umm... help...

[StarFire]

I think I'm doing something wrong... here.

My dh is screaming at me to eat meat - (okay not screaming :rolleyes: ) but seriously giving me scoldings!

The reason is b/c by 4 or 5pm everyday - and it's getting progressively worse everyday - I feel like someone has just pulled the plug. I have NO energy - and I fall asleep and its a very DEEP sleep - and if I wake up - within minutes I'm right back to sleep. It's like I'm drugged - I cannot stay awake. this goes on until about 7:30pm and then I have enough 'strength' to get up and do dishes or whatever.

It's bizarre. This behavior started maybe a little over a week ago - and has for the most part become progressively worse. :confused:

So - dh thinks I need protein or something. And that I need to eat meat.

He is actually very supportive of the RAW lifestyle - he's about 90 to 95% raw himself. At first he couldn't stop raving about how amazing I was looking. But now he says I don't look so good.

(which of course made me say .... :eek: WHAT???) I've lost all this weight and you've said how great I look and now you're saying I don't look good???

So he took a few steps back away from me ;) and said - "no honey - you "look" great - but by the end of the day - you look completely drained - thrashed - like you need something in your body that you're just not getting.

so - I told him instead of 'eating meat' (bleccchhhhh... ) I would post a question to see what suggestions you all can offer me.

I do know I need to eat more greens (I kinda fell of greens when I discovered flax seed crackers -- I know.... 'my bad') Last week I started taking a liquid spirulina mixed with water once a day, because I don't have the equipment to make green smoothies (yet).

ON the average this is what I eat...

b - Spirulina drink, 1 good size grapefruit

grazing till lunch: 1 orange and maybe one banana

L - Usually flax seed crackers (maybe 15 crackers - give or take a few)
but this past week - I did have spicy taco wraps 3 days in a row!

grazing till dinner.... um - more flax seed crackers...
maybe 20 goji berries (occasionally)
occasionally a celery stick with Almond Butter
I've discovered Fudge balls! (I might have a couple of those.)

d- Lately - I'm just not hungry so I don't eat or I might pick a little here and there... maybe some spicy taco meat on top of a small piece of a yellow bell peper with nut sour creme on top of it.

and we did have spicy taco meat wraps one night for dinner.
I did fix Alissas pad thai w/zucchini noodles 2 weeks ago (that was like 2 dinners), the pesto pasta (which was like 3 meals) this past week.

I was eating a huge salad when I first went RAW almost every night.
but lately - I am just not hungry. So I'm not eating that much.

so - do I just FORCE myself to eat dinner when I'm not hungry?

Please - any suggestions would be wonderful - because there is NO way I will be able to handle eating meat - gag.. no way!

[Naiad]

You definately need more greens! I sound like a broken record, but, you may want to have some coconut oil/water as well. Since I have introduced both back into my diet, I have enough energy to go to the gym again! :D

[LoveLife]

I know I'm new too..but I was a vegan b4 raw..and I have to say that u r right..meat doesn't have anything to do with it..I would suggest that maybe u look at the caloric content of the meals u just described..u might not be eating enough calories... maybe u should think about adding a few more calorie dense foods..like nuts, oils, and avos..so that u could get more calories but since u aren't that hungry u wouldn't have to eat too much more.....also I noticed and agree with u that u are not eating enough greens/veggies..which is where as a raw vegan u get a lot of your carbs..which u need for longer lasting energy and brain function...it seems u do eat a lot of fruit..not that that is bad..but even tho it's better sugar than white sugar..it is still sugar..which goes quickly thru your body and then if u have no carbs to stay energized it would make sence that u are crashing...also an indication of not enough carbs is fogginess, and problems with memory..and just feeling like u can't think right...I hope this helps..of course it could be something else entirely..but I hope u figure it all out:D ..and stick to your guns and forget the whole meat thing..

[Veganforlife]

Yes. More greens. Especially green smoothies. And tell dh that your body is detoxing. Stick to what YOU want to do - i.e. not eating meat. This afternoon fatique will pass. I would do a green smoothie for lunch. That will perk you up.

[belleadonna]

You are probably detoxing. That is a strain on your body and it craves rest right now to do its job. Don't give in to the cravings. This too shall pass!! Let your body do its job and when it is done, you will have the energy that you long for. Be patient. :D If you are hungry, eat more fruit and greens.

[vgloveforlife]

I may have missed it but how long have you been raw?

I agree with lovelife, you probably need more calories.

[shine72]

You aren't eating enough. Also, make sure you're getting enough fat, cause that'll give you the sustained energy. Fruit is good for a quick energy pick up, but the fats give you the sustained energy.

