Today at work...

[dreamrawalwz]

I got the dreaded "where do you get your protein!?" question from my manager and then the assistant manager joined in. I don't want to sound mean, but the assistant manager has the "I'm always right and know everything" attitude. I said I get it from my fruits and vegetables and they both go "no, that's not enough. Sorry! (in a sarcastic tone)" and kind of gave me dirty looks. She was talking about my salad "dressing" as being lemon juice and was surprised I didn't use oil at all. She's Itallian and they use oil on everything :p Anyway, she said "you NEED oil of some sort." I just remained silent and continued eating my salad. The past two weeks I JUST started eating in front of them due to my anxiety and ED related issues and now I feel attacked!! I wanted to just blurt things out, but I'm young and they think they know best. My manager knows of my ED struggles though. Moving on...later my manager went on again saying I need fats and proteins, etc. and asked what I eat at home and stuff.

WHY DOES IT MATTER? Just because she doesn't see me eat here besides lettuce and tomato (basically), doesn't mean I don't eat. Obviously I eat or I'd be in a poor condition, and skinnier ;)

I guess I'm just venting. Any suggestions as to waht I should do if this comes up again? I'm sure it will. I'm also not protein defficient. Wouldn't I be in bad shape if I didn't eat "enough" protein? One last thing, my manager also asked how much protein I thought I should get and I just responded with "less than waht the RDA says." I didn't want to say like 15-30g or I'd sound stupid or something.

It's REALLY hard to be a raw vegan after and eating disorder or people will just think it's an excuse to stay in the ED. One day my manager was kind of venting about raw vegans "only eating 50 calorie salads" and stuff like that to a coworker and the coworker and I both knew she was talking about me....it's annoying.

[SuziS]

I know it is hard to get that attitude, but you are the only one who knows what's best for you. I think you just get used to it after awhile. I think most people are just jealous because they know they could never have that much discipline.

[StarFire]

ooo SuziS is so right - my dh just told me that - when people cannot have the same discipline that you have - they attack YOU! :eek: Bcuz they are seeing their weakness and dont have the drive to get healthy, they'd rather just be unhealthy and complain about someone else 'rocking the boat' by being 'different'. Sorry you're going thru that at work - it's hard i know - but sometimes I find it's just not worth going 'toe to toe with someone on issues they know nothing about - and franky have no intention of actually listening to me about anyway.

[Lay-Lay]

Hey,

Have you research how much protein is in beans and sprouts and seeds. It is HIGHER then meat. Get the figures, actually if I get a chance I will post them. I have them and share that with them. As far as oils, ask do you use olive oil? How about avocadoes? You know more then you think. Show them what you know. You know more about this stuff then they do, far more. Believe in yourself and they will believe in you too.

[Ginger]

I don't know if I could resist a comeback in a friendly but firm way like "What makes you feel the need to attack my food choices? Are you a qualified nutritionist? Stop spitting your programming at me & let me eat my food please. You know NOTHING of what you speak." Ok so maybe not so friendly but dang what is wrong with people like that!! Why do people eating the SAD care what the heck you are eating?! Ya know?

[lavendarJ]

I agree with Suzi and everyone else's point that only you know what's best for you. I think that is the important thing - that you are clear about why you have chosen raw and that you confident within and being proactive regarding your health.

I also think that with many people it boils down to them being afraid of what they don't understand. People don't realize how draining their ignorance can be to those around them. I don't think many people can grasp that living healthy can be this simple - eating live foods. Let's face it they've bought into society's acceptance of taking drugs and going on crazy diets (atkins for example)- I say it cause I bought into the theory over and over again. All the money I spent in the past on get thin fast schemes... I don't complain too much about my grocery bill

Anyway, just listen to your body regarding the protein. I want to encourage you to pray for strength and wish I had something more to offer you. I know how it is when you have to be around people who put out a negative energy. (my dear brother - with the best of intentions- gave me a harsh lecture on the neccesity of animal protein after I had to call him to start the push mower for me:D I didn't even bother trying to explain to him how my body is adjusting and restructuring itself )

[RawVee]

I've pulled out Alissa's info before. That if you take a chicken breast and cook it, by the time you digest it you're getting 2 grams of protein. Whereas if you eat straight, raw greens, the massive amino acids turn into protein, and more than chicken. Most people don't realize that you get your protein from eating amino acids, not protein.

