Things that just don't work for me...

[Gaijingirl]

Going on the end of week two for my raw food challenge...and honestly, alot of it has been learning what foods DON'T work for me:

1) Any recipe with nuts (causes major gastrointestinal pain) And I never even noticed any
sort of nut allergy in the past...

2) Dried fruits. I binge uncontrollably. Especially dates.

3) Major amounts of seeds (same situation as nuts.)

Looks like I'm really going to have to focus on fresh fruit and LOTS of greens.

Anyone else come to similar conclusions on these?

PS: given the fact that I've decided to eschew almost all nut recipes, anyone have a favorite non-nut-heavy recipe book? (Although for now, I'm going to simply pick, choose and alter recipes from Alissa's book...)

Thanx....!:)

[rawstrength]

Thinking in terms of absolutes can cause problems.
While these things may be true for you now, they may change.
Keep listening to your body.
Your digestion is adjusting as you switch over to raw, so naturally you may feel bloated at first.

Fruits, greens and vegetables are awesome, by the way.

[Radiantly Raw]

I agree with rawstrength. Some days I notice problems like you have described, but most days I'm fine. I can tell that some days I just need to stay clear of nut recipes, you know. Now I know when I need to not eat heavy that way. Give it time, things may change for you.

In the meantime, you cannot beat green smoothies. I have these daily! Kale salads are awesome too. I love green kale massaged with lemon juice & avocado, it becomes a sort of dressing. Also, if you dice up red & yellow peppers and then add some sprouts- yummo! Light & full of goodness. Yet, it's deceptively filling.

[ShelShel]

When I first started raw, it was all trying recipes and finding things that didn't or did work. Now I'm pretty sure what I will like, but it does take time.

And what I could eat at the beginning of going raw and what I can eat two years later are completely different. :rolleyes: I used to be able to eat all kinds of combos...but over time, I find I feel better when I eat simple things. Things that seem meant to go together.

Or a bowl of melon by itself instead of in a fruit salad.

I eat very few nuts. I do eat them, but not very often.

I feel like I know when I need fats now, or when something light is needed. It's learning to listen to what your body is needing, wanting and what will make you feel happy and energized.

So, if you are finding nuts aren't settling well, avoid them and maybe give them a try later.

I really love Alissa's corn chips with a fresh salsa, the corn is a bit heavier. I also enjoy the spinach/avocado dip stuffed in several endive leaves as chips. :D If you add a bit a lime to it...it's really light and refreshing tasting while giving you that full feeling because of the avo!

Hummm...what about a fruit smoothie? Bananas, with other fruits, a bit of water or thai coconut water to make it blend. Yum!

Or how about raw pancakes??? They are by far the heaviest thing I eat. They always hit the spot and you can vary the fruit you eat with them to have a different flavor.

Those are all the ideas I can think of just yet. Hope it helps a bit. Keep trying and discovering. Raw (((HUGS)))!

[cayenne]

Going on the end of week two for my raw food challenge...and honestly, alot of it has been learning what foods DON'T work for me:

1) Any recipe with nuts (causes major gastrointestinal pain) And I never even noticed any
sort of nut allergy in the past...

2) Dried fruits. I binge uncontrollably. Especially dates.

3) Major amounts of seeds (same situation as nuts.)

Looks like I'm really going to have to focus on fresh fruit and LOTS of greens.

Anyone else come to similar conclusions on these?

PS: given the fact that I've decided to eschew almost all nut recipes, anyone have a favorite non-nut-heavy recipe book? (Although for now, I'm going to simply pick, choose and alter recipes from Alissa's book...)


The same with me, nuts and dried fruits are killers for me. Fresh fruits are the best, and lots of greens indeed. With dried fruits I get bad cravings, but not so with greens, greens are wonderful. If I take just a little bit too much nuts or seeds I will feel it the next morning when doing my workout. Without the fats I will be energetic enough, but after too much fats the previous day I will be feeling heavy and extremely reluctant to do any exercise. No fats for me!

[Gaijingirl]

Wanted to thank everyone who responded to my post earlier. :) It really does help to get information from people who have already "been there, done that" in regards to raw...and getting some great non-nutty recipe suggestions too!

Given that it's the beginning of March (and that I started in the middle of February), I've decided to "turn back the clock" on my raw challenge. As of now, February was simply my test drive. Starting today is the beginning of my 30 day all raw challenge, focusing (yep) on fresh fruits and greens. (I've actually found myself CRAVING salad, which is something I've never experienced before.)

Again, thanks and kudos...

-Janet (GG)

[pheenrawhead]

Wow, I think its great that even able to feel the things going on in your body. You deserve a pat on the back for that, becuase most people can't pinpoint what makes them feel bad. I am the same way with nuts and seeds. I think its mostly becuase my digestive track is in such turmoil becuase of all the crap I have loaded in it over the years that it needs time to heal. So I am going to suggest, time to heal. Eating raw is about so much more then simply not eating cooked foods. Its about healing a damaged bod. Keep up the great work!

[theresaann]

I agree with you-lots of nuts, seeds and dried fruits are NOT the best way to eat, nor are grains. On the other hand, we can find balance. I really think, though, that the best way to be raw is to eat predominantly greens and fruit, then lesser of the heavy stuff. The heavier stuff promotes candida overgrowth, etc. But when transitioning, it's probably helpful to have the heaviness.

at any rate, trust your body....and relax, take a bath, journal, cry, pound a pillow, go for a powerwalk, do some yoga and deep breathing, get a sauna-do whatever is needed to get stress out instead of stuffing feelings with heavy nuts and dried fruits. Just my experience only, but seems to work for me.

[MiahTay]

I find that if I think of nuts and seeds as a condiment instead of a meal I am much better off (like in my dressing or sprinkled on my salad or nut milk in my smoothie). Also, I have found it fun and delicious marinating different veggies to add variety to my life.

Best of luck!

Heather

[Bingo24]

Are you germinating the nuts and seeds - soaking (and sometimes dehydrating) before using? It's suppose to help with digestion.

Just wondering if that might help.

[sekhmut]

Are you germinating the nuts and seeds - soaking (and sometimes dehydrating) before using? It's suppose to help with digestion.

Just wondering if that might help.

I was about to post the very same thing :)