Help! Information overload!!!

[RawViking]

Hi,

im new in the world of raw foods. the last couple of days ive been eating mostly raw. the transistion seems to be going good. only problem(if it is a problem) seems to be that im reading a lot of counter information. after ive eaten, i seem to get very high. i find some sources who say that this is not good. its a way that my body reacts when cleaning out new toxins. and i kinda agree to some degree. i feel the same when ive been drinking cofee. im a caffeine intolerant, so i dont do that so much. i also have a past which involves addictions to foods and other substances.

this night, i had the best meal with my girl. and at some point i felt really high. like chemical high. i liked it at first, but after i while i had to work really hard with my energies to ground myself. it felt as if i was about to leave my body! after that experience, i started to reflect and came to the conclusion that i didnt like it. i like to be in my body! so, i started reading on the web and see that there are whole lot of information about this. came across a fugivore site(or something) that contains a lot of information. after reading, my first enthusiasm about raw food kinda dwindled. it made it so much harder to see my continuation with a fully raw diet.

to me now, it seems as there isnt supposed to be a real pleasure in foods. its become very anal to me. no spices, no onion, no garlic, no this, no that. the reason i get so turned on by raw food is that its tasty, healthy and makes my mind function 100% can we really take all information in to account and consider every aspect of the good and bad in food and follow? for me its too much negative information. ive found something i really love and something i believe in, but the picture is starting to fall apart.

i would really love some feedback and experience on this matter. to help me and motivate me too keep on doing the thing im doing, which is going for a healthy and clean life!

Thanx...

[Dimond]

Welcome RawViking. First of all, take a few deep breaths. :) I agree that there is tons of info and many contradicting info. One of the best things you can do is find a couple of long-term raw foodists that resonate with you and seem to be happy and healthy and use them as motivation. Try to use your intuition the best you can in deciding whose advice to take, as well as what works for you. No one way of raw is right for every single person & rarely will 100% of what even someone you follow will be correct for you. Just do your best and don't worry about it. When you are a beginner (several months to a year or more), it's best to keep things simple by just eating raw until it becomes part of your lifestyle. Often this will require a lot of food, including ones that will ground your energy since you mentioned this as an issue. Later, your body won't need as much food and you won't need as much flavoring because you'll be use to eating healthy.

Steve Pavlina has spoken about needing more fats to ground his energy. Later he was able to channel his energy into a variety of creative tasks. You may want to read his blog. There are other grounding food besides fats like root veggies. Angela Stokes has a book on raw emotions. Her & her husband are two of my favorites to follow and they offer a lot of helpful info on their websites and blogs. Of course there is plenty of support and info on here and Alissa Cohen is a wonderful long-term raw example.

Most important of all: Keep it simple and enjoy raw. It's meant to be fun! :)

[klomasius]

Do what your body feels is best.

You'll begin to figure it out after a while and not get all stressed.

As well as health I subscribe to a real hedonist view of food, i.e. it's there to be enjoyed immensely and contribute to my wellbeing via pleasure as well as nutrition.

I don't subscribe to the 'don't eat this, don't eat that, stress about food' school of thought, and my health has never been better!

Life is about enjoyment, pleasure and health are not mutually exclusive, in fact, pleasure often leads to greater health as long as the food that brings pleasure is not REALLY bad for you!

REEEELLLAAXXXX! :D

[VeGenesis]

Hi Viking,

I am part Saxon - that is close considering I am now in the Philippines!

I KNOW those highs - they really let you down. Some of the hardest points in my transition was right after those highs... Here is what I did.

First - there are many opinions - this site alone has people at different places in their raw journey. I am one of them! Some people make elaborate meals. Some people make a very high fat transition and seem to transition to a more healthy eating pattern over a longer period of time. Some people have so many don't ruled that you would think they were starting a religion, don't do this and don't do that and of course don't ever do that other thing!

For some, although not so many on this site, it is about exact precise measurements and they keep track of seemingly everything. How much b-6 or omega-6 or eating what on day-6! :confused:

I think there are so many different people saying different things because they are focusing on tiny parts of a whole - whatever part is mission in their life or way of thinking.

FOR ME, I have developed a concept over a number of years. I will not say it is perfect. I am not selling a book or anything else! It is really base on "Original Design" and how I believe we can have opium health within what Alissa's Living Food Cuisine.

I am a simple eater. I follow a simple list of dos, not don'ts. Of course others would say these are "reverse don'ts!" :)

1) Human DNA thrives on RAW plant DNA so...