Maybe next time you can ask very innocently "Where did you get your nutrition degree from?"

:)

[rawstrawberry]

Sorry to hear that!

If you think they will do it again, maybe like mentioned above get the facts and them an email saying thank you for your kind concern about me getting enought protein (even if it wasn't) here are some figures that should be your minds at ease. I appreciate your opinions but do not wish to debate this further facts are facts. What works for some people doesn't work for others...

RS

[Moonlit]

You could always tell them that during each full moon you scarifice a rightous know it all and eat their flesh while dancing around a brilliant fire in the woods.

[DavidZaneMason]

Suggestion:

-You have to learn to set boundaries. You don't NEED their approval of your diet - which is a very personal choice. You don't owe anyone an explanation for doing the right thing.

-David Z. Mason

[Blazin'Jane]

I'd be tempted to respond something like, "Hmmm, interesting. What do people do who don't get enough protein? How do they act? What do they look like?"
Or another tack might be to say, " I hear that you're concerned about me and my diet. What about it most bothers you?" See where the conversation goes, and smile confidently throughout.;)

[Mialsse]

I know all about coming off an ED, and then having everyone assume that a change in diet automatically means you're trying to "cover-up" your ED. It's a fine line to walk. But even for the most well intentioned person, it really isn't brain science to figure out that you do NOT attack a person, with history of an ED, about their food! What the heck is wrong with them?!

It's hard for brain-washed mainstream America to open their minds a little bit. You can come back with all the research you can possibly find, but that wont change ignorance. If their minds aren't open enough to accept that information, they wont even hear it. I think the only thing you can do is offer to get them some information/research if they are genuinely curious about raw foods, but if not - just demand some respect. They may not agree with (or believe in) your food choices, but they are YOUR choices, and they deserve to be respected. I'm quite sure you don't harass them about their food, right? You're only asking for that same courtesy.

[dreamrawalwz]

Thank you for all your replies so quickly!

SuziS - I don't really talk to people much and those that have asked about my diet curiously, rather than attacking me, accept my answer. Then there are those (my boss, and other family members) that won't accept anything I say as correct because it's not in THEIR view. In the 4 years off and on with raw I have not encountered this too much so I'm not used to it yet.

StarFire - That is correct and completley unfair lol. Kind of like when someone loses weight, those around them try to bribe and tempt them with stuff that is "out" of their diet.Not quite the same thing, but same concept.

Lay-Lay - Yes I have, actually. I just never have the numbers in my head for this type of instance and if I did, I'd completley blank out. I tend to do that in these types of confrontation. I freeze.

RawVeganMom - Haha nice. I am WAYYY too nice and intimidated and shy away from anything, espeically a confrontation or challenge about who I am as a person and what I do. I could never respond like that for fear of upsetting someone. Actually, I did ONCE duing my Christmas vacation at the dinner table when my sister, her husband, and my aunt were all interregating me, saying I was wrong, and MOOING at me. I just had it! I blurted out "i'm NOT talking about this anymore" and everyone froze. I felt SO gulity.

LavendarJ - Yes! This is the best I've felt health wise and almost mood wise. I'm trying my best to listen to my body and get in tun with it. I felt SO much worse on cooked, even with questionable "raw" items I feel bad. They talk about my food and saying it's not enough, etc. but look at them! After EVERY meal I see them eat, they're like "time for a nap!!!" Isn't food supposed to ENERGIZE you!? They never hear me saying I'm tired. I'm usually in there walking the entire time. If i'm sitting I'm bouncing my knees/feet because I have energy and want to RUN!

RawVee - Hehe, they probably get it from the FDA and waht we "should" eat. Actually, they were referring to vegan protein because they have both been vegan so they understand that aspect at least. Funny thing, I'm going to get MY nutrition degree, but until I do that no one seems to believe me or listen to me, espeically because of my past issues. I like your response of "where did you get your nutrition degree from?" but I coudln't bring myself to say that.

Rawstrawberry - Thank you. I like your approach. I do much better through email and if it comes up again I'll do that. I think I need to acknowledge their concern, and that's the deeper issue here.

