Would fasting and going raw have the same effects?

[agapeluv]

I see that many of you have different experiances with fasting and since I am already underweight becasue of haelth things that are unknown and food allergies. Would going more raw cleanse out the body of toxins and help with healing as well as fasting does? I have never done any sort of fast. Thanks Alisha

[mershwista]

In my own experience, yes...but that is because for my own reasons, I have trouble fasting. I find that I get depressed if I fast, and I ALWAYS fail. So, I don't try to fast anymore unless it is with a friend who will help keep me accountable and motivated.

I know a lot of people on this board may disagree with me and my preference for herbal things, but herbs such as milk thistle, dandelion, ang ginseng can help clear you right out. I also take niacin to keep my blood stream clear and ensure I don't develop my family's infamously high cholesterol levels.

I sure FEEL great doing raw...so that's generally a sign that everything's working properly and as it should on the inside, too.

[dreamrawalwz]

i belive they do the same level of cleaning, but fasting speeds it up considerably. Also, the type of raw foods can speed it up or slow the cleansing process. Fruits allow your body to cleans faster than nuts, seeds, and other fasts. I too have many food intolerances including the ones you mentioned, so i know where you're coming from that perspective. Good luck.

[mongomango]

No, they don't have the same affect, at least not if you're doing a water fast.

When you stop eating and your body has stopped digesting, it puts all it's energy into cleaning and repairing your body. As long as you're eating, a good percentage of your energy is being used on digesting. And digesting takes a huge amount of your energy..even eating raw...consequently, your body will never undertake repairs on the level of a water fast while you're eating or fasting on anything but water.

[agapeluv]

Dream, what is your typical day look like of rfood since you too have the same intolerances as I do. Also not to sound gross or anything, what is your digestive system like before going raw and now after?

[dreamrawalwz]

my raw diet is pretty limited (partially because my selection of organic produce is minimal). What I eat: apples, pears, oranges, pineapple, melons, romaine, spinach, pepper, tomato, celery, and carrots. I just eat them in huge quantities. I can't have any nuts or seeds due to intolerances, nor do i do well with ats (avocado). Usually I'll have a big bowl of fruit, a big bowl of salad, and a big bowl of veggies throughout the day.

[fruitycutie]

I've quite been wondering the same thing! I've fasted a fair number of times before, up to 14 days on water. A few years ago I was raw for a year and fruitarian for 6 months following that. I returned to SAD as a result of an ethical breakdown, but am ready to return to live foods!

I'm 28 hours into a water fast now (I prepared for it for a few days), because I decided that it would be an easier detox for me. I don't mean the full detox, but rather processing the symptoms of a detox returning to raw foods.. mainly avoiding the cravings.

I'm wondering how long would be advised? I've read that people average 10 days of detox symptoms after going raw, but I was hoping it would be shortened by a water fast? Any recommended length?

[FirstGarden]

Water Fasting
Raw Fruit & Veg Juice fasting
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The Food Hierarchy:

1) Fruits - The cleansors - High water content - Complete unto itself/Edible as is - welcome to paradise

2) Vegs/Herbs - The builders - High water content - Complete unto itself/Edible as is - welcome to paradise - Natural fats/ the *good* cholesterol (avocados, etc)

3) Nuts/Seeds - Raw - Complete unto itself/Edible as is - welcome to paradise - Natural fats/ the *good* cholesterol
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4) Legumes - Mostly must be cooked to be edible & safe - a few in their raw state are edible, with water content, i.e. green beans (?)
5) Grains - largely devoid of water - raw still possible in some areas, i.e. wheat gluton (?)
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6) Dairy - secondhand nourishment - Unnatural fats/ the bad cholesterol
7) Meat - secondhand nourishment - Unnatural fats/ the bad cholesterol

Fasting is the highest

So much of the secret lies in the water

Raw is the closest to fasting

[Nectarine]

I read that water fasting places too much stress on the body, and that juice fasting is preferable due to the fact that your body is still getting the vitamins and minerals it needs. Is this true, or would the need for one's body to digest and assimilate these nutrients detract from or slow down the cleansing process? I would prefer to do a 2 day weekend juice fast, since at least I'd have something with a bit of taste to it :cool:

[mershwista]

Nectarine, just from my own experiences, I tend to agree with you. Having a high metabolism, I find it HIGHLY unnatural to water fast. I've attempted longer water fasts, and even with someone doing it with me, I feel incredibly weak and can't ever focus on my work! I tend to go by what makes logical sense based on my experiences rather than what some "expert" says....because you know that somewhere out there, there's bound to be another "expert" who completely disagrees!

[Nectarine]

Indeed mershwista,

There are no absolutes since everyone is different, and there are so many of us to boot! :) I too have an extremely high metabolism, and this weekend I chose to stick with just 2 pieces of fruit in the morning, a salad in the afternoon, and the same for dinner, with nothing inbetween, just to see how well I would handle that. I feel quite weak as a result, so a water fast (even a 1 day one) would be tough-going for me. Hence why I was hoping that a juice fast would be an acceptable way to go, and it should be if that's what would work for you. Thanks for taking the time share your own experiences with me. Appreciated :cool: