It has now been 11 years since I chose to become a vegetarian. I first eliminated meat and fish from my diet overnight, and a month later, I took a more radical path by becoming 100% raw vegan. My choice is ethical, ecological, and also motivated by the desire to adopt a diet that is more respectful of my body. I want to stay attuned to the signals it gives me to navigate towards full health. Today, at 48 years old, as an active woman, mother of three children, and co-manager of a company with numerous projects, I can affirm that this diet fully supports me in my very intense daily life.
However, I often hear that this type of diet can lead to deficiencies, particularly in proteins, iron, or vitamins, with a specific focus on B12. This targeted and repeated communication can sometimes deter those who wish to start or raise doubts about the sustainability of a vegetarian diet in the long term.
Perfect Blood Tests
I am therefore happy to share my recent blood tests which are simply excellent. No deficiencies in sight nor declared anemia, and all health indicators are not only within the norm but sometimes above it. Of course, there are markers concerning cholesterol, and I remain vigilant and well-supported, which is important. Especially since my family history is catastrophic, with the women in my lineage having had significant thyroid issues. These results demonstrate that with good meal planning and a healthy lifestyle, it is possible to meet all nutritional needs, even while following a predominantly raw vegetarian diet.
A Well-Thought-Out Diet
The secret to a balanced diet lies in the diversity and quality of the foods consumed. So yes, there are food groups that I have completely eliminated, such as meat, fish, and dairy, and yet I have still retained all the nutrients necessary for the proper functioning of my metabolism. Proteins, calcium, trace elements, phytonutrients, minerals, fatty acids, it's all there!
I obviously incorporate a wide variety of vegetables, fruits, and nuts on a daily basis to ensure that my body receives all the necessary nutrients.
I consume grains while being careful to soak and sprout them before consuming, raw or "al dente".
I do not take dietary supplements in the long term, preferring well-targeted courses at opportune times of the year. These would include evening primrose oil, magnesium, or vitamin C.
I prefer to rely on superfoods to supplement my diet, such as fresh seaweed, microalgae, pollen, sprouted seeds and microgreens, vegetable juices in general and barley grass juice in particular, and seawater. This allows me to stay in great shape and maintain an optimal balance without resorting to artificial supplements.
I am 100% vegetarian by choice and I apply the Pareto principle to my living diet. 80% daily and 20% exception. First of all, because thinking in terms of numbers and proportions is a mental and mechanical way of seeing things, and I am a human being living with emotions, an openly affectionate dependent who prefers to enjoy pancakes made with love by my daughters (even with basic flour) rather than being stuck alone in my ideals of purity that we never achieve anyway!
You can also imagine me eating well-aged cheeses at friends' houses; it's rare, but I fiercely hold onto those moments.
An active and balanced lifestyle
However, my well-being does not solely depend on what I eat. Beyond diet, I pay particular attention to the quality of my sleep, which I prioritize. A very simple golden rule I apply: I rest when I'm tired. Far from me are the movements of forcing my body to resilience and pushing beyond limits. Being gentle with oneself is a good source of nutrients!
I even have a time slot in my schedule reserved for a short nap every day, and I use it very often.
I am also very vigilant about sedentary lifestyle, as it is essential for me to stay active. As part of my daily routine, I limit screen time to three hours a day, and with good organization, I manage to handle my business, projects, and family life without exceeding this limit. This allows me to stay in motion, avoid getting stuck in a static position, and better manage my energy throughout the day.
Free dance, a little barefoot jogging, regular stretching during long trips, outdoor swimming regardless of the season, cycling, rollerblading, everything is an excuse to move.
For my health and especially my emotional balance, it is easier to keep a regulated nervous system when you can regularly release stress, fear, anger, frustrations, worries, and external demands.
Optimize Nutrient Assimilation Through Regular Body Cleansing
Another essential aspect of my health capital is optimizing nutrient assimilation. Beyond what I eat, I ensure that my body can fully absorb all the benefits of the food. To achieve this, I regularly practice internal cleansing techniques, such as short fasts or mono-diets, which allow my digestive system to regenerate and improve its efficiency.
The Famous Detoxes That Are Very Trendy and Often Misunderstood
The short fasts, which I periodically incorporate into my daily life, offer my body well-deserved periods of digestive rest. This not only stimulates natural detoxification processes but also optimizes nutrient absorption and provides me with inner calm spaces where it is easier to hear myself think and hope. In other words, ruminations related to the past can be processed and released, offering a cleansed ground conducive to seeing each day as a new beginning. Similarly, the mono-diet, which involves consuming only one type of food for a determined period (such as apples, vegetable juices, or grapes), allows the body to focus on simpler and faster digestion, while facilitating the work of the organs responsible for detoxification.
These practices aim not only to improve nutrient absorption but also to gently purify my body. They help me maintain an optimal balance by feeling lighter, more energetic, and healthier. Thus, in addition to my vegetarian diet, they greatly contribute to my vitality and the stability of my health.
Positive Results on My Overall Health
Far from the clichés about vegetarianism and living foods, my diet and lifestyle have always supported me in my activities and in my quest for a harmonious way of life, even during very difficult times. In addition to having exemplary blood tests, I feel full of energy and vitality every day. My digestion is lighter, my energy is stable, and I feel perfectly in tune with my dietary and lifestyle choices. This shows that with organization and awareness, it is possible to lead an active, balanced, and project-filled life while being vegetarian for more than a decade.