Raw diet doesn't finish food addiction - what does?

[rawruh]

I'm not a cooked food addict, i am a food addict full stop.

It seems like going raw is the ultimate step towards inner mental freedom, but it is only a step.

I just read some of JinJee (thegardendiet.com) journal. She has been 100% raw for years. And her journal was still all about battling and promises to stop eating so much salt and nuts and sweets and eat more fresh. And tomorrow i will be better.

It seems that whilst we are still under the illusion, or habit of seeking peace, satisfaction, relaxation, entertainment love, etc by consuming = then not even raw 100% will bring us the freedom we want, there will always be the inner battle against more healthy and less healthy raw options and the desire to overeat.

We all still have to face our selves deeply at every mouthful, still need to develop a link with our inner soul and God, to have a meaningful purpose in our life, the things that really will make us satisfied.

I believe that raw is the healthiest diet for the body. But more than a healthy body, what i really want is inner freedom. To really see food as fuel and once i have what i need, to not think about food.

I read a book some years ago, called Eating Less. It was about overcoming addiction to food. I have read so many books and hers was the only one that rung true. And it works.

She suggests that once you have finished eating, you fix a time for your next food intake. If the desire to eat comes up before then, you know it is the addiction. Then you can face it full on. And talk to it. Understand that giving in to it, is just strengthening it and you will never find inner freedom from the desire. Then after two hours, you eat, but you also decide before you start how much you will eat. Because often the addiction kicks in once we start eating.

Every time you desire to eat before the time is up, and you don't eat, you win power over the addiction. Sometimes you give in, but those victories, those experiences of self-control, that self talk, you are gain experience in that, so you never really lose. If you win 5 times a day and lose 3, you are still getting close to being free.

She also suggests reminding yourself, that you have freedom to eat anything you want (that if you put yourself in a cage you eventually want to break out), like a spring that is pressed bounces back. So you release the inner tension by giving yourself freedom to have whatever you want, but then you remind yourself, that that freedom brings responsibility for choices, and you remind yourself of the consequences of your next decision.

when i have worked with these ideas, i have found them powerful, whether i was on cooked or raw.
I feel that many of us here are looking for more than healthy bodies.

100% raw can seem some holy grail that will deliver us from all sorrow. Yes it is empowering to make choices based on ones own best interests. But it is not one choice, raw or not. the choices continue every day, every mouthful.

To face and overcome the illusion that sensual pleasure can satisfy the soul. And if food can't feed the soul, what can?

I am no where near that. But for me that is the real issue.

I write this after spending a week obsessing about whether i should be 100% or 90% raw. And i realised that i had forgotten God and my meditations. And that if i put them first i am so much happier and it becomes so much easier to make the right food choices, because i am feeling good. i told myself that eating the right diet will help be closer to my higher self and God, but the more i focus on food, the harder it is to get it in perspective. i tend to end up in a big battle against food, and lose my spiritual power.

Just trying to put food in its right perspective.

i would be really interesting to hear other peoples thoughts and experiences about addiction and whether the decision to be 100% raw has really given them the mental freedom from greed they seek or if they feel there is more to the journey. And what that more is.

your fellow traveller


Jillian

[Rawmommie]

I've been battling this very thing lately. When I first went Raw it did free me, for a while. But, eventually the old feelings came back, my love of food, my need to feel full, my eating out of boredom and my portions got bigger and bigger and I started having cooked food, etc.

I hope others have words of wisdom, b/c after coming off of a week fast (which seemed to break my addictive feelings) I'm right back where I was with food before and still revolving my world around it. I hate to miss out on life b/c I'm preoccupied with my addiction. Sigh.

[Revvell]

that you don't want to think about food.

At one time in my life I ONLY ate because I needed to ~ not for enjoyment and satisfaction. It was something I HAD to do to survive.

For me, thinking about, creating and eating the foods I make is about thriving! I make it a joyful, meditative experience. It is a wondrous part of my life.

The other day when we were vending at a street faire, my husband picked up some really beautiful red tomatoes and some crisp, un-waxed cucumbers. I had brought some of Alissa's burger buns with me and so munched on a truly sweet, juicy red tomato and a few crisp cukes along with a bun. Now, how joy-filled and loving is that?

While most of those around me are eating popcorn, funnel-cakes, etc., I am enriching my life with what nature gave us to give us life! NOT just fuel! Life!

Do I ever want some of that stuff??? Hell yeahhh!

