In this exclusive feature, we bring to you glimpses from a candid conversation with Anjali Sanghi where she shared her unique journey of adopting a raw food lifestyle for four years and eventual benefits.
Anjali Sanghi is a distinguished Indian artist, award-winning author, and educational innovator. She is well known for her innovations is various fields, which include her award winning Recipe Books. She has also dedicated over 25 years in inspiring people worldwide, through her creative works & 'Spreading Peace through Art'.
The Beginning: A Step by Step Gradual Shift Towards Raw Food Diet
“In early 2013, me and my son needed change in diet due to some separate food sensitivities we were experiencing. Along with my previous experiences in holistic healthcare and nutrition, I consulted specialists to help bring step by step transition into my cooked diet. During this time I also came across different kinds of raw food diets. I deeply researched into them, and came across what was most suitable for me. Eventually, I started that raw food diet. Anjali begins.
Drawing from her educational background in Holistic Healthcare and Nutrition, along with expert advise, she identified what was best suited to her needs.
“Although it might appear as an overnight change, the reality was quite different,” she explains. “It took several months of step-by-step adjustments to successfully transition into a raw food diet.”
The Benefits and Balanced Approach with No Severe Detox Symptoms
Anjali observed noticeable improvements within just three days, including increased energy levels and overall well-being. She credits her smooth transition and minimal detox symptoms to a well-informed and gradual approach to change in diet.
“I was well aware of the differences between disease symptoms and detox reactions,” she says. “Also, my focus wasn't solely on food. A balanced lifestyle played an essential role in this transformation.”
Homeschooling as a Complementary Choice
As her son also later transitioned to a fully raw diet under supervision, he required a carefully planned food regimen suitable for his age and nutritional needs. To support his healing journey, he was suggested to be moved from traditional schooling to homeschooling.
“I took up various courses and teacher training programs to ensure he continued receiving best education and co-curriculars,” Anjali says. He thrived in the flexible, simple, yet enriching environment, eventually gaining admission into a reputed school in India after four years.
Social Integration and Broader Exposure
Anjali emphasizes that children naturally bond over shared interests rather than dietary choices. “Kids don’t ask each other what they eat when they meet—they simply connect and play,” she observes. “Thus he received the opportunity to meet not just few selected kids daily, but also children from all economic backgrounds and even other nationalities.”
“Due to the nature of my work he also accompanied me to seminars, fests, and had the opportunity to meet not only with kids of his age; but also with many inspiring personalities. These people not only included famous personalities, but also good people from all backgrounds. They included farmers, artisans, potters, smiths, teachers, doctors, professors, internationally renowned speakers, chefs among others. So he got to meet and interact with the best.” She confirms.
Returning to Original Lifestyle
While the raw food diet significantly benefited Anjali and her son in, new challenges arose after few years, which were not related to food. “I was facing a severe sensitivity towards pollution. The allergic reactions and constant weight loss had started to hamper my daily well-being. This required another kind of intervention for the body to heal deeply. When I started this next transition, I realised that me and my son were able to easily have cooked foods. Hence both of us, slowly and steadily came back to our original lifestyle.”
Beyond Diet: Emphasising following a good Lifestyle
Anjali believes that many health issues can be addressed through lifestyle realignment. She references the traditional Indian approach, where lifestyle choices were deeply linked to life goals, seasonal rhythms, and local food availability.
She says, “It is often said that many problems can be solved, just by realigning our lifestyle. Not so long ago, understanding of lifestyle a person followed was based on the goal they had in life. Generally the lifestyle practices were followed generation after generation. The lifestyle itself included many purification and other practices. The food choices in their lifestyle was based on local availability. The food was fresh and seasonal. Everything was prepared fresh, with hand. The timing of having food and quantity were followed properly. The long term food was also preserved in natural ingredients.”
Anjali adds, “Presently, the reasons for following a certain lifestyle choices have changed. The quality of food is also very different, than what it was few decades ago. But with good guidance of a kind Mentor, can help us reconnect to our true priorities, and guide us towards a lifestyle that is truly best for us and our future generations.
She adds, “Ancient sages thrived on raw diets—but in today’s world, one must ask whether the same results can be achieved merely by adopting a similar eating pattern?”
Public Curiosity and Common Questions
Most inquiries revolved around suitable food Combinations and Sequencing for better digestion. However, the most frequent questions came from parents curious about transitioning their children to a fully raw or high raw diet.
“I always informed them about first understanding the fully raw life, much before considering it for their kids. Understanding your children deeply, their actual requirements, and gaining knowledge is very essential before taking the first step towards this.” Anjali adds.
She also notes that many individuals faced difficulty digesting cooked food after a long-term raw diet—underscoring the importance of informed decision-making.
Advice for Indians Considering a Raw Food Diet
Anjali highlights that incorporating a good amount of fresh fruits and salads is beneficial for most. However, she advises those considering a full raw diet—whether short-term or long-term—to first educate themselves thoroughly.
“A suitable quantity of good quality fresh fruits and salad in daily diet is required by all. But if for any reason you wish to change to a fully raw diet for short term or long term; then the first step must always be to learn deeply about it. There are many different kinds of raw food diets which are advocated in India and around the world. Always be aware and cautious about what can suit you and what will not in long term. Informing family, having good relations, financial and other considerations can also help you to choose a right path to recovery and better health through good food and lifestyle.” She concludes. We thank Anjali Sanghi for sharing her insightful journey and valuable lessons on making informed dietary and lifestyle choices—for both adults and children.
