"Balanced" Raw - What Does it Mean to You?

[tammay]

Hi All,
I've been trying to up my research about eating raw along with my diet (have now gone from 50% to 85% raw - woohoo!!!) and I keep reading about how healthy and great a "balanced" raw diet is but I'm a bit confused as to what that means. My instincts tell me it means a raw diet that includes plenty of fruit and veggies as well as a moderate amount of good fats (avocado - yes, I know that's technically a fruit :D, raw olives, olive oil, nuts) and possibly some sprouted legume and grains (though I haven't found that I've needed that). I've read a lot of criticism against the 80-10-10 diet and I know that Alissa doesn't recommend it (and I personally don't think I'd have the willpower for it!). My understanding is that that particular diet is very heavy on the fruits and veggies and very low on the fat and protein, which is what makes it problematic to some.

Anyway, I'm just wondering what "balanced" raw means to everyone and how you achieve it, especially those who have been doing raw for a while. I'd like to make this work and get the most benefits out of it but I don't want to do it "wrong".

I've ordered some books in addition to the ones I have (David Wolfe, Alissa, Carol Alt) so I'm hoping that those will help as well (and if anyone has a specific recommendation, let me know - I'm all ears :D)

Tam

[Lay-Lay]

Awesome! Balanced to me is feeling good. If I feel good at the level and maintain feeling good, then AWESOME! But if that level is no longer good, I am don't feel good, then it is usually time to step it up.

[babyphat1989]

well basically, from my experience, you have to find what works for you. some people can eat mostly fruits and be fine while others need more fat to sustain them. thats what is so great about the raw food diet is that you never get bored with it! im always experimenting with new ways to better myself. also in david wolfs book the sunfood diet success system he explains alot about balancing. so if you dont have that book put on your list of things to buy bc its a great book and will answer alot of your questions!
wish you the best on the raw lifestyle!

[Ariannah]

When I ate cooked I didn't worry about a "balanced diet", and with raw, I just eat what I want. My body will tell me when I need to eat something different (example: I'll get tired of eating grapes and cantaloupes and choose cucumbers and dates instead).

[tammay]

Thanks for the replies. I do have David Wolfe's Sundiet book but I must have missed that part about balance. I'll have to take a look at it again :D.

Tam

[Ginger]

I think a balanced diet would be eating foods high in minerals so you get all of them. One way to do it is if you grow your own foods with diluted ocean water. If used, the plants will contain their maximum amount of minerals. See book: Sea Energy Agriculture. I think if your foods are highly mineralised you don't have to worry about variety quite as much. An ideal diet in my eyes, for me, is high in fruits, some greens, and a bit less of seeds, sea vegetables, algaes & other foods.

[RawVegan4Health]

I guess for me it is including these in about this order, and geting a variety of each one; Fruits, Greens, Veggies, Nuts and Seeds.

[babyphat1989]

Thanks for the replies. I do have David Wolfe's Sundiet book but I must have missed that part about balance. I'll have to take a look at it again :D.

Tam


yea it starts on chapter 13 :)