Mono meals - simple, natural, effective

Mono-meals - that sounds like minimalism on the plate. They reduce nutrition to the essentials and open up a new approach to natural foods. But what exactly is behind them and how can they be integrated into everyday life?

What are mono meals?

Eating just one type of fruit and vegetables? Can it be healthy to eat only apples, mangoes or cucumbers and nothing else? Mono meals are based on the principle that nature itself offers wholesome and unprocessed foods that can provide our bodies with valuable nutrients. As these are not always available in nature in a colourful mix and rich in species in one place, the mono meal hypothesis is a good one. This is not just about minimalism, but also about understanding your own body better and paying attention to natural signals such as hunger and satiety.

Why mono meals?

Sometimes sumptuous meals with lots of ingredients can demand more from the body than it can cope with. The reason for this lies in the complex digestive work that the body has to perform. Different enzymes are needed to break down the variety of carbohydrates, fats and proteins. Our digestive organs are often unable to process the food on offer correctly. If we look at the animal kingdom, we immediately notice the minimalism practised here. Our closest relatives, the primates, eat their meals in a tree or bush and perhaps mix the fruit they find with the leaves of the same plant. Applied to us humans, we quickly come to the conclusion that diets such as food combining, low carb, high carb, keto or paleo are all based on the principle of minimisation. In other words, minimising the amount of different foods in a meal. Pure mono meals seem particularly extreme in comparison. However, they also take the benefits of the aforementioned forms of nutrition to the extreme: digestive processes are simplified with mono meals and thus relieve the entire organism.

Another problem with mixed meals is the different digestion times of the ingredients they contain. Fruit, for example, eaten as a single meal, is sometimes processed in the stomach and passed on to the intestines within a few minutes. Nuts, on the other hand, can remain in the stomach for several hours. This means that either the nuts leave the stomach undigested or the fruit remains in the stomach with the nuts for a long time and ferments. Both put a strain on the body, as undigested or even over-digested food means extra work for the digestive system.

The raw vegan diet is based on the principle of giving the body only the best of nature - in its unadulterated form. Mono meals fit perfectly with this philosophy. They not only reduce the complexity of the meal, but also offer the opportunity to perceive food more consciously. The pure flavour of a fresh mango or a crunchy cucumber can be an intense taste experience that is often lost in hectic everyday life. At the same time, digestion is supported: The body can concentrate fully on processing a food without being additionally burdened by the combination of different ingredients.

Application and practical tips

Mono meals can be easily integrated into everyday life. Local fruit and vegetables are ideal when they are fully ripe, for example a bowl of fresh cherries or a large portion of juicy tomatoes. The key is to choose organic food to ensure the full flavour experience and optimal nutrient absorption. Focusing on just one ingredient helps the body to better recognise its natural signals. Satiety often sets in more quickly and it is immediately apparent when enough of a food has been consumed. This can be expressed by a decrease in appetite, a furry mouth or a sudden change in flavour. Such signals indicate that the body has absorbed the nutrients it needs without being overwhelmed by complex combinations. Incidentally, this sensitive component of eating can also be felt and experienced much better and more intensively with mono meals.

This should be noted

Optimal nutrition requires a balance between scientifically sound principles and individual customisation to suit your own body. When using mono-meals, it is advisable to pay attention to variety. A balanced diet is also essential for raw vegan lifestyles. Mono-meals should therefore not be used permanently as the sole nutritional principle, but rather as a building block in an overall varied and versatile diet. The combination of simplicity and naturalness makes it possible to focus on the quality of the food and to perceive eating as a conscious experience. This can not only strengthen the connection to food, but also provide new impetus for a sustainable and healthy diet.

Experience mono meals

Mono meals are far more than just a form of nutrition - they are a statement of simplicity, enjoyment and connection with nature. Especially in the raw vegan lifestyle, they offer a wonderful opportunity to relieve the body and slow down the mind. With their simplicity and positive effects, they are an enrichment for any diet - whether as part of a detox or fasting programme, in everyday nutrition or as a mindful taste experience. For anyone who would like to delve deeper into the world of raw vegan nutrition, the RohAkademie at Keimling Naturkost offers an excellent opportunity. Here, various approaches, including mono-meals, are taught in a practical way and combined with valuable insights into the effects of natural foods.