Do eat all RAW plant food!

2) Your body needs Aminos and minerals and EFA building blocks. This is the main stuff that keeps me grounded and takes the highs away. I eat 1/2Kg a day - but I am a pretty big guy.

Do eat dark green leafy food!

3) The Original Design of everything I can find indicated to me that we were designed to eat whole foods together as a whole. Others here disagree and I respect their right to do so.

Do eat whole foods!

4) There are a few foods that are rich foods. From my view these are Olives, Avocados, Dorian and Coconuts. These Rich foods have a high oil content, so...

Do eat rich foods sparingly!

5) Foods you can not eat as a meal, these should be suspected as not being a real food. For example I have seen people pull up a carrot or ginger root and munch away! Bell peppers, Tomatoes, Cucumbers and oranges people make whole meals of these single foods. Ever seen some one do this with a plate of garlic?

Do eat meal foods!


Well Viking, that is my whole eating plan and it works for me and is easy for me to remember.

The don't people would say...
Rule 1
Don't eat cooked stuff
Don't eat milk
Don't eat meat
Don't eat fish, eggs, etc, etc and so forth!

Rule 3
Don't eat Grain, Nuts, Seeds, or Beans.

These are all the seed parts of the plants or the reproductive parts. It is not whole food. I cannot see people of times past digging in the dirt and saying - oh boy, I found another sprout!

Humans do not need these and cultures around the world have thrived without them.

Grain has actually been very corrupted by man from its original form. Although I do not say don't eat them, I just think the original design was to eat something else and that is why these are protected. Beans as a whole will make you sick if you eat them (I am not talking about one kind - fill a bowl with a few of each kind and you will get sick eating it!)

If you are eating a half kilo of green beans and there are some beans in the pod, who cares! But if you are going to sit down to a half kilo of almond butter... oops!

If you think cocoa is great - eat the fruit with the seeds. If you think cashews taste good, eat one cashew per cashew apple - WHOLE food! Eating by Original Design you will not eat very many nuts or seeds or beans and no grain!

Don't eat stuff that is extracted either, oil, juice - those two alone will send me into a rocket ship to the moon high! This includes dehydration too as it extracts the water! All my food is fixed with a sharp knife and a simple blender... I sometimes use a grater too (grated apples and carrots are mighty fine!).

Rule 4
Don't eat oily food.

I do not believe that, our body needs some oil. But almost all plant foods have some oil in it 1-3%. These few foods have 25-75% of calories based on oil content! I eat a young coconut or a small avocado daily!

Rule 5
Don't eat food you would not eat a plate full.

I LOVE LIVING ON LIVE FOOD!

I like to point out that this is about living, not about some old dead and dusty rules. The above are not my hard and fast must do rules, they are a guide for LIVING!

I love the flavor and excitement food brings to me. When you get away from non meal foods you find a simple joy in eating a tomato or crunchy carrot. I had some times when I only ate a meal of one food - like carrots or bananas or tomatoes! Just one thing for a whole meal. You start hearing your body tell you what it wants next. The joy and excitement comes into play when you give your body what it needs! When you see your body respond - that is a different kind of pleasure. It is not in your mouth, it is in your whole being, your ability to think and function and perform!

Remember also...

RAW FOOD IS A LIFESTYLE!

Some people approach raw food as some kind of temporary thing to try or do. A lifestyle, on the other hand, is something you ALWAYS do. Eating raw is equal to living. RAW=LIVING=LIFESTYLE - I cannot even think about replacing my HAPPY food for eating SAD again!

[RawViking]

Thanks for all your replies!

Ive been reflecting since yesterday and while ive been reading your replies, it has become more clear to me. First of, I need just trust in my body. My body knows what is good for me. I almost dont have any cravings for sugar or fat anymore, so i feel confident that my body wants what is best for me! Second, i dont want to fill my head up with everybodys opinions. i need to, like dimond said, find someone i can relate to and talk to them.

Right now im in the beginning of my journey and alot of things are happening. Im just discovering how all the different kind of foods are affecting me and what is good for me. Its kinda interesting actually. Maybe I'll also end up one day eating like you VeGenesis, which i can resonate with and see why you are eating the way you do. But im not quite there yet. For now, ill eat the scrumpilicious foods and start to pay more attention to my body:D

Have a good one everybody!

