diffrence between 80% raw and 100%

[Pturski]

If im not a 100% raw and have one cooked meal a week will i still have benefits from raw food? Im still not going to eat meat for the one meal and wont drink any bad sugars still drink water. What if i eat raw fruits and vegtebles for 6 days a week and one day just have one cooked meal like a slice of pizza. Im still transitioning so i think it would make it easier if i could have that one cooked meal a week.

[tanishamarshall]

For me, there is a huge difference. It is funny that you post this, as I will be posting about this on my blog in a couple days.

Don't get me wrong I felt better then ever eating 80% plus raw foods but when I started consistently eating 100% I felt 50 times better.

I deal with stress better, I can get more done, I am more focused and more.

[Pturski]

Ok thanks for the input

I think ill do 80% right now any maybe eventually go 100%. Im new to raw and its kind of hard going 100% right away. Im still going to eat raw most of the time just have that one meal on the 7th day. My favorite thing to eat right now is a salad with peppers tomato's lettuce and vinigar.

[mongodelight]

80% raw could make people believe that its 80% of the benefits. My experience on that is that its more like 20% of the benefits with 100% raw(if u re not missing cooked and stayed a few weeks raw) But if u re missing cooked(much) 100% raw can be worse than eating 90% cooked.

[Revvell]

I'm confused. Why one cooked meal on the 7th day?

From what you've said here, and from my perspective, it may be difficult for you to eat raw is because of your limited menu. Try this: 2x's per week, sit down and figure out what you'll have for the next 3-4 days. It doesn't have to be elaborate or time consuming ~ say, different salads x's a day, green smoothies and something crunchy/munch for dessert.

I'm having a class over tomorrow and I'll be feeding them. One of the easiest things to make is a pie w/ almond/agave crust, blended fresh pears and/or peaches (we've got a LOT) w/ a lil agave, topped with slice pears/peaches. Easy, tastes and looks great.

Simple, easy recipes will keep you going and on the food program.

Most of all, play with your food and enjoy!

Revvell



Ok thanks for the input

I think ill do 80% right now any maybe eventually go 100%. I'm new to raw and its kind of hard going 100% right away. I'm still going to eat raw most of the time just have that one meal on the 7th day. My favorite thing to eat right now is a salad with peppers tomato's lettuce and vinegar.

[Pturski]

I'm confused. Why one cooked meal on the 7th day?

From what you've said here, and from my perspective, it may be difficult for you to eat raw is because of your limited menu. Try this: 2x's per week, sit down and figure out what you'll have for the next 3-4 days. It doesn't have to be elaborate or time consuming ~ say, different salads x's a day, green smoothies and something crunchy/munch for dessert.

I'm having a class over tomorrow and I'll be feeding them. One of the easiest things to make is a pie w/ almond/agave crust, blended fresh pears and/or peaches (we've got a LOT) w/ a lil agave, topped with slice pears/peaches. Easy, tastes and looks great.

Simple, easy recipes will keep you going and on the food program.

Most of all, play with your food and enjoy!

Revvell

I think its more of a mental thing than anything. Since ive just started raw im still haveing craveings. Maybe when its been a while the craveings just go away. Right now whats really helping is putting vinigar in m salads i love eating salads i could eat them all day. I also eat fruits like bananas and strawberrys. The green smoothies just arent for me i tried it and dident like it.

[Pturski]

This is what i ate so far today

salad peppers lettuce tomato vinigar

salad peppers lettuce corn

2 bananas

blue berrys

[Stina]

You'll never know the miracle with less than 100%. Trust me, you'll feel like a mystic!

[blaqberry]

What I gather from what you're asking here, will you have "benefits" from raw food even if you are not 100% raw. My answer is yes, you will. What volume and intensity will depend on you and your body. The total of each person's experience/s will be unique.

There is a huge difference between being 100% raw and even 99.99% raw, really. When you go all raw, you may still deal with cravings but there are several ways to address that. It may take an undetermined amount time for your body to completely adjust but you will get there, it can be done. Why not plan to join the upcoming October 30-Day Challenge (http://www.rawfoodtalk.com/forumdisplay.php?f=35)? Could be a good way for you to get your feet wet and have another outlet for connecting with others and a source of inspiration.

In reference to the green smoothies... You can basically make a fruit smoothie that you really enjoy and add a few green leafies to the mix, the darker the green the better. Spinach is a nice and mild-tasting leafy that many people will start out with. As you get accustomed to the taste, you can increase the amount of greens and decrease the amount of fruit. I hope you'll give a green smoothie a go again. It's a great way to easily get more fresh food into your diet.



