The Raw Oatmeal Diet

Unprocessed raw oatmeal has a wealth of health benefits. The benefits of oatmeal come from the grain being full of soluble and insoluble fiber. Insoluble fiber has cancer-fighting properties because it attacks bile acids, lowering toxicity, while soluble fiber slows digestion of starches. Raw oatmeal can also be used as an aid in reducing weight and lowering cholesterol. Raw oatmeal can also reduce the risk of heart disease. Follow the raw oatmeal diet and reap the benefits.

The First Seven Days

• All oatmeal, all the time, for the first seven days is what the diet consists of. For the first seven days, have a 1/2 cup of oatmeal for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Add a 1/2 cup of skim milk if desired. Eat only whole-grain oatmeal---no instant oatmeal or granola bars are allowed for these first seven days. Calorie intake for the first week should amount to 900 to 1,200 calories a day.

The Next 30 Days

• In the next 30 days of the raw oatmeal diet, continue eating a 1/2 cup of oatmeal three times a day along with regular food. Daily calorie intake will increase to 1,000 to 1,300 calories a day. Eating instant oatmeal is now permissible.

  For example, for breakfast have a 1/2 cup of oatmeal, 1/2 cup of skim milk, 1 tbsp. raisins, 1/2 tsp. cinnamon, and coffee or tea. Have a 1/2 cup of berries for snack. At lunch, have a 1/2 cup of oatmeal, 1/2 cup of lowfat yogurt and a small banana. Afternoon snack can be a 1/2 cup of raw broccoli. For dinner have a 4-oz. chicken breast, large romaine salad and 1/2 cup of oatmeal. Bedtime snack can be sugar-free pudding or sugar-free, lowfat frozen yogurt.

  The following foods are suggestions for this 30-day time frame: skim milk, berries, bananas, apples, oranges, grapes, carrots, red peppers, celery, lettuce, spinach, chicken breasts, fish, coffee, tea, club soda and sugar-free pudding. These foods are also good to consume after returning to your normal diet.

Regular Diet

• Return to your normal diet after 30 days, incorporating a 1/2 cup of oatmeal for one meal and one snack. Returning to your normal diet leaves room for a variety of foods to be eaten. However, keep your fat intake down even after restarting your regular diet.