Moonlit - LOL!!!!

David - That's very true. I guess part of it is that I feel so...alone and "strange" or "out of the loop" or something, even though I know in my heart that this is the right thing to do. I'm not going to sway off raw because of them, but it's just frustrating to be told I'm "wrong." I wish I could just tell them "Please don't tell me I'm wrong if you havn't studied the subject. I have studied this for four years so far and I know what I"m talking about," but I don't want to sound like a snob.

[dreamrawalwz]

I know all about coming off an ED, and then having everyone assume that a change in diet automatically means you're trying to "cover-up" your ED. It's a fine line to walk. But even for the most well intentioned person, it really isn't brain science to figure out that you do NOT attack a person, with history of an ED, about their food! What the heck is wrong with them?!

It's hard for brain-washed mainstream America to open their minds a little bit. You can come back with all the research you can possibly find, but that wont change ignorance. If their minds aren't open enough to accept that information, they wont even hear it. I think the only thing you can do is offer to get them some information/research if they are genuinely curious about raw foods, but if not - just demand some respect. They may not agree with (or believe in) your food choices, but they are YOUR choices, and they deserve to be respected. I'm quite sure you don't harass them about their food, right? You're only asking for that same courtesy.

I guess we posted at the same time and I missed yours! Thing is, my boss has HAD an ED. She would know better!! I'll be honest, as soon as they were talking about it while I was eating, I wanted to just dump it out right there. I'm still thinking "I'm not going to eat there again." It's hard enough to deal with ED stuff and anxiety involving eatingn in front of people....I wish they could just stay quiet! Every time I'm making it, my boss comes and kind of stares wondering what I'm making. Curious I know, but she only does it to me and kind of announces "oh, Tracey's making a salad today!" I guess it's a surprise I'm eating at work, but in the beginning when I first started, I asked her to please not talk about my food and stuff and shes' disrespecting that.

You're right. If they don't want to hear it, they won't. They'd rather be miserable and tired ;) That's kind of why I stayed quiet. I KNOW she'd chalk it up to my crazy ideas trying to justify my ED. Yes, I still struggle and still am now, but raw has NOTHING to do with it what-so-ever! I don't know how to "demand" respect. I'm horrible at speaking up about anything, but more specifically my needs. I should work on that huh? Nope, I don't stare at their food, say "ew," say it's "wrong" or anything like that.

[dreamrawalwz]

I'd be tempted to respond something like, "Hmmm, interesting. What do people do who don't get enough protein? How do they act? What do they look like?"
Or another tack might be to say, " I hear that you're concerned about me and my diet. What about it most bothers you?" See where the conversation goes, and smile confidently throughout.;)

I've actually wondered that. If they think I'm protein defficient, why do I feel so great and healthy!? Have they SEEN someone defficient? Do they know the symptoms? It's just fear about waht's been drilled into their heads.

I'm afraid to ask what bothers them about it and where that may lead.

[andypdx]

Ah, yes, THAT question. They usually think they have defeated your crazy vegan-logic when they ask it, but if you're feeling in a punchy mood, you could be in a right position to serve a bit of unexpected ownage. As a cooked vegan for 15 years, I got this all the time, and now, perhaps even more so.

If they REALLY start to press the matter, I simply reply...


Well...where does a cow get it's protein? :D

The smart ones get it right away.

The slower ones (99% of the SAD population) require a bit more explanation.

I ask...


What does a cow eat?

They pause for a second, then usually reply with "grass".

I then ask them if grass contains protein...

This usually elicits a blank stare.

I then ask them how a mammal who spends its entire life eating only grass* could ever amass so much protein that humans actually want to kill it and eat it for its PROTEIN!

I then point out that unlike a cow, I am not limited to mere grass for my nourishment, but countless foods, many of which have as much (if not more) protein than dead animals.

This usually does the job of shutting them up.

*=cows are fed grains as well, but we'll use grass fed beef for this example.

[Mialsse]

((hugs)) I've struggled with ED's and anxiety for such a long time, so I really do know what you're going through.

I wouldn't be rude about anything. That would be coming down to their level, and then they wouldn't have reason to respect you, ya know?

