Question about grains

[cherry_lo]

I'm newly raw vegan and to avoid being nutritionally void I decided to keep eating uncooked porridge which has rolled oats that I'm aware aren't raw. My question is, is the nutritional value worth it? How much nutrition is lost in the "rolling" process" and what are some ways I can get protein (I weight train and realllyyy don't want to lose muscle, I calculated that I need about 50 ish grams of protein a day). Also if this has any significance I'm 18, slim, and 5'4 so I guess I don't need to worry too much about not getting enough calories.
Originally I wanted to go as close to 100 % raw as possible, but my main concern is being healthy, so if being 100 % raw will come in the way of that I'm willing to make small adustments (such as oats, but I wouldn't want to go any more "unraw" than that).
I basically need some coaching....

[Tenuho]

I question if you need 50grams of protien but im deffinatly no expert.....

what is it that your affraid of not getting? protien?

i had this great article on protien awhile back i'll have alook for it........

it said that the RDA of protien was taken from a study on labrats....and that rats milk is 59% protien while human breast milk is only 5%...back in the 1940s i think..it was like 120grams a day of protien and thats gone down to like 40 today...

[cherry_lo]

well, I don't know, it's only because I weight train and I don't see how I will build muscle without enough protein, and it doesn't help that I don't know what's enough. My figure came from my weight times 0.8 plus I added five grams for the working out. I guess I'll just have to wait and see if I stay the way I am and have no problems with working out. If not I'll have to rethink things.
I'm also worried about B 12

[Aleesha Sattva]

you don't need protein you need amino acids which are the building blocks for your body. amino acids are in all raw live foods. so focus on getting lots of greens and other raw foods and you'll be just fine!

[eatyourbroccoli]

I'm newly raw vegan and to avoid being nutritionally void I decided to keep eating uncooked porridge which has rolled oats that I'm aware aren't raw. My question is, is the nutritional value worth it? How much nutrition is lost in the "rolling" process" and what are some ways I can get protein (I weight train and realllyyy don't want to lose muscle, I calculated that I need about 50 ish grams of protein a day). Also if this has any significance I'm 18, slim, and 5'4 so I guess I don't need to worry too much about not getting enough calories.
Originally I wanted to go as close to 100 % raw as possible, but my main concern is being healthy, so if being 100 % raw will come in the way of that I'm willing to make small adustments (such as oats, but I wouldn't want to go any more "unraw" than that).
I basically need some coaching....

you can sprout grains and then they're raw :) i think it's buckwheat that's the most sproutable? i just know that the company "Go Raw" offers raw, sprouted granola and whatnot, and there are sprouted grains in them. maybe google them? sorry i can't be more specific..i've cut out grains because they make me all emotional :p

[fruitandveggies]

The China Study notes that 5% to 10% of your total calories should be from protein. The less, the better. Protein is in pretty much all plants, so don't worry!

Oh, by the way, cooked porridge is pretty much nutritionally void.

[eatyourbroccoli]

well, I don't know, it's only because I weight train and I don't see how I will build muscle without enough protein, and it doesn't help that I don't know what's enough. My figure came from my weight times 0.8 plus I added five grams for the working out. I guess I'll just have to wait and see if I stay the way I am and have no problems with working out. If not I'll have to rethink things.
I'm also worried about B 12

oh! just saw this. yes to the others who mention amino acids..i'm the most built/toned when i'm raw..i eat probably 50% greens/fats and 50% fruits.

and if your gut is healthy, don't worry too much about b12. probiotics and whatnot will keep that healthy (whether you choose to take probiotic supplements or drink kombucha or whatever).

and no worries about what is and isn't enough..listen to your body, eat when you're hungry, and try to pay attention to what it "says" it needs. if it's screaming "grains!" think of the nutrients that are in the grains, and substitute them with whichever else has those nutrients. it's always the nutrients our bodies are asking for...not the food itself imo. :D

[tylerdurden]

Yes I totally agree with people saying you don't need protein you need amino acids. Amino acids are in raw food! I don't think you'll lose muscle being raw but rather get very toned and defined. If you're still worried about it check out a product called Sun Warrior Raw Vegan Sprouted Rice Protein. Someone on this site mentioned it to me and it looks amazing. I was sold on it and will be using in the future! Good Luck!

[cherry_lo]

The China Study notes that 5% to 10% of your total calories should be from protein. The less, the better. Protein is in pretty much all plants, so don't worry!

Oh, by the way, cooked porridge is pretty much nutritionally void.

I don't cook it, I just soak it in water
The stuff I have has like seeds and stuff in it too, and 3 different grains, and when I look at the nutritional facts it seems really good, but I have no way of knowing if I'm really getting it all.
Does rolling them whatever it is they do destroy the grains nutrition?

oh and as far as another person's post, why would grains make you emotional?

[cherry_lo]

oh oh and what about that nutritiona yeast stuff? Is that nescesary?
I may get it just because I heard it tastes kinda like cheese, which is a good bonus.

