we cannot blame everything on detox

[blix]

Last night, I was watching 'diet doctors' on television, and there was a girl who had been introduced to raw food. She was doing well and the punds dropped off and she have a lot more energy. Then she became 'fruitarian'. She ate 4 oranges for breakfast. some bananas and 2 mangoes for lunch and a plain salad and a hanful of almonds for her last meal. Her hair started falling out and she had diarhoea and other unpleasant symptoms which everyone told her was symptoms of detox. The poor girl became obsessed (in her own words) with becoming as pure as possible and to rid herself of all toxins. She became ill and it was found that her hair falling out was due to not enough protein, she also was deficient in calcium and omega three's. I have read on this site that a lot of people think that all their symptoms are of detox, and most probably they are, but I think it is extremely important to have a well balanced diet. This is why this site is so good and very helpful. As a newcomer myself, I have yet to find out how many nuts are too much etc.,

[jenjen]

i agree with you 100%. good post.
j

[Frugal Raw]

Absolutely! We should always listen to our bodies, and if we begin experiencing anything untoward, look first to our diets to verify that they are indeed balanced.

[slickerk]

Yes, thank you. I agree and it just goes to show you that anything that you want to do well, especially when it comes to your health, you should fully research and know what your getting into. Also wouldn't hurt to study up on some nutrition on not just take someone's word for it.

[ferg]

I think people jump into this diet without educating themselves properly on how to get enough nutrients... IMO, its not enough just to eat fruits, the body will not thrive... the body needs Omega 3s (I take mine everyday via UDO's oil), you need lots of calcium fortified vegetables along with fruits. This is not a starvation diet and I think that is where a lot of people get it wrong. This diet is not about depriving yourself or counting calories. For me and many others, this diet is about achieving optimal health (and losing weight is one of the benefits, but should not be the basis of the diet).

[rawbeliever]

fitday.com is really helpful for this. I track what I eat pretty regularly just to make sure I'm getting all the essential nutrients.

[Frugal Raw]

fitday.com is really helpful for this. I track what I eat pretty regularly just to make sure I'm getting all the essential nutrients.

NutriDiary is also very good...

[Radiantly Raw]

Great info- thanks for posting this blix. Definitely worth remembering! I just added hemp seeds into our diet last weekend. We've been having them in our smoothies each day. I just felt like something was missing. Fortunately, before there were any odd symptoms. I have 2 little rawbies, and I don't ever want to miss anything!! I really should do some daily intake analysis or something in one of the sites mentioned above.

[sfdreams]

It's been awhile since I was on Fitday. I found it tedious--when I was there it didn't seem they had many raw foods listed. I had to make up custom food all the time. (I used NutritionData to do this as well.) But eventually it all just became too much WORK and I gave it up.

Have they changed now--is it more friendly to raw-foodists?

[Lavendula]

I was very skeptic 6 months ago, when I first started the raw food plan for help with auto immune diseases. I questioned how I coud get all I need, as I really didn't want to do recipes, or eat handfuls of nuts and seeds. I didn't care about weight loss, very much wouldn't be good; but I have lost 20# and don't want to lose anymore. I am also very aware of the tendency for it to become a sort of religion to some., like they have to repent for eating something cooked, even if its' not junk like pizza or burgers. Real food cooked just isn't the best thing for your body, but you aren't going to the SAD hell for eating it. I also think it is neccessary to stay aware of almost anorexic (sp) like behavior that seems to show up, even if you are not wanting weight loss. I can't quite explain it, but anyone who has noticed that in themselves knows exactly what I'm talking about. It is hard to just jump in to this without transitioning, and there are many pitfalls to watch out for. I still feel like what I am eating is inadequate, because it really takes alot of retraining to do some of it, even with the right tools, and the best books, and guidelines. The longer I eat this way, the more sensitive I become to food combinations, and then I don't want to eat, and get in a tail spin, and suffer more from that. I am having a real tough time right now, all the way around.

[rawstrength]

:hugs: Lavendula,
I know how you feel. I struggled with eating disorders for several years before going raw . . . Try to think of raw as a gift to your body and your mind. From the way you write about it I can sense that you are beginning to think of it as a burden. Maybe you need to do something you love to take your mind off food for a while, or add some simple cooked food to your diet if you think that will help you get the nutrition you need.
If food combining and the feelings of deprivation are getting you down, maybe you should mono-eat for a while. For example, pick one fruit and one veggie that you REALLY like and eat just those for a day, as much or as little as you want. The next day pick a different fruit/veggie combo. That way you can relax and enjoy food that you like and when you come back to eating more complex raw food your digestive system will be stronger.
It just sounds to me like you need a vacation for both body and mind.
I hope you feel better!