It'll be hard, especially with anxiety, but make yourself stand up for yourself. Next time she says something to you, honestly and genuinely look her in the eyes and let her know you'd be more then happy to get her some information on the health benefits of raw food, so that you two can discuss it. See what she says. If she doesn't want to take you up on it, then just politely ask her to drop the conversation because it makes you uncomfortable, and again let her know that you'd be more then happy to get her some information when and if she ever wants to learn more about it.

I know it'll be hard. You'll probably be shaking and sick to your stomach. But once it's over, you'll feel so empowered! and you wont have to have such guilt about your food at work. Coming off an ED, guilt about food is one thing you do NOT need.

[dreamrawalwz]

Ah, yes, THAT question. They usually think they have defeated your crazy vegan-logic when they ask it, but if you're feeling in a punchy mood, you could be in a right position to serve a bit of unexpected ownage. As a cooked vegan for 15 years, I got this all the time, and now, perhaps even more so.

If they REALLY start to press the matter, I simply reply...



The smart ones get it right away.

The slower ones (99% of the SAD population) require a bit more explanation.

I ask...



They pause for a second, then usually reply with "grass".

I then ask them if grass contains protein...

This usually elicits a blank stare.

I then ask them how a mammal who spends its entire life eating only grass* could ever amass so much protein that humans actually want to kill it and eat it for its PROTEIN!

I then point out that unlike a cow, I am not limited to mere grass for my nourishment, but countless foods, many of which have as much (if not more) protein than dead animals.

This usually does the job of shutting them up.

*=cows are fed grains as well, but we'll use grass fed beef for this example.

Haha yes! I called my mom after they left for the day and I was still there at work (I work 10 hours on fridays!). She repeated to me what she read "where do cows, hippos, girrafs, and gorrillas get their protein?" Lol, she's only been saying that since she read The China Study. Anyway, good point. As I said earlier, I tend to freeze and blank out about this stuff when I'm in this position. I'll try to remember it next time, which I hope doesn't happen. It's a VERY small store and I'm with them constantly so I don't want to make things odd between us and have weird energy ya know?

[dreamrawalwz]

((hugs)) I've struggled with ED's and anxiety for such a long time, so I really do know what you're going through.

I wouldn't be rude about anything. That would be coming down to their level, and then they wouldn't have reason to respect you, ya know?

It'll be hard, especially with anxiety, but make yourself stand up for yourself. Next time she says something to you, honestly and genuinely look her in the eyes and let her know you'd be more then happy to get her some information on the health benefits of raw food, so that you two can discuss it. See what she says. If she doesn't want to take you up on it, then just politely ask her to drop the conversation because it makes you uncomfortable, and again let her know that you'd be more then happy to get her some information when and if she ever wants to learn more about it.

I know it'll be hard. You'll probably be shaking and sick to your stomach. But once it's over, you'll feel so empowered! and you wont have to have such guilt about your food at work. Coming off an ED, guilt about food is one thing you do NOT need.

Thank you for your understanding. I'll do my best. I can't let the ED and anxiety beat me with this even. I'm so nervous to pack a lunch tomorrow though. If I DON"T eat she'll bug me too. I don't know what to do. I think I'd rather be bugged about not eating rather than eating xyz. Sorry, just rationalizing "out loud."

[SchoolOfRAWk]

I always act like THEY are the wierd one for not knowing.

Some of the STRONGEST animals are COWS, HORSES and so forth (the strongest, per lb, is the silverback gorilla) and THEY GET THEIRS FROM GRASS. Hello. I always say "the same place cows and horses get theirs from". I mean, you can SEE their muscle. People eat THEIR muscle to try to make them bigger and stronger. WHY NOT JUST EAT LIKE THEM? duh?

And I also point out that vegan athletes outperform others. Carl Lewis, gold medalist, always knew to be vegan for his training. Times get better, you improve. It's so lame. But we all deal with it.

[SchoolOfRAWk]

(I wanted to put my 2 cents in, I know others brought that up).

I always keep my responses to others on the matter really simple and obvious like that. Helps them to see how uneducated they are, too.

