I received an email from Lisa, one of my readers, which reads as follows:

“Hi Ariel,

I’ve been attempting to go raw, but I get cravings that I end up wanting hot food or things like grains.

I’ve IBS, reflux, and psoriasis; so I aim to be bread, dairy etc. free.”

The issue of grains keeps coming up in questions, and I am not surprised, because the truth is that many people in the world are addicted to grains.

Many folks have said to me over the years, “I couldn’t eat a raw food diet because I can’t quit eating bread, rice, or pasta.” 

Just think for a minute, have you ever heard someone saying, “I cannot quit eating apples, oranges, bananas, or pears? I bet you will never hear that.

Most people could easily go for months without eating certain fruits or vegetables and it wouldn’t be a problem for them but why isn’t the same case with grains?

That’s because grains act like a drug in the body, just like nicotine and other addictive substances. 

Grains are not intended for human consumption, as we are frugivores (mainly fruit and leafy greens eaters).

Grains are meant to be bird food for parrots, pigeons, and doves, which are granivores (eaters of grains).

Many birds have a distinct organ, called the gizzard, which helps grind grains and seeds.

Have you seen chickens eating rocks and other hard bits? They do it on purpose, so these rocks can help grind what they eat.

In contrast, we are biologically designed to obtain our nutrition from uncooked fruits and vegetables.

Grains are the seeds of grass and taste awful in their raw state. They need to be cooked and processed with sugar and/or salt for us to appreciate their flavours.

Furthermore, our digestive tract cannot handle the mixture of starch and sugar found in most recipes of cereals, breads, bagels, etc. And as a consequence, most cooked grain we eat tends to ferment inside of us producing gas and alcohol (hence the term: food drunk).

As for cravings, we often consume grains and other complex carbohydrates as a means of trying to suppress our feelings.

Sadly, emotional eating doesn’t fix your emotional problems, in fact, it usually makes them worse.

Afterward, not only does the original emotional issue remain, but you also feel guilty for eating so appallingly.

In order to overcome your mental addiction to grains and other complex carbs, we need to deal with our mental distress and feelings separately, until we restore our emotional balance.

When you give your body plenty of healthy, whole food sources of glucose — as in whole fruit — most physical cravings for grains and other complex carbs miraculously go away.

The benefits of a grain-free diet are numerous, including:

• Reduced inflammation
• Easier weight loss
• Balanced blood sugar
• Improved digestion
• Better energy levels
• Reduced risk of gluten-related issues
• Improved nutrient absorption
• Clearer skin
• Enhanced mental clarity
• Decreased risk of dental issues
• Reduced risk of metabolic syndrome
• Improved cardiovascular health
• Better sleep
• Enhanced athletic performance
• Reduced cravings
• Support for autoimmune conditions
• Improved mood
• Better gut health
• Lower risk of food allergies

Letting go of grains may be tough at first, but with time and plenty of fresh fruits and greens, cravings fade.