Is bloating and/or weight gain normal after starting raw food?

[MellyBelly]

I've been on this raw food diet for four days...and instead of actually losing weight and looking/feeling slimmer as I'd expected (and as most others do when they begin) - I feel like I am a lot heavier (in appearance) and my stomach looks pregnant. I may have also put on actual weight aswell (possibly water weight)

Is this normal for starting a raw food diet??

[Gaius]

You'll be fine. Everybody has a different reaction the first week depending on their physiological makeup and past diet. Some people bloat, some people experience no changes, and some people get immediate results. Everybody is different. It's only been 4 days for you, so just give it some time. Make sure to also avoid salt in general since that does nothing but make you retain water.

Your weight WILL drop by this time next week. Just be patient. Don't worry so much. The stress only makes things worse. Go outside, get some fresh air, get some sun, and try some exercise to speed things up. But most of all, don't give up.

[Veganforlife]

::smacks self in head::

FOUR days! Oh - please give it more time. Enjoy what you are eating, don't worry about eliminating weight - that WILL come - just realize how healthy you mentally and physically are becoming!

[Mamoo]

I've only been doing this for just over 3 weeks, and didn't weigh the first week at all. Probably about 4 days in I felt really awful and bloated.........I said the same thing to my friend. I look pregnant, this isn't working for me. I was soooooooooooooo wrong. 23 days in and I have lost 12.8 pounds. I finally feel much better. I still have days when I think I must still be in detox, but they are fewer and last less time each time they happen.

Hang in there, you will be fine. Go for a walk and keep eating raw!!

[Seedy]

As others have said, hang in there. One question I would ask is were you strictly a SAD eater before switching to raw? What you may not realize, is that much of the digestion process occurs not in the stomach, but in the small intestine. Digestion in the lower GI is aided by the friendly bacteria that live in your gut. The bacteria needed to digest high fiber plant foods are different species from those that digest high protein meat and cooked grains. Give your body time to repopulate the gut with more plant friendly 'bugs' and your digestive problems will smooth out. If you continue to have problems, you can find bottles of colonizing bacteria in the refrigerated section of most health food stores. I've taken these after a course of antibiotics wiped out my natural bacteria (along with the infecting ones), and they really helped.
Seedy

[contessa20]

For me, even though I was losing weight from day 1, I felt and looked bloated for about the first month. Now, six months later I've lost over 40 lbs. and feel MUCH better.

Best of luck to you on your new journey.

[MellyBelly]

One question I would ask is were you strictly a SAD eater before switching to raw?

well I ate pretty sad but not That sad.
I used to eat sandwiches, wheat bics for breakfast, id have cheese meat, the occasional chocolate (lol weekly) and sometimes id have packet chips or take out. i was much healthier than your average 17 year old but i was no where near raw vegan

[MellyBelly]

thanks everyone
it was very helpful

xox :P