[VeGenesis]

Maybe I'll also end up one day eating like you VeGenesis, which i can resonate with and see why you are eating the way you do. But im not quite there yet. For now, ill eat the scrumpilicious foods and start to pay more attention to my body:D

I am very happy with where I am today - but as anyone here for a while knows, it took me a couple years to find this way. Most people who find the simple way, take time in getting here. Likewise, I am not even saying you should! You are not me! I am just saying this is now working for me.

Likewise, it takes quite some time for your taste buds to heal too. They seem to go into a taste overload. Right now I am enjoying some dark green native Pechay (green leaves) with liquid aminos. It is wonderfully simple and fantastically delicious when your taste-buds are not all plugged up! Three years ago I would have called this rabbit food, and insisted that I would gag and choke to death trying to eat it!

Today I know that tonight my sleep will be peaceful. I know I will wake up to my exercise in the morning with renewed strength and better performance! Plus my over all well being is just so much greater.

My advice for you Viking is to just commit to the raw vegan way and then listen to your body and find your way!

[RawViking]

I hear you on that one Vegenesis. My point exactly...exactly ;) Im really happy with where i am now. Who nows what tomorrow will bring. I dont really have another agenda except for feeling good! Thats my thermometer.

Looking forward to share my journey with you guys!

[anniez]

You've gotten great info here already. I have just one thing to add: Get Alissa's book Living On Live Food. It is full of info and it comes from one who has spent a long time on this path. I really trust Alissa and turn to her book for info daily.

This lifestyle is worth the effort!

Annie

[cara4art]

Just relax - it's going to be OK, and you will have a myriad of benefits and learning experiences along the way! Just jump in and go raw - your body will tell you in due time what it wants. VeGenesis is correct, and his approach sounds pretty sound to me.
There are a lot of people out there who "study" the raw diet for 10-15 years, but don't go raw - they "know" all about it, but they don't DO it. Be one of the ones that DOES it. There are always going to be people who say this or that food is "bad" or that fats aren't good, or fruits aren't good, etc. Or there are the people who "go on a health kick"(like it's something temporary to do - ugh!)and try a raw food diet for a few days or weeks, and then go right back to their previous lifestyle.
Go raw, and ENJOY! In fact, if you ENJOY your food, that means you will be more likely to stick with it. Try different things - this is the time to do so to see what agrees or not on YOUR body.
As far as what I do, after close to 2 years, many of my meals are actually pretty simple, like smoothies, salads, wraps, or maybe just a couple of fruits eaten with some raw seeds or nuts. I do make dehydrator crackers, a couple of "flat breads", granola and a few cookies to round this out for some more filling stuff. Am moderate in the use of fats, but I do do well on lots of greens and fruit. Plus I do use my food processor for dips and a few pates.
Just relax - it's going to be OK, and you will have a myriad of benefits and learning experiences along the way!

[Green_Woman]

Viking - Read Alissa Cohen's book LIVING ON LIVE FOOD.... it's the book (and philosophy) around which this specific community is focused, and there is alot of grounding, simplified, and easy to digest information in that book.

Most of us are here today, eating RAW foods and enjoying life and HEALTH to the fullest, because we learned about RAW the blissful way that Alissa teaches it....

I got overwhelmed when I first learned about RAW, too... it's taken 3 years of sifting through all the information and experimenting with what my body needs and wants to find a place of balance and peace with Living Foods. :)


I LOVE RAW!


:D


I hope you find your equilibrium.

[Green_Woman]

First of, I need just trust in my body. My body knows what is good for me.


And that is Alissa's #1 Point... and how I live, too. :D Good for you discovering that resounding truth. :D

[Pedstone]

how do you know what/who to listen to?? I spent this past weekend cruising youtube and came across a few channels that do daily videos (i was mostly looking for receipe ideas). One channel that I watched I liked in the beginning (early 2008 when they were sort of new) but as the years/shows went on they have drastically changed their view points about many foods/ways to prepare...

So for a newbie (1 month 100% raw(almost) so far) how do I deal with knowing what's "right"?

I ordered a dehydrator this weekend, but now after watching these videos according to them I should stay away from dehydrated foods (at least that's what I took from it). No salt, oil, cacao, only honey as sweetner, no nama shoyu (spelling??), the list goes on and on...

Do I cancel my order or do I do what I feel is right for me??

And on another note, to people with dehydrators~how often do you use them??