[cayako]

i haven't read all of the posts, but it seems to me that it's not about you, but VERY much about her. she must be feeling so threatened by you. it's so hard not to react when people push and frame their emotions onto you unfairly.

honestly, kill it with kindness. don't let it grip you, have confidence, you know it works. smile and smile and smile away. and if they accusingly say things again, just nod and smile, nod and smile. you gotta pick your battles, you know? and if you know that the battle is already predetermined, don't participate. figures and facts spur the arguement on. in meditation class, i learned that you can refuse the gift. whatever the gift may be. show your strength through kindness.

i tihnk that it's awesome that you have persevered through ED. you're doing great.

[juliebove]

If you were eating just lettuce and tomatoes, then I can't see why you'd need oil. I also don't think Italians are necessarily into oil on everything. My inlaws are Italians and my MIL was always trying to redo recipes so they had less fat in them. Same with her sister. Anyway...

The only food I can think of that benefits from fat is carrots. I've read this several places. That it's best to eat raw carrots with fat because the fat aids in the absorption of the vitamins from the carrot. Since then I either dip my carrots in some olive oil or eat some olives or nuts at the meal when I am eating carrots.

One thing I have seen time and time again is that most people can not fathom the eating of salad with no dressing or just lemon. I don't even like lemon on mine most of the time. I have to be in the mood for it. I just love vegetables. Plain vegetables. Always have! My mom never used to eat dressing at all. In her case it wasn't so much that she preferred the salad that way but that she thought she was saving calories. Since she ate it that way, I saw no need to put dressing on mine.

Oh I tried. I really did. People were always pushing me to try this dressing or that. And after I did, I could feel the tears welling in my eyes because I had just rendered some perfectly good vegetables inedible. Even oil and vinegar is not good for me.

In fact the only time I can remember being able to eat a dressing at all was at this fancy schmancy little hole in the wall place in CA that mainly did catering. But they did have tables in there and if you knew where they were (it was a rather hidden away location), you could get a nice lunch. They made the best salads in there with organic greens of all kinds and various tomatoes and nuts. I always got mine with no dressing, but one day they accidentally put balsamic vinegar on it. I was pressed for time so I ate it anyway. I found that I actually WAS able to eat it without gagging. That's not to say that I liked it. I would have preferred it without. It wasn't all that bad. Just wasn't all that good. Heh!

To me, vegetables are good and fresh and crunchy. But when you put dressing on them, they become all wilty and soggy and sometimes just plain awful if the dressing is a heavy one. I just do not know how people can eat them like that. To me it is just horrid and vile! My daughter prefers hers plain as well. Due to her food allergies there isn't much available to her anyway in the way of dressing. And sometimes she will squeeze lemon on hers. But mainly she eats them plain with a bit of salt. And she gets bugged about it too. People just can't seem to stand to watch you eat a salad like that. I don't know why.

And another thing. I seem to remember you saying you had food allergies or at least sensitivities. I have those in addition to diabetes and gastroparesis. So even though I am capable of sitting down with a list of foods and their various contents of vitamins and minerals and whatnot and can devise an ideal "balanced" diet, it doesn't mean I can eat it! People don't seem to understand that either. I had kidney problems for a while and that meant I had to restrict my protein as well as take my other issues into consideration.

If you are in the USA, there is the HIPAA law. It's there to protect you the worker against such things as what your coworkers were doing to you. At least in my eyes. Diet ties right in to medical issues as far as I'm concerned. I can understand it if someone is curious about your diet and asks for advice, but what they were doing to you goes a bit too far. How do they know what you ate for breakfast? For dinner? Where are these people coming from? The personnel manager where I used to work ate the same thing for lunch every day from the salad bar in our cafeteria. A bowl of the standard American mix of lettuce, shreds of cabbage and carrot and perhaps a slice or two of radish with a lone cherry tomato on it and the tiniest little drizzle of some kind of white dressing. I don't recall anyone ever questioning what she ate.

And now that I think of it, we had a raw vegan working there as well. We did complain about her but only because she was so noisy! She had an apple every day. She ate the whole thing, including the seeds. She also had several ribs of celery each day and some carrots. The other foods she ate varied. Our complaint with her was that her foods were so crunchy and she seemed to go out of her way to make as much noise as possible when she ate. Nobody could hold a conversation when she was eating because her food always dominated. I remember laughing about it with coworkers. I also had celery in my lunch most of the time. People would ask me how I could manage to eat my celery so quietly (not that celery is all that quiet mind you) and this other lady could not? I do think she was really going out of her way to make noise though. She carried the food in a paper bag and she'd crinkle the bag around a lot as well. And she did it all with much flourish.