[Lavendula]

Thanks rawstrength:). I am not really sure if I could do the mono eating that way, though it sounds like a great idea. I have to juice! I will give it some serious consideration to just what I could eat that way. I often just eat various veggies alone, but some of the veggies I eat are tough to eat as is. I am having a hard time getting warm, and I eat alot warming foods, like roots and such. My cuticles and knuckles are cracked from all the veggie and dish washing.
My dream vacation is to go to Hippocrates Health Institute in Palm beach, FL, and have someone else do all the food prep and clean up. I have always dreamed of something like that, especially now that I live in Chicagoland. Well I really don't have the right tools, until today anyway. My wonderful husband brought me home a Vita-mix 5000 from Costco. I had the best I love parsnip/carrot soup for dinner, inside of 10 min. I don't think I need a Cuisinart FP now, I just need a good grater type tool and/or spiralizer . I could not do this w/o my husbands total support, he even grocery shops for the best organic produce at WF and T-Joe's after work, before coming home, after getting up at 5 am and driving 60 miles toand from work. He is bringing me big bouquets of beautiful Dino kale, parsley, beets, etc. I really feel loved.

[StarFire]

There's a lot of good information here, I'm sorry this gal got sick... but it's story's like that -- that give this LIFEstyle the bad rap of being a radical way of eating... or a 'fad' or whatever other labels people want to slap on it because they don't understand it. and.... UNFORTUNATELY.... since the program decided NOT to show both sides of the story (and that this young girl was SOLEY responsible for her health and well being) AND... that there are MANY MANY Success stories ... it has left the audience with the understanding that we are FANATICAL wackos! :eek:

there is a responsibility we each have to make sure we have researched, studied and applied healthy wisdom to our eating. Reading posts or enjoying forums like this one - is wonderful -- but to simply accept what someone else says as gospel... is not wise. Because in the final analysis -- we are SOLEY responsible for ourselves.

You are SO RIGHT to say - that not all symptoms are detox... but many symptoms are. So - where do you draw the line...??? only you can decide that.

Many rawbies (including Alissa) take B supplements. Personally - I found myself with certain symptoms - I posted it on this forum - I got great responses. I studied further and decided that what was going on was that I needed B Complex and B12. I started taking supplements and thankfully - they symptoms cleared up.

FERG IS SO RIGHT when she said... I think people jump into this diet without educating themselves properly on how to get enough nutrients

But I must add that since we are each so different -- not all find the transition difficult Lavendula... Many can and do jump in with both feet and do so quite successfully... others -- the best path for them is to transition into this LIFEstyle slowly ... either way - the destination is the same ... we are all desiring vibrant health!

if one were to 'average' (if that's possible) what the symptoms are that people are experiencing... I think a very hi percentage would be in the 'detox department.

BUT -- like you are saying blix... USE WISDOM do your homework!!!

RAWK ON RAWBIES!!! http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s43/FireStar_830/smiley_huggrouphuggle.gif

[blix]

Lavendula,

I am sorry to hear you have an auto immune illness. What is your illness? I to have an auto immune illness. Rheumatoid arthritis. I am about 25% raw at the moment, but when I started, my pain level increased and so did my fatigue. I was even more feverish and flu like. I have to say that some of those symptoms WERE detox, as I have not felt that bad since I first got became ill. A lot of them has subsided now and I am left with the normal amount of pain and fatigue. I found it hard to go into the kitchen to make a cup of tea or even to think about it. But I forced myself to. It helps me not to think of myself as ill even though my body is raging against good health. I found it easier to mentally separate my soul and my mind from my body and say that I AM HEALTHY AND STRONG, I JUST HAVE TO DEAL WITH MY BODY. hence the raw food diet. I found Carmellas site 'the sunny raw kitchen' EXTREMELY INSPIRING. I would like to get Allissas book but I don't think that, at the moment, I will be able to lift it, I have heard it is very heavy, and when a teacup is impossible to lift a large book would be a problem.

