Is there a division between salt and oil

[Sharon in Colorado]

Something I notice - wonder if others notice it as well.

There seems to be 2 general ways of thinking.

Those who advocate eating salt, also advocate eating oils

Those who don't eat salt, also don't eat oils

There doesn't seem to be much variation to that.

Are there any folks out there who use either salt or oil, not both?

[sport]

It is my ambition to be 100% without either so I think that you maybe right.
Right now I still have some oil in the house but use so little of it that the bottle will last me for a year and I will not be replacing it.

[rawpriestess]

You know Sharon, that is a brilliant hypothesis.

I used to use alot of olive oil on salads, and alot of salt etc, now I don't use either, extra anyway, I mean if I eat a burger patty, I don't add anything to it except some salsa or just plain, I used to have to doctor it up.

Now this could be because I am eating almost only fruits now, and way simpler, or it could be the nature of the food, i.e. salad dressings have oil and salt in them, so do condiments.

I'd have to ponder this a bit more, but you may be onto something, I'd also say, it has to do with the length of time as a raw foodist, and the simpleness of their diet.

[Sharon in Colorado]

Thanks for responding. :)

Also forgot to mention that it appears those who advocate eating either, advocate it for nutrient reasons. I hardly see people who advocate using salt for a nutrient, not advocating using oil for a nutrient and vice-versa.

But those who tend to use it who may not particularly agree with it being a necessary nutrient, mostly do for taste or their addictive qualities.

Two long term raw food eaters whom I admire, Dr. Graham and Storm & Jinjee (they count as one since they're together, lol) - well, both are extremely healthy long-term raw fooders.

Dr. Graham (raw for over 30 years) uses no oils, salts, seasonings, nothing, but fresh fruits, veggies and small amounts of nuts, seeds and other fats from whole plant foods.

On the other hand, Storm (also raw for over 30 years) & Jinjee seem to use quite a bit of salt and oil in their recipes, apart from that all their recipes are also fresh, no dehydrating.

I find that interesting as both groups appear to be the epitome of raw health.

I still use salt here and there, but don't feel a need for oil, however in certain recipes it seems like sometimes the oil makes a difference in the way the recipe comes out.

I've reduced the oil in many of my recipes and they still come out fine, and I'm working on lots of oil-free recipes.

[dreamrawalwz]

I used to use both, now I don't do either. I think partially it could be a transition thing. Going from SAD to raw you'll need something "hardy" and your body craves fats so oils are a good way to get them really concentrated. Same with sea salt. If you need a touch of sea salt to stay raw then go for it!

As for Jingee (sp?) and Storm using a lot of these in their recipies, this may be so, bt how often and how much do they eat their own recipies ya know?

[tvillemom]

Now that you mention it.....I don't use alot of oil, but oil rich foods like advocado...LOVE AVOS...but when I make my usual guac. I have to add salt. Makes me wonder why? It just doesn't taste right without SOME salt. Also when I do make salad dressings using oils it seems like you have to add salt to it to make it taste right....or the balance seems off, ya know? Very interesting. Thanks for the insight.
Wendi

[Sharon in Colorado]

Wendi I am like you - for some reason that guac has to have some salt in it. Equal Half, God bless him, could go without salt, and he's not even all raw. Go figure!

[Sunshine9]

I think you have a point Sharon, those who don't do salt tend to not do oil

I know for me, I use a little bit of oil but I am really particular over the quality. Jubb & Cousens advocate little oil for the most part because it tends to be RANCID, not because oil is a less than superiour food. So I use a little flax or hemp

Same with salt. A little bit of really high QUALITY salt is balancing for me

[eatyourbroccoli]

i used to eat oil, but not salt.

recently ive started adding some salt back in occassionally in an attempt to figure out why im always so dizzy.

but, then again, my use of both isnt daily. maybe once a week or so. i tend to eat simply...and use avocadoes for salad dressings rather than oils. have been actually trying to cut back on oil and stop using it altogether, but then i think of the mediterranean cultures and how pretty they always are and how much oil they use lol :p

really good hypothesis though - im interested in reading further responses