A Question about my Diet

[Missrawdiva]

Ok.. after posting that I now have translucent teeth (which I still have yet to get an answer to cure the problem other than people emailing me telling me to drink milk or to take cod liver oil.., I got alot of emails from people telling me I probably eat too much fruit. However this is what my diet consist of:
In the morning I eat a green smoothie consisting of:
One banana, a few strawberries, an orange and a handful of Kale and some collard green leaves.
Two or three hours later I eat an apple w/hemp butter.

For the next two meals its strickly veggies and at night I have raw ice cream which consist of: one banana, coconut oil, raw shreded coconuts and raw cocoa nibs.
So, now you know what my whole diet on a dialy basis consist of.. do you think I am eating too much fruit?? I also take spirunlina, B12, and a multi, and maca.

[Kaleigh]

I dont think its the fruit. I know I have read somewhere that clear teeth is a sign of a calcium deficiency. I just dont remember WHERE I read it. Try taking a suppliment (is that allowed on the raw food way of life? Im new to it :confused: )

But yeah, try to get in more calcium.

~Kaleigh~

[Missrawdiva]

so I should take a calcium supplement? Has anyone else had translucent teeth, and had them turn white again after taking a calcuim supplement??

[vgloveforlife]

Missraw-

As you know I am having the same problem as you and I really wish I knew the answer too. Your diet looks good but maybe you could cut out the acidic fruits and see what happens.

I found this: http://uk.answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20061031085802AA2s9cc

In "Hooked on Raw" Rhio says she asked a dentist to comment on bad teeth when going raw, especially fruitarian, and he said it is due to "their former aicd-producing diet and lifestyle and the resulting build up of acidity in the body. When these people make the switch to fruit, the fruit starts to remedy the acid condition in the body. It swiftly sets into motion a process that, over time, converts the body's acid condition to an alkaline state. During this period, the constant exudation of acid, especially from the tissues in the mouth, sometimes takes a toll on the teeth"

So my opnion is to cut way back on the fruit and add it back in gradually or not at all.

[vgloveforlife]

I'm going to the store tomorrow to purchase those two calcium cell salts that I mentioned in the other thread. Those are vital with anyone suffering teeth problems.

[Missrawdiva]

But.. I only eat ONE acid fruit a day.. and that is one orange. The few strawberries I throw in my smoothie couldn't be doing that much damage.. and what are calcium cell salts? Is that the same as Celtic Sea Salt that you sprinkle on food?

[wisslewj]

Miss,

Any amount of fruit will cause issues if ya dont have the mineral salts and proper minerals in ya. It isnt that fruit is bad. Its just bad for you since you are deficient in stuff. remedy that and you will be fine. the salts and other basic solutions I gave you have worked for me, my wife and others I have helped.

Vglove,

When ya get the salts, i would suggest getting a full spectrum of all 12 since its hard to be sure with 100% accuracy what you are missing. The full spectrum will address any deficiences. ;)

Finally, I doubt any of ya are calcium deficient. there is plenty of calcium in greens. What ya are missing (most it sounds) is the cofacters that allow proper calcium utalization: Vit A (retinol) and D, saturated fat, and the mineral cell salts of various types. If ya had adequete amounts of those you could eat alot more fruit. (though obviously the more fruit ya eat the more mineral salts ya need and other nutrients) Also, many dont realize this, but magnesium is actually more needed for remineralizing enamel. So just getting calcium wont by itself fix the issue.

Miss, those suggestions i gave you WILL fix the issue. Dont be afraid to try em lol.

Love ya :p
Jeff

[RawNut]

You could try sesame milk or tahini. Sesame seeds are very high in calcium among other minerals, especially zinc.

Craig

[RawNut]

In "Hooked on Raw" Rhio says she asked a dentist to comment on bad teeth when going raw, especially fruitarian, and he said it is due to "their former aicd-producing diet and lifestyle and the resulting build up of acidity in the body. When these people make the switch to fruit, the fruit starts to remedy the acid condition in the body. It swiftly sets into motion a process that, over time, converts the body's acid condition to an alkaline state. During this period, the constant exudation of acid, especially from the tissues in the mouth, sometimes takes a toll on the teeth"


Thanks for that info! It is something I had thought and am glad to see I'm not alone. I guess the best thing would be to let it take it's course while taking the best possible care of your teeth. Then, they should start to remineralize. Storm and Jinjee's kids have bright white teeth and they've been raw since birth.