[Mary]

StarFire! :D

Try the Caesar salad! The pine nut dressing is SO GOOD! When I eat a huge Caesar salad for lunch, I am barely hungry for dinner and have energy in the afternoon! It's funny - if I eat just a large salad of mixed greens with avocado, etc. (like I did yesterday...), I am not nearly as satisfied later.

I think it has to do with the nuts! I eat almost a whole medium sized head of romaine with the dressing nearly every day, which gives me my greens! (I didn't yesterday since I ran out, and I think that contributed to my being hungry and grumpy, leading to my pity party at dinner time... :( )

From what I've heard, many of us who need more protein need those fats. I'm still trying to fine-tune my diet too, and I've really noticed a difference when I incorporate the nuts in moderation, especially that dressing!

I hope this helps, my friend... I know how you feel... hubby keeps bugging me to eat some meat and/or not doing a diet that's so "radical"... YEAH... RIGHT! :rolleyes:

So hitch up your Xena lace-up boots and give yourself a little more to eat... it sounds like you're not getting enough (though I know you've got the calzone going at home right now, right?) Even superwomen have to eat! :D

Hugs to you, my friend,

Mary

[Revvell]

First of all, never force yourself to eat. Your body will tell you when to eat and when not to and if this is detox as it sounds, then your body needs the rest.

The menu you gave ~ is that for a day? If so.... 15 flax crackers a day????

I definitely agree, more greens, more FRESH fruit (drop the goji's unless they are native to your area) and you have not mentioned water. Are you drinking water at all?

Next thing, movement. How much movement are you getting in in a day? Movement keeps the metabolism going.

How are your bm's?

The other thing... when one thing is eaten every single day... oftentimes a sensitivity may build from it. That happened to me with almonds and tomatoes when I went on a cleansing food program many years ago. Knocked me out! Are you eating the same thing every afternoon/evening before falling asleep?

Revvell

[shooting star]

Um - I don't want to worry you - but that deep sleep sounds like a food intollerance to me.

If I eat anything with yeast in it, I get exactly that. A 2 hour 'sleep of the dead' where nothing can wake me and I feel worse when I wake up.

Having a look through what you've eaten, I'm wondering if it might be the corn in the flax crackers as it is a commen allergen and the timing is right for the 'intollerance sleep to be kicking in after you have loaded your body with corn for lunch and again for the afternoon. I would suggest not having anything with corn in for a couple of days to see if that makes a difference.

I might be completely wrong of course - and I would second the 'eat your greens' too. But I have suffered with food intollerance energy crashes for years (e.g. falling asleep in a business meeting a couple of hours after eating a sandwich) so I do know what I am speaking about.

The good news about intollerances as opposed to allergies, is that if you give your body a long enough break from the substance you can reintroduce again in the future. Just because it is raw, sadly it doesn't mean to say it is right for your body.

(It might not be corn, it might be something else - however that seems like an obvious place to start imo).


Edit. Just noticed that you said you stopped eating so many greens when you discovered flax seed crackers - is that when the problems started?

[jaurequi]

starfire,

One thing to remember, especially when someone exclaims "meat!!" for every little thing that's even remotely 'off,' is that meat has no carbohydrates. It is not a substance which gives energy; carbohydrates provide that.

Consume a good amount of fruit and get your greens in; that combination is enough to live.

It may take time, but, eventually, if you stick with it, it will be revealed to you what exactly you need for your unique body. Just listen and do accordingly :).
Make adjustments here and there.
If you feel low at, say, 3:00 in the afternoon, have a handful of dried apricots and or raisins. The iron, as well as the carbohydrates will give you a natural, easy-on-your body, boost.

Best,

[hypnocmt]

more calories Your diet seems extremely light.

beets, dates, greens, juicy fruit

The hemp/maca/flax powder I bought keep me full and ENERGIZED for hours on end. It is my fave afternoon pick-me-up.

Go with the sleep and see how you feel in a week...detox?

light yoga for energy and body awareness.


When I was in school for oriental med, one of our teacvhers was a naturopath. Although she was into a cooked diet, she ALWAYS promoted GREENS as the means to procure more long term energy, and FRESH fruit as a way to get a little boost TODAY.

I make almond/honey/apple cookies in the dehydrator for quick energy bites. If you don't have a dehydraor, you could sun dry (be sure to use a screen cover) or use your over, open door, on the lowest setting.

I also carry raw bars with me frequently.

[StarFire]

thanks everyone for all the suggestions. It is extremely helpful and gives me a direction to head in. Overall - the suggestions seem to all point to eat more greens. So next week I will embark on green week!

