The Raw Food Detox Diet: Lose up to 10 lbs every week

The Raw Food Detox Plan

When eating enzyme-rich raw foods, there's no need to count calories- the enzymes will do the weight loss for you, says raw food expert Elle W. Cutler. And the more enzymes you consume, the faster the weight will melt off since your body's fat-burning systems become more efficient, she rays.

Lose up to 3 lbs every week: 50% Raw Diet Foods

Women who eat processed or artificially sweetened foods at least four days a week, or who regularly use prescription or over-the-counter drugs, should start at this level. It gives a body that's low in enzymes time to heal without causing discomfort or fatigue, says nutritionist Natalia Rose. Once you're feeling energized (a sign that your cellular enzyme levels have normalized) you can up your raw food ratio for even faster weight loss.

Sample Day

Upon rising: Small bowl of fresh fruit such as bananas, strawberries and blueberries
Breakfast: (at least 20 minutes later): 1 scrambled egg and 2 slices toast topped with fresh avocado slices
Midday Snack: Fresh fruit of your choice
Lunch : At least 1 cup raw-veggie salad with store-bought salad dressing and 1 whole-wheat pita filled with 3 thin slices lean deli meat, 2 thin slices cheese, mustard and unlimited sprouts
Snack#1: 8 oz. yogurt
Snack#2: Unlimited baby carrots and green or red lemonade

Lemonades to nourish the pancreas and liver

To do: to get the benefits of fresh veggie juice, use a juicer. Drink 8 oz. to 16 oz. daily:
Green lemonade: 2 stalks celery, 6 leaves spinach, 1 or 2 apples, 1 lemon and one 1" to 2" piece fresh ginger
Red lemonade: 1 medium beet, 4 large carrots, 1 or 2 apples, 1 lemon and one 1" to 2" piece fresh ginger
For an on-the-go option: Stir green food powder (like Miracle Greens) into juice or water.
Dinner: At least 1 cup raw-veggie salad with store-bought dressing and grilled chicken with 1/2 cup brown rice and 1/2 cup black beans simmered in onions, garlic and cilantro
Dessert: 1/2 cup ice cream

Lose up to 5 lbs. every week: 70% Raw Diet Foods

Women who are already eating whole grains and at least one serving of fruit and vegetables daily can begin at this level. Since you'll be restoring your liver and pancreatic function more rapidly, Cutler says you can expect to lose up to five pounds each week. If at the end of week one you'd like to see faster weight loss results, you can move on to the next level- a 90 percent raw food diet.

Sample Day

Upon rising: 1 glass warm water with lemon
Breakfast: (at least 20 minutes later): Fresh fruit of your choice or fresh-squeezed fruit juice
Midday Snack: Fresh fruit of your choice
Lunch: Spinach, pear and walnut salad with olive oil and apple cider vinegar and a small roll of crusty bread
Snack: Unlimited baby carrots
Dinner: At least 1 cup raw-veggie salad with homemade carrot-ginger dressing (try this recipe: 2 large carrots, grated; 2 Tbs. apple cider vinegar; 1 Tbs. ginger [optional]; 1 tsp. freshly grated horseradish) and 1 pork chop seasoned with rosemary, garlic salt and black pepper with side of steamed asparagus
Dessert: 1/3 dark-chocolate bar that's at least 70 percent cocoa

Lose up to 10 lbs. every week: 90% Raw Diet Foods

Women who consistently eat whole grains and at least two servings of fruits and vegetables (raw or cooked) daily can jump straight into a 90 percent raw food diet without side effects- and lose up to 10 pounds weekly, says Rose.

Sample Day

Upon rising: 1 glass warm water with lemon
Breakfast: (at least 20 minutes later): Fresh fruit of your choice or fresh-squeezed fruit juice
Midday Snack: Fresh fruit of your choice
Lunch: 2 slices grain-sprouted bread, such as French Meadow Sprouted Bread, with fresh avocado slices; raw-food bar like WildBar
Snack: Unlimited baby carrots and green or red lemonade
Dinner: At least 1 cup raw-veggie salad with homemade carrot-ginger dressing (see recipe in 70% raw food sample day: dinner) and 4 oz. grilled tuna with lightly steamed vegetable medley
Dessert: Warm pears drizzled with agave nectar

Try an enzyme supplement.

While raw foods contain the enzymes needed for their digestion, many women wouldn't trade cooked foods for the world. Good news: You don't have to. The fix: Simply take an enzyme supplement before meals.

The best supplements combine several different kinds of the four main types of digestive enzymes: proteases (break down protein), lipases (break down fats), amylases (break down carbohydrates) and celluloses (break down plant compounds). In addition, well-rounded supplements will feature lactases (break down dairy) and other minor players.

Try Digest Gold, a well-rounded and highly recommended enzyme supplement. Its manufacturer, Enzymedica, also offers a wide range of targeted enzyme supplements that treat everything from allergies to candidiasis.