My husband, Bob, too is a treasure. In helping me the way he does and how he helps me shows great love patience and endurance. He was a typical wayward lad when I met him in 1968 and he has been transformed, over the years into a kind, caring and loving person. Not that he wasn't before, just wild. But his enormous strength and help and love keeps me going. At 60 years old, he is in need of help as well so I am trying to transistion him by mixing raw with cooked. Like those mini quiches on this site. I shall do the pastry and a raw filling with a tomato cooked in olive oil and mix that in with the filling. Neither of us like raw garlic, so I will cook the garlic down and add that to the soups and dishes. Please pray that he will become an avid raw foodist.:)

[Lavendula]

To anyone who cares: I think, but not sure, that if I was doing this for weight loss, it would be easier to do. To clarify: It is my low energy, physical limitations, and years and years of chronic pain, and sleep deprivation, that challenges me. Having some more serious auto-immune stuff hit me last Spring, brought me to raw. If I wasn't dealing with all that, I am sure I would have the energy of and feel like a twenty year old, but then I may not have come to be raw either. I have no trouble eating all raw, I absolutely love it and feel like I've always known intuitivey that it was best for me. I had no idea there was a raw food world out there or I would have been in it 25 years ago. It's like, now I have license to eat all raw, period; because it is what is best for me. Does that make sense. I had no idea of or exposure, whatsoever to the all raw diet before the end of June. I visited my friend in Texas, she had an uncook book, I thumbed through, though she is not raw. I came home and just started eating raw, just as much as I wanted or could, with no plan to or transition to, I just started with no previous info. Then I got online after many years of not wanting anything to do with the computer, because the posture kills me, as does sitting in a car, plane, train, etc. It took me awhile to find RFT, and I have been here ever since, there is so too much share and discuss, and learn. I can't believe all the info and links I have found to help me do this. This is my raw food family and I feel like a newly adopted child. Just when I think I have researched everything I need to be applying, there is something new to learn, I am having a great time researching all I can. I am not a stranger to real whole fresh food, I have never been a dieter,(averaged about 125-135# for most of about 27 years, with just a few exceptions), never been a big meat eater, or junk food or soda junkie. My biggest down fall to deal with off and on over the past 5 years or so have been coffee, chocolate or mate tea, I binge even still. I LOVE my raw food life, and it is not a huge life change for me, as I know it is for some. I think I have gone through most of the major detox symptoms, and every time I add or do something new or different,strange symptoms come up, and I pretty much know I'm detoxing. I am just trying to get warm, and make sure I nourish myself right everday to overcome the serious illnesses I am dealing with, maybe next year will be better. I feel so selfish because so much of my energy is all about me and what I am going to eat while trying to cook for my hubby as often as I can, as he is not ready to go raw. I really have no other choice, right now, but to make it all about what is best for my health. It affects every facet of my life, relationship, social and just having a life, period, my world has gotten pretty small in the last 1 1/2 years. This is my only social life right now, but it is like sustainence for me. I want to get better, and participate in others lives again. That is why I am here now, this is where I feel safe. Safe to read, share, learn, and just be a part of something that is so freeing for me. I just need more focus on getting my rythym down, that is what is hardest for me. I know everbody has different challenges, and this is where we can find support from others who may understand. At the heart of every soul is the need to feel understood. I know this may be somewhat off the thread subject, but maybe it's okay. Thank you for letting me open up, this is the first time I have felt this transparent.

[Lavendula]

I see you posted while I was forming my address to the world. It really resonated with me, it really felt like a divine connection. Yes I have RA too, now, to add to the mix as well as some other new labels for all my symptoms. I am sympathetic, and wish we could physically support each other, but we can understand, and encourage one another here. I know just what you are saying, about just lifting a cup, even using both hands has been hard at times, but I know my raw diet and juicing is helping. I did get Alissa's and it is too heavy for me, I may try to take it apart and separate the recipe part into a three ring binder. We can share more later, until then.
In this journey, we can go together.

[crystalmoon]

Hi there I also suffer from auto immune illnesses & have found the nightshade plants really set off my joint inflamation & pain...you may already keep them out of your diet but if not it is worth avoiding potatoes, tomatoes, aubergine, peppers, chillies to see if your symptoms improve. It made a huge difference to me.
HTH

[blix]

Hello
I have a lot of toxins because of the medication I am on.
We are making carrot, apple and celery juice and a raw carrot soup. (just juice with other bits in it) nothing special.
I think it may be easier to go raw in the spring time. I am definitely going to do the green smoothies and I will also grow wheat/barley grass again in the summer. I definitely felt better on that.

[blix]

[QUOTE=StarFire;363711] UNFORTUNATELY.... since the program decided NOT to show both sides of the story (and that this young girl was SOLEY responsible for her health and well being) AND... that there are MANY MANY Success stories ... it has left the audience with the understanding that we are FANATICAL wackos! :eek:

Yes, I agree. The programme never said if the girl went back to eating a sensible raw food diet or just went back to eating normally. By stopping the bit about her bad experiences like that, did give the impression that the raw food lifestyle was a fad diet. I wish they had gone further.