I'm concerned that I'm eating too much...

[elikat37]

Is it possible to gain weight eating 100% raw foods? I'm on day 21, but I didn't weight myself first. I feel better, healthier, and maybe even a bit slimmer (most of my clothes are a TAD looser) but I am eating SO much! Yesterday I gorged myself on dates (little pieces of heaven) and I've been eating avocados alot (I rationalize that the reason I've been able to go for 21 days is because of the satiating nuts, seeds, oils and avocados.) And the sweet treats!

I'm feeling a little weak today (trying to escape negative thoughts) so this board is so helpful! Lots of positivity and encouragement! THANK YOU!

[Snoozy]

This is my 7th week and for me, I have really slowed down on the amount of food I eat compared to what I ate when I started (which was really not as much as I ate SAD). But now I find myself eating when my stomach is actually empty (instead of emotional eating) and also that a little bit of food can really fill me up (totally amazing!).

I think you just need to let your body adjust to all the wonderful nutrients you are giving it. In my case, it was "starving" for many years.

[Seren]

You shouldn't worry about the quantity of raw food you are eating, nor the avocados but a few words of warning about the dates, nuts and sweet stuff!

A couple of years ago when I tried to go raw for for the first time (well, the first few times :rolleyes: ) I was eating a lot of dates and nuts and sweet fruits - but it never satisfied me, I was always craving carbs and cooked food and I kept getting hunger pangs, low blood sugar and then bingeing on more nuts and dates - all I could think about was food!

I reccommend that you try and cut out dates for a couple of days and when you get hungry, have something savoury like a tomato, bell pepper,cucumber and avocado salad with raw pesto (or something along those lines), or a green smoothie (try not to make it too sweet though!) and Im sure you will feel a lot better :) You will most likely stop thinking about food so much (if you do, which Im guessing you do (as most people trying to go raw for the first time do) and you will probably get less cravings as feel less of a need for sweet and fatty things!


Hope that helps!

Love Seren xxx

[DavidZaneMason]

I hear you. You certainly CAN gain weight (even unhealthy weight) on a raw diet.

In my experience / opinion: High fats, nuts & sweets are very common to people that start to eat healthier. That, and eating heavier, mixed, and complicated 'dishes'.

If you focus on CHOOSING a level of fat...and sticking to it.....and then simplifying your meals....focusing more on things like greens and fresh fruit....you WILL maintain your weight...and reach your goals.....I believe.

-David Z. Mason

[elikat37]

This is all helpful. Yes, part of it is that I want to taste and try everything and so many of the recipes that are in the books...I've read other posters have said the same thing. Though, it means that food is CONSTANTLY on my mind (i.e. planning the next meal...what I'm going to eat next) and my kitchen is always a mess! I'm hoping this will calm down and I'll begin to simplify my meal more (especially when fresh veggies are ready, I live in the Garden State...)

Yes, my plan for the rest of the week is to reduce the nuts and "sweets" (dates and desserts).

Green smoothies for breakfast (I really like these)
Salads for lunch
A piece of fresh fruit before dinner (or a fruit smoothie after din din)
Vegetable dishes for dinner.

I'm going to limit my sweet treats to once per week I think. Wish me luck! ;)

(Can I mention that I ran out and bought $60 worth of nuts!!!???? Well, they are staying fresh in the freezer and therefore should last awhile :-)

[Snoozy]

Good Luck elikat37!

BTW, my kitchen is still a mess these days (very unusual for me) but I'm getting better. It's just a whole new way of preparing food! I've got stuff everywhere.

[elikat37]

Yes, I read that in one of your posts earlier and chuckled as I could totally relate! My son came home from College last week and was stunned (I usually keep a spotless kitchen too!) Funny how NOT cooking can create such a mess! Well, I'm sure we will get the hang of it, it is all new, right?


Good Luck elikat37!

BTW, my kitchen is still a mess these days (very unusual for me) but I'm getting better. It's just a whole new way of preparing food! I've got stuff everywhere.

[Seren]

Good luck! I know you will succeed!!! xxx

[elikat37]

Thanks Seren! I appreciate that!


Good luck! I know you will succeed!!! xxx

[Aleesha Sattva]

I'm going to limit my sweet treats to once per week I think. Wish me luck! ;)

(Can I mention that I ran out and bought $60 worth of nuts!!!???? Well, they are staying fresh in the freezer and therefore should last awhile :-)

i respectfully disagree. eat eat eat eat eat. indulge! enjoy! fill yourself up!!!

in time, your body will get used to raw foods and your eating habits will change... but for now... indulge! eat cake for breakfast and a pie for lunch if you want... don't limit yourself.

truly enjoy your food and allow your body to overflow with health...

trust in the process... your body and your desires will change...

EAT!!!

[jackieboomboom]

I agree with RG. Eat as much as you want. This isn't a beauty contest. In the end, you are going to lose weight and eat less. Its a whole new world. There are no forbidden fruits (pun intended). You will eventually get satisfied with what you're eating. You might gain a little bit of weight, you might lose. The important thing is how it makes you feel. If you're worried about losing less weight, work out more. Squeeze in a little yoga when you first wake up. Stay at the gym longer. Walk a few extra blocks but don't tell yourself "no". You're supposed to love your body, not punish it for not being the right size or shape. ! know that sounds like hippy crap but its true. Eat some medjool dates and be happy.
xox

[elikat37]

I like my body, but I'd like it about 10-15 pounds smaller even better. But, I do have a hard time telling myself that I have to "cut back" when I'm eating such nutritious foods. And I can eat the heck out of some medjool dates!

You are absolutely right about the exercise...


I agree with RG. Eat as much as you want. This isn't a beauty contest. In the end, you are going to lose weight and eat less. Its a whole new world. There are no forbidden fruits (pun intended). You will eventually get satisfied with what you're eating. You might gain a little bit of weight, you might lose. The important thing is how it makes you feel. If you're worried about losing less weight, work out more. Squeeze in a little yoga when you first wake up. Stay at the gym longer. Walk a few extra blocks but don't tell yourself "no". You're supposed to love your body, not punish it for not being the right size or shape. ! know that sounds like hippy crap but its true. Eat some medjool dates and be happy.
xox