Are there any cons to Raw Foods ?

[cadelmcg]

Hi, All,

Not trying to stir up this forum, of course. I am new to the world of Raw Foods. I wanted to make sure I was making the right decision before I dived in. I am actually really nervous. I know that sounds a tad trivial, but this is really a new concept for me.

I have done a lot of googleing and research online with the pros and cons of the Raw Foods Diet. There just seems to be a lot of ramblers when it comes to the cons. I wanted the views from a true Raw Food Dieter- If any- what are the cons you came in contact with? or are there any cons a new person walking into the Raw Foods diet can come in contact with?

Thanks, Guys! :-P

[Green_Woman]

Are there any cons to raw food?

If there are, they're nowhere near as scary as the cons to SAD and cooked food!!! ;) :D

[skier2]

Hmmm...let's see:

1. Not being able to model for Proactiv Solution
2. Being too fit to model for Jenny Craig
3. Not having a "cancer story" to tell everyone and use as a crutch
4. Not being able to hold a conversation with one of your SAD friends about how your doctor says your blood pressure and cholesterol are high

haha, I'm sure there are many more...

[EatRaw]

Hi, All,

Not trying to stir up this forum, of course.

If any- what are the cons you came in contact with? or are there any cons a new person walking into the Raw Foods diet can come in contact with?

Thanks, Guys! :-P

Not knowing how you ate before on SAD the only cons I can think of real qiuck are:

You can't drive thru and order :D

You can't open the freezer and put something in the oven or mircowave :eek:

You can't open a can and heat it up on the stove

The learning curve takes awhile for raw...but not to long.

You do have to do a bit of pre planning...I do anyway...LOL

You can drop a frozen banana in the blender with a mango and some greens of your choice with a bit of water and it about a quick as a drive thru though :D

HTH's some.

dave

[Green_Woman]

1. Not being able to model for Proactiv Solution
2. Being too fit to model for Jenny Craig
3. Not having a "cancer story" to tell everyone and use as a crutch
4. Not being able to hold a conversation with one of your SAD friends about how your doctor says your blood pressure and cholesterol are high

*ROFL*

That's awesome!! :D

[spicyfull]

There can be Gas.........

[DeniseM]

The posts above cover the gist of it :)

Honestly, the biggest con of eating raw is the social implications. Depending on what your friends and family members are like, you might have to put up with a lot of flack from people who think you're insane, who are offended by the way you eat, who tell you you're going to die from protein deficiency, who accuse you of an eating disorder... on and on. This diet tends to draw a lot of attention from friends and family, not always in a positive way. You've got to be prepared to stand your ground, and stay calm and peaceful if people start getting on your case. (This is less of a problem if your social circle is already full of positive, supportive, health-conscious folks.)

It can also be hard navigating your way through food-centered social situations. I've been raw for 7 years and I still feel a little uncomfortable when I'm with a group of people who suddenly decide to order pizza or get Chinese takeout. You WILL be the odd duck at meal time, and you have to learn to be okay with that. If fitting in is a high priority for you, being a raw foodist is darn tricky. But once you're confident in yourself and your lifestyle -- and once you get that beautiful "raw glow" -- people are more likely to ask you for advice than to pester you about your insanity. :)

Another potential issue is food selection in the winter. If you live near a big or medium-sized city, this is not a problem at all. But if you live way out in the boondocks with one grocery store that sells nothing fresh except three-month-old apples, getting enough variety on raw can be a struggle. This isn't really a con of raw foodism so much as a con of geography, though.

Grocery bills can be high, especially if you buy organic.

The first few weeks or even months can be a little rough with detox, especially if you're coming off stimulants like caffeine and going through processed-sugar withdrawals. Ultimately it's a good thing, but while you're enduring it... not so fun.

The only other cons I can think of are things like difficulties eating out at restaurants, and a high learning curve when you first switch to raw (it may take a while to figure out all the stuff you can or cannot eat raw, how to make raw recipes, etc.).

As the other posts express though, the benefits of this diet far outweigh the cons. You'll be giving yourself the cleanest fuel possible, and your body will start running like it's truly meant to. You'll be amazed! :)

[bikediva]

I agree with Denise. I find it tough socially. Also, the draw toward certain addictive foods can be quite strong in the beginning, at least for me. And getting hung up on small issues--like how raw agave is, or cashews--can make the lifestyle difficult too. But I live in a small town in the middle of nowhere, and I don't find it too tough to get the food I need.

[sport]

I think that I found raw to be easier than vegan because my expectations are different.
Now in social situations I just assume that I will fend for myself and get on with it. This is a lot less disappointing than expecting someone to come up with something for you and then finding that they do not have a clue.
It is easier travelling as well. I do not get to a strange town and start looking for veg restaurants. I just look for a store or market.
Other advantages.
1. If I am in a hurry in the morning I can take a smoothie and drink it in the car.
2. When I travel I do not have a bag of toiletries and make up to carry around with me. I take a vegan liquid soap (Dr Bronners) and a tube of kingfisher toothpaste. That will keep me for months.
I am trying hard to think of the cons but can not. I have no trouble telling people that I eat in this way and generally find that it is a conversation starter and not the opposite.

