don't fear nuts

[Oxygen]

Hey everyone. Several of you have expressed concern about wanting to lose weight and limiting nuts and healthy fats. Do not fear these foods. They are packed with vitamins, minerals, and life giving nutrients. I love walnuts, brazil nuts, cashews, almonds, sunflower seeds and guess what- I maintain my weight with these foods. I used to avoid fats for the fear that I would gain weight. Now I eat more nuts and fats than before and not only have I lost weight, but my skin is much better, my hair and nails are stronger, and I feel fantastic. Word is out- don't cut out good fats!

[Stina]

That's right Oxygen! Nuts enrich my diet in moderation and I don't think I could stay raw without them. I feel nice and grounded eating them. If I need something a little lighter, I go with seeds. I tend to make something like sauces out of them, so I'd almost consider them a condiment, a small but vital part of my raw diet.

I have a soft body- I'm 5'4" and weigh 145 lb and refuse to have a goal weight. I trust that nurturing my body with raw food and exercise will awaken my body's intuition and my weight will take care of itself without me having to infliect mental control over it. What a relief!

[RAWk Angel]

Your body requires these healthy fats in order to function at its highest!!! Please don't avoid them!!!!!!

[belleadonna]

Aw, Nuts!!

[Eveleaf]

I agree with these posts, but I do have to be mindful of how much and when I'm eating these wonderful nuts.

Case in point, the other day for lunch I was in a hurry to dash off to work and just grabbed several things almost at random out of my fridge. I ended up eating a Lara bar, some leftover pesto stuffing (from Alissa's mushrooms), and a tall glass of almond milk. Yikes, the nut content of that meal was off the charts! As a result I was really lethargic and sleepy for the next 4 hours at work.

I usually *love* the charged, energetic feeling of my raw diet. I won't be eating another lunch like that one!

[rawbeliever]

yes, I've maintained my weight with these foods also, i.e. I don't gain any weight...but I don't LOSE weight while consuming these foods, either. Alissa also writes in her book that if your weight plateaus, to cut down on nuts and seeds. I've found that this really works for me. Also, I feel a LOT more energetic without nuts/seeds. That doesn't mean I cut out fat entirely, I just keep my fat intake under 15% of my caloric consumption, which is about 1/2 an avocado (doesn't work with nuts or seeds for some reason, but avocado or coconut meat or oil seems to work okay).

[Raw Angel Mom]

I agree with you totally. We need the good fat in order to lose the bad fat.

I seem to have problem with walnuts and pecans, for my skin gets pinples but they are the only nuts which i react. I do still make recipe with them but i make sure to take a lot of fiber so it will clear out quicker.

[145ish]

I too have backed off on the nuts after a 5 week plateau. :eek: I still have very small amounts. Everybody's body works different. I agree that nuts are good for you but most of the time *not everyone* but some of us need to watch out for too much of a good thing. :rolleyes:

[Ginger]

Sounds nice in theory and it is true for most people, and i'm glad it's working for you. I agree there is nothing to fear and good fats are good for you and you need them, but not everybody can handle them in more then miniscule quantities. I went from a size 12 at the most all my life to a size 18-20 eating all raw. I learned the hard way, and now have massive stretch marks to prove it, that some people do have to 'fear' the nuts and fats.