Some people I know turned to around 95% raw

[livenraw]

It wasn't that long ago that I was talking to some people I know about going 100% raw and how it was benefitting me and really working. Well, one of them was open to hearing about it and the other one was a little reluctant. And of course, the question came up: where do you get your protein? So I sent them the link to this site about the protein question.

Last week, I talked to them and they decided to really go forward with raw. Even went and bought a ton of raw and unsalted nuts to last them awhile. Now they didn't go 100% but are close. Very close. Talked with one of them a few days ago, and they were really impressed with this way of eating. They could not believe how much food they were eating (and they used to starve themselves just to stay on the thin side) Not only that, but one of the people was on their last 10 lbs (after putting a little bit of weight on) and one week of 95% raw knocked off 5 of it already. Both are now really excited about this new way of eating!

Now I'm on to my next batch of converts...

[mattiem]

My wife and I did the raw food challenge for 30 days. I lost 19 lbs and she lost about 8 or so.

We completed the 30 days at 100%, but afterwards we decided that for us 100% is not ideal. I am quite used to eating something like 3000 calories per day (to maintain my overweight body), and while the weight was indeed coming off like crazy, I was feeling a little weak and light headed.

We both noticed health benefits, lower blood pressure, weight loss obviously, and clearer skin. However, I wouldn't say that I necessarily felt more energy, or that other medical problems cleared up. To be fair though, other than high blood pressure and being overweight, I have a clean bill of health - so to notice other improvements might be harder. You could argue that everything that was "wrong" with me DID clear up.

With my wife, she continues to have some health problems that raw food did not solve. But we didn't expect that raw food would magically transform us into people that are immune to everything.

My mom and dad both also did the 30 day challenge and the results were different for them. Both of them lost weight of course (this is the IDEAL diet for that), but in addition my dad was able to cut his blood pressure med by 75% (1/2 pill every other day) and my mom's cholesterol dropped from 215 to 170. Even she couldn't believe it (she's a nurse) but she had it done at a lab in the hospital she works at.

My wife and I have decided that a 95% raw diet is the best for us. We are still vegans, and eat mostly raw foods. However, we've also incorporated whole grain (sprouted or otherwise) homemade bread, steamed vegetables, or wild rice back into our diet for our lunch meal only. For breakfast and for our evening meal we eat 100% raw. Even our lunch meals are mostly raw except for one or two items.

We both feel the best when we're doing this, I'm continuing to lose weight (at a slower rate), and we both feel a little more energetic. I haven't experienced the tiredness that others feel after eating a little cooked food.

Overall - I highly recommend the raw vegan diet to everyone who asks about my weight loss, or others that I talk with in general about health. However, I recommend to people that ANY change that takes you away from over processed (especially commercial), over cooked foods, and towards whole, organic, uncooked foods is a healthy one.

For me, currently the 95% mark is ideal - but in my opinion each person should take time, listen to their body, and find the right foods, porportions, and quantities that feels right for them. For some that may be 100% raw, or for some 70%.

This process has taught me so much about listening to my body's needs, as opposed to simply eating for the sake of my addiction. I'm grateful to Alissa for the simple way she presents the possibility of a raw vegan diet. Like my parents were telling me the other day, once you go raw - it changes the way you eat; even if you don't stay 100%. At least you have a frame of reference for what it's like to eat healthy, and feel better, and lose weight.

This diet is perfect for me - and it's the only one that has ever worked to help me get control of my weight.