs.

A largely raw, whole foods diet will set you on a sustainable path of steady weight, energy, and health!

Benefits of the HCLFV Lifestyle 

-Sustained Energy Levels 

-Improved Digestion 

-Strong, Healthy Nails 

-Clearer, Brighter, Glowing Skin

-Clearer, Whiter Eyes

-Weight Loss

-Muscle Tone 

-Heightened Mental Clarity (Elimination of Brain Fog) 

-Stimulants (such as coffee) are no longer necessary 

-Hormonal Balance

Getting Started

For any diet change, consistency is key!  The more adherent you are, the faster you’ll see all these wonderful benefits!  The most important thing you can do is continue to educate yourself and reinforce your decision to make this change in the first place.  Watch documentaries, read books, listen to podcasts, follow like-minded people, document your own journey, replace the old processed junk in your cupboards and fridge to set yourself up for success! What works for some may not be a viable strategy for others.  Some benefit from diving in head first and others benefit from a more gradual approach over time. 

If you feel that a slower approach would be best for you, try replacing one meal per day with a fully plant based meal. Once you find that easy, try replacing another meal, until over time, you’ve eliminated the animal products and are easily eating all plant based foods you enjoy. After you enjoy some plant based meals or days in your week, start to eat the raw, plant based portion of your meal before eating the cooked and/or processed part of your meal. This is how I noticed over time that I preferred eating the raw, fresh foods and eventually did not want the cooked processed foods.

Whichever path suits you, enjoy your journey.  Be graceful with yourself if and when you have setbacks, it’s ok and normal!  The fact that you care about your health is fantastic! Stress doesn’t do your body any good so it’s best to get back on the path and continue forward. Don’t beat yourself up and be excited about moving forward.  This was the mindset I used to keep forging ahead. 

Keep it Simple 

I’ve found the simpler I eat, the better I feel. I eat fruit the majority of my day.  

I start my day by drinking 32oz of water.  Next I either drink green juice (celery, cucumber, kale, lemon) or I blend a full peeled lemon (keeping the white part, the pith where many nutrients are held, in tact) with 32oz of water and drink that to cleanse the colon and stimulate the digestive tract. My first meal of the day is a giant fruit + greens smoothie.  I use two fruits, usually 3-4 bananas, sometimes a few oranges or a cup of frozen berries. I choose whatever I have on hand and whatever is in season. I fill the blender with greens (usually spinach), add ice, cinnamon, a splash of water and blend. I almost always add a tablespoon of chia seeds on top as they are a good source of Omega 3 fatty acids. 

Later on in the morning if I’m hungry I’ll eat a few pieces of fruit. 

Lunch is either another smoothie, brimming with greens and fruit or a very large salad.  

My salads are always a huge bowl overflowing with greens and I love to add sprouts and crunchy vegetables like celery, cucumber, peppers etc… Sometimes I’ll add half of an avocado or blend the avocado into my dressing.  Dressings are where I get creative! I listen to my body and depending on what sounds good, I’ll blend 2-3 ingredients to pour over my salad. A favorite is pineapple + cilantro!  

If you want to live an energetic, vibrant life, let your focus be on whole plant foods. 

It’s easy - most of your calories come from fruit and protein and fat stay low but you don’t need to count calories or even track your foods at all to know whether or not you’re staying in the proper nutrient ratio.  Mother Nature packages fruits and vegetables in the proper ratios optimal for human consumption! How amazing is that!?

Set Yourself Up For Success

Fill your fridge and pantry with fresh whole fruits and vegetables. Clear your shelves of everything that will tempt or work against you. Chemicals are addictive and having them around is asking for failure. 

Invest in your health! In the long run you will save money on not buying junk food, fast food, soda, meats, dairy, sugar, alcohol, supplements doctors and medications. You are worth the investment! Do your best in each situation to choose the healthiest possible option.

Be prepared! I stay stocked with bananas and frozen fruit and greens so I always have the makings for a smoothie! Don’t let your fridge go empty and be consistent! The longer you abstain from high fat, salty, chemical laden products, the easier your taste buds will have a chance to get back to tasting and enjoying what nature provides humans to eat! It’s much easier to fall off the wagon if you’re not prepared!

Resources

Books: 

Eat to Live by Dr. Joel Fuhrman 

The 80 10 10 Diet by Dr. Douglas N. Graham

The China Study T. Colin Campbell 

Documentaries worth checking out: 

Forks Over Knives 

What the Health 

Fed Up

Cowspiracy