If im not a 100% raw and have one cooked meal a week will i still have benefits from raw food? Im still not going to eat meat for the one meal and wont drink any bad sugars still drink water. What if i eat raw fruits and vegtebles for 6 days a week and one day just have one cooked meal like a slice of pizza. Im still transitioning so i think it would make it easier if i could have that one cooked meal a week.

[Crazy Healer Lady]

Wow, so much good advice!

I think the only problem with 80% is that it is MUCH easier to return to a cooked diet, and have more "slip-ups." To eliminate cravings, nourish your body properly. Green smoothies, as mentioned, are amazing for this!! Almost all cravings disappear - my blog has a few good recipes, chlintheraw.blogspot.com but I usually add 2 types fruit (or more) to one bunch greens. Start with romaine or something with little taste. Bananas are wonderful because they thicken it up.

I would advise 100% Raw for the reason that it's easier to stay on. That, and the smoothies.

[SheLovesToEat]

to me.....80% raw is not a raw food diet. you dont get the REAL benifits from being raw until you go 100%
your body just kicks into that raw food mode and thats when you see the REAL benefits.
yes of course your going to feel better eating 80% raw but.... if you are asking about the true benefits of being raw? well. i feel you wont see that till you go 100%

cooked food is just going to drag you back to eating a SAD diet.
take your time to learn recipes and food prep. you have to do your homework and be prepared for going all raw. you need to get Alissa's book and read it cover to cover. her advice is good and her recipies are great.

i am sure you will love green smoothies when you learn to make them properly.
and there is so much variety with recipes. honestly the food is so good....but you have to put in the time to make it.
AND! the thing about raw is you have to EAT! EAT! EAT!
if you are hungry.... you have to have food in the house to eat or you will turn to SAD foods.

you need to work into 100% raw and see how you feel on it....if its for you or not.
but you wont know just how good it is till you go the distance.
good luck with your journey and keep us posted.

[rawstrength]

I bet that if you go 100% raw for 6 days, and then eat a slice of pizza on the 7th day, you will feel so horrible after eating the pizza that you will never want to eat pizza again.
Try it and see how it goes.

[shashibala]

Hi There! Are you eating enough? Make sure you aren't hungry!
I think that many people can feel good on a diet that is less than all raw. I'm not one of them, but they are out there. I would not eat pizza if I were considering cooked food! It is just too far from healthy and could undo what you've been working on all week. I'd get very sick as I have asthma that is triggered by dairy. If you really want a cooked food meal, stay away from dairy, refined flour, cooked oils, and sugars.Hey, that sounds like a description of pizza! If it isn't going to be raw, at least make it whole, unprocessed food. Perhaps a grain like quinoa, millet, or brown rice with steamed vegies. Or a vegetable or lentil soup. It all depends on your goals for yourself, your level of food cravings and addictions, and how food affects you.
I need to be all raw to feel my best and to avoid slipping back toward an unhealthy diet.
Smoothies- start with all fruit for a week, then add just a green leaf or two. Keep adding a bit more greens. Soon you will be feeling great and barely noticing the greens. Romaine or spinach are nice and mild. I also use a green powder to add some more nutrition. To make smoothies even more rich and creamy, I sometimes use sesame milk or almond milk as a base.
I wish you all the best!!

[Pturski]

Ok so most people in here say 100% is the way to go. So i decided today im haveing my last slice of pizza and gonna try 100% raw starting tommorow.

Wish me luck

[Thick]

Ok so most people in here say 100% is the way to go. So i decided today im haveing my last slice of pizza and gonna try 100% raw starting tommorow.

Wish me luck

Great! I'm so happy for you! Why don't you jump right in to the 30 day challenge thread? You definately don't have to wait for October=)>

[iamacranberry]

I feel no difference between 80% raw and 100%.

[Emma-Liza]

Oh, yes, please join the challenge! It's an ultra supportive place!

[brydee]

Some people can do simple raw, but i'm not one of them! why not add in some cacao or herbs or something? or some dehydrated snacks? i would rather be a simple raw person, but if it means that it keeps be from binging on cooked food, id rather eat dehydrated things.
I know what you mean by a mental thing, its definitely that in my case, iv struggled staying a 100% for nearly a year, been between 80-0% raw, the 2/3 months i was 100% raw i felt the best ever though, its strange, when i am 100% raw it feels like im not really awake though because i feel so happy and dreamlike, does anyone know what i mean? :confused:

Go 100% even if you can just stick it for a while, you will feel the difference!

