Raw food's effect on metabolism...

[meow]

Has anyone noticed a change in metabolism since going raw? When I first started eating raw 2 mos. ago, I was never really hungry and managed to eat maybe 1200-1300 calories/day (less than what I ate when I was cooked vegan). I'd been losing weight on this amount but it seemed to be tapering off in the past 2 weeks (I'm 5'3 and between 105-110 now). In the past week or so, my body has been asking for MORE food even though there's been no change in my activity level. I'm eating more like 1600-1700 calories per day and have mostly added more sweet fruit to my already fruit-heavy diet, and I've actually lost more weight. I have a hunch that maybe now that the "junk" is leaving my system, my metabolism is becoming more efficient. Did anyone else experience this or have any other suggestions as to what's going on? At any rate, I'm definitely not complaining, I like this!

[StarFire]

wow... this is so interesting.... I've had to cut sweet fruits out of my eating - i seem to have an allergic reaction to them which really bums me out!.... what you're saying makes perfect sense though... that perhaps your metabolism is functioning more efficiently! that's rawkin cool!!! :D

http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s43/FireStar_830/dancing-6.gif

[StarFire]

btw... I love your user name!!! and your avatar pic is so cute too!!! :D

http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s43/FireStar_830/dancinkitty.gif ... I love kittys!!!

[mindlikewater]

Hmmm...i tend to eat very little on raw foods, in terms of cals, that is...probably anywhere from 500-1000 on average...i don't know if this is due to more efficient digestion like i hear some mention here and there, or b/c of the sheer bulk of raw foods...either way i am just not hungry much anymore...whew, i don't know how you manage 1600 cals, even w/ smoothies i feel that is an accomplishment!

as far as metabolism, not a lot of change for me, though i am not 100% right now either :( which reminds me, i need to seriously get back on the wagon...

anyways, it sounds like you hit the gold mine of raw food, andyour body is doing its thing to get where it wants to be...when it is there, your appetite will probably stabilize in a warm fuzzy place that you both can be happy about :)

[ShelShel]

I have actually heard of many who limit different raw foods because of fat, reaction to it, high sugar. I feel so blessed, that this is just not the case for me. If I'm not eating something raw...it's because I don't enjoy the taste or texture.

That is how my metabolism has changed...I can eat anything...as long as it's raw. The minute I vary that...I retain water, swell...my colon stops working and I feel like I have a hangover.

Yes, raw changes the metabolism...I'm just not sure the science behind it. :p
Raw Rawks!

[girl81]

Shel,
have you ever monitored how many cals you take in roughly?

Meow,
What are your fat sources? What would an average day's menu look like for you, may I please ask?

[walnutty]

Hmmm...i tend to eat very little on raw foods, in terms of cals, that is...probably anywhere from 500-1000 on average...whew, i don't know how you manage 1600 cals, even w/ smoothies i feel that is an accomplishment!

1600 calories a day? Piece of Pie! Just one avocado is 300-500 calories. You really eat only 500-1000 calories a day? I have always read that if you eat less than 1200 calories a day your metabolism slows down considerably. Eating actually revs the metabolism up, especially raw, organic food. WOW! I guess I am in shock that you eat so little. Sorry to go on and on, but it's great if it works for you! :)

[missvitreous]

Yeah, I've been eating a lot of sweet fruit. Probably as much as you. What I find is if I eat a lot of fat, then I gain weight and can't think straight. (Not saying raw fats are bad- but too many for me is not good). Fruit is really hydrating while providing an alternate source of calories besides raw fats. Greens have few calories but are rich in minerals and other things. Listening to your body is also important. If you feel great, and energized while eating like this, then I wouldn't worry about it. ;) It's the miracle of raw food!

[hibisanpo]

IMO, and I don't care what kind of eating lifestyle you choose, 500-1000 calories a day probably means you are starving yourself. Even if it is all raw.
Not to be Debbie Downer... but, come on.

[SmilingRawDancer]

I have to disagree - Being one of short stature, 1000 calories seems like alot of food to me. People are judging in that regard, but eating 800 ish calories a day is sufficient, depending on your activity level and height/weight etc.

[walnutty]

1000 calories seems like alot of food to me. People are judging in that regard, but eating 800 ish calories a day is sufficient.

Can I ask what a typical day of food is for you? I just cannot fathom having the energy to move at all on 800 calories a day. Would appreciate it, if you don't mind.

If all a 130 pound woman did all day was sleep and watch television they would burn 1340 calories. So, that same woman would lose a pound a week by eating 800 calories a day by being extremely sedentary. Here is the interactive Activity Calorie Burn Rate Calculator I used to get that number:

http://health.discovery.com/tools/calculators/activity/activity.html

The 1340 does not take into consideration showering, eating, using the bathroom, etc. That is why 800 calories seems sooooo low to me.

[SmilingRawDancer]

In my couple of years of nutrition study, I've learned that those "calculators" of caloric needs vary quite alot. You'd be surprised at how much, actually.

On a typical day I eat:
breaky - juice of 1/2 bunch kale, 1 orange + 1/2 lime = 100 ish calories
Tea with honey = 60
Lunch - salad - 1 cup tomato, 1 carrot, 6 cups greens, 1/3 avocado = 200
Snack - walnuts, apple = 160
Dinner - 4 cups collard, 1 banana, walnuts, cacao = 330 ish

that's 850 ish calories. You made me do alot of counting! I never do that aha...I had to dig out the old fitday mechanism.

[walnutty]

The calculator in my last post isn't for caloric needs, it is to determine how many calories a particular person burns in a particular activity, for a particular amount of time. It has nothing to do with calories in food.

[SmilingRawDancer]

That is caloric needs. Again, how many calories a person burns per time spent sleeping depends on ACTIVE tissue. If the person has the frame to look healthy at 105 pounds, but weighs 130 and that extra 25 pounds is fat, not muscle, that's 25 pounds of fairly inactive fatty tissue. Metabolism and energy needs depend on the person's composition.

[walnutty]

You are very fortunate that you are able to sustain yourself on 850 calories. If I go under 1200 a day, I get migraines, can pass out while driving and generally get very sick. On days I work out, I try to hit between 1800 and 2000 calories. But, I am very tall and muscular (yet female) and also have hypoglycemia, so I need the calories. Like I mentioned in an earlier post, if it works for you...then great! I just think for most people 600-800 calories is very unhealthy...they can't possibly have the energy for aerobic exercise, which is very important to manage stress and keep your heart healthy. I also realize that not everyone can do aerobic exercise. I have fibromyalgia and when I have a flare-up I can barely move. On those days, weeks, months...(yikes!)...I get on the rebounder and just do the "health bounce". Even this light aerobic exercise burns 400 calories an hour.

Well, I don't want to go on and on...my first concern when I was reading your post about eating 500-800 calories a day was anorexia, which I dealt with as a teenager and young adult. But if you are healthy and have energy on that amount of calories then all the best to you!

[SmilingRawDancer]

I understand, which is why I posted why I did! The thing alot of people don't realize is that people are different. If you're tall and muscular (plus with hypoclycemia!), you can eat, eat, eat! But if you're smaller, you may or may not have the same appetite - people vary.

A few months ago I started counting what I ate, saw how "little it was", and used it as an excuse to eat more nuts and dates etc. - when I wasn't hungry. I've gained 15 pounds of flab that I didnt need, and I'm still accustomed to eating more...so my point is, eat what feels comfortable to the individual, and dont' count!!!