Possible to stay raw in China?

[PixieLed]

Hi everyone,

I'm hoping maybe Madmel or someone else who has been or lives China can help me out here. I'm planning to go to China (Guanzhou and GuiLin) with my Chinese boyfriend for 3 weeks in August. We haven't gotten the tickets yet, but one major thing that is stressing me out is whether I'll be able to eat raw while I'm there. We will mostly be eating with his relatives I believe, and I don't want to be rude and refuse all their food. However, I don't want to compromise my beliefs, eat meat, milk etc, and come home feeling worse and not able to commit back to raw because I got more addicted to cooked foods than ever.

So any tips, information about markets - whether you can find raw produce (veggies) that are not contaminated or dirty, etc. My boyfriend believes that we should cook everything before we eat it because in China the level of cleanliness is not high enough.

Thank you VERY much, any help is greatly appreciated!
Nathalie

[Rainbow]

Hi Natilia,

I am chinese. Your boyfriend is right. Everything in China is highly contanminated . But Guangzhou and Guilin are really best places in China for there will be a planty of fruits. You can eat durian with very very cheap price!
Maybe try to eat more fruit but must peel or eat some fruits with thick skins.

I am feeling pain when I am thinking of damaged the environment there.

[swingbolder]

Maybe you could bring a lot of nuts with you and just live on fresh fruit and nuts for the three weeks.

That's really a tough one. Esp. when staying with relatives. Do they speak English, do you speak Chinese? Maybe you could communicate beforehand with them in terms of your diet. If you frame it in medical terms, people are usually more accepting and understanding, I have found.

Good luck. Going to China though, that sounds really exciting.

[PixieLed]

Thanks for your opinions and advice girls. I know there will be lots of fruits and I think I could probably live off of those for awhile, but 3 weeks is a pretty long time.

It's really sad that the produce is so contaminated. :(

I'm really excited about the trip though! I am in the process of learning Mandarin and I can say a couple of touristy things.

Thanks again!
Nathalie

[Sheryl]

When we were in Hong Kong we also found raw nut and seed mixes with goji berries at really good prices. They were in the markets. Just tell your relatives you're the easiest guest possible and all you need is fresh fruit! Then buy salads on the side!

You never know - maybe you'll discover China's raw food restaurant (don't know if there is one). We were pleasantly surprised in Indonesia (Bali) when we found THREE. Australia is still waiting for it's first one.

Cheers,
Sheryl

[madmel]

Hi PixieLED,

it is possible to stay raw in China - but if you are going to stay with your bf's relatives it's going to be a tough one. Chinese are friendly and tend to spoil visitors (I guess everybody does that anyways) and they will cook the best food for you and load your plate.

I don't know how modern your bf's family is, but if they are fairly modern they could do a salad for you (tell them dressing on the side, otherwise it might be drenched in Kewpie (famous brand here) Thousand Island...). The same applies to Chinese restaurants you go - salad might not be available everywhere, it just isn't a Chinese daily staple in many places yet. But I found out that the places usually just make you anything you want, just tell them.

I think what you really need to do is have your bf tell them CLEARLY what you eat and what you don't eat. Again, depending on how modern they are, they will probably either comment on your habits all the time or don't say a word.

For me staying raw is easiest at home, I just slipped while being on a business trip with dh.

Fruits and veggies are no problem in China (I don't know how much organic you can buy at the places you are going). Raw nuts are not so easy, best places are supermarkets (like Carrefour or Homeworld) or shops for foreigners. Best thing would be mix up a big trail mix (I did that for the biz trip and it helped me a lot) and bringt it to China.

I think it really depends on his family and on the places you are going. Being raw is challenging here, as is finding the special things you need (or want) for being a happy and healthy raw girl.

If you have any questions, just ask - I am happy to help!
mel