Is there a Wrong Way to Eat Raw?

[Pailani]

This is from another thread, but I didn't want to hijack it, so I thought I'd start a new thread.

<<There will be results even if you are not all raw, or eating only fruit, or eating only greens, or only juices, or no nuts, or all nuts, or the master cleanse...That is because it is detoxifying your body at a cellular level.>>

Can we talk about this?

From reading various sites, I've heard that things can go wrong if you eat too much fat, eat too much fruit, don't eat enough fruit, eat grains, don't use sprouts, eat sprouts. In six months, hair can start falling out. If you don't do it right, your muscles can start deteriorating and you start wasting away. If you juice too much/too long, your intestinal walls lose ability to process food after two years (my dh told me that). I don't want to do this the wrong way, but I can't figure out what the right way is. A part of me thinks that, eating so much truly good food, it would *have* to be good, no matter how you do it, but another part of me doubts and wonders if I'm going to do it wrong, miss something and ruin my health.

[askcassyfirst]

I don't want to sound iritated, because I am not. But, I wanted to say that you kinda took my quote out of context.

I was explaining that whatever difference that Jenn would make in her diet, moving toward raw, and away from SAD, there would be changes in her body at a cellular level. The body is able to detoxify when it is not being bombarded by junk...

To adress your question, this is an interesting topic...I'd say, listen to your body...your TRUE body. THe problem is, if one has been eating the SAD diet, or any unnutritive diet for any length of time, the body's voice is weak & silenced. Like Alissa goes over in her book, sometimes you have to just DO the diet, and break down your addictions first. (Otherwise, ---and this is my thought here---you may be listening to a different voice...like the voices of thousands of little yeasty beastie candida calling out for a sugary dessert!)

Sorry to sound flipant, because that is not my intention. I just think that trying to guess one's perfect diet is hard unless you really know your own body. I await the day when that will happen for me!

Cassy.:)

[Pailani]

Yes, I'm sorry, I guess I did take it out of context. Since the question has been on my mind, that one sentence really jumped out at me.

So it sounds like I'll just need to be prepared to fine-tune as I go. And it sounds like I really need to get Alissa's book!

[Mike]

Hi Leslie,

There are a few things to consider when transitioning to raw.
First, you must make sure you aren't eating more than 25% of
your daily calories as fat. Idealy, you should eat about 15% to
20% fat each day.
http://www.fitday.com is an easy piece of software to use.

Secondly, you should make sure you are receiving all essential
nutrients. Eat flax seeds and hemp seeds for omega-3 fats and
protein. They both have every essential amino acid. Include sea
vegetables such as kelp and dulse for their minerals. Read as
much info as you can!

There is great info on this site->
http://www.thebestdayever.com

Juice will NOT cause your intestinal walls to lose their ability to
process food!! Read some books by Norman Walker. He drank
juice every day and lived to be 114 years old.

Good luck!

[SamL]

I think your more at risk of health complications if you eat SAD. I honestly haven't heard of rawists suffering depression, anxiety, high blood pressure, stroke, diabetes etc..

The wasting away you are talking about is a natural weight loss, your body doesn't need all that extra body fat. Toxins are stored in your bodyfat. There are plenty of natural fats, grains, sprouts to eat to keep your system heatlhy & not drawn in appearance.

If you juice, and your eating your grains, flaxseeds, your intestinal walls will be clean and healthy. There's nothing wrong with a juice fast for cleansing, but it's not a way of life. I still juice daily, but I eat a lot as well.

The right way is to jump right in, eat as much as you need. NO FEAR! when your detox symptoms have subsided, your cravings have gone, your thoughts are clearer, you will have a natural urge to eat the right amount of vegetables, fruit, nuts, grains, sprouts your body needs.

Alissa's book will answer all your questions and more! Watch her dvd and be truly inspired by her vibrant health, clear complexion, and content disposition. She'll explain all your fears away.

[Rawkinlocs]

Pailani,

I like what Cassy said and I agree with the conclusion you came to! ;)

Here is a VERY motivating post that was started by Alissa a while back...I'm also going to bump it up so it can be an inspiration to others who may be wondering the same thing. I hope you find it as beneficial as many of us did at the time it was first posted! :)

http://www.rawfoodtalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=452

[Mike]

I think your more at risk of health complications if you eat SAD. I honestly haven't heard of rawists suffering depression, anxiety, high blood pressure, stroke, diabetes etc..

The wasting away you are talking about is a natural weight loss, your body doesn't need all that extra body fat. ...

Hi SamL,

I have a friend, "X", who started eating raw foods over a
year ago. X started eating a Doug Graham style diet, but
wasn't doing 80-10-10 correctly. X read some T.C. Fry
books that said we could basically live on fruit alone.

In october X called and asked if I knew what to do about
anxiety and depression. It turns out X wasn't eating veggies,
nuts, or seeds. X wasn't getting enough minerals like calcium,
zinc, sodium, selenium,... and wasn't getting any omega-3 fats. X has
lost a ton of weight and is having trouble digesting nuts,
seeds, and veggies.

All I'm saying is that there is a risk of health complications
if you're not eating a balanced raw diet.

I eat so that I receive every essential nutrient every day.
I eat all 21 amino acids, all essential fats including EPA and
DHA, and as many minerals as possible!

I've been eating raw for 4 years and my health is improving
every day. My life is going through constant transformation
and miracles occur every day! Raw vegan is the absolute
best way to eat!

[SamL]

I agree Mike, there is a natural balance of nutrients, that many rawists are attuned to, there does need to be a developed understanding of what they are.

It's a great idea for there to be information readily available on every level.

I also maintain for a person new to the whole idea, to jump right in in an uncomplicated way. Most first time rawists have an insatiable hunger that prevents them from being depleted. Along with the journey through detox, hopefully follows a hunger for more information.

[Pailani]

Thanks, Rawkinlocs, that was a great thread. It answered my question! I agree that it ought to be a sticky.