[luckitri]

Personally I like to eat light at work because I don't want to get weighed down and tired after a heavy meal.

[barose]

I like to eat a larger meal during the peak of the day (usually lunch time around 1:00PM) when I'm the hungriest.

90% of the time, sadly, I eat alone. I just cant deal with people looking and questioning my food. But I eat enough (a lot)- I would die if all I had was plain lettuce and a few tomatoes.

[DavidZaneMason]

Dreamrawalwz:

-It certainly is a cliche that it take 2 to tango....but it's also true. How can their be an issue - if YOU refuse to take issue with it? Work is Work. At work I set boundaries. You wouldn't entertain insulting, intrusive and judgmental conversations about your race.....your family....your sex life......whatever. Why entertain a conversation about diet. The easiest way to avoid a fight is to not be there.

-Their issues have NOTHING to do with you. Work on your own issues - and help them. Don't expect people doing the wrong thing to understand YOU...it's your job to be kind and understand them. You can always say, "I hear you. Thank you for your concerns."

-If YOU refuse to discuss it, it becomes a non-issue. You'll never CONVINCE some one through argument or logic. You convince someone by being happy and successful.

-Just my opinions.

-Power and control to you.

-David Z. Mason

[dreamrawalwz]

Juliebove - Yea, I guess on the oil thing, part is fear from the fat, but there are physical reasons too. I physcially cannot digest fats well at all due to a surgery I had when I was a year old. I can't change the fact that what digests fats is MISSING so it's not my fault ya know? I don't like the flavor or texure of oil either. It's too concentrated and in my opinion, is not as "natural" as I'd like to eat. It has been processed. I know my manager is worried though about the fat issue because of my ED. I wouldn't blame her and understand where she's coming from.

Lukitri - I agree! I just want to stop the hunger and get on my way. As I said, they're always complaining they're "so tired" and want to take a nap, espeically after eating. I'M the one that wan'ts to get projects done, etc. and has so much energy. For someone that "doesn't eat" I have a lot of energy ;)

Barose - I can't deal wtih it either. That's why I wasn't eating at work for the past 8 months and I finally got the nerve to and now this....My anxiety is coming back about it now.

David - I agree. That's why I stayed silent. I'd rather do that than come up with figures and facts to sound like a know-it-all or something.

Cayako - Thank you.

SchoolOfRAWK- Short, sweet, and simple is the way to go. Thanks.

[magglepie]

I got the same thing from my friendswhen I went vegan. They kept telling me that it wasn't healthy, that they were worried about me, etc, etc, etc. BUT it was my decision and ultimately what other people say to me is not as important as how I feel on this or any standard vegan diet. So I just brush it off, eat my carrots and raisins and try my best to ignore what other people say.

[rawmike]

As you can see, you are not alone. I am sure we have ALL been in this position before. Sadly, it is usually the SAD eating, obese, unhealthy co-workers that give the most ridicule. I believe that these people are the most vocal because it makes them feel better about them self, and also gets the attention off of them. I believe that most people that 'talk trash' on other people do so because of their own insecurities. This happens on many levels, not just diet.

When this happens to me (and it happens daily), I just remember that I am doing the best for me, and the other person probably realizes that. He/She just knows that they would never have the discipline to be this healthy, so it is easier to speak bad about the subject so that he/she can feel better about their own decisions to lead an unhealthy life.

These words are not getting out my exact feelings, but I am sure you get the point.

Stay strong! Go Raw!

[hypnocmt]

I would probably stop them in their tracks by saying something like

"Thanks for looking out for me! I was concerned about the same thing when I started and have found better ways to get more than enough protein from plant sources. I feel much better and stronger than I ever have. If you'd like to learn more I can point out some books for you. (Smile..the end)"

or more simply
I get my protein just like any vegan..from plants.

Isn't it crazy how even people who are vegans forget that most of the world got by just fine without tofu?


