Nuts

[carro163]

I am pretty new to eating Raw, about 3 weeks. I have found myself consuming a lot of almonds and am wondering if there is a rule of thumb as to how many to eat daily. I have been throwing a handful into my smoothies and into my raw granola. I was eating a lot of almond butter but think Im gonna try not to have that in the house, its just too good. Also, what are protien rich greens?

[Bananna]

Well the dark leafy variety in general...I have heard that spinach is 20%. ...and technically avos are green too, lol...they have some protein but mostly fat. The trick is to consume large amounts as 20% of something low in calories requires a fair amount right? I eat, as a rule, 1 avo a day, or some other fat in a giant salad....probably 4-6 cups of greens.

As for almonds, I try and limit them for no other reason than I find nuts addicting, and then I eat too much, and then I stop losing weight...get depressed about that, yadayada.

Anna

[Rawkinlocs]

Well, you will find many varying "rules" of thumb about how one "should" eat raw...but since RFT is based upon Alissa's teachings in her book and dvd, I'll come from that perspective.

The general "rule" is when you are first starting out, just eat raw. Allow yourself to get adjusted to eating raw foods and stay satiated. After you've been raw for a while, then you can start to tweak things to fit your needs...your body will more than likely gradually and NATURALLY start to cut back on nut consumption...that seems to be what happens to many people, myself included. When I first started out, I was eating nuts and nut butters like they were going out of style! But now, I may have a shake that has bananas and cashews in it and then later on a salad with a dressing that may have nuts or seeds in it and that's it. I don't really snack on nuts or make a lot of nut dishes like I used to...just happened naturally.

Just get your body used to raw so you can then begin to tune in to and listen to your body...there will be times/seasons that you want to eat a lot of higher fat items and then once your body has had enough, you will lose the desire for them and then you may find you are craving/desiring more fruit or more greens...then later on down the line the time may come again where you want the nuts again. So, it's like whatever your body needs, it will require so try not to get caught up into a "certain way" to eat raw and just go according to what your body is asking for (speaking of NATURAL, healthy foods...not if you're craving waffles or a Snickers! ;)) and that, to me, is the absolute BEST way to eat raw!

As for greens and protein...you're probably well aware that all raw foods contain protein in varying amounts...but greens are very high in amino acids and that's what our bodies need to create protein. So, as rasiaca said, pretty much generally all dark, green leafies in general.

[cayenne]

Rawkinlocks, my instinct did not work for me. I mean that one would eventually instinctively reduce on the fats, be it oils, nuts, seeds or whatever. How do you make it work ;)

[Rawkinlocs]

Rawkinlocks, my instinct did not work for me. I mean that one would eventually instinctively reduce on the fats, be it oils, nuts, seeds or whatever. How do you make it work ;)

How long have you been raw?

I didn't "make" it work...just happened. I mean, I still eat nuts and other fats, but just not in high amounts or often. My body sometimes goes through periods where I can eat several nut/fat-based dishes in one day with no problem and then after a couple of days or so, I'll start craving juicy fruits (oranges, grapes, melon) and won't want any more nuts for a while. Then one day I'll look up and I'm craving salads and not so much fruit...then later on the cravings for fat may kick in again. It just happens that way...nothing I'm doing. I feel more "balanced" this way too, though. What's going on with you that you say it's not working out for you?

[jenjen]

hi! with regard to protein. there are 22 amino acids that the body needs to make protein. the body MUST GET 9 of these from the diet or no protein can be made. not all "protein sources" contain all 9 of the essential amino acids. your body can NOT make protein unless it gets enough of those essential 9 (the body can actually make the rest - but NOT those 9). the idea that all fruits and vegtables contain "protein" is misleading and not based on science. they don't contain 'protein' as that is a macro nutrient (protein is made up of 22 amino acids), they only contain a variation of SOME amino acids, these are micro nutrients. the body then takes the amino acids and makes protein. however if the body doesn't recieve the essentail 9 than it can not make any protein.

all fruits and vegtables contain different types of amino acids, some have only 4 of the essential 9, some have only 1. it's important to make sure you are eating enough of the ones that have all 9 essential amino acids.
dark greens tend to have all 9, but don't rely on word of mouth...check it out for yourself.
check out this website, you type in the food you want to eat and the amount and it tell you all the nutrients in that food, near the bottom, it will show wether the food item has enough of all the 22 amino acids (including the essential 9). www.nutritiondata.com

the best source for a truely complete and high amount of protein on a vegan raw diet is spurilina and bee pollen. 4-6 grams of of complete protein (that's all 22 amino acids) per tbsp. easy to add to smoothies.
j

[carro163]

Thanks for the replys. Still looking for an amount that is considered reasonable for a daily intake;)

[nmb]

if you want to know about fat, protein, carb contents, check out www.nutridiary.com Enter any food into the log, it'll tell you what percent of calories is from each, plus your daily total if you enter everything you eat.
(was posted on a yahoo raw group)

[Rawkinlocs]

Thanks for the replys. Still looking for an amount that is considered reasonable for a daily intake;)

The thing is, there is no one, set rule or amount. There just isn't. And depending on who you ask, you will get a SLEW of answers and varying opinions on how much you "should" have..."none at all", "don't eat them daily but only a few times a week or less", "10%", "as many as you want or feel comfortable with"...these are the types of responses you will get...there is no one, right answer...only the answer that is right for YOU and your body. But if you just gotta have a number, try 1/2-1 cup a day and see how you do with that...if the results are favorable, stick with it...if you feel you need more, eat more, if you feel you need less, eat less.