Is it ok to be only 80% raw???

[Mama2three]

I am currently only about 80% raw, as I still eat a cooked dinner with my family. They are not raw, and probably never will be, and since I have to cook, I eat with them.

The rest of the day I eat all raw. I'm wondering if I'll still get the benefit of being raw if I'm eating a cooked dinner. I hate the idea of preparing a seperate meal for myself while I make a nice dinner for them--does that make sense?

The other reason I'm still eating dinner, is I'm already somewhat underweight--though that's how I normally am. I've always been super thin. I'm 5'5" and weigh about 110lbs. I do have a bit of a tummy that I could stand to lose (thanks to having 3 kiddos :p ), but otherwise, I'm worried that I'd loose weight if I went all raw.

I'm so new to this (only about 2 weeks in), and my family think it's a bit weird...so I don't really have much support in going 100% and for the moment, I'm comfortable with being only 80%. But I'm wondering if I'm missing out on being truely healthy because I'm still eating a cooked dinner every night.

[rawpriestess]

Yes, it is okay to be 80 raw, but you can also be 100% raw without too much extra effort.

You will get to be your perfect weight if you eat 100% raw. and you will be getting healthier and healthier in each bite.

But if you are comfortable eating 80% raw, instead of eating 100% that is certainly your decision.

I can't do that. I must eat 100% raw, or eat cooked, I can't eat any cooked or it will make me crazy, I've proven this to myself so many times. LOL

[Sunshine9]

Of course it's alright if you're 80% raw.

There is a world of difference though between 80% and 100%. Also I think the most significant thing is what makes up the other 20% of your diet. If it's mostly vegan, steamed veggies, a little grain, all organic, you'll probably notice huge health benefits. If it's pizza and french fries then the raw will still benefit your body, but you might not notice it as much.

[jenna rose]

Well, 80% raw is definitely better than whatever the percentage was before! People just don't eat enough raw food, so 80% is excellent!

Have you thought about trying 100% for a month or so to see how you do and feel?

[Punky]

I agree with all of the above posters.
It is great to be 80% raw!
What kind of dinners are you preparing for your family? Whole natural foods?
than I don't really see a problem ....
just depends if you have any health issues you are trying to heal??!?!?
If you are trying to heal, than 100% will see faster and more
dramatic results.
I understand where you are coming from with the family meals.
It can be a pain to prepare 2 seperate meals along with everything else you have to do to keep up with children. Sometimes
I will add some raw stuff to their cooked meals (fruit, salads, raw soups, etc)...and just eat the raw
myself while they benefit from getting some raw....or I will eat a little of their "cooked" but healthy meal (stir-fry's with lots of veggies/brown rice).
It's a process for the whole family.
My family is getting more and more accepting and willing as we go along.
baby steps.

[Svadhyaya]

At this point, I plan to remain high raw with a small percentage of what I eat coming from cooked, whole, vegan foods. I prefer to "never say never" and believe that life is too short to give up anything completely (aside from those so-called foods that are totally rotten, of course, like hydrogenated oils and high fructose corn syrup. And also the foods that are produced at the expense of another creature's suffering, like meat, eggs, and dairy.)

I would highly recommend if you do remain partly cooked, be sure and eat plant-based. Dairy and meat aren't good for anyone - people or animals - and will ultimately harm your body. You may want to read the China Study by T. Colin Campbell for a solid, scientific, unbiased look at what we should be putting in our bodies.

[Mama2three]

Thanks!

Unfortunately, my cooked 20% isn't vegan. My hubby is very much a carnivore, so I do have to cook meat (though I try to make a few meatless meals a week). I try to add something raw to my meal whenever possible. Like, last night I made cheese ravioli and the rest of the family had reg. spaghetti sauce, I made myself some raw marinara (which I will never eat again--too much tomato gives me major tummy problems).

I do want to move more towards 100%...it just seems like such a hard thing though...I don't know why.

[juliebove]

Fixing a separate meal for yourself is not a big deal if it's something simple like a salad. I often do that. My husband likes meat and only meat. He doesn't always get it, but if I go for too many meals without having it for him, he gets pretty vocal. What I sometimes do is fix a larger than needed amount of meat so I have leftovers for another meal or two for him. My daughter will eat some meat but prefers vegetarian meals and is restricted as to what she can eat due to food allergies. So there are days I prepare each of us our own meal. But when I do this, the meals are simple. My daughter is perfectly happy with some hummus, raw veggies and an apple. I often have just a salad. My husband will have the same type of salad as I am having plus a piece of meat.

