What foods are 'RAW' but not really.... [Archive]

RawNnyc

04-03-2007, 02:57 PM

Okay, so I was just wondering what other foods besides cashews that say 'RAW' are really NOT RAW? I saw the thread that almonds might be added to that list......and I know that most dates and figs are not raw unless they actually say RAW or you know for a fact from the supplier, etc.

I was just wondering because I was eating some RAW sunflower seeds and I was wondering, does someone sit there and just pick out every little tiny seed so that I can sit here and eat it without the hassle? Or do they use some machine or cook them to make the seeds come out so easily. So, if you know any foods, add them to the list. (Hopefully the list isn't longer than this one!):

cashews
dates
figs
vanilla (?)
maple syrup (?)

donnaw74

04-03-2007, 04:06 PM

I can confirm that maple syrup is not raw. Maple syrup is boiled tree sap. Though I wish it were raw!

One thing about being raw, you really start to become acutely aware of how foods are produced.

donnaw74

04-03-2007, 04:14 PM

Oh yeah. Though I've seen it in many recipes, I believe nutritional yeast is not really raw either.

I am sure someone can confirm that one way or another.

Solace

04-03-2007, 04:21 PM

I say, if your not 100% sure what you have is 100% raw but you don't want to waist it- mix it with stuff that is raw to help digest it. I know my grocery bill is really high since going raw= $20.00 for 3 cups of raw almonds the other day:eek: I am thinking of juice fasting/feasting just to cut my bill in half.:mad: but you just do the BEST you can at buying things and avoid premade foods aka some Lara bars etc.

Solace

04-03-2007, 04:31 PM

LINK= incase you missed it;) http://www.rawfoodtalk.com/showthread.php?t=25028&highlight=lara+bars

R4L

04-03-2007, 04:43 PM

If the seed sprouts, it's definitely raw... if it doesn't, that doesn't necessarily mean it's not (just not viable). There is no law that says you can't label a food "raw" when in fact it's been heat treated. Maybe one day?

Fuzzypeach

04-03-2007, 04:54 PM

RawNnyc

04-04-2007, 09:04 AM

Wait a second there..........

I thought dates were raw. I know about the other foods, but I was reading something somewhere and I swear I thought it said that all dates are raw.

Am I smoking something? (not literally :)

I think it's because some are dried unaturally....I think someone said that they might boil some dates? Someone chime in here because I'm not completely sure.

dreamrawalwz

04-04-2007, 09:17 AM

I think it's because some are dried unaturally....I think someone said that they might boil some dates? Someone chime in here because I'm not completely sure.

Right. Some are steamed to plump them up again depending on their distance traveled. Also, they are most likely dried at high temperatures for mass marketing :(

Eva

04-04-2007, 10:07 AM

Man! I just got some dates, and they are soooo good. How could they not be raw!? And my cashews. Almonds... Anyone else want to rain on my parade!? :eek:

Damzlfly

04-04-2007, 10:21 AM

I was thinking the same thing...what's next? I LOOOOVE my dates. I guess it's time to start ordering right from the growers...

Fuzzypeach

04-04-2007, 10:27 AM

Is that why people on here order from thedatepeople.com? I mean, supposedly those dates really are raw, I hope??

Man, why don't you tell me I am adopted now too.

RawNnyc

04-04-2007, 10:37 AM

hahah I'm sorry guys!! I know, I couldn't believe these things when I first found out too! Now I'm wondering what other kind of nuts and seeds I'm eating are not really raw.....anyone know about pumpkin seeds or pistachio nuts?

Somtam

04-04-2007, 12:42 PM

nama shoyu
some brands of nut butter
miso
nori and several other types of seaweed

Morningstar

04-04-2007, 01:03 PM

My {SAD} husband once stated to me while out Grocery shopping for Raw( I guess I was being a bit anal & taking to long): If you didn't sprout it, pick it from a tree, pull it from the ground then it's not Raw.

As simple as that sounds he has a point, I think of that every time I buy for RAW.

You can question everything to include stuff like Lara Bars , Agave, Braggs, Cacao, & etc or do the best you can.

Roasted,Steamed, Pastuerized, dehydrated ^ certain degrees all dead and dead = crap

There are several threads & I've seen new folks over the years beat up on Oh thats not raw or you must not be a purist. LOLF will guide you as well as this site. There are just too many to mention

I wish you well

LightLover

04-04-2007, 01:47 PM

To answer the threadquestion:

the famous (raw?) LARABAR !!!:D

LL

Ariannah

04-04-2007, 02:13 PM

Most Agave syrup sources are not really raw (Although I think Alissa sells some really raw agave syrup)

http://www.rawfoodsnewsmagazine.com/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=article&sid=187

laurabfig

04-04-2007, 02:25 PM

Alissa's book has a great resource section in the back that may help to answer a lot of these questions. (If you don't have her book, i highly recommend it!)

kaybee

04-04-2007, 06:31 PM

somtam--

its true that some types of seaweed are not raw, however i believe nori (and nori sheets) if they say "untoasted".... the kind i get--maine sea veg, the green sheets are toasted but the black ones are untoasted, and based on the info on the package, they do appear to be raw.

