week three and I feel like crap.

[poleidopy]

I've been doing 100% raw for three and a half weeks now and I feel awful! I have been sick with a terrible head cold since THANKSGIVING. I thought raw foods were supposed to help the body fight stuff like that more, but here I am feeling worse than I've ever felt. What's going on!? How long is this detox period supposed to last? :(

[Green_Woman]

Can you give us more information? :)

What does your Raw Diet consist of generally? What other factors are involved (work hours, do you get much sleep, etc.)?

Detox is always a factor in the beginning when we go Raw, so that could be what's going on for you... but again, more information would help!!

[DeniseM]

That is a long time to be feeling long-stop awful. Let me echo Green_Woman -- what does your diet look like? Did you jump head-first into raw, or did you have a transition period?

I do believe detox can rear its head (especially in the beginning), but if you've been feeling crummy this long, another factor may be at play -- such as not eating enough (which can bring on detox-like symptoms) or routinely eating a food or food combination that doesn't agree with you.

[Green_Woman]

Denise -- the OP did say that though she's been ill since Thanksgiving, she's (he?) only been eating RAW for 3 wks...

I would offer the idea that having been sick for several weeks prior to going on RAW, her Detox is now not only going to be kicking off the "normal" bonds, but her body is also fighting to heal from the head cold, as well...

...and of course, repeat the request for a little more background on what's going on in your world, Poleidopy!

[DeniseM]

Denise -- the OP did say that though she's been ill since Thanksgiving, she's (he?) only been eating RAW for 3 wks...

HA, I need a calendar! I keep thinking it's still December :rolleyes:

In that case, yup, sounds like a double whammy of normal "first time raw" detox plus whatever sickness was there beforehand. Poleidopy, I recommend taking it super easy and resting as much as you possibly can. It may help speed things along by eating a very simple, easy-to-digest diet right now (watery fruits, blended foods, green juice if you have a juicer). Sorry you've been sick so long, but it WILL get better! :)

[RawKnitster]

A virus and detox! Hang on! The virus going around this season is a nasty one.

The first time I went raw I felt good for about 2-3 weeks, then detox hit. Felt like I was being poisoned. It was better after week 4.

[poleidopy]

I usually have a huge green smoothie for breakfast, some kind of "meal" for lunch, usually a huge salad or some zucchini-spaghetti or something with avocado or olive oil, then green juice in the afternoon then fruit or another green smoothie or a handful of nuts for dinner. I try really hard to make sure I am eating enough. And yes, I have been sick with a head/chest cold since Thanksgiving. I'm coughing so hard my ribs are all sore. I think it's probably just a cold plus a little detox on top of that, but it sucks! I hate being sick for this long. I wish I knew exactly what to expect from detoxing, but each symptom is new to me. Ugh!

[Green_Woman]

Poleidopy: Based on what you've posted so far, it may take longer for you to get through the Detox. But each of our bodies respond differently to the initial transition - truly, no one here can "diagnose" you because your body will take it's own course...

Just to clear something up, you say you've been RAW for almost a month now, but you have been SICK for a few weeks prior to going Raw, right?

So, you're NOT necessarily feeling awful because of the Raw Food Diet.

Hang in there!!! I used to get the Flu/Colds for up to 3 months at a time (back when I was on SAD)... I don't even get them anymore. You can do this. :D