[Crazy Healer Lady]

WOW good for you! Such intention there! I wish you luck in 100% Raw!! and not that it will happen, but if you ever *do* slip, don't feel guilty, as guilt just makes it worse sometimes. Good for you, girl!

[coco]

oh blah blah blah. there is no difference for me with 80% vs 100% either. i was 100% for a long time too! really, you are what you eat so whatever amount of good stuff you put into your body makes a difference, of COURSE! you'll do much better if the 20% cooked foods you choose are healthy choices though. veg soup or steamed veg and whole grains (brown rice, quinoa, millet, kamut, etc) instead of pizza or sandwiches.

so many times people get so hung up and focussed on what they aren't doing that they negate the positive effects of what they ARE doing. what you aren't doing doesn't exist and doesn't deserve your attention. there is way, way more to health than diet and a bad attitude, stress and negativity has a bigger impact than a stir fry.
getting mired in obsessive behavior and thoughts of "oh no, i'm missing out on benefits! nothing i've worked so hard to do is any good!" is verging on orthorexic in my opinion. would you be that hard on a friend or family member who was learning something new? you don't deserve any less consideration yourself.

[Eva]

oh blah blah blah. there is no difference for me with 80% vs 100% either. i was 100% for a long time too! really, you are what you eat so whatever amount of good stuff you put into your body makes a difference, of COURSE! you'll do much better if the 20% cooked foods you choose are healthy choices though. veg soup or steamed veg and whole grains (brown rice, quinoa, millet, kamut, etc) instead of pizza or sandwiches.

so many times people get so hung up and focussed on what they aren't doing that they negate the positive effects of what they ARE doing. what you aren't doing doesn't exist and doesn't deserve your attention. there is way, way more to health than diet and a bad attitude, stress and negativity has a bigger impact than a stir fry.
getting mired in obsessive behavior and thoughts of "oh no, i'm missing out on benefits! nothing i've worked so hard to do is any good!" is verging on orthorexic in my opinion. would you be that hard on a friend or family member who was learning something new? you don't deserve any less consideration yourself.

What good points re: attitude, stress, etc.!

Raw food is NOT the be-all, end-all solution to the problems that plague humankind. We live in an imperfect world and all do our best. There are so many factors that go into good health, like sunshine, exercise, attitude, etc.

I'm not knocking raw, it has allowed my body to heal. But, you can't MAKE YOURSELF be 100% raw if you don't want to be.

[I do feel that, for some people (especially those with healing to do), 80% and 100% can be a world apart. Myself included because of personal health issues that are "hereditary" and controlled/nonexistent at 100%.]

[Raw Yogi]

The exploration of health is a process, and being at 80% raw and being at 100% raw were parts of my process. However, attaining 100% raw was not the end of my health and healing process. It was a milestone perhaps, but my exploration continued far beyond that and there were changes in my healing process long after I hit that milestone.

What I found in my raw process was where ever I was in my raw percentage, that staying at that level of raw produced some better health results than the lower levels of raw, and after some time, there was a plateau. And even after I was at 100% raw, there were still more changes in the diet to come.

For myself, what got me into raw foods was poor and failing health. And the raw foods went a long way to heal the chronic issues I was experiencing. But there was also parts of my body that were closed down, and hatha yoga helped addressed this. Parts of my musculature were contracted and closed from various traumas that occurred in my life. And over time, these closed down parts of my body opened up. And just as my body had parts of it that were closed down, my emotional and spiritual self also also had closed down parts. So as part of my healing process I acquired a spiritual practice, and I am playing with opening up the emotional and spiritual aspect of myself.

So don't see 100% raw as the end goal. Its just another step for some, and for others, 80% is fine. With the 20% cooked foods, you will have better health if the 20% doesn't include any animal products (meat, dairy, eggs) and if you eat whole foods versus processed foods.

