Welcome to 10 Day Monkey Diet!
No, it's not the latest fad diet from a celebrity magazine, it's a charity and awareness campaign from a couple of passionate primates to raise money for Wild Futures.
For ten days in March, the intrepid bunch taking part in the Diet can only eat from the same list of foods that are given to the capuchin monkeys at the Wild Futures Monkey Sanctuary, and the capuchin monkeys and chimpanzees at Edinburgh Zoo where some of the participants in this campaign work. While the primates do get a rich, varied and balanced diet, it is obviously very different from what we are accustomed to eating on a day to day basis! Heavy in fruit and vegetables and absent of sweets and processed foods, it will be a challenge to follow.
When primates are captured and kept as pets, they are often fed processed human foods that are inappropriate and unhealthy for them. They are also taken when they are young, away from their mothers and the rest of their social group, and kept in isolation in living conditions that are too small for them. Fortunately many of these captured primates are rescued, and taken to live instead at sanctuaries and zoos where they are given a better life and a better diet. However, feeding and rehabilitating these monkeys and apes costs money!
The Rules
The Charities
Fundraisers can choose which charity their donations are made to when they set up their individual fundraising pages. The primary charity in mind for this campaign is Wild Futures, who own the Monkey Sanctuary in Cornwall and are commited to the fight to end the primate pet trade. They house and care for 39 individuals at present, and are constantly working to rescue more. They receive no government funding. They are currently running a Marmoset Rescue appeal to build a dedicated facility to house the tiny marmoset monkeys that have become the latest fad pet across the world, and now need help. An estimated 5000 primates are kept as pets in the UK, and Wild Futures needs our help to give them a better life. RZSS is committed to conservation work and owns Edinburgh Zoo which also houses some rescued primates, so donations to RZSS would also be welcomed.
The Menu
Food and drink may only be consumed if they are included on this list:
Chicken*
Fish*
Eggs*
Cheese*
Sweet Potatoes
White Potatoes
Brown Rice
Wheat Flakes
Yoghurt*
Broccoli
Cauliflower
Celery
Fennel
Leeks
Cabbage
Spring Greens
Lettuce
Chicory
Carrots
Turnip
Aubergine
Courgette
Green Beans
Sugarsnap Peas
Parsnips
Peppers
Beetroot
Cucumber
Butternut Squash
Seaweed
Garlic
Tomatoes
Mushrooms
Avocado
Mustardcress
Watercress
Apples
Pears
Peaches
Pineapple
Mangoes
Melons
Oranges
Papayas
Kiwis
Plums
Grapes
Lemons
Limes
Berries
Bananas
Chickpeas
Beans
Lentils
Peas
Sweetcorn
Peanuts (unseasoned)
Whole Nuts
Sunflower Seeds
Pumpkin Seeds
Dates
Raisins
Popcorn (plain)
Wholegrain Bread
Porridge (plain, made with water)
Mealworms
Locusts
Crickets
Chow
Marmoset Jelly
Water
Diluted sugarfree squash
Peanut Butter
Jam
Honey
*Vegetarians, vegans and lactards are welcome to substitute these items for the most basic dietary alternative. We don't want you to get malnourished.
Food Preparation
Food may only be consumed raw, or cooked by boiling (in water), baking or microwaving. Oil or seasonings cannot be used. Chopping/blending (such as for a salad or a smoothie) is allowed.
The 10 Days
The recommended dates are 7th-16th March, but if participants are unable for whatever reason to commit to those dates they may undertake their diet at another time. If during your 10 days a situation arises in which eating outside the diet is unavoidable (e.g. Granny's 90th birthday party), you must add an extra day at the end of your 10 for every day you do not adhere to the menu.
Have Fun With It!
Electing an alpha male, urine washing, fishing for termites and grooming your colleagues are not required for the campaign, but do enjoy yourselves!
