The Real Food Pledge Challenge is ON! It kicks off on the 27th of July 2019. The doors to the challenge will be open for one week between the 20th and 26th of July. You can join the wait list here, so that you are the first to be offered a spot.
Here are some of the questions that you have all been asking.
1. What if I don’t like something on the meal plan or have an allergy to something?
That is no problem. This program comes with recipes but you may be a creative cook or not like whats on the menu so it has been designed to be completely flexible. You can sub out the meal/snack that doesn’t work for you with one from a different day that works better. You can swap any protein for another protein, any carb for another carb, and any fat for another fat.
2. How do I follow the plan if I’m a vegetarian?
There are a mix of vegetarian and meals that include mean in the challenge. If you are vegetarian and you sign up for the program, email me and I will send you all the vegetarian specific recipes so that you can swap them out. Or you can also create your own meals using real food.
3. Do I have to buy everything organic to be successful on this program?
If you can purchase organic, then that’s great! But we know that not everyone has the budget and not everyone has the availability to purchase everything organic. You might not be surprised that I recommend purchasing local as your first option. Do the best you can with what you have.
4. What if I’m still hungry?
You will not be hungry on this program. The focus is not on restriction of how much you eat but rather that you are cutting out processed food, so the restriction is that you will be cutting out processed food. This is not a diet, it is a new way of eating and the focus is fresh, real food.
5. I’m overwhelmed and don’t know how to get started.
Inside the challenge, I give you step by step guidance including recipes, meal plans, advice and I am available inside the program. We will be taking one bite (literally) at a time and I will be showing you right from week one how to get started. Together we will do the shopping to prepare, clean out the pantry, get excited about all the amazing food we are going to cook and I will be there with you step by step.
6. Will this be expensive?
Initially depending on what you already have in your cupboards there may be a few new things for you to buy. This is really about keeping it simple and getting back to the basics. In the challenge, I show you how to save money and make eating real food really affordable. I don’t think it is more expensive, when you cut out extra’s like takeaways, wine and (chocolate bars) or what ever your treats are, then it is no more expensive.
7. Can I have dairy?
Dairy is not included because it can cause inflammation and digestive issues with many people. It is also quite often, very processed. Once you start making your own meal plans after the eight weeks, you can incorporate it back into your diet, but I suggest adding it back in slowly to see how your body reacts. Coconut or almond milk is are really great alternatives. But sorry, no cheese! Ekk… this is why it is a ‘challenge’.
8. How am I supposed to follow this plan if I’m really busy? It seems very time-consuming.
We are all super busy and this program has been designed by me and I am just like you, also a busy lady! I run a law firm, Real Food Pledge and am a mum. I know what it is like to have one thousand things on at once, so I know what you want. Quick, easy and tasty, also food that your family will also enjoy, because who has time to be cooking 5 different meals! It really is about making your health and happiness a priority. It might take a little extra time in the beginning, but it does get easier after a little while and really becomes a part of your lifestyle. Your body will thank you for it!!
9. Can I drink coffee?
Coffee is approved, after all it is ‘real’. Yay! You can enjoy coffee, black or with almond milk.
10. What type of oil should I buy?
You want to look for organic, unrefined, extra virgin coconut or olive oil. Refined oil has been chemical and/or heat treated and has been bleached and deodorised. Yuck! Eating food in its purest form is best.
11. Is it normal to feel sick, moody, have a headache, etc?
As you detox from sugars and chemicals your body can react in different ways. This is exactly the reason’s that you should do it! Some people get headaches, body aches, get moody, tired, etc. The more drastic of a dietary change the more severe symptoms usually occur, so it depends how you were eating prior to the challenge. Try drinking as much water as you can to help flush out your toxins and hang in there. It may take a few days, but it will get better, I promise.
12. I’m always on the road. How do I make this program work for me?
This is set up to teach you how to eat a real food lifestyle no matter what you are doing. I teach you how to eat out, eat while travelling and the mindset shifts that you need to make so that it is easy for you while on the move.
13. How do I go out to eat and still eat healthy?
I teach you on the challenge how to make the best choices that you can. We have an entire module on this because the reality is that we all need to go out and still enjoy ourselves. Choose a protein and some veggies, avoid bread and fried foods, etc. There is almost always a salad option or side of veggies and some type of protein.
14. I’m gluten free (Celiacs disease). How can I follow this plan?
This plan is 100% gluten free because the program is designed to be made up on one hundred percent natures food. There are no oats on the program either.
15. Can I eat the same meal every day?
If making the same meals helps you and makes it easier for you to stick to a plan then go for it. I would suggest mixing it up a little here and there though. You may find a meal that you love, it is ok to make it over and over. Make it work for you and your lifestyle.
16. What about alcohol?
I thought you would never ask! With all of these things, it is best if you don’t have alcohol. But let’s be real, sometimes that is super challenging. I suggest for the most part to stay away from alcohol is you can because that will give you the best chance to stay on track. I know for me that if I drink, I then also often reach for food that I know is not the healthiest of choices. If you go to a function or what to have a Friday night drink with Hubby, the best option is to go for a Vodka, soda and lime.
17. Do you include calories in the recipes?
The meals are nutrient-rich and therefore give back to the body, and will balance your blood sugar, keeping your energy at a steady flow. Rather than focus on calories, this challenge is about focusing on eating real food. I think that it is much more important to focus on having good quality protein, healthy fats and loads of vegetables and fruit to get all the goodness that you need.
Calories are deceiving and not the basis for determining what is healthy. For example, if something is low in calories, it’s not necessarily good for you. In fact, it’s often the opposite. Food that is low in calories, like a piece of white bread, is not only void of nutrients, it saps extra nutrients from your body to process it. Remember, the focus is on healthy and not calories, this is a way of life not a diet.
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