[cara4art]

I'm with RawYogi on this one and it is really a process, of which diet is really only one part, although an important one! Yes, getting into raw IS a gateway to further development and healing, and one thing leads to another as detailed in that very thoughtful, honest and conscious post. I'm on my way raw, and have done a lot of inner work over the years, and will likely do more too. Honor yourself wherever you are in your process - yoga teaches you that big-time, and really, in any other good physical discipline, it is wise to pay attention to that aspect of it as well. And there's no substitute for personal experience either - you have to actually engage to find out what level is going to do it for you. Some people notice a dramatic difference at 80% raw, and others have to go all the way to 100% 365/24/7 to get the golden ring, so to speak! Every BODY is different, and we're all at different points in our growth. I say even if you are eating only, say, 50% raw today, that's so far ahead of what most people are doing and is a huge step in the right direction to the percentages that are being talked about here - you'll get there - give it a chance! I'm no expert, but I do notice the more raw food I have on any particular day, the better I feel, bottom-line. Today has been a good raw day so far, and I'm planning on that raw dinner too - would be a 100% raw day if I keep on track which would be huge for me!

[tanishamarshall]

The exploration of health is a process, and being at 80% raw and being at 100% raw were parts of my process. However, attaining 100% raw was not the end of my health and healing process. It was a milestone perhaps, but my exploration continued far beyond that and there were changes in my healing process long after I hit that milestone.

What I found in my raw process was where ever I was in my raw percentage, that staying at that level of raw produced some better health results than the lower levels of raw, and after some time, there was a plateau. And even after I was at 100% raw, there were still more changes in the diet to come.

For myself, what got me into raw foods was poor and failing health. And the raw foods went a long way to heal the chronic issues I was experiencing. But there was also parts of my body that were closed down, and hatha yoga helped addressed this. Parts of my musculature were contracted and closed from various traumas that occurred in my life. And over time, these closed down parts of my body opened up. And just as my body had parts of it that were closed down, my emotional and spiritual self also also had closed down parts. So as part of my healing process I acquired a spiritual practice, and I am playing with opening up the emotional and spiritual aspect of myself.

So don't see 100% raw as the end goal. Its just another step for some, and for others, 80% is fine. With the 20% cooked foods, you will have better health if the 20% doesn't include any animal products (meat, dairy, eggs) and if you eat whole foods versus processed foods.

I so agree with Eva and Raw Yogi, that eating 100% raw is not all you need to be healthy. For me uping my raw percentage has been a journey, and for a while I got myself all worked up trying to meet other peoples standards and I found that gradually uping my raw worked best for me. Also throughout my journey I learned that EATING is not the only change we have to make, but how we think, interact with people, deal with stress, are all so very important. Changing my thought process has been key to helping me up my raw percentage and gave me the ability to maintain my goals.

It is about our overall health, not just the food.

I hope that you find what works best for you, by making goals that you can live with instead of stressing over meeting someone else's idea of a good a diet. You are your own expert, you know what works best for you and only you can determine what percentage of raw works for you.

The more raw you are the more you will start to understand what works for you and what doesn't. At first you might not know and that is ok. You will have to experiement for a while.

I found that my body started to give me signals that some of the cooked I was eating wasn't working for me anymore and that alone has helped me to fine tune my diet.

This board definiltey focus on one being 100% raw and I believe being 100% raw is great but how you get there, I believe should be your decision.

What I am trying to say is there are a ton of benefits to eating 100% raw but I bet they are different for everyone. For me eating 100% gives me more clarity, a greater spiritual connection, I can deal with stress much better when 100% then 80%, I get more done throughout the day by eating 100% raw compared to 80%. Even though being 100% helps me to feel better, we need to be sure we are ready to go 100% and stay 100% I believe going 100% is not something to take lightly, as you become cleaner going back and fourth eating cooked for some might not be as pleasent. So I am sure you will find a ton of benefits I just hope that you make a goal based on what works for you at this time.

[rawererin]

you can still get great results being 80, 90% raw, if it's easier for you to eat raw by transitioning first then go for it, I find that's what works for my body. As for the cooked meal you do eat, make it healthy, whole grains, veggies, ect. no white stuff (sugar, bread, milk) it will be much easier to stick with the 80% or go even higher if you stop putting the mainstream SAD food into your body and just feed it healthy things, even if those healthy things happen to be cooked or lightly steamed one day of the week.

[petaltothemetal]

I'm wondering if you're starving yourself 6 days and looking to reward yourself the 7th. I have done that many times myself. But pizza is probably one of the worst rewards you can have! I don't know what you have in terms of equipment, but check out the recipe threads. Alissa's pizza when dehydrated looks totally out of this world good - and like it's been cooked. There are loads of yummy pies and puddings. For a big guy who is an athlete (judging by your avatar) you may need a lot more calories than you're getting. How about adding in avocados, nuts and seeds?

[ViolinCyndee]

I agree about Alissa's pizza: it's amazing! I brought it to a raw potluck and no one could believe it!!