I'm not sure about the ~ setting a time to eat thing. At least for me, being out and about, there are times when I am not able to eat for 4 ~ or even more ~ hours. (I do bring a banana/tangerine/orange/raw cookies with me though so when I DO get back to the car I'm not starving for nourishment). What we do here though is, we've got a counter full of fresh, organic oranges; blood oranges; tomatoes, cukes, etc. When we get hungry, we partake. I also keep on hand, raw cookies and fudge for the times when I have to feed the sweet tooth. The cookies are usually so dense that yeah, I "may" possibly eat up to four yet, it's sure a lot better than the package I use to eat.

One thing I have found is, the more raw I eat, IF I eat something that is not, my system starts craving something raw. That's the way I like it uh huh, uh huh. :D

My freedom came when I became adult enough to make decisions ~ to take the responsibility for the decisions I made. I find pleasure in making the "right" decision. I don't see how "going raw is the ultimate step towards mental freedom." By it's own nature, the mind cannot be free. One CAN be free of the mind. As the OP stated, meditation can do that. Thing is is to be meditative (aware) all day ~ not just for the time one does "formal" seated meditation.

As Osho has stated ~ The only dis-ease is unconsciousness and the only medicine is awareness.

Enough for now ~

Revvell

[Elizabeth]

I think that , for me at least, any extreme craving of foods and any "addictive" tendencies come from not being happy with what is going on in my life right then. I think that for many people rather than face reality and put forth the effort to discover and create the life that they want it seems easier to just stuff the feelings..the rising sense of discontent. I think that food is an easily available distraction, and until we each figure out what we want in our lives and find the courage to face the truth and create the life of which we dream, food will always be an issue.

When I am fully present and focused on the moment...pursuing consciously my interests and dreams, food fades into the background, and I truly eat only when hungry..sometimes I even forget to eat. That is when I know that I am in the right place. When the compulsive thinking about food returns...unless I am truly in need of food, as in when I haven't eaten for a while, I know that something is out of balance and I need to go inward to find out what it is and to attend to it rather than ignore it by eating inappropriately.

I also think that eating a lot of recipes and salty foods keeps addictions and compulsions alive more than does eating simple fresh fruits and veggies.

[rawruh]

yes, i realise it sounds a bit unnatural to eat at fixed times. and i don't see it as a permanent thing, i have used it when i have felt out of control, and it worked better than he all or nothing, "okay from now on, am i am going to be perfect" It's like an addict saying, let me get through the next 2 hours, and then 3, then 4. And thus gaining confidence and strength. Also its a flexible tool, use it you want, like a weight lifting tool for discipline.

because a lot of us already have a lot of discipline with what we eat, but not with how much or how often, and this could be used to increase that.

also, we all know we should eat when we are hungry, but if i have been over eating for a while, it can take ages to get back in touch with real hunger, especially with a slow metabolism, it can feel like eating when hungry could be 3 days later!

regarding pleasure and eating, yes eating should be a pleasure, and raw food is a pleasure to eat, but i guess i was trying to say, it shouldn't be a substitute for inner contentment, a fulfilling life. i know when i make eating a beautiful ritual, i eat less and feel so peaceful. and it feels like i am sustaining body and soul. but that is a different pleasure than stuff ing the face looking for escape, which isn't a real pleasure at all.

i know it is important for me to eat quietly and not to read, or watch tv or anything else which distracts from eating, but fall into habit sometimes. i think this leads to overeating.

[Revvell]

That's beautiful. It sounds as though as you read/contemplate this, you are receiving more clarity for yourself? :) Your clarificatin is helping me understand your pov. Thank you.

Revvell

[Alissa]

So beautifully said Rawruh, i love what you wrote. i always tell people its not only about the food.
Ive always thought of it this way: For me, its the raw food that can bring us clarity and defuzz our minds. it detox's us enough to think and feel clearly and truly from who we really are (not the depressed or bogged down thinking that comes with heavy cooked food consumption) and makes us feel physically better and healthier so that we can begin to see and feel what you mentioned above.
Thanks for starting this thread!

[Elizabeth]

also, we all know we should eat when we are hungry, but if I have been over eating for a while, it can take ages to get back in touch with real hunger, especially with a slow metabolism, it can feel like eating when hungry could be 3 days later!

.
LOL...I have done that...gotten so wrapped up in what I was doing that I would eat almost nothing for several days. I love the feeling of getting to the end of the day and realizing that I "forget" to eat. I know it is different for everyone, but I think that having something else in your life that excites and interests you is crucial to seeing food and eating in their proper perspectives.

Are there any interests or activities that you really enjoy and look forward to doing? It might seem simplisitc..but developing a non-food related interest or skill can go a long way to helping shift your focus and see things in a new light.

If a person's life is full, it seems to me that there will be less need of filling it with unnecessary eating.....at least that is the way it is for me. So...my natural impulse is to look for what ever is missing...that I am trying to compensate for with food.