Naiad - I will re-introduce coconuts and coconut water to my diet. I have 10 coconuts outside that my husband picked - just gotta husk them! (been lazy!) When I first went raw I was consuming a lot of coconuts - and did have a lot more energy. (thanks for the reminder!)

loveLife - I don't have a problem with brain fog (thank goodness!) My memory has been improving while raw - and I am thinking clearer. But the calories - I'm sure I need to up those.

Vgloveforlife and Belladonna - I never even considered that it might be detox. That kind've relieves me!

shine72 - I did cut back on avos and my nut consumption, I was reading so many posts on how hi fat can slow weight loss, and I thought perhaps I was eating a lot of hi fat items. I cut back on those about 2 weeks ago. I'll pick up my intake a bit in the afternoons. Thanks for the suggestion.

Mary - Hey there my dear sweet friend! Howzit? Thanks for responding - so this Cesar Salad (and dressing) that you keep raving about - is it in Alissa's book? If it is - or if you pass along the recipe if it's not - then I will start eating that for lunch every day!

Revvell - Yes - that is my menu for the day. :p When I wrote it down I thought - wow - I'm not really eating that much. and 15 or so flax seed crackers - is not a meal (and I probably shouldn't be eating so many flax seed crackers day after day either). I just fell in love with how they taste, but when I start eating them - I end up getting full so quickly. It actually starts out as a snack really - and then I'm just full so I call it 'lunch'!!

My water intake is usually about 20 (+) glasses a day. I love water. I don't drink much fruit juices (and I don't have the equipment to make green smoothies yet). So I drink water. This last week has been busy and I did find that my water consumption during the day was waaay low. So when I get home I end up drinking lots of water. (about 10 glasses or so).

BM's are good - I usually have 2 or 3 a day depending on what I've eaten.

When I think back - I am for the most part eating the same thing B4 I fall asleep - and that is those flax seed crackers.

Shooting Star - I don't make my flax seed crackers with any corn. Just straight flax seed, tons of garlic, a whole lot of fresh ginger, a bit of braggs, and the juice of 1 or 2 lemons. I'm beginning to wonder if it isn't an intolerance to flax seed??

Jaurequi - I will definitely try dried apricots and raisins, may be throw in some nuts and have that in the afternoons. It is my desire to eat intuitively! I believe it is the wisest way to eat.

thank you thankyou everyone - I've got a great ideas now on making some changes, and it does help to know that it might also be detox - that is a great relief.! Mahlos!! (thank yous!!) ;) :D

[barose]

I agree with everyone else - you need more greens. I eat at least 2 heads of greens a day (mostly in smoothies). Some days three to four depending on my activity level.

[Mary]

Dear StarFire...

Yes, the pine nut Caesar dressing is in Alissa's book! I usually make a double batch, adding a little extra garlic (the Sicilian in me!) and an extra date. Then, I pack it all in a Mason jar and keep in the fridge... lasts me all week, at least!

Alissa calls this her favorite dressing, cooked or raw, and when you try it, you will know why! It tastes INCREDIBLE, and I never tire of it!

Let me know how you like it! :)

Mary

[trinity082482]

I agree. Seems like that's not much food. I would be hungry!! Can you am for 1200 cals a day? I know raw foodist don't count cals, but most people have an idea of how much is in what food, and you can kinda eye ball it.

[punkspirit]

Oh nooo, what do I have to read???:eek:

Not good that you're feeling tired and stuff... Are you sure you get enough sleep? and enough water?

Right now I am in a hurry(:D again) and already feel very bad to leave the forum so allone... but I will bring some propper suggestions tomorrow

Till then you have to be contesnt with a BIIIIIIIIIIG cyber-hug!!:p

[Revvell]

Sounds to me like a craving for flax crackers and when someone craves something like that then sleeps the sleep of the dead, it's very possibly an intolerance to the flax or something you're putting in it such as the Braggs. Suggestion ~ drop the Bragg's add sea salt. If that doesn't make a difference, find a substitute for the crackers such as celery with almond butter, raw cookies... SOMEthing that doesn't contain flax.

Revvell


and 15 or so flax seed crackers - is not a meal (and I probably shouldn't be eating so many flax seed crackers day after day either). I just fell in love with how they taste, but when I start eating them - I end up getting full so quickly. It actually starts out as a snack really - and then I'm just full so I call it 'lunch'!!


When I think back - I am for the most part eating the same thing B4 I fall asleep - and that is those flax seed crackers.

[luckitri]

Let us know if you figure it out?