Craig

[Sharon in Colorado]

Doesn't sound like you are eating much fruit at all, for a raw foodist.

[vgloveforlife]

Missrawdiva:

Cell salt info is here: http://www.elixirs.com/products/cell_salts.cfm


DEFICIENCY SIGNS
Detailed information is available online by clicking onto the Cell Salt links below
I recommend Cell Salts be used in 6X potency when just starting treatment with
Cell Salts, or when the health condition requires regular maintenance dosing.
6X is also the best to help build or restore mineral balance in the body.

The Calcium Cell Salts are important for bone and dental health, and skin healing.
Calcium Phosphate is the Cell Salt for growth and health of the bones.
Deficiency symptoms include aching pains, growing pains, bone ailments.
Calcium Fluoride is the Cell Salt for problems with the surface of bones and skin.
A much safer source of fluoride than supplemental fluoride.
Deficiency symptoms include poor dental enamel; spider and varicose veins.
Calcium Sulphate deficiency symptoms include acne and other skin problems,
slow healing wounds, abscesses, swollen glands, negativity, apathy.

The Potassium Cell Salts are important for emotional health.
Deficiency symptoms include nervousness, anxiety, mental confusion.
Kali Mur deficiency symptoms include colds, sinus inflammation,
arthritis inflammation, lack of energy and interest.
Kali Phosphate deficiency symptoms include anxiety, irritability.
poor memory and physical fatigue.
Kali Sulphate corrects the functioning of oils in the body. Deficiency symptoms
show up as dryness and in the later stages of inflammation including acne and
intestinal disorders. Mental symptoms include worry and lack of judgment.

The 3 Sodium Cell Salts balance fluids and water in the body and support
the functioning of the kidneys, pancreas, stomach and digestive system.
Natrum Mur helps with edema, headache, weakness in the sun or heat,
chronic sinus conditions.
Natrum Phosphate is for complaints of the digestive system. Take right before
meals for improved digestion. Deficiency symptoms include acidity, indigestion.
Natrum Sulphate for strengthening pancreatic functioning.

Ferrum Phosphate is the oxygenating Cell Salt, so remember for physical fatigue.
Useful for inflammation, fever, and infection.
Magnesium Phosphate is found inside the cells of muscles and nerves. Deficiency symptoms include muscle pain, muscle fatigue, muscle spasms.
Silicea is the hair and skin remedy. Deficiency includes excess perspiration,
unhealthy skin, brittle nails and hair.

We can all speculate what you are missing in your diet, but I don't think anyone really knows what is causing this. I know for me, I was so concerned with eating raw that I was eating the same foods every single day (and lots of acidic fruit like tomatoes, grapefruit, oranges, lemons) and I am sure I developed some deficiencies. I think when one first starts a raw diet they have a lot to learn and they make mistakes along the way, unfortunatly those mistakes can leave permanant damage. Variety and moderation with food is so essential IMO.

If it is lack of magnesium, it is found in: Almonds, brazil nuts, cashews, Pumpkin seeds, Sunflower seeds, seaweed and avocado.
And from looking at your diet I don't see that you eat much seeds and nuts at all. And what about adding sprouts to your diet?

Wisslewj-
I have heard that one shouldn't take the 12 salts together because they can cancel each other out. I think it would be smarter to take individual ones for whatever ails you until you get it under control and then take the 12 to mantain.

[Frog]

In the morning I eat a green smoothie consisting of:
One banana, a few strawberries, an orange and a handful of Kale and some collard green leaves.


WOW - fruit and kale together!!

Thats great if it works for you - but the thought of banana and greens together makes me shudder. :o

Ever thought of having a green juice for breakfast instead of with fruit as a smoothie? Currently my fave is carrot, red, orange or yellow pepper, root ginger, two apples and some green, maybe kale, spinach etc. and either some cucumber or celery or celeriac.

