worried....

[tvillemom]

OK...I know this topic has probably been beat to death. I'm worried about my protein intake. I truly believe everything I've read. Problem is this, I've been to an intergrative medical Dr. that has basically diagnosed me with having a yeast problem (in a couple of weeks we will do a blood test) but he was pretty certain. A nurse came in and talked to me about nutrition (basically, "make sure you are getting enough protein : carb ratio) when I told her I was a trying to live a raw lifestyle, and meat was out of the question, she mentioned beans, soy, and whey protein shakes...."you just have to get 66 grams of protein/day," she says. Now I'm worried that my "diet" will be closely scrutinized to help get rid of this problem, and my family will closely watch my results because I have a skin rash that has become quite painful and unsightly. :( I guess I just needed some incouragement. I COULD add a piece of cooked fish/day, but I really don't want to. Has anyone else had to deal with this, I just started with this Dr. and I like him, but I guess I haven't been raw long enough to stand up to a "professional". I'm just alittle nervous that a nurse that SHOULD have been more understanding, had no idea where I was coming from. OK...let me have it!
Wendi

[Mike]

Hi Wendi,

Just tell them your doctor (Dr. Gabriel Cousens) put you on a high protein diet that gives you all 22 amino acids. You are eating more than enough protein.

Add some spirulina, chlorella, or Klamath AFA blue-green algae to your diet. These foods contain 20 amino acids. I eat all three.

Raw organic Bee Pollen contains all 22 amino acids.

Hemp seeds and flax seeds contain around 18 amino acids.

In general, the seeds contain every essential amino acid (sesame, green pumpkin, sunflower, flax, hemp, etc...)

[Sicilian Girl]

This has been posted quite a bit and I have had my quandries as well...but as I have stated in my previous post on this, eating vegan raw will surely yield more than enough protein. If you are really concerned about watching your levels, you can use "www.fitday.com" to track it, with one caveat, you must choose to ignore the calories/fat etc. and concentrate simply on protein. I was amazed to find that flax seeds, which I use in crackers, etc have 15 grams of protein, per serving. And I can down a serving of flax crackers with dip or guacamole in no time! :) And flax also has above mentioned aminos and it helps me errrmm....in other ways in regards to restroom activity... :rolleyes:

"I COULD add a piece of cooked fish/day, but I really don't want to." YIKES! You don't HAVE to and don't want to....so DON'T! Eating fish in an otherwise raw/vegan diet kinda defeats the purpose. I was pretty nervous about getting the nutrients/protein etc when I started, but the way I feel is a better indicator of health than a doctor's "professional" opinion or nutritionist's chart.

Be well.

[joy]

66 grams is really quite a lot of protein. I used to do lots of strength training, and believed that I needed 70-80 grams per day (I was around 115 at 5'6"). What I didn't realize is that I was taking in an excess, while only some of it was absorbed; my body had to work extra hard to process it.

After eating raw for awhile, I returned to lifting weights. I hadn't done this for nearly 1 1/2 years, and expected it to take ages to build up to my former weight amounts. After all, I was only getting about 25 grams of protein per day, and weighed a few pounds less. Guess what? Within 2 workouts, I was lifting the same amount. Within 4, I was lifting more than I previously had.

Although that's just anecdotal, I eventually got my blood tested. After several months of eating raw, my protein levels were at the high end of normal.

Mike's suggestions are good if you want to safeguard yourself against a deficiency (although its' very unlikely...). Your doc might suggest eating lots of nuts for protein, although greens seem to be a much better option. When I increase my green intake, I always feel stronger :)

Blessings to you, Wendi

[Rawkinlocs]

In agreement with other posts...GREENS, not more nuts (or soy, meat, etc.), are what you need.

Mike, thanks for the tip about the seeds. Coincedentally, I've been adding sesame seeds to my green smoothies, in MY mind it was for more calcium, but now I know I'm also adding more amino acids! :)

[rawpriestess]

I totally agree with the above posts, just because fish is protein, does not mean your body can assimilate it.

Your body makes proteins from amino acids, and there are plenty of amino acids in your raw and living foods lifestyle.

Add some greens and eat healthily, and don't tell them what you are eating, simply give them the stats if need be.

Say, I eat blank grams of protein, blank grams of fat, etc.

Also, eating raw will get rid of your yeast much faster than anything else, and please please do NOT take drugs or medications, or anything like that.

If you feel you need to take something, take probiotics.

I believe Alissa sells them, but most helath food stores do too.

Do not let uneducated medical professionals tell you what to eat.

And is your doctor in perfect health? And fit and the nurse too?

[Mike]

Mike, thanks for the tip about the seeds.

You're welcome Rawkinlocs!

The seeds, algae, and bee pollen are the best protein
sources out of any food.

I like this page->

http://www.nutritiondata.com/facts-001-02s02db.html

It shows that sesame seeds have 18 amino acids
including the 9 essential.

Leafy greens are also great sources of protein, but
they are 90% + water so you need to eat large quantities.

It is easy to eat large quantities if you're making Boutenko
green smoothies or juicing them.

Brian Clement says that one 12 ounce glass of the
Hippocraties Green Juice supplies more protein than
most American's receive in two days.

This juice is 25% celery, 25% cucumber, and
50% sunflower green sprouts.

[StrawberryFields]

Just wanted to add my experience in case it might help you. I'm by no means an expert at this way of life yet. However, I too had a yeast problem, which I diagnosed on my own, as a doctor may have prescribed drugs or cortisone for my rashes. Anyway, nothing has cleared up my skin better than raw foods! I have fought with rashes and dry patches and itchiness for years, and after about two months of about 75% raw, all is clear! I'm so thankful for this. If you go 100% imagine how much better that will be.

I too have always needed alot of protein to feel good i.e. I ate alot of meat. However, now that I'm eating more leafy greens, I really do not ever feel tired. I especially like green smoothies for upping my intake of greens. It is very easily absorbed and gives a ton of energy.

Don't give in to the mainstream doctors. You know what is best for you. Take all of the above advice as these people know what they are talking about.

[tvillemom]

Thanks ya'll! I feel much better. Maybe I'll just fudge the numbers a bit, if I HAVE to give a total....I bet I never get asked. I think they just want to be sure I'm getting a "balanced" diet! I feel better hearing how ya'll feel and have dealt with the protein issue!
Wendi
PS. I LOVE green smoothies...but would love the recipe for the Hippocrates Green juice...could you post it?

[Mike]

I would love the recipe for the Hippocrates Green juice...could you post it?

This juice is served twice a day at Hippocrates. It is 25% celery, 25% cucumber, and 50% sprouts, with an emphisis on sunflower green sprouts. Sunflower greens are easy to grow and you get a pound of organic produce for just pennies!

[sport]

"This juice is served twice a day at Hippocrates. It is 25% celery, 25% cucumber, and 50% sprouts, with an emphisis on sunflower green sprouts."

Does anyone know if those measurements are before juicing or after juicing and what the optimum serving size is.

[tvillemom]

Do you guys sprout your own sunflowers? I have tried and they seem to turn brown. What am I doing wrong?
Wendi