Satisfying but not sweet

[Lyis]

Hi --

I'm new at raw foods -- been working on it for about 6 months, but very on and off. My biggest struggle is finding something that fills me up without a lot of fat, but isn't sweet. I've been eating a lot of cooked white and sweet potatoes -- especially after sports and at night when I really want to fill up. Has anyone else have struggled with or (better yet!) found a solution to this issue?

Any suggestions would be much appreciated.

Thank you!!

-- Lyis

[pam]

Hi Lyis,
Well, fats are what give you that full feeling. But if you don’t want to eat a lot of nuts maybe try to do a smoothie with some hemp powder, i know the hemp fills me up especially after working out. You don’t have to make it really sweet...
Maybe raw crackers made with flax seeds and vegetables also as that would be filling, low fat and not too sweet. Those can feel a little denser then just eating veggies alone.

Pam

[marigold]

i know what you mean bout the empty feeling..when i begun to eat raw i i felt so hungry ..and i almost felt i was annorexic again..i found it was a case of surrendering to the feeeling.its a different feeling eating raw cos you arent clogged up with cooked..i found that it shifted in a few weeks i was used to it.i still have that feeling and its normal now..

i am not sure what we think of as hunger is always hunger..

but maybe this is by the by * shy grin* eating enough is important of course..how bout young coconuts ? nut pizza or pate or pies would fill you up..????

buckwheat pizza base....

eat a salad and maybe eat another one...???

love marigold

[Lyis]

Thank you both for your helpful suggestions.

I've never tried hemp powder. Is it sweet? What does it do for you?

I really like the cracker suggestion, but have never made any before. I've ordered Alissa's book but haven't received it yet. Do you use her recipes? And I only have an old American Harvester Dehydrator -- would that do the trick?

That's also an interesting thought about the feeling of fullness relating to cooked food. Maybe I really don't need that heavy feeling -- but still, when I come home hungry and not wanting something sweet, a salad just won't cut it for me and fruit just isn't appealing. It's kind of a tough one and I really do want to give the raw foods approach a fair shake. So maybe I'll try to combine both of your suggestions -- crackers, veggies and being satisfied with a lighter feeling.

I also have to say that, having lurked at lots of raw foods boards, this really feels like one of (if not THE) nicest. It's so nice to have such knowledgeable and friendly resources! Thank you!

-- Lyis

[kirk]

Lysis,
If your dehydrator has a termostat, set it at a 105 degrees and it should be alright. If not, place a room thermometer in it and see how hot it gets. I think if its much hotter than 105 it will begin to cook your food.
Like you I've lurked around a lot of raw food boards (off and on for 7 years) and this board just feels right (I feel comfortable and at home here).

Kirk

[thunderdancer]

Hi Lyis :)

***when I come home hungry and not wanting something sweet, a salad just won't cut it for me and fruit just isn't appealing***

I just wanted to say Marigolds advice was brilliant!

And that when I 1st went raw, or a little way into it, I remember feeling just like you say. I used to eat a lot of dried fruit - dates, then I found figs and loved them. They got me through that stage, then I went off them and now, well you can see on my journal, I eat pretty light and no hunger, in fact I have to work at GETTING hungry BEFORE I eat :)

I still have the urge in the evenings to snack/fill up on sweet things - 1 thing it can be (but isn't in my case) is that you need more calcium. Sesame milk each day on an empty tummy can help - I think it was the Boutenkos who said this in Raw Family. In my case it's emotional eating.. which is harder to kick for me than the physical stuff, i'm learning SO much from raw!!

Big raw hugs

[christine]

Hello, I was raw for a year-- (a couple years ago) and have just decided to go raw again 2 weeks ago. I have been experiencing extreme hunger! It is just starting to subside. Once you go 100% raw, it takes awhile but the hunger does calm down. I am friends with Alissa and she used to tell me how important it is to do a juiced green drink every day on raw. Because the greens are where we get alot of amino acids from and tons of nutrients. Well, I forgot about that, and I just met a woman who has been raw for a long time and formerly was hungry and overweight like me--and she said the key for her (to feel less hungry) is to eat really nutrient rich foods like the green drinks every day (juiced greens like Kale, spinach, collards, parsley the darker the better)--she also does a wheatgrass shot everyday. That advice really has helped me.
I have always felt like I had a different appetite mechanism than everyone else---but from what I am learning right now--my hunger is a symptom of undernourishment. Is that a word??? Ha Ha!! So I am learning this time how to do raw not just for weight loss but to truly nourish my body. I have found I do like to do some nuts every day, it does sate my hunger. I had a hard time with that when I was first raw because I thought nuts were fattening. hope this helps! I love reading what you all write, it is such a great board!!!

[Lyis]

Once again, thank you all for you help! This is so wonderful, hearing all of your advice and reading your own success stories and solutions to problems.

My dehydrator does have a thermostat so I will try to make crackers with it as soon as I get Alissa's cookbook. Hopefully by Tuesday. Thanks, Kirk!

It does also sound like getting used a lighter feeling takes time -- and a bit of willpower. I'll work on that, too, Thunderdancer. Thanks!

And the nutrition idea makes sense, TOO!! I went out and bought some kale and beets and made a "green" juice, with apples and carrots, too -- otherwise I just can't stomach it. I'll keep trying with that and to eat more salads. Thank you, Christine!

The dressing part is hard, because without a tasty dressing, I just don't like salads. Any ideas for good dressings?

And what about eating with friends? It is soooo hard to find enough to eat and be satisfied when I am not eating at home. What do you all do when you eat out or at someone else's house?

I don't know how many times to say thank you, but you are all so helpful and kind. I feel very supported and positive about this change. So THANKS AGAIN!

-- Lyis

[marigold]

** did you see my idea of green juice mixed in a smoothie this moring ?

when i am at a friends house i take my own food..or if i am out i take my own food..make sure its something you really love and take plenty.

i know the feeling of not knowing what you want..sometimes i dont want fruit or veg!!

love marigold

[kirk]

Lyis

I posted some dressings in the recipe section for you. Hope you find one you like.

kirk