Maybe try one meal of a veg juice to reduce some of the fruit if you are concerned? :)

[dreamrawalwz]

One handful of greens does not seem like enough for you at the moment. I suggest upping your green intake significantly. Calcium deficiency can cause the translucent teeth and the best source of calcium is from dark leafy greens.

[sport]

WOW - fruit and kale together!!

Thats great if it works for you - but the thought of banana and greens together makes me shudder. :o

:)
The banana sweetens the greens and makes it much more pleasant.

[VeryBerry]

Miss Rawdiva,

Here is something vegan I think may help remineralise your teeth.
Sesemi seed had lot of calcium. I put is in a smoothy: 2 table spoons of sesami seeds, 1 banana, 1 pear, water. It is really delicious, it olso has a lot's of protein.
Does anyone else use sesami seeds regularly?

[Pierre]

Sounds like you're getting enough calcium with the kale and collards. I suggest adding dulse. Even before I went raw, adding a gram or two of dulse to my bean burritos made a significant improvement in my teeth. I now eat it in practically every salad.

[Shmoopie]

Hey MRD...I had posted a question not too long ago asking about whether problems with teeth had been helped on raw, and got a lot of responses from people whose teeth have gotten worse. One person posted this response (below). Maybe you could give his advice a try...
__________________________________________________ ____________

"This is a SERIOUS matter!
I HAVE to write this post. Some of you will be upset and some maybe angry.
But – you will thank me afterwards for saving your teeth!

You can get wonderful strong teeth on raw food – or you can destroy them. The choice is yours.
There are no 100% perfect raw food program – yet.
All is a wonderful, global raw food experiment going on.
.........................
I feel real sorry for all these threads in different forums about dental problems on raw. Completely wasted time.
Miles of facts about teeth decay on raw food are already written for the Internet. Go and find them! Please, google.

You can't find the truth in discussion forums. Nobody wants to be impopular by telling you the sad truth,
and nobody wants to hear the truth in mainly emotionally driven support forums,
with implicit tendencies to ignore or suppress real facts not fitting in their personal raw model.

If you want to DESTROY your teeth on raw:
1. Eat only fruit, be a fruitarian, 100% if possible.
2. The best fruits are sweet and acidic, like citrus fruits and apples.
3. Blend or juice the fruits.
4. Save time, stay away from chewing.
5. Eat often.
6. Always brush your teeth with toothpaste after eating, the earlier the better.
7. Bleeding gum? Good sign, you are on track.
8. Your teeth tips are going transparent? Good sign, you are on track.
9. Your teeth are cracking? Good sign, you are on track.
10.You have succeed!

Explanation:
The acids soften the dental enamel. When you brush your teeth, the abradant in the toothpaste creates the enamel damage.
The sugar is a perfect food for teeth damaging bacteria.
Fruits ar low in minerals, this weakens the teeth, and the bacteria take the mineral from the teeth.

Bleeding means that leukocytes are transported to the local spot to fight the colony of bacteria.
Minerals and other substances from the blood are also deposited for the tooth reparation.

If you want to STRENGTEN your teeth on raw:
1. Cut down on fruit.
2. Combine fruit with mineral rich food, especially greens: green smoothie every day.a
3. Chew as much as possible, at least one real chewing meal every day. Chewing strengthens the teeth enamel in several ways. It's fascinating knowledge.
4. Rinse you mouth with water after the meal.
5. Brush with ONLY water.
6. Floss your teeth.
7. Your salive repairs the softened enamel within one hour. The salive has a wonderful composition for an optimal and rapid reparation of the enamel softening.
8. Brush your teeth with a good toothpaste at bedtime.

The thruth is out there on the net – go and find it!
Keywords: raw food, raw vegan, fruitarian, enamel, tooth decay, etc."

[Luvitup]

Hey,

Just as an aside, if one is still looking for a calcium-rich food to add to their diet, here's something David Wolfe writes in his great book "Eating For Beauty".
"Figs are a densely mineralized sweet fruit. They contain one of the highest concentrations of calcium of any food."

