For Everyone Asking How To Stay Raw

[Dimond]

It's very important at the beginning, especially if you're struggling or are around temptations, that you surround yourself with tons of raw. At home and especially when you're out. This could mean you take a day preparing all kinds of meals and snacks that you store in the fridge and freezer for when you need it. If you don't have the time or don't enjoy food prep, pick up stuff locally or order from the many on-line stores. There's around 50 or so internet raw companies/brands to choose from. It is very hard for most people to stick with this without having raw equivalents. Also you want to make sure you eat often and heavier foods.

Don't impose all kinds of rules other than the food should be raw. Later once you become accustomed to eating this way, you can tweak your diet according to your needs. You can then eat more simple foods, less often, less heavy meals, cut out certain foods or practice food combining.

Finally, try to keep it as simple and fun as possible. Use simple recipes, especially if you don't have time for food prep. Enjoy experimenting.

[TaupeRawMan]

Great reminder post!

[spicyfull]

There is Always some struggling. Thanks for this Thread.

[GingerGrant]

If you "backslide" and eat some healthy cooked vegan, don't give up. It is a process that takes time , and that is different for each person. One may just be detoxing heavily and need to slow it down.

Certainly do not beat yourself up over not achieving 100 percent raw 100% of the time , at first, or that attitude could doom one to that all or nothing mentality. Which is not helpful.

[Dimond]

One thing many do that doesn't work is eat too little and then wonder why raw doesn't work. Small amounts of produce and handfuls of nuts rarely will fill you up when you're becoming raw. Even large amounts on their own don't often work either. Liquid meals and heavier denser foods are normally what's required, especially if you're active.

[Colorawdo girl]

Good advice!! Thankx

[Myca]

By liqued meals...smoothies?
I think this entire post is right on.

[Dimond]

Thanks everyone. :)

Myca-yes smoothies, soups (savory smoothies) & puddings. All tend to be more filling or can be made that way if you add avocado or other ingredients.

[cara4art]

I totally agree about having some denser foods to round out plain produce. Green smoothies, some dehydrator staples(like crackers, "breads" raw granola, etc.), and mastering some dips, spreads and a couple of raw dessert-y kinds of things are all filling, yummy and satisfying ways of staying raw. Yes, being active does require some more filling foods, especially if you are working out at the gym. Raweater's posts go extensively into eating high-calorie meals to put on muscle, etc.
Just trust the process, eventually your body will accustom itself to raw and you will feel satisfied on less and simpler food in general, according to your own needs. If one is coming straight from a heavy omnivorous diet with a lot of high-calorie junk, then, yes, one isn't going to have that same accustomed feeling of fullness that one had before. If one's diet was pretty health-conscious before and one was already eating a good bit of produce, the transition will be easier.

[Springtime]

Thank you for this very simple, true advice!

I have to keep reminding myself that i'm in the beginning of a new process, and that i need to have loads of stuff around me since i can't (un)cook without really thinking. Yet.
When i was vegan (a few weeks ago..hehe.) i never had much stuff around, but i could make up any kind of dish i wanted, just because i knew my way around a vegan pantry/fridge.

Now i rememeber when i first went vegan. I had no clue what i was doing, went vegan over night and the first year i was totally lost (as in "not being able to make what i wanted out of whatever was avaliable")

It takes time to get to know your new basics, and having fruits and veg around that easily make a salad or smoothie is wonderful.

I look forward to mor elaborate (un)cooking and baking, though. I miss it, sort of. Not a fan of simplicity, lol!

Again, thank you