Two Questions

[tammay]

Hi everyone,
I've been a vegan for about 6 months and I'm really interested in moving into a living/raw foods diet. I've been doing my research on the web but I still have a few questions for those who have been doing this for a while (or just know more than I do about it :D)

- weight issues - Yes, I know this question has probably been asked over and over again so sorry for bringing it up. I've read on this board and others that some people have gained weight going raw and I'm a bit afraid of this. I have about 10-15 pounds that I'd like to get rid of but I'm focusing on not dieting ("die" with a T to me...) and eating well and healthy and exercising. I could live with not losing the weight I have gained over the past few months but I wouldn't like to gain. I'm afraid because from what I understand about the raw foods lifestyle, most of the protein comes from stuff like nuts and seeds and avocados, which is relatively high in fat (though good fat...)

Which leads me to my next question...

- Protein - I've been yo-yo dieting since I was a teenager and I've found that what works for me is a good amount of good protein (as well as lots of veggies :D). I did lowcarb dieting in the past where I was eating 80-90 grams of protein a day (but was also eating most of that as animal protein...) and even when i switched to being a vegan I was still getting about 50-60 grams a day. I read somewhere that according to WHO, 25-30 grams a day is sufficient, but I'd still like to get around 50-60 if I can. But that seems like an awful lot of nuts for a raw foodist!

So if anyone could share experiences on how they get enough protein and on weight issues, that would be great!

Tam

[Rawkinlocs]

Hi Tam and welcome!

Well, the weight issue...I always say that the body is going to do what it needs to do and sometimes this may mean shedding or putting on weight. But the thing to also realize is that you CAN control it somewhat by not eating a lot of fat...cut back on the nuts...BUT at the same token, there are many who have lost a LOT of weight even with eating a lot of nuts or nut-heavy recipes...everyone is different but try not to focus too heavily on that if you can help it and hide the scale!

About protein, if you go to the section of this site entitled, "Need to know more about raw food?" there is an article on protein from Alissa that I think might answer some of your concerns. But just keep in mind that it's not about eating a lot of nuts, but fruit and especially greens will give your body precisely what it needs in terms of protein and the amino acids needed for your body to create that protein!

[Graciebeliever]

I suggest More reading :)

So much has been covered here on this site and there are other links as well but really you will have to draw your own conclusions on the information you gather.

For me? I no longer worry about Protien, fats, etc...
I simpley eat Raw Fruits and Vegetable, add some nuts and Avocadoes when I feel like it.

I no longer obsess about weight (even though I have a LOT to loose) because NOW I feel GREAT. No more than Great I feel FREE.

Do I miss the old way? Oh sure I miss the taste but nothing on this planet can make me want to go back to feeling like I did before. 43 Days 100% raw for me and I am not looking back.

You know what? If I die from lack of protein on what I eat now ...
BRING IT ON! at least I will die feeling like a million bucks and not in pain and misery!!!

I know in my heart that I will be JUST FINE with the protein that I get from my diet and I will read and study for myself and decide what is best for me and you should do the same..

** walks off singing to herself and dancing like like Aretha Franklin in Blues Brothers**
Freedom... Freedom .. Frreeeeeedom Oh oh Freedoooom

[juliebove]

Protein was a concern for me as well. I don't have to eat a high protein diet, but because of diabetes, I sometimes have to eat very little in the way of carbs and more protein than I'd normally eat, just to fill me up. Nuts and seeds contain protein. So do sprouts. And oddly, sprouts like radish have a higher percentage of protein than bean sprouts do! And then of course there is some protein in things like corn. After crunching the numbers, I realized that I was getting plenty of protein. For a person of my height and weight, I need an ounce of protein per meal for optimal nutrition. I usually do get a little more than that without even trying.

As for the weight loss, I found that I had to add more fat to my diet to get it started again. I increased the amount of nuts and seeds I was eating and also added coconut oil to my diet. This really helped.

[RawChicky]

If you log your meals and daily intake at nutridiary.com (www.nutridiary.com) you will find out that even by eating just fruits and vegetables, you can EASILY get more than enough protein.

[Im2Fruity]

As for the weight loss, I found that I had to add more fat to my diet to get it started again. I increased the amount of nuts and seeds I was eating and also added coconut oil to my diet. This really helped.

Are you sayig that nuts and coconut oil helped you lose weight? I thought I was going a little crazy, but it seemed like when I ate things heavier on the fats I was loosing weight easier..is that possible?

[tammay]

Thank you all for the thoughtful replies. I am continuing to do my research (ordered Alissa's book so hopefully that should help me a lot :D) and gathering recipes. I'm going to give raw food a try as of next week and see how far I get. As you all suggest, I won't worry too much about weight (and I'll hide the scale :D) and focus on how I feel.

Tam

[Sunshine9]

If you feel best with more protein, it is easy to do that on raw. It requires more superfoods, but all of these foods have many benefits beyond just protein... Hemp seeds (I eat them blended into smoothies), Hemp protein powder, and spirulina are some of the best sources out there. Also, green leafy vegetables (especially as a juice), bee pollen, maca, sprouts, and of course a small quantity of nuts and seeds.

I think the only way one might gain weight on raw if they begin perfectly healthy, is if they really overdo the nuts and seeds. I think that has to do more with what nuts do to liver and digestion than the calories. I don't know though... You will probably feel great and lose all your weight just eating raw, all the fat you want. Most people do :)

[tammay]

Sunshine, thank you so much for the tips. Of course I had no idea that these foods had the protein boost I was looking for. I ordered some hemp protein powder, as I was looking for something to add to smoothies in the morning and I've found that a big protein boost at breakfast really sustains me throughout the day. So the hemp protein powder sounds perfect :D.

I don't mean to sound as if I plan on eating pounds and pounds of nuts every day :D. I haven't yet made a full menu plan (I have to plan ahead, otherwise I end up eating crap) but I'll probably end up eating some non-raw protein at dinner and only around 2-3 oz of nuts a day, which I know from experience for me isn't going overboard. I'm keeping it real simple, since I know I won't have the time or patience to do much sprouting and juicing - mainly fruits, veggies, soaked nuts and seeds for me.

I'm really anxious to get Alissa's book so that I don't feel so clueless!!!

Again, thank you all for your help!

Tam

[LightLover]

Are you sayig that nuts and coconut oil helped you lose weight? I thought I was going a little crazy, but it seemed like when I ate things heavier on the fats I was loosing weight easier..is that possible?


I think it is possible. What people sometimes forget is that
you don't lose weight if you are not eating all the nutrients your body needs
for its metabolism/staying healty.
Losing fat belongs also to the process of metabolism, and has its own requirments.
Very often you see people which are eating not so much calories, but due to their malnutrition they don't lose weight. :mad:
But that won't heapen to you : :p

[MendhiGrl]

Keep reading the old posts here, there is so much information in past discussions!

Until you get your books, buy some luscious, juicy fruit and start eating. Enjoy!