Concerned

[VeryBerry]

I have been 100% raw a little over 1 month (high raw 2 year prior)
I find that my body is already craving very simple combinations, I have trouble digesting raw dishes (even some salads) that were never a problem before. Most meals that feel good have 2-3 ingredients. I don't even like smoothies & blended soups as much anymore.

Now here is why I am concerned. I do not want to lose any weigh. I don't need to lose weigh. I am 5', 96 lbs, and have been this way for a while. I don't think I lost any weigh so far, but I usually can't tell untill other people start saying that I look too thin. I don't want to mess up my metabolism. I am also concered about getting nutrient defficient.

When I first went 100% raw I through I would continue eating all the raw dishes was making, usually loaded with avocados, nuts butters and olive oil. Even before I was raw my diet was fairly high in fat, I always believed natural fats were good for you. Now my body seems to want to eat low fat mono diet. I am intelectually & emotionally not ready for this. I am not 100% sure that it is the right thing.

Any advise would be greatly apprecaited.
You can also send me a private message or an e-mail (nicole.ackerman@gmail.com), sinse this topic may not be allowed on this forum.

[VeryBerry]

I forgot to mention, another reason I am concerned is I am planning to have a baby in a year or two. I went on the raw food diet to get all my minor annoying health problems under control, that and the fact that I love raw food, and don't like to cook. My health is reasonably good right now, I don't wan't to do anything to ruin it.

[Raw Magwene]

There's a book called "Raw Spirit"--don't see it on my bookshelf, so I'm sorry I can't give you the author's name--he talks about this issue. I remember that he recommends eating at least a handful of nuts everyday to maintain the digestive strength.

you should definiely research and experiment with your diet, and it's positive that you are aware of these issues you are having.

[DavidZaneMason]

I hear you. YOU have to do what you think (and have researched) is right...of course. Some suggestions to gain weight:

1) Eat fewer and much larger meals. No more than 3 meals per day. Make sure they are LARGE meals...of some food that really like.

2) Build plenty of muscle mass. It weighs much more...and will help sculpt your body and make you feel energetic.

3) Power walk to keep your body oxygenated and well-circulating.

4) Get more (and reasonable) sunlight on your skin and in your open eyes.

-All you can do is what YOU think are the healthiest things. You can only follow your joyful living passions...and d*** the consequences (or accept the consequences! Ha! ha!).

-Thank you for your intelligent questions. What do you think?

-David Z. Mason

[rawfigure]

I have been 100% raw a little over 1 month (high raw 2 year prior)
I find that my body is already craving very simple combinations, I have trouble digesting raw dishes (even some salads) that were never a problem before. Most meals that feel good have 2-3 ingredients. I don't even like smoothies & blended soups as much anymore.

Now here is why I am concerned. I do not want to lose any weigh. I don't need to lose weigh. I am 5', 96 lbs, and have been this way for a while. I don't think I lost any weigh so far, but I usually can't tell untill other people start saying that I look too thin. I don't want to mess up my metabolism. I am also concered about getting nutrient defficient.

When I first went 100% raw I through I would continue eating all the raw dishes was making, usually loaded with avocados, nuts butters and olive oil. Even before I was raw my diet was fairly high in fat, I always believed natural fats were good for you. Now my body seems to want to eat low fat mono diet. I am intelectually & emotionally not ready for this. I am not 100% sure that it is the right thing.

Any advise would be greatly apprecaited.
You can also send me a private message or an e-mail (nicole.ackerman@gmail.com), sinse this topic may not be allowed on this forum.

VerryBerry....I understand what you are feeling about digesting Raw Dishes. I have the same issue. I quickly became a mostly mono diet eater. I rarely make a dish unless it is a simple few ingredients.

You can still be RAW and reach your goals of ultimate health, maintain the weight and get the needed nutrients.

First go to a mono meal for awhile, simple eat more of that food, then in a few hours try another food to keep variety in the diet. Someone suggested limited meals but I find for me I need to eat many mini meals for proper digestion. I eat 5-6 times a day and I have maintained my weight and musclularity on 13 months Raw.

Do not ditch the Blended foods until you try a few simple combinations first.
When you have a salad use 2-3 ingredients. Try Romaine and one other veggie. You may find it is one food that is offending you. For example I cannot eat peppers & tomatoes on the same salad , my tummy simple does not like them !

I no longer do Green drinks with a bunch of different greens. I easily handle a drink of celery & cucumber and apple.

Variety is the key. Try adding the sprouted buckwheat, lentil and bean, mung too. Also to keep weight on try eating the AVO with lettuce only. If you can eat nuts try to eat a handleful mono with no other food, then do not eat for hours after to allow digestion time for me.

As long as I do the above I am fine !! :D Best wishes, keep at it VB !! :p

[Rawkinlocs]

VeryBerry,

It sounds like you just need to give your body what it is seeking for now. I mean, you don't have to put a strict restraint on yourself where you mentally tell yourself, "I have to eat a low-fat diet now" but rather tell yourself, "I'll just follow what my body is signalling me for a week or two and see what happens!" and do that...eat simpler for a while and then if it so happens that your body later on signals for something heavier, then incorporate that.

That is what Alissa's message is...allow yourself the freedom and the flexibility to eat simple when you need to, eat heavier when you need to, have a raw meal or raw treat when you desire it! No limitations or restrictions!

[Revvell]

Drop the concerns and have fun with your food.

Revvell

[chilove]

Hi VeryBerry,

You can keep your weight up while eating mono and low fat. My weight stays very constant. Just eat larger meals at each sitting, like David Mason suggests.

All the best,

Audrey
www.rawhealing.com

[Sunshine9]

If you're only a month into it, it sounds more like cleansing than a drastic shift in your digestive system. Listen to you body, it is ultimitely wise. Enjoy raw!!!!

[Frecs]

If you aren't sure that you are getting sufficient nutrients and/or calories how about getting a fitday account (www.fitday.com) and plugging in what you are eating each day. At a glance you will see your calories and calorie breakdown (fats/carbs/proteins) and if you click on "reports" you can get a report on the nutrient breakdown of the day or week or month. This way, you can spot any potential problems with the way you are eating and work from there.

If you are wanting to get pregnant in the next year or so....be sure to eat sufficient folate. I'm not sure of what foods you'd need but you should be able to find that fairly easily.

[VeryBerry]

Thank you all for taking the time to answer.
I think I will just go with flow, do what feels right and try not to worry too much.