Obese and Pregnant: switching to raw foods safe?

[ManyLittles]

Hi,

I'm new, posted an intro in the introduction section. I have a question: has anyone here started raw foods DURING pregnancy? Particularly if you were on a poor diet before, and were obese?

I was 260 when I started this pregnancy, and I've been trying to watch my carb intake because I have gestational diabetes. I've been frustrated because I can't get my morning glucose below 100, which means they want to put me on insulin. That, plus the fact that I'm gaining quicker this time (as if I need that), plus my daily stress is making me depressed and want to give up trying to control my eating. Not a solution of course, but that's just how I'm feeling.

I stumbled onto a few sites where morbidly obese women lost weight very quickly on raw foods. Obviously I'm not wanting to lose a lot of weight right now, but I'd like to at least prevent myself from gaining too much. Is it a good idea to go raw now, when my body isn't used to it? Should I slowly transition, or just try to stick with a partially raw diet?

I've seen articles online by vegan moms, but not much from raw foods moms, and all the articles were by thin women who were already eating that way. Just wanting to know if anyone out there like me has done this.

Thanks!

[Petunia]

Hi and welcome! I feel your pain, as I too am pregnant and had considered going all raw as well. Before being pregnant, I was mostly raw but, due to a couple of stressful life changes, started eating more comfort foods, and have struggled staying away from sugar ever since.
However, the times when I have tried going all raw during pregnancy (i.e. a couple of days at a time), my body rejected it and I didn't feel well. For now, I feel the most energetic if I start out the day w/a juice-kale, lettuce, lemon, ginger and a couple of apples. It's like caffeine for me, w/o the crash. Then, generally speaking, having either oatmeal and/or fruit for breakfast, a large salad for lunch, and veggies w/some type of grain for dinner, such as brown rice. If I maintain this type of eating and abstain from sugar, I feel great, but I haven't been great about it, and end up feeling yucky. I'm going to wait until after my pregnancy (less than a month), and possibly nursing, before I try all raw. That's just for me. I hope that helps-be good to yourself right now....go easy on yourself, such as cutting out processed foods, for example, and incorporate a fresh veggie juice and add fruits and veggies to your diet. This way, you're still improving your diet, w/o throwing your body into shock, and suffering possible side effects. Good luck and congratulations on your pregnancy!

[belleadonna]

That's sounds like a good plan. See how it works for you. Your body will lyk. This is probably not a good time to go all raw as your body would not be able to handle the pregnancy and the detox. Eat healthy and vegan for now.

[lavendarJ]

Good Moring ManyLittles!

Congratulations on your pregnancy journey! My sister-in-law just found out that she was pregnant and is also overweight. Could you please email me and share those sites of women who lost weight during pregnancy.

I hope that you get some good insight because I'm interested in this subject also. Our goal is for her to have a healthy pregnancy vs. ending up on bedrest or developing the g. diabetes. She has had a history of blot clots in her legs...

Be Blessed!

[ManyLittles]

The main site I found was www.ibeatobesity.com (http://www.ibeatobesity.com) . She says she lost 136 pounds in 9 months...as fast as weight loss surgery. From what I've read so far in her journal, she went 100% raw, and started walking a bunch. She runs a raw boot camp website, but she charges a fortune to join. But I found her main site inspiring.

The other sites I found, I didn't bookmark, sorry. If I find them again, I'll let you know. They were mostly just pictures and success stories grouped on someone else's site, not individual sites.

I think I'm going to start out 50% raw. I don't know if I'll be giving up dairy and meat eventually. I'm pretty much always either pregnant or nursing. Plus I love dairy. I think giving up meat would be easier! But I think I'll cut back. Less cheese (maybe just a sprinkle on my salad), stick with mostly yogurt and kefir, since I'm prone to candida. Cut back on the meat, maybe eat salads with some chicken breast thrown in. I'll probably keep eating eggs, particularly egg drop soup and boiled eggs. They're complete nutrition, and they tend to keep you full.

But I want to go at least 50%, maybe 60% raw. I know I need more veggies, and I think that will help keep me from getting over 300. Ugh, I can't believe I'm up to 289. 280 was my previous all-time, pregnant high. I have 13 weeks left. If I can stay below 300, I'll be happy. Then I'm hoping it will melt off after, if I can go more raw. Don't know how raw you can go while nursing, though. Well, wish me luck!:cool:

[lavendarJ]

Thanks for responding ManyLittles-
If I come across anything that seems useful to you I'll post it here. My sister-in-law is sooooooooo happy. We all are. She weighs a little over 300 I think and the thing with her legs really concerns me. They had her on pills. We are all so excited because she and my brother married in 2003 and have been trying desperately to have a baby. Now, they are pregnant and I have been concerned about her health and bugging her about it forever and now that she is pregnant I am even more concerned. She said she doesn't want to develop high blood pressure and so she is going to give it a try - modifying the way she eats so that she can have a pregnancy free from complications that poor eating habits and weight would bring on. She wants to try to lose weight all througout the pregnancy (versus gaining).

You are being proactive regarding your (and baby's) health. Wonderful!

[Rastadawta]

Hi. you can start by removing dairy and meat from your diet esp. now you are expecting. Try eating more whole grains and vegetables and proceed with eating more raw foods daily. It is advisable not to eat dairy and meat now esp. since you want to healthy child. starting raw and eating flesh doesn't go together. email me if you are interested in more vegan and raw issues.

[Elle_Murphy]

ibeatobesity is carlene's site!! At one time she was actually a regular here. She may even pop in now that we are talking about her...

hehehehe

I rem when she was on her journey. She has become such a trooper for this lifestyle.

[chilove]

Hi ManyLittles,

Please read "The China Study" by T. Colin Campbell and get the movie "Eating" at www.ravediet.com for more information about why it is important to go vegan. It's not that hard! :-) You can do it.

WIshing you all the best,

Audrey
www.rawhealing.com