Somtam

04-04-2007, 07:50 PM

Thanks for the info, kaybee. :)

Conscious Midwife

04-04-2007, 08:36 PM

Frozen fruit sold in baggies
NOT RAW Often blanched at high temperatures

100% Real Juice in Jugs
NOT RAW Pasteurization requires heat

RawNnyc

04-05-2007, 08:40 AM

I bet when I go to a Raw restuarant, it's not 100% Raw. I wish I had a farm.....:p

LightLover

04-05-2007, 09:08 AM

Maybe it is better to forget the word raw.
Cold or low temperature processed is the word we are looking for
(the ingredients in this product do not exceed the temperature of....)

LL

konmai

04-05-2007, 09:41 AM

(the ingredients in this product do not exceed the temperature of....)

LL

:rolleyes: ;) :D :D

LightLover

04-05-2007, 09:56 AM

:rolleyes: ;) :D :D

Yes raw isn't saying anythink and no garantee
About temperatures you can't discuss, 100 Fahrenheit is always
100 Fahrenheit. So I am for TEMPERATURE-LABELLING

Strange, how quick one's opinion changes: I had a product, and all the ingredients said : "raw".
Now I think: it is still saying nothing, or it says something but I can't figure out exactly what. It is not that strange that people are so busy in their
heads, because they are not clear and transparent to eachother.

LL

JGex

04-05-2007, 09:57 AM

Frozen fruit sold in baggies
NOT RAW Often blanched at high temperatures

100% Real Juice in Jugs
NOT RAW Pasteurization requires heat

I could be totally wrong, but from what I've read and canned/frozen, fruit really doesn't need to be blanched to be frozen. Most fruits are too delicate and it would break them down. I think I'll actually write the company of the frozen fruit we eat to find out their process for sure.

Frozen veggies are most definitely blanched.

:o

Wendee

04-05-2007, 10:30 AM

Is that why people on here order from thedatepeople.com? I mean, supposedly those dates really are raw, I hope??

Man, why don't you tell me I am adopted now too.

I WOULD NOT order from the Date People. Their dates are not raw and the customer service I have heard is just terrible:eek: so I get my RAW dates from Oaisis Date company instead.

Veganforlife

04-05-2007, 10:51 AM

I WOULD NOT order from the Date People. Their dates are not raw and the customer service I have heard is just terrible:eek: so I get my RAW dates from Oaisis Date company instead.

What? I have never had any problems with them, in fact, just the opposite, they seem to go overboard helping me out. And I do believe they are raw. I will find out and post here again.

Wendee

04-05-2007, 10:58 AM

I have experianced their bad treatment personally. I had placed an order from them and they sent me dates that looked like they were moldy. When I told them about the dates, they refused to exchange them. My raw friends are also not very happy with their service, as they never called them back, ect. just bad service and product.

Veganforlife

04-05-2007, 11:00 AM

Wendee

04-05-2007, 11:03 AM

Lucy, you're a sweetie, thanks for sympathizing with me!:o

Veganforlife

04-05-2007, 11:06 AM

Well, I've dealt with some businesses that are not "user friendly" and then I refuse to deal with them again, so yes, I can understand your "pain"...

LightLover

04-05-2007, 11:16 AM

Wendee

04-05-2007, 11:18 AM

Well, I've dealt with some businesses that are not "user friendly" and then I refuse to deal with them again, so yes, I can understand your "pain"...

Smiles :) Smiles

raeannasun

04-05-2007, 11:32 AM

OK, I have to jump in here..........
If someone has been raw for a really long time and can mono eat only raw fruits/vegetables and stay away from all the questionable little things like agave/maple syrup/larabars/etc. then I say "well done!!!"

HOWEVER........

I think most of us that follow Alissa would say that this is a new change for us. We're gradually teaching ourselves the benefits of living foods and enzymes and doing our best to stay away from the foods that harm our bodies. It's great that we're learning that some foods may not be as "raw" as we would like them (dates, almonds, etc.) but don't let that depress or get you down!!!! To me, the obsession to make sure everything we eat has not been heated over 90-100 degrees eventually can turn a person into the "raw police" and make the whole experience of being healthy a chore instead of a joy!

This is just my 0.02!!! I for one can not stop eating dates and cashews from time to time when it's what keeps me from openning a bag of chips!!!

Also, I do want to thank those people that do look into the companies that sell "raw" products to make sure that they are legitamite!! I really do appreciate it, but if I do find a health product (Larabars) that help curb my cravings, I'm still going to eat them!!! LOL!

luvmangos

04-05-2007, 11:39 AM

www.purelyraw.com
Very interesting. I think that a lot of this lifestyle is opinion, eat what makes you feel good and keeps you healthy and 'alive' feeling. Since i began, i have noticed a lot of differences the way my body reacts to raw. I do better eating simple, just fruits and veggies and some nuts here and there, but i am still experimenting. This is a great thread.....good info

Conscious Midwife

04-05-2007, 11:41 AM

I could be totally wrong, but from what I've read and canned/frozen, fruit really doesn't need to be blanched to be frozen. Most fruits are too delicate and it would break them down. I think I'll actually write the company of the frozen fruit we eat to find out their process for sure.

