Discussion about percentages

[tisha]

I am new here, so this is a newbie question. I have read lots of posts. I have read most of the Boutenko's books. I have read most of Alissa's book and watched her (fab-u-lous) dvd. I have studied and tried going raw before, but was not sure that this was totally for me.

Now, my query-in my reading I keep coming across people who are (blank) % raw. 50%, 75%, 80-90% raw. What bothers me is the guilt that seems to be associated with this. And the guilt when "falling back" into cooked food. I am confused about this. The books I have read say that it's good to go "cold turkey" 100% raw. I get this, but I also don't want to feel bad about myself if I am not 100%.

At this point, I feel good about the percetage of raw that I am doing. I guess I choose to see how far I've come and not be sad with myself for the small percentage that is still cooked food. Does this make sense? I am just not convinced that eating a small percentage of cooked food is bad for you. If this is blasphemy ;) :D on this board, then I am sorry. I just am really trying to figure this out. And I'm talking about "good" cooked food. Steamed veggies, brown rice, etc. not fast food. :eek:

Could you all share with me how you feel about percentages of raw and if/why you feel guilty when you do not eat 100% raw.

[GlimR]

Hi tisha~ *s* Welcome to the forum~

I think that freaking out about eating something "cooked" just perpetuates the "diet" mentality, that all or nothing way of thinking that messes so many people up and ultimatly causes them to give up. Eating raw is a way of life and I think there can be a natural progression toward more raw when we are not so crazy about having to fit a set of rules but instead nourish and honor ourselves and our bodies by doing what we can to take the best care of ourselves we can at any given point along this journey.

There is a lot of guilt in our society, especially among women surrounding food. Instead of using it as one more weapon to beat ourselves over the head we should love oursleves into wholeness by being as kind and forgiving to ourselves as we would be to a friend. Sorry if I am ranting but this centers around so much that I've been thinking of lately...it's an excellent question!

[tisha]

No, not ranting at all. This is exactly what I am talking about. Thanks. :)

[Blossom]

Please don't feel guilty tisha you are just finding what is best for you, it can take a while to get there with many hurdles on the way, The only way I can do it is to be 100% raw as I was a very greedy cooked food eater:o , I don't have the will power to be able to eat any cooked food, This is just what works for me. It is about finding what works best for you.

[tanawana]

I have to admit it really weighs on me if I consider a simple bit of a steamed vegetable after being 100% for many years at a time. I don't like it, but can't deny it is not there. I don't think it is a big deal after one has settled in and adapted to the lifestyle though. But for many it can be a slippery slope also. We each need to find our own way and listen to our bodies to decide what is most beneficial. An ongoing process :)

I have come to the conclusion it is more important what that percentage of cooked contains, weather it is 10% or 30%, and how you live your life that is most important. An inactive 100% raw foodist may not fair better than an active, positive 70% raw foodist when it comes down to it.

[veeg]

Tisha,
This is a great question.
I think most people involved in the raw vegan lifestyle agree that 100% raw is optimal for health, but for many it is a goal that they aspire to.
How your "rawness" evolves and how long it takes is ultimately up to you.
When we go raw there's all kinds of pressure and guilt from those who don't understand -- (they won't get it 'til they get it :) ), and, as you've pointed out, sometimes there's pressure on the raw side of the table from those who will say you're not raw enough.
Trust your gut (figuratively and literally). At the end of the day, the reality is that you don't have to accept feelings of guilt...perhaps that's why many in the raw community find some type of spirituality as they go raw: it helps with acceptance.
Good luck and peace.:cool:

[Revvell]

Could you all share with me how you feel about percentages of raw and if/why you feel guilty when you do not eat 100% raw.

Guilt is not conducive to living a good life. What I've found is, when I eat cooked food I may feel "full" but not satisfied and end up needing/wanting more raw food for the nutrients so I get the satisfied feeling.

My feeling is that once one goes raw and knows the feeling of being really healthy, nourished and nurtured, they tend to gravitate that way slowly but surely.

Take your time, enjoy the process and, if you never go 100% it's up to you ~ just watch out for the 100% raw police knocking at your door.

(btw ~ if you'll listen to my interviews with Alissa (rawkinradio.com) and Jinjee you'll see they both went on/off for quite some time. It's a process ~ IF you wish to go that way. If not.. your body, your choice.

Revvell

[tisha]

Thanks for taking the time to post. I really appreciate your insights. I have to say that I do not feel guilty about not being 100% raw. I was just picking up on some "raw" guilt as I read about other people's experiences here and other places.

I do believe that this is a journey. I have come a long way in my thinking about what is healthy and what is not.

