% of Carbs, fat, and protein

[dextera3]

I'm tracking the foods that I eat each day on fitday.com. Which is a great site, by the way. That way I can see how many calories I'm eating and how many vitamins and minerals I'm getting.

They have a pie chart that shows what percentage of your daily calories comes from carbs, fat, and protein.

What percentages of carbs, fat and protein should I be striving for here? :confused:

[Lunar*Fey]

I don't have much time but just wanted to let you know that, although I often use fitday, that is not what eating raw is all about. Raw is not about being super thin and perfect...its about leading a compassionate, truly healthy lifestyle. I mean it is slightly different for everyone, but if one is driven to eat raw for positive reasons it can truly enrich one's life. It's about returning to nature and being FREE....not stressing about calories, fat, protein, or carbs. I understand how hard a habit this is to break, I use fitday to ensure that I am getting enough calories because I need to gain weight. But still, I have become a bit too obsessed and need to let go. So please, honestly that site can be helpful but extremely addicting and can germinate seeds that aren't desireable to sprout.
Anyway, I wouldn't suggest striving for any certain ratio or whatever, just try to listen to your body for only it may truly tell you what it needs at any given time. The body is our temple, and is truly wise...listen to it, respect it, love it and you will be a healthy person. Now if only I could put that which I understand to be true into complete effect. I hope I haven't come off negatively, I mean this post in only a positive light.

love and clarity,
<3 Lunar*Fey

[Raw Venus]

I'm tracking the foods that I eat each day on fitday.com. Which is a great site, by the way. That way I can see how many calories I'm eating and how many vitamins and minerals I'm getting.

They have a pie chart that shows what percentage of your daily calories comes from carbs, fat, and protein.

What percentages of carbs, fat and protein should I be striving for here? :confused:

If you have read Alissa's book she tells you NOT to worry about that stuff!
I mean UNLESS you are eating 4 cups of nuts everyday and avo's by the don-zen you really have nothing to track. This lifestyle FREES you of all that! In the beginning you will eat LOTS of fresh foods but your appetite WILL level off after awhile! Give your brain a break and cancel your fitday account.:eek:

[misslinda]

For some this is a mental coping mechanism but with raw, with all the high enzymatic,nutritionally dense foods, it's really impossible to mathematically figure what you need when your body is constantly doing different functions,detoxifying,healing,repairing etc.

RAW is the highest level of eating b/c YOU truly get to know your body of what is wants and doesn't want. If you rely on some mand made formula that doesn't know YOU ---how credible is that?

Empower yourself and take authority of your own health! That's worth millions.

:)

[RawNnyc]

I do understand where dextera3 is coming from.......well, I know that although it would be perfect to just listen to your body, it's so hard when you're first starting out! Like yesterday, when I wanted carrots, I got carrots and my kidneys started hurting! So my body was lying to me? Or my mind wanted carrots? Plus, there are so many people on here that I've read posts of who say, 10% of fats, mostly fruit, etc. etc. If I really had it my way right now, I'd be eating all of the stuff from JUBBS Longevity...like the nut cheeses and flax crackers and chocolate parfait and pizza, etc. etc. But I can't because I get constipated so easily. I want to eat a meal of dates per day, but is that really good for me? Maybe I'm wrong, and maybe it's just hard for me because I'm just starting out....but although so many people say it's that easy, how come I keep seeing 10% and 80-10-10?

I'm confused....:(

[Rawkinlocs]

I do understand where dextera3 is coming from.......well, I know that although it would be perfect to just listen to your body, it's so hard when you're first starting out! Like yesterday, when I wanted carrots, I got carrots and my kidneys started hurting! So my body was lying to me? Or my mind wanted carrots? Plus, there are so many people on here that I've read posts of who say, 10% of fats, mostly fruit, etc. etc. If I really had it my way right now, I'd be eating all of the stuff from JUBBS Longevity...like the nut cheeses and flax crackers and chocolate parfait and pizza, etc. etc. But I can't because I get constipated so easily. I want to eat a meal of dates per day, but is that really good for me? Maybe I'm wrong, and maybe it's just hard for me because I'm just starting out....but although so many people say it's that easy, how come I keep seeing 10% and 80-10-10?

I'm confused....:(

RawNnyc,

Your post is SO very welcomed because it is the PERFECT example of the very thing Alissa was talking about and why she wants Raw Food Talk to be based on what she teaches in her book - which is FREEDOM!

If you do an advanced search (click on the "search" link and then choose "Advanced") and type in calories and then Alissa's name where it says, "Username" you will see her stance on this whole issue.

Then, she posted the "New Rules" thread because the board was at one time becoming BOMBARDED with low-fat, 811, etc. and that was not gonna fly! LOL!

I suggest you and all others read Alissa's older posts and also read the "New Rules for Posting" thread found here: http://www.rawfoodtalk.com/showthread.php?t=20049 so you can better understand why Alissa says what she says and why this forum (while ALL are welcome) is dedicated to the Living on Live Food approach to eating raw foods. Some here follow that approach and some do not and that's all well and fine. But while here, this is the main theme.

So please don't allow all the varying opinions to confuse you because that's exactly what they will do and that's what Alissa is trying to avoid...HERE...if you have her book, read it (if you've already read it, RE-read it) and if you don't have it, order it and then read it! LOL! And relax! :) If you just allow things to flow naturally, you will ultimately end up just where you should be dietary-wise. But if you keep trying to listen to and decipher all the many, many voices and opinions - you may end up right back where you were before you ever learned of raw.

[dextera3]

Thank you everyone for all of your very helpful answers!

I'm new to raw (today is day 4 of going all raw!), and I still feel the need to track how many nutrients I'm getting. I guess it's just an old habit that I'm not quite ready to give up. I'm also trying to listen to what my body needs, but sometimes the signals can be confusing! One day at a time here... :)

[Sharon in Colorado]

I am personally not as concerned with my nutrient intake (like certain vitamins and minerals) as getting enough carbs through fruit. I aim for a higher carb, lower fat diet as it leaves me with more energy and is better for my genetic high cholesterol.

I suggest doing what feels best. Fit day is actually a great tool (I use sparkpeople) because if you feel wonderful or you feel tired, you can look back and see what how ate, and either repeat that routine or not. Most of the time your diet intake directly affects the way you feel, and detox secondary.

[Ginger]

I use sparkpeople.com because I gave up on raw over a year ago after constant gaining weight eating high fat raw. Now in the past few months of keeping track on SP I have lost 40 pounds and feel GREAT! Most people don't have to keep track like I do, and I prolly won't have to once I learn which foods I can eat in what amounts, but for me right now I am so grateful for that site! It really helped save my life.

ETA: Oh & I keep my fat below 10&#37;, and do at least 80% from carbs.