Frozen veggies are most definitely blanched.

:o

You are right it doesn't have to be , but the frozen stuff at SAM's is, and not only that but then they are plumped with the H2O and frozen and weighed after frozen so the are actually including added water to their frozen weight.

I like frozen fruit for convenience especially for smoothies in the winter.

But strawberries that are uniform, in shape size and color and then turn to mush when thawed scare me.:eek:

JGex

04-05-2007, 12:01 PM

You are right it doesn't have to be , but the frozen stuff at SAM's is, and not only that but then they are plumped with the H2O and frozen and weighed after frozen so the are actually including added water to their frozen weight.

I like frozen fruit for convenience especially for smoothies in the winter.

But strawberries that are uniform, in shape size and color and then turn to mush when thawed scare me.:eek:

Ahhhh.... OK, I wzasn't sure about the context. yeah, those defrosted mushy things are ick.

We won't buy any non-organic strawberries as they are full of pesticides, so currently we're purchasing http://www.stahlbush.com/ frozen fruits. They *are* really convenient for smoothies! They aren't exactly cheap, but the DH likes his strawberries. I'm working on a plan for strawberry beds in the yard, so maybe one day I can get them straight outta the yard...

I did drop an email to the Stahlbush peeps.... I hope they write back and tell me they are just flash frozen!

sakaki

04-05-2007, 12:18 PM

Thank goodness there is real RAW nori! :D Although I'm trying to fast from nori for now, b/c I feel I'm addicted. :rolleyes: Not that nori isn't good for me, but I don't want to be addicted to anything. Anyone know what I mean? ;)

I definitely think it's important for us to know what is really NOT RAW, when we're trying to figure out "I was going so well on RAW so far, & all of a sudden WHAM! What is going on?" B/c it can be either detox or something we incorporated into our meals that are not really raw. :cool:

chilove

04-05-2007, 12:26 PM

Where are you guys getting the idea that dates aren't raw? I've never heard that. I've always heard that they are raw.

The Date People's dates are absolutely raw!!! They are fresh and organic and I've been ordering from them for three years with absolutely no problems.

I've read that frozen berries are not usually blanched before freezing, but that other fruits might be. You have to contact the individual supplier.

All the best,

Audrey
www.rawhealing.com

JGex

04-05-2007, 01:10 PM

Just got a reply back from the folks at Stahlbush... that was fast!

Judy,

Thanks for your inquiry- we love hearing from consumers!

Our fruit has not been heat processed in any way. It goes from the
field to our plant where it is individually quick frozen and then into
packaging.

The vegetables go through a quick blanching process to ensure the
product is clean and safe. You might recall the spinach problems of
last year, and our hot bath process eliminates the possibility of this
happening.

Hopefully this answers your questions!

Yay! I am happy I know now!

LightLover

04-05-2007, 02:35 PM

My biggest point is that we keep the dishonoust people out of the rawfood business. (see almondthreads). In the ideal state everyproduct should say which % of the ingredients is raw, and which temperature is not exceeded
by the manufacturingprocess. This gives me more calmness and rest than being 100% raw.

The fact that people don't talk accurate to others causes the state of
being restless and pondering, because you never know what the other
is saying exactly and are trying to fill it in yourself

LL :p

littleangelbear

04-06-2007, 02:33 PM

Elizabeth

04-06-2007, 02:48 PM

I guess after being raw for 16+ months (90-100 percent), I just don't have time to worry 'cause I'm havin' too much fun making raw food :)

But, I totally understand :) I once almost bought almond butter from Trader Joe's but the ingredients said 'raw roasted almonds' LOL, so I didn't buy it despite the label saying it was "raw."

LOL!!!! Too funny! :rolleyes: I used to love the trader joe's Raw almond butter...and then I read somewhere that it was not really raw.. (I still got it though..LOL) but now, I do not even live near a trader joes.. I miss them!!!!!

I have an Omega and am going to make my own raw almond butter! The hfs carries the raw for 17 dollars a 15 oz jarl :eek: I am sure I can make it for much less!!

kaybee

04-06-2007, 04:09 PM

yup--i got caught on that trader joes almond butter thing too. but i was actually eating the stuff for a few months, assuming it was raw, since it said, on the front, in big letters RAW ALMOND BUTTER. then one day by chance I looked at the ingredients on the back: raw roasted almonds. HOW THE HECK DOES THAT WORK? HOW ARE THE "RAW ROASTED ALMONDS" IN THE RAW ALMOND BUTTER ANY DIFFERENT FROM THE "ROASTED ALMONDS" IN THE ROASTED ALMOND BUTTER?... go figure.....

on that note, ive also heard alot of TJ's nuts are pasteurized; ie they say "raw" ____ on the package, with an asterisk or something. then you look for the note for the asterisk and it says "pasteurized".....