And,

"Dried figs are probably the healthiest choice of all dried fruits. They are the most alkaline of dried fruits, and probably the most mineralized as well."

Hmm. :p

[Missrawdiva]

Thanks for mentioning the figs. I never knew that figs were high in calcium. I looked it up online.. and your correct, they are very high in calcium! Thanks for the tip!

[Luvitup]

You're welcome! :)

[VeryBerry]

Luvitup,

I have to strongly disagree with you on the figs, or any dry fruit for that matter. It can cause some serious teeth sensitivity, I am speaking from personal experience. Eat at your own risk.

[vgloveforlife]

Instead of eating the figs straight from the package, here is what I do: soak the figs and sesame seeds in water overnight. In the morning, rinse and then blend together with fresh water and a little sweetner if desired.
This is a calcium rich milk!

[Luvitup]

Great tip Vglove,
For those with teeth sensitivities, that's a great way to get 'em in!!!
I can just eat them straight out of the package without any problems, so I've never really considered the "riskiness" of figs......hee! ;)

[vgloveforlife]

Hey MRD...I had posted a question not too long ago asking about whether problems with teeth had been helped on raw, and got a lot of responses from people whose teeth have gotten worse. One person posted this response (below). Maybe you could give his advice a try...
__________________________________________________ ____________

"This is a SERIOUS matter!
I HAVE to write this post. Some of you will be upset and some maybe angry.
But – you will thank me afterwards for saving your teeth!

You can get wonderful strong teeth on raw food – or you can destroy them. The choice is yours.
There are no 100% perfect raw food program – yet.
All is a wonderful, global raw food experiment going on.
.........................
I feel real sorry for all these threads in different forums about dental problems on raw. Completely wasted time.
Miles of facts about teeth decay on raw food are already written for the Internet. Go and find them! Please, google.

You can't find the truth in discussion forums. Nobody wants to be impopular by telling you the sad truth,
and nobody wants to hear the truth in mainly emotionally driven support forums,
with implicit tendencies to ignore or suppress real facts not fitting in their personal raw model.

If you want to DESTROY your teeth on raw:
1. Eat only fruit, be a fruitarian, 100% if possible.
2. The best fruits are sweet and acidic, like citrus fruits and apples.
3. Blend or juice the fruits.
4. Save time, stay away from chewing.
5. Eat often.
6. Always brush your teeth with toothpaste after eating, the earlier the better.
7. Bleeding gum? Good sign, you are on track.
8. Your teeth tips are going transparent? Good sign, you are on track.
9. Your teeth are cracking? Good sign, you are on track.
10.You have succeed!

Explanation:
The acids soften the dental enamel. When you brush your teeth, the abradant in the toothpaste creates the enamel damage.
The sugar is a perfect food for teeth damaging bacteria.
Fruits ar low in minerals, this weakens the teeth, and the bacteria take the mineral from the teeth.

Bleeding means that leukocytes are transported to the local spot to fight the colony of bacteria.
Minerals and other substances from the blood are also deposited for the tooth reparation.

If you want to STRENGTEN your teeth on raw:
1. Cut down on fruit.
2. Combine fruit with mineral rich food, especially greens: green smoothie every day.a
3. Chew as much as possible, at least one real chewing meal every day. Chewing strengthens the teeth enamel in several ways. It's fascinating knowledge.
4. Rinse you mouth with water after the meal.
5. Brush with ONLY water.
6. Floss your teeth.
7. Your salive repairs the softened enamel within one hour. The salive has a wonderful composition for an optimal and rapid reparation of the enamel softening.
8. Brush your teeth with a good toothpaste at bedtime.

The thruth is out there on the net – go and find it!
Keywords: raw food, raw vegan, fruitarian, enamel, tooth decay, etc."

Schmoopie, Thanks for posting this-I think it was Greenprince who wrote it. I started following his advice a few weeks ago, and my teeth feel clean and my gums competely stopped bleeding.

[Shmoopie]

VG, that's great! His advice made a lot of sense to me too. I'm glad your gums are better. :)