[Nancysgoingraw]

Emily, I think 80% raw is awesome ! I'm working up to that number, I'm at about 50%. I ate some cooked chinese food last night and was so turned off by it. I really wanted to go home and eat a big yummy salad but we decided to go out to eat. Do the best you can and maybe eventually you will want to be 100% most of the time. I am finding that it is true, the more you eat raw, the more you crave it. Also, I made a really good "pasta" last week that turned out better than I expected. Either shred or put thru a spiralizer one zucchini. Top it with raw pignoli nuts, some basil, a little drizzle of olive oil and a little salt and pepper. It tasted so good ! I too don't really like heavy tomato sauce. And this was such a nice alternative.
Nancy

[tvillemom]

I've been on a raw journey for about 6 months. At least 3 of those have been at 100%. I KNOW the difference for me in 80% and 100% is HUGE! BUT, congratulations on the change for the better. MY DH is a carnivore also, but just this month, he decided to "go raw with me" 2 days/week.....even he sees the health benefits. My point to the whole post is...don't give up on DH so fast. I've asked my DH to TASTE everything...some things he won't taste, but most things he will at least take a bite of.(and most things he says taste good!!) NOW, you must know, my DH will only eat a salad....he doesn't like most veggies, so for us, this is HUGE! Maybe as you begin to make more raw dishes, you could at least get them to try some of the things you make....then they will slowly come around to at least accept your lifestyle! Best of luck!!
Wendi

[rawpriestess]

Just know that everything is a choice.


80% is great, 100% makes you lose cravings.

[JMD]

Mama2three:

I agree that 80% is a start. Some go 100% cold turkey some do it in steps like me.

May I suggest doing some writing to find out what you underlying fears are about trying 100%?? Maybe writing can give you some clarity. For me, it was fears of being different, too much prep work, not sticking with it and "failing" etc.....

For me, anything NEW i have tried I tend to hem and haw about it until it becomes a habit AND until my old ways of doing something DOES not work.

IMO, Your body will ultimately tell you when you are needing to go 100% and it will not matter what others feel about it.
Stay 80% if this is how you feel and stay the 80% for a certain time. The after a week of 80% go to 85% and then 90%.

Just my two cents,:)
JMD

[blessed]

:p
80% percent is great, with three children and all that you have to do everyday, you are there girl.
That's about where we are and we feel great. I don't eat much cooked but if i fix beans for my husband i may dip up a spoon full- tbsp. and put them with an avocado and diced tomatoes and diced onions but i don't do rice anymore.
I think 85% is great and you don't feel deprived.

Ann :)

[Dimond]

80% is great, 100% makes you lose cravings. I never ever lose cravings. Usually I just end up overeating raw stuff, but it still isn't good. I could just eat raw ice cream all day. Or guacamole. I really gotta give up all snacks I think.
:confused:

[gatorgrrl]

I am at about 70 or 80% myself. I just started back really on the lifestyle about a week ago. I am planning to be 100% by June 1st. Yeah! I am dealing with some major health issues.

[tglasco4]

Hey Mama2three, welcome from a fellow "Live free or Die" dweller. 80% is excellent. Stay with it and you will see changes come in a natural way. Your body will bring you to new levels. One tip though.....make sure when you sit down to dinner with your family that you eat a LARGE green salad prior to dinner. It will help your digestion and be a great example! :)

Peace.

Todd

[ShelShel]

I agree...it is very difficult to eat 100% raw when the fam isn't, but I bet you could do it...you are almost there! ;) It seems harder than it is. It took me 2 full months to go 100% for just that reason...I didn't think I'd be able to. Now that I am...it's great...and I know, if you wanted to...you could do it too! A few things that help me: 1) Eat something before you cook for them. When you are full the temptation is so much smaller.
2) Know how you feel. It took me a while to listen to my body...but now I hear it loud and clear. I think the longer you are 80% you won't have a choice...your body will lead you to 100%. :) I can't eat cooked food...my head gets congested and I feel really sick...this is a great reason to go 100%! One that I didn't look for...it found me. LOL Start noticing how you feel from morning to night...if you are raw all day...does it feel different than after a cooked dinner at night??? This may be your answer.
I am in no way thinking 80% isn't fabulous...because it is! :D Congrats. But you are sooooooooo close to 100%...can't you taste it!?!?! Raw (((HUGS)))