Too few calories/too many nuts?

[sonar]

I was looking over Frederic Patenuade's website and downloaded some of his materials. He talks about paying attention to not eating too many nuts or oils, as that could cause problems. Most of Alissa's recipes contain a lot of nuts. Do you all eat a lot of the recipes daily, or do you just make them once in awhile? I'm also concerned about getting enough caloric intake so that I don't become frustrated and quit. I just made Alissa's fettuccini alfredo and some wraps with guacomole (after watching her video) -- they are delicious. I was really excited to try more, and then I came across the info about being careful not to overdo the nuts, oils and avacados. Any thoughts on Mr. Patenuade and tricks for getting in the calories without going crazy on the nuts? I'm used to eating 2,000-2,200 calories per day - so that would be an awful lot of fruit. Thanks! sonja.

[Rawkinlocs]

Well, it's like Alissa says in her book, it's kinda unrealistic to try going from a cooked food diet to a very strict raw vegan diet so she suggests (and many here agree) that when you first start out, just eat and don't worry about all of that. As your body becomes cleaner and cleaner and gets used to receiving only raw foods, it will begin to give you signs and signals and you'll find yourself tapering off on nuts and other fats, etc.

I and many others here started out eating a LOT of recipes daily, eating a lot of nuts and nut butters. Now, I don't eat a lot of nuts in a day anymore and I don't do recipes very often. But it was a gradual change that just happened naturally. I still don't eat what is considered a low-fat diet, but many here do but they allowed their bodies to naturally gravitate towards that. I mainly do smoothies, salads, fruit, nuts, banana ice cream and maybe once of twice a week I'll do recipes.

So for now, enjoy your raw food because it is possible if you start trying to get too strict and cut out too much at this stage of the game you could get frustrated and want to give up out of boredom, not being full, etc.

But many here (like Gosia) are high-fruit and green eaters, very low nuts and other fats. From what I've heard/read, eating more and more fruit, especially during the day is best and making sure you get in a lot of greens (salads, green smoothies for example) to getting in the calories without all the fat.

[flutterfly]

I eat some nuts every day. Most of the time I eat more salads than what is in the book but if I want something very special I know I can make up one of the recipes. Lately I have been doing a little more of them because I am showing off for my Partner all the wonderful fod we can eat Raw.
I have never gotten sick from overeating nuts but I do notice a little bloating when I overeat them.

[Revvell]

*points up to Rawkin* What she said. :)

:cool:

[tracyinfo]

I agree with rawkinlocs and revell.

[sonar]

Thanks for the input. I know I shouldn't worry too much about the fats, like Alissa says, its just a difficult change -- I'm feeling hungry, yet full because I've eaten so much fruit already and broccoli and carrots. I already had my fettucini alfredo, so I don't want to eat any more nuts, but I'm not satisfied, just full.

[Sharon in Colorado]

I'm finding it's easier to settle on a middle ground before I work the way I want to go. Find out how much fat you are currently eating, then decide what your goal is, and try it half way.

I've done this for years and believe me when I say it is very easy to fall into the 'fat trap'. I've done it many, many times - overdoing the nuts, avos, dehydrated foods etc. and then having an awful hard time giving them up. But allowing it when a craving hits is far more reasonable than either gouging on it all day or not giving yourself any leeway and then giving up entirely.

By the way, fruit is where your fat free calories are coming from so be sure to load up on it by way of smoothies, fruit salads or mono-mealing it. Greens only supply calories in larger quanitites and then when eaten with fats.

[sonar]

Sharon, what to you mean by mono-mealing? Eating only one type of fruit at a time? Is there in chance of getting sick from too much fruit? Bananas and apples seem to be the only fruit that really fill me up. Any blood sugar issues? I assume not, since everyone seems to be much healthier with all the fruits, I'll probably be eating a least 15 servings of fruit a day. Also, do you try to eat some nuts every day, or do you rarely eat nuts? I've figured my fat percentage for today is 36.5 - so its a little high, but not too bad.

[Sharon in Colorado]

Sonar yes mono-mealing would be like eating several peaches for a meal, or a couple of pounds of grapes, etc. Have you tried mango, or a basket of blueberries, or several nectarines?

Oh, and I didn't mean to degrade greens. Greens are super important and we need to eat them in abundance. I've even heard of some experts suggesting at least 1 lb of greens a day. Several people put greens in their fruit smoothies, others juice them to get enough in.

Here is what I had yesterday:

Breakfast: approx 3 cups fruit smoothie (oj, bananas, starawberries, pineapple)
Lunch/Snack: 2 peaches, 2 bananas
Night: small amount of almonds (less than 1/4 cup)

I'm working 'back' into raw so I'm not especially low-fat but I'm trying to keep any fat intake at night. I know I didn't get nearly enough calories, something I need to definately work on.

[sonar]

OMG! I would so starve on that much food. Well, I would now anyway, my understanding is that once my body gets accustomed to absorbing nutrients, I wont need as much food or feel hungry on less calories because I'm getting my nutrients. I hope thats right. :rolleyes:

[Sharon in Colorado]

I know I didn't get nearly enough calories, only about 1100. Actually there are a ton of bananas in the shake so it did provide a good meal. Dinner is usually a large salad but I didn't have enough time to make it.

[Gosia]

about a week ago, I recorded what I ate (I hardly ever do such things, this is the second time I've done it in 2 years) and calculated the calories, the (approximate) results are below, in a random order. This was not my typical day, as what I eat may vary (I may eat less, different fruit etc).

Tahini................... 2T
Banana................. 8
Grapes................. 2 big bunches
Tomatoes.............. 1 big
Tangerine.............. 10 medium
Greens.................. a huge bunch
Cucumber............. 1/2
Orange juice.......... 1 cup


Calories: 1859
Fat: 12%
Carbs: 81%
Protein: 7%

So, yes it may seem to some (not to me :p ) like an awful lot of fruit. However, if I did not get that amount, I would not feel satisfied. I loooove my fruit. Give me a choice: a finest gourmet meal or a bunch of sweet, dark grapes, and I do not hesitate at all and go for the grapes. Durian is a one of the best treats (I have not had it for months, since we moved to Tasmania).

I must point out that I absolutely did not eat like this 2 years ago, when I ate lot of nuts, for example. As Rawkinlocks said, it is quite OK to be like that when you start, and later, things will change as you go.

Gosia.

[Revvell]

Eating only one type of fruit at a time? Is there in chance of getting sick from too much fruit?

Sonar, this isn't about you so don't take it personally ~ less you really want to yet, when I read something like this, I really have to laugh. When someone drinks a 48 oz. soda no one EVER says, "aren't you going to get sick from drinking that"? Yet, from some fruit? What is "too much"? More than one is use to I'm sure yet....

Had to say it. last straw and all that. :rolleyes:

:cool:

*waits for the flaming to start*

[Sharon in Colorado]

I forgot to answer that question. Thanks Revvell for reminding me. I've never heard of anyone getting sick from eating too much fruit, but I have heard of some inbalances or reactions from improper food combining or juicing too much (separating the fiber which puts too much sugar in the body at once).

Yes, and I have gotten sick from eating too much junk. Big belly ache, tired, lethargic, bad taste in mouth next morning, PMS, etc!