I hope you find something that works for you. :) I like what you said about making your meal a beautiful ritual...I have been doing that more lately, and it does help me to be more present and feel satisfied on many levels......

[Sweet lips]

Thanks for this thread - being able to talk about all aspects of eating is very freeing for me. As an adult person ( I have to clarify this sometimes), I am not free to go buy what I want, fix what I want, and eat what I want, how I want - I am suppose to be able to do that - but in times past, I have let external things and pressures do that to me, so as a result, I realized that my inner child was really regulating me to the degree of my compulsive behavior that resulted in my health issues.

I am now learning to help her grow (yeah), from the abused, frighten, ultra conservative, creative artist that I am - I have removed labels from victim to survivor to just Jacki - who is loving, caring, periodically selfish (I never knew that), and open to learn how to celebrate.

What does this have to do with food - that too has to become a part of the life I cherish, one where God is first and not regulated to 2nd because I want some chocolate - but food is designed to help me honor that which was created - to honor it by filling it with wonderful, live, exciting and peaceful food - that will help me continue to grow.

I may try your suggestions, during the time that I have some old tapes play, and it did take me 3 days once to discover my true hunger and I was able to eat without abuse.

Be well ;)

[sweetgoddess]

Jillian, amazing insights in your post.
The illusion or habit of seeking peace you said....yes...this has had me perplexed of late.


To face and overcome the illusion that sensual pleasure can satisfy the soul. And if food can't feed the soul, what can?
I am no where near that. But for me that is the real issue.
I love that for it is true of me also.

I have been really struggling with this very idea the last few weeks. I have a spiritual path that I study, that has helped me grow and changed my level of awareness-and so much has changed for me because of that. I have spiritual goals and spiritual guidance. So then why, why, why I keep wondering do I still look outside of me..to the "illusion" for contentment.

The only thing I can come up with, is that it is the process..the struggle..the effort..the experiences along the way --that we need these more than we need instant awareness.
We may well have chosen this...everyone here may have chosen to experience issues with food to gain lessons in attachment, gluttony, false comfort etc. It could easily have been something else.

I can imagine...if it suddenly dawned on me..wow I am attached to food. think I will stop that..snap...done....what would I learn? How would I grow?

And there is another realization I just had now...that perhaps we are just impatient beings. Time also is an illusion...and taking a couple of decades to deal with food, attachment...the realization of it..the sturggle to overcome it..the small successes and setbacks..etc...are nothing but the blink of an eye to us as Soul. hmmm...

I only began raw in January..and I do not have mental freedom as of yet. I thought I would straight away...and instead I mentally struggle more..just in a different way. A part of me is now aware...and the part of me that doesnt want to be aware struggles with that.
I have had incredible dreams that led me to raw. And so I have to believe that this has a higher purpose than I can see from where I now stand. ( doesnt everything!)


spending a week obsessing about whether i should be 100% or 90% raw. And i realised that i had forgotten God and my meditations. And that if i put them first i am so much happier and it becomes so much easier to make the right food choices, because i am feeling good. i told myself that eating the right diet will help be closer to my higher self and God, but the more i focus on food, the harder it is to get it in perspective. i tend to end up in a big battle against food, and lose my spiritual power

yes, yes, yes, yes....me too. Incredible how well you word all this. I am amazed and right there with you. I read a sentence earlier today that said if you fill yourself with thoughts of Divine Spirit, with love for God, there will be no vaccuum within for the negative current to fill.

ALissa said "raw food that can bring us clarity and defuzz our minds" Yes, so true. And then we can open even more. I havent given it a long enough shot to stay in it...but I have experienced moments of clarity like I have never known before in my waking state.

So perhaps...raw food will not in itself free us from our nature of looking to things to fulfill us...but instead...will lighten our minds and bodies and change our vibration to a point where we can focus more and longer on our true selves and on the Divine...and THAT will free us. Ok wow. I think I just got something. yes, that makes complete sense to me.

hmm who wrote all this?!?! :confused: ;)
Thank you for helping me grow lovely beings!

[sweetgoddess]

Now you have me staying up past my bedtime, because I am so curious about this. I had to come back and write more!

I was just thinking about this addiction..or attachment...or struggle..they all work here. And I realized...we have 2 aspects..the lower self and the higher self. The lower self has for the longest time been in the limelight to varying degrees..running on automatic. Now our higher selves , which know truth, when we were exposed to raw food, leapt and nudged us in that direction. But the lower self is not going to just gracefully step aside. Hence the struggle.

Oh,now I am not so mad about the struggle anymore--as I have been for the last 2 weeks. phew. It has purpose..yeah!

Now I am just having a conversation with myself. Can I write a book? Convesations with Self? ;)