[SekhemNefer]

you don't need protein you need amino acids which are the building blocks for your body. amino acids are in all raw live foods. so focus on getting lots of greens and other raw foods and you'll be just fine!


I brought this topic up on another health board on how can I get more Amino Acids in my diet without worrying about protein intake. Many of the people there told me that Amino Acids and protein are basically one and the same. That you can't have one without the other. On par to saying, you can't have a banana without potassium.

So I wonder why people on Raw Food Talk separate Amino Acids issue from the protein issue as if they are separate?

[cherry_lo]

I agree. I just feel so confused with all these different health studies telling me YOU NEED A TON OF PROTEIN then another one telling me NO THAT'S A LIE MADE UP BY MEAT COMPANIES. If I try to think logically, I think that maybe we truly don't need all that much, since our ancestors must have survived somehow....but I wouldn't know because I haven't talked to any of them. I shall wait and see if I lose all of my beloved muscle and if I start to, then I guess I'll have to force myself to drink Hemp protein, which I'm sorry but tastes like s**** without a ton of fruit to mix it up.

[Tenuho]

Yea they are the same thing....

its that in meat....you have all the amino acids...which make a protein so they package it as 'protein'' while in raw foods you have some amino acids but not all of them so they package it as ''amino acids''..

basically there are 23 amino acids...your body makes 15 and 8 you need from food...

the amino acids chain together to make 'proteins''....

some people say you need to make sure you get all 8 from each meal but its not true because you have an amino acid pool so you save them and your body automatically chains them together when it needs to...

amino acids are in lots of raw foods....

[LilacLavender]

Good info, Tenuho. May I add that plant proteins are easier for our bodies to digest because the amino acids within them are not already combined into a "complete" protein. The fact that meat and soy are "complete" proteins only means your body has to break down the amino acids within them first before they are usable...avoid the extra step and eat plant proteins!

Also, most people these days probably get too MUCH protein...which increases your risk for a variety of cancers.

http://cdn3.libsyn.com/drmonte/Fitness_Rocks_Podcast_029.mp3?nvb=20090704043322&nva=20090705044322&t=0cd3c224b4bfffd979016

[betty boop]

I'm newly raw vegan and to avoid being nutritionally void I decided to keep eating uncooked porridge which has rolled oats that I'm aware aren't raw. My question is, is the nutritional value worth it? How much nutrition is lost in the "rolling" process" and what are some ways I can get protein (I weight train and realllyyy don't want to lose muscle, I calculated that I need about 50 ish grams of protein a day). Also if this has any significance I'm 18, slim, and 5'4 so I guess I don't need to worry too much about not getting enough calories.
Originally I wanted to go as close to 100 % raw as possible, but my main concern is being healthy, so if being 100 % raw will come in the way of that I'm willing to make small adustments (such as oats, but I wouldn't want to go any more "unraw" than that).
I basically need some coaching....

I was concerned about protein when I first started so I did a little research and from what I gathered it really isn't an issue. It is also the first question people ask and/or worry about when they hear the words Vegetarian, Vegan or Raw. Check out this site that gives the nutrients of various things and that should put your mind at rest.

http://www.whfoods.com/foodstoc.php

[Cerellia]

Hi,

There are a lot of good information on this board about protein, especially in the fitness sub-forum.

For the grain issue: Most raw foodists don's recommend grains: They are acidic, contain complex proteins (gluten), which stress the body, and have little nutriens, compared to greens and fruits. Basicly, humans are not designed to be grain eaters as birds, for example, are. Buckwheat, amaranth and quiona are technically no grains and don't share the disadvantages of grains.
The problem about heating is not only that it kills most nutriens but also alters some of them to become toxic.

[Aleesha Sattva]

I brought this topic up on another health board on how can I get more Amino Acids in my diet without worrying about protein intake. Many of the people there told me that Amino Acids and protein are basically one and the same. That you can't have one without the other. On par to saying, you can't have a banana without potassium.

So I wonder why people on Raw Food Talk separate Amino Acids issue from the protein issue as if they are separate?



basically there are 23 amino acids...your body makes 15 and 8 you need from food...

the amino acids chain together to make 'proteins''....


plant proteins are easier for our bodies to digest because the amino acids within them are not already combined into a "complete" protein.

My response was already shared by others. I do have on more thing to add though.

When you eat a meat protein - only a small portion of the protein is usable... the rest becomes waste. So why not take the aminos from plants and have it 100% usable! Much more efficient if you ask me. :)

[cherry_lo]

I was concerned about protein when I first started so I did a little research and from what I gathered it really isn't an issue. It is also the first question people ask and/or worry about when they hear the words Vegetarian, Vegan or Raw. Check out this site that gives the nutrients of various things and that should put your mind at rest.

http://www.whfoods.com/foodstoc.php

Thank you very much, It helps to be pointed to specific things. My kind is not at rest as of yet, so I shall go read.

[betty boop]

You're welcome!