[qnjnean]

I suggest you make a 30 day commitment to yourself (instead of trying)...then if you want to....try to the cooked once per week and compare. it's the best way to get your own answer IMHO.

good luck

[mongodelight]

I bet that if you go 100% raw for 6 days, and then eat a slice of pizza on the 7th day, you will feel so horrible after eating the pizza that you will never want to eat pizza again.
Try it and see how it goes.

Its an addiction. I dont know why people act like its just a "desire". Its a serious drug addiction like heroin. And we have to do everything to overcome it otherwise we ll die a painful death from it. If u dont want that, there s an easy psycology method to break the association. I know what a drug addiction feels like and breaking the cooked food addiction as much harder when for example breaking the cigarette addiction. And much people who smoke try it a 1000 times but continue untill they die.

I did Allen Carrs method and breaking the association of smoking = fun(and turn into smoking = why?)is extremly easy in comparrison to breaking the cooked = food association.

It has nothing to do with willpower. Its an serious drug addiction. Cooked food and overeating is a serious addiction.

[iamacranberry]

I disagree that cooked food is in itself an addiction. As I said before, there are some substances in SOME cooked foods which MAY be addictive.

However, there is no substance common to all cooked food which has been proven, or even suggested, to be addictive.

When I said that I ate cooked food as part of my diet, and that I felt no difference between 80% and 100% raw, I can tell you that none of my cooked food was pizza. My cooked food intake tends to be cooked grains and vegetables. My guess is that one reason so many people do so well on a raw diet is because when they give up cooked food, they are giving up all cooked food, including the junky cooked food such as pizza. But, take those same people, previously on a SAD diet, and put them on an all-vegan diet that is 80% raw. Make their only cooked food allowances grains and vegetables. I bet they will experience similar benefits.

[coco]

food is not an addiction for me either, i can easily choose all raw if i want to, i certainly did it for long enough. i don't do it anymore because cost is prohibitive and i simple don't have the time for prep or the space in my fridge (i have to go one town over to grocery shop and i car pool so can't just buy a little every couple of days AND we get insects when food is stored on counters so nearly all goes into the fridge). nor do i find it neccessary as i am not battling any heavy health issues, only aiming to be very healthy over all.

the things i cook are some grains like quinoa, brown rice and millet (though i agree grains are not an optimal food, there are enough benefits to outweigh that for me), some beans and lentils (i do sprout grains, beans and lentils first which increases nutrition and lessens cooking time), veggie soup and steamed veg. i have been known to eat a vegetable sandwich now and then, that is something most restaurants can make for me, freinds and family too ;).

the difference between 100% raw and less than that for me is the spaceyness and sensitivity. i feel just as healthy at 80% (maybe a little less subject to cold) but at 100% i was way too sensitive to smells and other environmental irritants, to the point that i was very uncomfortable, distractingly so. i found 100% to be a detriment to my health in that it was excessively stressful to deal with the obsessiveness of worrying about every condiment or other ingredient in each bite of food and dealing with being cold all the time, spacey, too sensitive, and spending so much time with shopping and prep. i don't like to be too gastrocentric, food is fuel to me, not my entire life.

[Green_Woman]

I feel a TREMENDOUS difference between 75% raw, and 100% raw...

When I am 100%, I feel strong, alive, healthy, and SIMPLIFIED.... my diet is EASIER and CHEAPER (because I'm eating strictly fresh foods and not spending money on dehydrated treats, or special raw treats that cost lots of extra cash)....

When I am at less than high raw, I deal with constant cravings because I am always tempting my body to go back to cooked food, and I get headaches from ANYTHING even the SMALL stuff like OLIVES.

So, I recommend 100% at LEAST for 30 days, to give your body time to adjust to the changes and to find out if YOU prefer it over less than high raw...


By the way, even 75% RAW is going to make fabulous changes in your life. But you have to be patient. Remember, you've been eating cooked food and packaged food and (MY GOD, DID YOU SAY PIZZA???) and all kinds of things that in a sense are poisoning your cells.... give your body TIME and ENCOURAGEMENT to heal itself, and it will.

*hug*


Ciao.

[sport]

I think that everybody should aim for 100%.
If you do sometimes eat cooked then I suggest that you draw a circle around thoese days on the calander and always aim to make the gap between the circles bigger each time.
It will not seem so intimidating if you know that after a certian date you have permission to eat cooked and after a while you will not want to.
I never have a wish to eat cooked and the thought of it is getting more alien as each day passes.