Revell, I did listen to your interview with Alissa. I liked getting to hear "the rest of the story" after the Tyra Banks show. I appreciate so much Alissa's comments on her journey to raw. She talked about macrobiotics and going back and forth from cooked to raw. Her experiences really helped me see that what I have been doing the last few years is not so different. Maybe someday soon I will be able to happily say that I am 100% raw. For now, though, I am learning, happy to have found this forum and happy to be healthier than I was the day before.

[Turbolift]

I'm brand new to this life style as well. Due to several items, (mainly moving and needing to clean out the freezer) I won't be able to go 100% raw for awhile yet.

I find that my biggest hurdle is my own spouse because he does the bulk of the cooking! He doesn't want to cook for just one. He also feels that I'm being two-faced about going raw. In the past, I would not buy vegetables and fruits that were too expensive even though he wanted them. Now that I'm trying to eat raw, I realize that I'm going to be buying those very same items that I refused to buy a few months ago. I guess I'm not allowed to change my mind, huh? Didn't he read the handbook on women??


He does share smoothies with me in the AM and actually does just have fruit for lunch. Dinner is where I have to compromise for the time -being.

So- it is what it is for now. In my opinion, some raw is better than none. One day I'll make it 100% too!

[EZ rider]

I think changing habbits that have been with us for a lifetime need some time to change. Its like turning a big ship it dosn't happen all at once. You set the new course and keep the faith that the change will happen and you will find yourself on course to better heath and longer life. Be kind to yourself on your journey and give yourself a pat on the back with each positive step along the way. :)

[msbraids]

Everyone is right don't beat yourself up. Do what's best for you. I went 100% raw(cold turkey) in late Feb 07 and fell off the wagon the end of May 07 during my son's Island style celerbration for his H.S. graduation and have been really struggling trying to get back 100% raw.

[rawsurfer]

i went cold turkey and i am almost 7 months 100 perc now. kknowing myself if i wasnt 100 percent i would slowly just slip back down to cooked food, then meat, then alcohola nd my old way of life. this is just better for me. im trying to wean out anything that doesnt have a positive effect on my life. one thing that keeps me sane when i get cravings is the dessert recipes, and ice creams and such. although its not as healthy as a super green diet, the large amount of desserts hold me together when the going gets tough. plus im a surfer and i am really enjoying not needing sunscreen so im stickin to it.

[tisha]

I guess where I get hung up in my thinking is accepting that raw foods are the only way to go. I do believe that eating raw is good. Really good. Live enzymes; Little or no prep time; Food the way God intended, etc. Where I have trouble is wrapping my mind around steamed broccoli being bad for you.

I believe that there are some cooked foods that are bad for you. There are junk foods and fast foods that are poison to your system. Those you need to stay away from. But to say that eating any cooked food is not good...I just can't come to terms with that yet.

Please be patient with me while I pick your brains and mine, too, as I try to figure this out in a way that makes sense to me.

It's not about going cold turkey. I think I could do that. I would probably struggle for a while until I learned how to make things other than smoothies,juices and salads, but I could do it. I just have a hard time understanding the why about some cooked foods.

I already eat raw for breakfast and one other meal. Either lunch or dinner I will have some cooked food. So for two meals and snacks, I am raw. So is my family and that's a big deal since I'm cooking for six. I like the analogy of the big ship. I have turned around so much from the direction I was going, but I 'm not a complete 180 yet.

Hopefully, I can be here and learn from those of you who have made a complete change. In the meantime, I'll continue reading and learning and doing what i can to include more raw recipes in my family's diet.

[tanawana]

I guess where I get hung up in my thinking is accepting that raw foods are the only way to go. I do believe that eating raw is good. Really good. Live enzymes; Little or no prep time; Food the way God intended, etc. Where I have trouble is wrapping my mind around steamed broccoli being bad for you.

I believe that there are some cooked foods that are bad for you. There are junk foods and fast foods that are poison to your system. Those you need to stay away from. But to say that eating any cooked food is not good...I just can't come to terms with that yet.


I agree, and still have trouble with this after all these years. They say there is nutrient loss in steamed broccoli. Does it matter if I get all I need from my other food?? I understand ANY cooked food for people with illnesses can affect them and that can be a problem or I can see it being a slippery slope for many people too. Overall I can't see cooked food as poison the same in all cases like so many people like to say. Even though I stick to 100%, maybe I'm missing something to. :(

[Strong]

By people's own admission, some of the folks on the board have eating disorders in addition to being raw and so that should be considered as well when you hear people being harsh on themselves. The harshness may be part or the eating disorder, not the raw lifestyle.