I'm so lost and ready to throw in the towel!! :(

[Dimond]

You just pay attention to what you feel is right for you at this time. It will likely change as time goes on and that's okay. But what is it that works for you right now? You can find a select couple of people who resonate with you to get ideas on what you want to do. There's no reason to get overwhelmed following a bunch of people. Find ones that you have things in common with, you like their personality, they seem like great examples of long-term true health, etc. This doesn't mean you will do everything they suggest. There's tons of info and support on here. Alissa who runs this forum is a great person to follow.

Though I've eaten dehydrated foods to help me stick with being raw, I've never owned a dehydrator. The longer you're raw, the more simple your diet typically gets, which normally means very little dehydrated foods. You'll likely find your dehydrator useful as most have.

[sport]

I ordered a dehydrator this weekend, but now after watching these videos according to them I should stay away from dehydrated foods (at least that's what I took from it). No salt, oil, cacao, only honey as sweetner, no nama shoyu (spelling??), the list goes on and on...

Do I cancel my order or do I do what I feel is right for me??

And on another note, to people with dehydrators~how often do you use them??

I'm so lost and ready to throw in the towel!! :(

I am at the same place as those people that you have been watching and I do not use any of those things but I did not get here overnight. It is a journey and you have to travel it in order to get where you want to be.
The only thing that I use my dehydrator for now is to redry seeds after I have soaked them but I would not have survived without it in the beginning. I would never have been able to stay away from bread if I had not had the crackers.
Get your dehydrator and enjoy the results until you are ready to move on to the next stage.
Rome was not built in a day.

[Shels]

I agree with the general tone here: hakuna matata. :)
It is more than enough that you're going to be delving into raw food, don't worry about all the rules and debates and pressure. You'll discover what's right for your body over time.

[annabella]

I just started eating all raw a little over a week ago, and also gave up caffeine about 5 days ago. I have been struggling with what perhaps are some detox symptoms of dizziness, fatigue, emotional instability, etc. But I have really found that at this time I NEED to be eating a lot of fatty foods like coconut oil and nut pates and avacado to get through the day. At first I was concerned about really not doing all this correctly, but I am trying to trust my own body and intuitions, (which I have already found there has been a dramatic increase in my sense of connection between body-mind) and give my body what it needs. As long as I am still eating all raw foods I figure that I am doing what I need to be doing. I will worry about the next steps of health when I get there in my own time. And I enjoy eating delicious food with spices! I am trying to just relax about all these rules and do what I want. I am confident that I am on the right track and eating what I want is helping me to stay on course and feel well and balanced.

[sport]

I But I have really found that at this time I NEED to be eating a lot of fatty foods like coconut oil and nut pates and avacado to get through the day. I am confident that I am on the right track and eating what I want is helping me to stay on course and feel well and balanced.

I would suggest that the reason that you want the fatty foods is because they are slowing down your detox and therefore making you feel better. They are also probably slowing down your progress but you are correct in your approach. It is better to get there late than not at all.
Stick with it. Your taste will change as you progress and the need for the extra fat will diminish in time.
Good Luck.

[3afash]

You will benefit immensely from reading The Sunfood Diet Success System by David Wolfe, who is one of the key people in the raw food movement. It really goes into a lot of detain on what to do and what not to do, a lot of which is valuable advice that you'll never hear elsewhere (like I never heard that bananas are really not a good fruit to eat cause their hybrid and have a high sugar content, so as carrots and seedless grapes, yet some raw foodists live on them which is counterproductive)

[AdrianaH]

Wow... :eek:
NOw I understand the tittle for this thread... "Information Overload!!"...:eek:...:eek:...

I'm getting overloaded with info, does and don't myself...:confused:

[sport]

It really goes into a lot of detail on what to do and what not to do, a lot of which is valuable advice that you'll never hear elsewhere
You should never believe anything that you will not hear elsewhere.
If it is correct then a lot of people will know it and say it.
If only one person is saying it then it is very often just a figment of their imagination.
Any good newspaper editor will tell you that he never publishes something unless he can find a corroborating source.

[Bookish Lass]

Body too alkaline? The fatty foods would generally help bring the pH down, if so.

[rena]

All of these comments are very interesting. A lot to think about. I too am new to raw food. I have both of Alissa's books and a new dehydrator. I tried flax crackers and onion bread, both ended up in the garbage. I would love to make some crackers that taste good if there are any suggestions.

I love my green smoothie every day and salads. Maybe I should just stick to those and stop looking for more. But, I also like soups, lentil and vegtable, which I can't have on the raw diet. Then again, some say don't be so strict so maybe I can.??