Three questions to get started.

[joellark]

Hi,

I just stumbled across this site after doing a Google search on raw good dieting. I just have a few basic questions to get things clear for me:

1. Can I manage a raw food diet without having to cook? Or would I still need a stove/oven?

2. Does a raw food diet go with trying to build muscle/physique? That is, if I were trying to go to the gym to bulk up a bit, would I be able to do this while on the raw food diet?

3. How much time/energy does it take to prepare meals?

I'm not necessarily a very busy person, but I work ALOT of hours, and my eating habits have suffered as a result. That is, I don't eat very well. I often eat lunch at the company cafeteria, and bring dinner home (or order a Pizza). I've been very disappointed with my eating habits for a while (and also that I don't exercise, but that's another story), and so I'm looking to setup a system so that I can change.

Also, my food bill (I use mint.com) hovers at around $350.00/month, and this is outrageous to me, because I'm only one person, and I'm never even satisfied with what I'm eating. Basically, I'm also trying to save some money, but my health takes priority.

I live close to Trader Joe's, and Whole Foods is also accessible to me (easily). I'm 23, male, and I've never had an eating disorder, just bad eating habits (lots of junk, but I'm still bone skinny).

I'm looking to setup a system that will allow me to eat a healthy breakfast, lunch, and dinner everyday consistently at a reasonable cost, and that will allow me to get in some exercise (to build some muscle).

Am I in the right place?

[rawrawks]

Oh you are definitely in the right place...no doubt about that. Raw food rocks your life.

[HereAndThere]

I'm very new to raw, but I'll gladly share what I know...

1. Can I manage a raw food diet without having to cook? Or would I still need a stove/oven? I still use my stove. It's such a handy place to set the cutting board when I'm chopping. :D My oven, I still use because I don't have a dehydrator but I still want to make breads and such. It's not the best method, but it'll do for now.

2. Does a raw food diet go with trying to build muscle/physique? That is, if I were trying to go to the gym to bulk up a bit, would I be able to do this while on the raw food diet? I'm thinking it does, but I wouldn't know how. I am not a fitness expert in the least.

3. How much time/energy does it take to prepare meals? I think it takes considerably less time/energy for raw meals than with cooked. If you eat raw gourmet, it might take a bit longer, but certainly not as long as you'd take if you were making a SAD gourmet dish.

[Aleesha Sattva]

eating raw live foods means you don't cook your food... you eat it in it's natural state. so nope, no stove or oven needed. (you can choose to do some dehydrating but that's another topic)

yes you can bulk up while on a raw food diet. you gets loads of amino acids, the building blocks for protein.

it takes as much or as little time as you desire. how long does it take to whip up a salad or grab an apple, banana and a mango and make a fruit salad. better yet... how about grabbing an apple and just eating it! talk about fast food!!!

[spicyfull]

Welcome to the Forum.

[sport]

Check this site out for bodybuilding. There are many more like it.

http://www.thegardendiet.com/storm2.html

I tried to find Charlie's Gym link but it seems to be gone. Anyone know if it is gone from the internet completely or am I failing to locate it.

[anniez]

1. Can I manage a raw food diet without having to cook? Or would I still need a stove/oven?

A raw food diet means you do not cook. The most you will do is dehydrate food if you want breads, crackers, etc. I use my oven to store my big bowls and platters and I use my stovetop to store my cutting boards between uses.

2. Does a raw food diet go with trying to build muscle/physique? That is, if I were trying to go to the gym to bulk up a bit, would I be able to do this while on the raw food diet?

Absolutely! You will be amazed after awhile at how you feel when you eat raw, fresh food. Your body will love you for it.

3. How much time/energy does it take to prepare meals?

Well, it can vary. It can take as little as peeling a few bananas for breakfast, or making a green smoothie or as much as preparing more complicated recipes.



You are definitely in the right place. I strongly recommend that you get Alissa's book, Living on Live Food, because she thoroughly discusses this lifestyle (I feel very strongly that this is not a diet!) It's worth every penny of the expense, because it will really get you started in the right directionl


Eating fresh, raw food really satisfies your body and after awhile you will find that you just won't need as much food. A lot of that will be dependent on your exercise levels.



Alissa's book will get you off to the best possible start, as she includes menus for 30 days, so you will know you are getting the best nutrition possible.

If you aren't familiar with green smoothies do a search for it, as there is a lot of info here.

Good luck to you. It may be daunting at first, as there can be quite a steep learning curve coming off cooked food, particularly junk food. And at first you may feel "off" as your body detoxes the bad stuff you have been feeding it. But hang in there, there are many, many people here who would not go back to our previous eating.

Annie

[RawSar]

1. Can I manage a raw food diet without having to cook? Or would I still need a stove/oven?

2. Does a raw food diet go with trying to build muscle/physique? That is, if I were trying to go to the gym to bulk up a bit, would I be able to do this while on the raw food diet?

3. How much time/energy does it take to prepare meals?

I'm not necessarily a very busy person, but I work ALOT of hours, and my eating habits have suffered as a result. That is, I don't eat very well. I often eat lunch at the company cafeteria, and bring dinner home (or order a Pizza). I've been very disappointed with my eating habits for a while (and also that I don't exercise, but that's another story), and so I'm looking to setup a system so that I can change.

Am I in the right place?

#1 - Raw foodism: is a lifestyle promoting the consumption of un-cooked, un-processed, and often organic foods as a large percentage of the diet. I dont use my ovens. I do use my stove to heat water for herbal teas or warm lemon/honey water on cold night. The oven and most of the stove is a pretty big waste of space in my kitchen. lol.

#2 - Eating a raw food diet will not build muscles for you, You have to work out to get that. To see amazing strength and flexibility from a raw fooder check out this video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xUIimYiMGaw
That is a very hot body!!

#3 - It could take a couple days (dehydrating foods) or it could take 2 seconds to peel a banana. You could eat very simple, whole raw fresh fruits and veggies, nuts and seeds or you could eat gourmet using different machines and lots of ingredients or you could find something inbetween... up to you. I like to eat mostly simple during the day and then salads at night (they take a little more time preparing than grabbing a fruit off the counter) and then eat gourmet on special occasions.

Are you in the right place ? If those are the answers you are looking for then yes! ;)


Welcome!

[Tirza]

Alissa is a body builder. On her DVD's she commented that she was NOT wasted or skinny looking. She has great tone and definition.

Look on YouTube and follow the trails through Raw Food Diet or something like that. You'll find videos done by several guys who are serious body builders, and even one by a guy who is a winning climber...mountains, Sears Tower, etc...and he does it RUNNING!

I tossed my stove and put a nice new stacking washer and dryer in its place. But I cheated a little since I have to cook for others now and then...I kept a little 2 burner element tucked away under the cupboard, and I have a countertop convection oven that has a dehydrator setting on it, but I can use it for warming raw entrees, or yes, use it to bake something for the grandson if I have to.

Most of us are careful with some of the richer raw recipes that take super-sweet dry fruits, or lots of nuts and oils. But you can indulge! Many of the dehydrated recipes are high calorie. So don't get scared at the thought of having to eat nothing but apples and celery. You can do so many crazy things with nuts from meatballs to cheeses and sauces, to ice cream, cookies and cakes. Easily.

Good luck. Enjoy. Do lots of research, and search this site especially. SO MUCH information in the archives. Alissa's book is a classic and a necessity I would say. Lots of other books too. It can drive you crazy with glee. :)