Here is another site with lots of good info that helped me alot.

http://www.ccmhi.org/mplant.htm

[carlye]

...... I shall wait and see if I lose all of my beloved muscle .......

I can tell you the best way to lose your (beloved) muscle. Stop weight training. If you continue to lift and train there will be no reason you will lose your muscle. As the saying goes "use it or lose it"

The energy you are using when you are training does not come from protein anyway, the muscle has stored glycogen* in it which gives you the energy to lift. And the best way to replace/replenish that is by eating plant/carbohydrate type foods.

There are a lot of bodybuilders that do eat oats, but it certainly isn't for the protein they get from them.

*Definition: Carbohydrate stored in the liver and muscles. Glycogen is used as a fuel during exercise. The body generally has enough glycogen stored to sustain 65-85 minutes of exercise.

happy training :)

[cherry_lo]

So I was reading about how to soak grains and it talks about it needing acidity. Does that mean that I should put a few drops of lemon juice into the water overnight?

[Ilse W.]

I believe you first said that you were concerned about your health, but then you insist on eating grains. Grains are NOT healthy for humans. If you are worried about getting enough protein from plants, picture a cow. People claim they drink milk for protein and eat meat for protein. Where does the cow naturally get the stuff to convert into protein? GRASS! Eat your greens and you will have all the protein you need. (Or you can continue on your wild goose chase to try to convince yourself [and us] that your body needs unhealthy grains.):p

[cherry_lo]

I believe you first said that you were concerned about your health, but then you insist on eating grains. Grains are NOT healthy for humans. If you are worried about getting enough protein from plants, picture a cow. People claim they drink milk for protein and eat meat for protein. Where does the cow naturally get the stuff to convert into protein? GRASS! Eat your greens and you will have all the protein you need. (Or you can continue on your wild goose chase to try to convince yourself [and us] that your body needs unhealthy grains.):p

It's also that grains taste very "solid" and I get tired of just fruits and veggies, and I don't want to overdose on nuts because I don't want to turn this into a super fatty diet. I do plan to say no to grains starting tomorrow, but I'm worried.
I don't get how I'm going to get enough calories, for a sedetary day I supposedly need 1600, for a non sedatary day it's more. Like, do I have to literally stuff myself with salad or what do I do?

[cherry_lo]

I had grains just recently and it was the first time in the day that I felt tired again, I don't like it, and that is enough of an indication that you guys were telling me the truth. I feel sickened by eating too much fruit though, honestly I can only stand two things of something, like a grape fruit and maybe a mango. But that's only like what, 200 calories? a handful of nuts maybe possibly 300, but even that'd be like 25 grams of fat, or so it says on the package. Then a salad, is basically nothing, 150 if I push it. I'll be starved, or stuffed....hellppp

[Aleesha Sattva]

ignore calories. they don't matter at all. not in a raw foodist diet.

just eat. allow yourself to eat. enjoy your meals... let go of controlling everything and just simply allow.

:D (((hugs)))

[Ilse W.]

What's important to your body are not the calories, but the nutrient density of the things you eat. Greens are the most nutrient dense things you can eat. So if you drink a green smoothie in the morning with a banana or two and/or some other fruit, plus a couple hands full of spinach or romaine lettuce or other dark green leafy things, you will get tons of nutrients that will keep you going. Just eat when you feel hungry and stop when you feel satisfied. As Aleesha said, calories don't matter. Relax. Eating is not supposed to be rocket science.

[pixie_333]

heck... i gained a ton of muscle working out just living off of mainly beer back in the days. and when i did eat it was usualy small amounts of pizza or something. just junk. i don't believe in all that need for protein and this and that to gain muscle. it happens by just working out and lifting. maybe not as much of a gain.. i don't know for sure, but i def gained a lot of muscle and toned accordingly to what i did.

anyways.. for knowledge sakes spirulina is said to have 12 times more protein than meat and if i remember correctly it's a complete protein and digestable.

[cherry_lo]

ignore calories. they don't matter at all. not in a raw foodist diet.

just eat. allow yourself to eat. enjoy your meals... let go of controlling everything and just simply allow.

:D (((hugs)))

I hope the same thing as last summer doesn't happen
That's probably where the anxiety is from. I'll try your approach tomorrow so to speak, just see how I do, though one day might not be enough to tell but meh.

[eatyourbroccoli]

ignore calories. they don't matter at all. not in a raw foodist diet.

just eat. allow yourself to eat. enjoy your meals... let go of controlling everything and just simply allow.

:D (((hugs)))

agreed :)

this method's also so much less exhausting mentally and emotionally :D

[LilacLavender]

Initially calories don't matter. Later on, they do indirectly, but you don't hae to consciously worry about them because "later on", you'll be listening to your body for how much and what to eat.

[Mikfizzle]

what about instead of using processed rolled oats you used raw oat groats, and soaked them? you still get the nutritional aspects but its closer to raw than the latter.

[cherry_lo]

yes I can try that
what do you mean "closer" to raw, won't they be 100 % raw then