As far as anxiety- I know it can be tough to feel like you are under a microscope. Really though, these people, well-intentioned though they may be, are being nosy. When did people in general forget that being NOSY is considered rude. YOU are entitled to eat as you please, for your own pleasure and vitality. Enjoy your food, and forget the nitpickers. Their need to have others conform to their ideas about food is THEIR wierd control issue. You are just fine.

[SmilingRawDancer]

I can't change the fact that what digests fats is MISSING so it's not my fault ya know?

I'd love to hear more about that..that's interesting.
I remember reading alot about mental issues/depression in people who don't eat enough fats, and I notice in myself a HUGE mental change in clarity and mood when I eat fats. (As in I feel better with fats.)

So are you lacking in digestive enzymes for the fats?

[Lay-Lay]

You don't have to know the exact numbers. You don't have to prove anything. I would just simply say this: "Beans and sprouts have more protein then meat, check out the internet or check the library"

Done deal, they can prove you right or wrong on their own.

If they have comback, just say do the research and get back to me. If they actually produce research later (they most likely won't) then say: "interesting, let me look over this and I will get back to you on my thoughts". Say this no matter what the research saids, then you have plenty of time to gather your data for a responce if you want to.

[Stina]

My stock answer is some comment that the reason I decided to go Raw was when I learned how many professional athletes eat Raw, who are obviously getting not just sufficient protein but are functioning optimally. Good response though, huh? Then case closed. They just my patient smirk, oh, I mean, smile!

[Lay-Lay]

My stock answer is some comment that the reason I decided to go Raw was when I learned how many professional athletes eat Raw, who are obviously getting not just sufficient protein but are functioning optimally. Good response though, huh? Then case closed. They just my patient smirk, oh, I mean, smile!

perfection!

I have said this too:

"do I look like I have a protein defiency?" Usual responce: "No"

[VitalHarvest]

Suggestion:

-You have to learn to set boundaries. You don't NEED their approval of your diet - which is a very personal choice. You don't owe anyone an explanation for doing the right thing.

-David Z. Mason



Exactly! You do not owe them any evidence and the onus is not on you to substantiate your food. There is no diet police.

And a friendly way to express this, for me, would be something like, "Thank you for sharing your thoughts. I hear that that's what's true for you. I am doing what's true for me. And I invite you to mind your own business." :)

(And I actually say that to people, myself, when called for).

[dreamrawalwz]

I'd love to hear more about that..that's interesting.
I remember reading alot about mental issues/depression in people who don't eat enough fats, and I notice in myself a HUGE mental change in clarity and mood when I eat fats. (As in I feel better with fats.)

So are you lacking in digestive enzymes for the fats?

I lost 60% of my small intestines. I wasn't allowed sugar until I was about 10. I wasn't allowed fats until after that, but I still always stuck to fat free because that's how I was raised and prefered. Once I had a home made broth that was already skimmed and has basically no fat it in....I had bad issues with that. Even raw fats now just SIT in me for a very long time. I get tired, fall asleep like I was in a food coma or something. I get foggy thinking, and other things too.

[rawererin]

i know how you feel, when i get questions i usually don't answer them i just say it would take too long.
next time when they ask, or tell you what you need try saying...
"i'm glad that we both know our bodies well enough to know what we need to be eating- you with your oil, and me with my salads... isn't being healthy great!"

[juliebove]

I lost 60% of my small intestines. I wasn't allowed sugar until I was about 10. I wasn't allowed fats until after that, but I still always stuck to fat free because that's how I was raised and prefered. Once I had a home made broth that was already skimmed and has basically no fat it in....I had bad issues with that. Even raw fats now just SIT in me for a very long time. I get tired, fall asleep like I was in a food coma or something. I get foggy thinking, and other things too.

I have to be very careful with fats now. I can eat some fats, sometimes. But if my stomach is in the least bit acting like it might act up, I can't have it at all.

Some years ago I went on a pretty much fat free diet. After doing that for a long time, you tend to lose your taste for fat of any kind and even a little bit can be overkill.

These days my main source of fat is coconut oil, but I don't always eat it. I've read that applying it externally can give you some of the same benefits. So on the days when I can't eat any, I try to put it on my skin.