Can't seem to do 100% Raw!:(

[kashendel]

I've been about 75% raw for several weeks now and would really really like to go 100% as so many people say there's a big difference even just between 90% raw and 100%, but every evening, after I've gone the last ten hours raw, it just seems like my body craves cooked and/or processed foods. If I'm good I'll restrict myself to something cooked but still organic but lately I haven't even been able to do that. I'm so frustrated but I dont know what to do. I dont have any really good recipes that seem to satisfy these cravings. The cravings are based mostly around wanting salty foods. I've tried guacamole but that doesn't do the trick. Sigh. And I've been too scared to weigh myself but I dont think I'm losing any weight even though 75% raw is an extreme change for the better from the way I used to eat!!!

[ljannise]

the longer you're on this, the better & easier it gets. You are forgetting to give your body time to transition. Your body is in the process of cleansing itself. I learned that you dont have to be 100% to get SOME form of results.

Yes, 100% is better (it's the upmost turnaround for your cells) But just because you cant get there NOW, that doesnt mean you wont soon. If you are working at it & it's a goal, it wont take long at all. You'll find that being 80-90% will be so much easier than before. Then you'll be ready.

Your picture is beautiful. You're already radiating!!

[Helen Of Tennessee]

Hi Kashendel,

You're doing just fine. Some people can go 100% over night and others (most) take longer with transitioning. Dr. Dough Graham took 10 years to finally transitionall the way, and he's been 100% raw for 20-30 years. I've been playing around for about 5 years now. Although slow, I have steadly made progress and am very close to being able to go 100% without feeling like I'm being deprived. So many foods groups have been out of my diet for years now, leaving the hardest, grains. I'm working on it and I will conquer that, just like I did dairy, meat, etc. Just do what you can and are comfortable with. Don't stress over it, just keep heading down the right road and one day you'll hit your 100% and you won't have the cravings you are having right now. Hopefully, though, it won't take the 5-10 years that it's taking a few of us :p

[chilove]

Hello there,

Whatever you do, don't stress about it! Like you said, you are eating so much better now than you did before. Give yourself A LOT of credit for that. So often we tend to magnify our so called "shortcomings" and minimize our truly wonderful accomplishments. Turn that around. Be very proud of yourself.

Dinner is often the most challenging meal for new raw foodists because our culture has tradionally placed the most social and ritualistic emphasis on the evening meal. Some ideas: Make a big deal out having a raw dinner you really like, (first experiment with enough recipes to find a few you really like) set the table, make it lovely with flowers, candles, etc.. be present while you eat and really be grateful for the abundance of lovely raw food. Also, keep on "improving" your cooked dinners until you get to the point where they are nothing more than steamed veggies. Eliminate all processed foods, grains, etc. This is help you build health and help get out of the habit of associating cooked with more entertainment value, tasting better ect. Steamed veggies are pretty boring, so some lovely fruit or a raw meal will seem preferable! :-)

Best to you!

Audrey
www.rawhealing.com

[Sharon in Colorado]

You might want to see this as a blessing. Most of us have tried to stay "high raw" but usually can't stay that way, we backslide.

If anything, you are being consistant and that is a good thing. When you are comfortable with it, just try to add more raw little by little until you get there. Trust me, you will, because I can tell you want it so much.

[lissomllama]

(I posted this same thing in another similar thread because it has meaning to me) You can do this, you just have to choose to. It is hard, yes, but you have to just DO it. There is no miraculous technique to MAKE you suddenly raw, it is a process and takes will and conscious decisions every day. But No one is literally forcing you to put that cooked food in your mouth (at least I hope not), you make that choice. So make the choice to be raw and not fail and simply only put raw vegan foods in your body. Cravings will be hard, of course and detox will be hard, but most great things take work and discipline. Do things that take your mind off of cooked junk, don't obsess over any foods and get yourself a big, pretty candle that you designate as your 'raw food commitment' candle, infuse it with that raw energy and whenever you are struggling with cravings and detox and bad feelings, light your candle and meditate/concentrate on being and staying all raw for the good of your body, mind and soul. Trust me, the candle helps if you put the intention out there.

[light food]

Wow kashendel, I go through this all the time, it's nice to know I'm not alone. One thing that seems to help me (I don't know if it would help you) is a cup of green smoothie around dinner time. My green smoothie is more like khale soup, khale processed with water, olive oil, vinegar and spices. I think it helps because the oil is filling and sometimes I use other "oily" recipes too. Then, I always seem to eat something sweet a bit later.

It's amazing the power that cooked food has over us!

[Raspberry4]

Like you said you have been at 75 % for a few weeks. You are doing much better than millions of people. Do not be so harsh on yourself. You do not have to be 100% raw until you feel like it, if ever. I do not see eating some cooked food as a "failure" either. If you are truly listening and your body feels like it needs cooked food than have a large raw salad first, and a smaller amount of the cooked food, without guilt. Do not push the 100 % raw for now - it will come with time and again, if it does not, than 75 raw is a blessing to your body and soul. Enjoy the journey. Most importantly be kind to yourself and feel good about treating yourself well and the planet too. ;)

[Pierre]

If you crave salty foods, then eat salty foods. Specifically, both Greek and Botilla olives have sea salt. Or you could eat celery or dulse.

[DavidZaneMason]

Opinion:

-This diet is not promulgated by a man - but by nature. There are no raw food police to enforce it. YOU choose the level that is right for you. If you want to move to a higher level...set small goals....and DO something everyday to envision them...and think about them.....and to help others to do the same! You WILL succeed! Ha! ha!

-David Mason