[kaybee]

some people (like me) find that after our bodies are used to getting good, nutrient-rich, healthy raw food, your body will really react when you put junk in it instead. this seems like a con because it can be socially challenging and you might miss some of the junk, but in the long run, its better for your body

[Dimond]

Yes, food is so much more fun and delicious, you may overeat it & think that's okay. :) Everything has been better with raw. I don't let people or circumstances influence me, so I find it easy. People are fascinated by it and it helps when you're confident in your choices.

[cadelmcg]

Well I am pleased to hear that most of the cons are positive cons! I was thinking of times when It might be an issue.. like going to my partners parents house for dinner..and not wanting to be rude a pass up on the pasta and meatballs.. or holidays. These are adjustments I am willing to sacrifice. In the news they have nothing negative to say about this. Thats how positive a change it is.

When friends or family go out to eat.. do you find it difficult.. or do you find it easy to select something from a menu?

[Raw Angel Mom]

Well I am pleased to hear that most of the cons are positive cons! I was thinking of times when It might be an issue.. like going to my partners parents house for dinner..and not wanting to be rude a pass up on the pasta and meatballs.. or holidays. These are adjustments I am willing to sacrifice. In the news they have nothing negative to say about this. Thats how positive a change it is.

When friends or family go out to eat.. do you find it difficult.. or do you find it easy to select something from a menu?

It a good thread and i had a good laught reading a few replies, i just love it, but to answer to your concern about how to deal with families and friends socially, i so can understand. As soon your quite a life style, whatever it is becoming a vegetarian etc.... familly, friends and co-worker will wonder.

I wouldn't talk about it and just do it for a while to experience. As for what to say to your familly when they pass on the meat ball, just explain that you are doing this for health reason. Ask them, their support.

I recommend that you read 12 steps to raw food by Victoria Butenko from rawfamilly . It is very good and give you good skill idea to cope with familly and friends.

Focus on your health and decide that you are worthy of it.

Best Wishes

[Jessican]

The only one that's really a con for me was the planning of food. At home if I don't plan - I just make a green smoothie. I always have greens, bananas and frozen fruit on hand. But I tend to forget to plan when I'm headed out with the family for a day at the mall/zoo/museum or family parties. Social functions - I tend to live on the veggie platter and the larabar I always keep in my purse. But sometimes it's not enough and I'm HUNGRY. One of these days I'll learn to stock my purse better and actually pack a lunch for the days we KNOW we'll be eating a meal out.

[Green_Woman]

Honestly, the biggest con of eating raw is the social implications.

Am I just plain weird in that I'm a full-time student, Opera singer, professional and extremely active woman who finds NO ISSUES eating Raw and STAYING Raw in any social situation, including family holidays?

What you put in your mouth is your bid'ness, your choice, and under your control. I just don't see why it should be Hard, unless you WANT it to be Hard. :D

I think I need to blog my thoughts out on this one, because there's something to say here... I keep hearing this crop up: "Your Social Life will suffer on Raw." That's crap. It's simply does not HAVE TO BE true for You, and I'm just ONE of many who've discovered easy ways to deal with it to the point where I don't even NOTICE that "I'm Raw, You're Cooked" anymore!


Yikes, don't think I've been this... uh... fired up in awhile. ;)

I think I'll stay weird. ;)

[cadelmcg]

[QUOTE=Raw Angel Mom;588646]I wouldn't talk about it and just do it for a while to experience. As for what to say to your familly when they pass on the meat ball, just explain that you are doing this for health reason. Ask them, their support.[QUOTE]

Thats what I was thinking of doing, just doing it for awhile and not saying anything.. other than to my partner.. who is always supportive. Its funny, sometimes I get into this mode where I think I need to announce my decisions to everyone in my life when.. I don't need others' approval. You guys are right. I always liked being different this is just one more thing to add to my list! :-) Plus, sometimes I find that I am a bit of a follower more than I want to be. People are already trying to talk me out of it when they hear I am cutting out meat. Which they don't know their facts...they just gather things from hearsay. I read Alissa's article about protein which really made sense.. because that was one question I had. I notice if I just take on something and do it.. I am more apt to do it well rather than be influenced by other peoples comments. Of course, not you guys because I need all of the influence I can get from you :-D

[RawKnitster]

Yes, food is so much more fun and delicious, you may overeat it & think that's okay. :) Everything has been better with raw. I don't let people or circumstances influence me, so I find it easy. People are fascinated by it and it helps when you're confident in your choices.

I can relate to all of that. :)

[Revvell]

Am I just plain weird in that I'm a full-time student, Opera singer, professional and extremely active woman who finds NO ISSUES eating Raw and STAYING Raw in any social situation, including family holidays?

Well, yeah, you are just plain weird but join the small crowd. :p

I'm a business woman who goes to numerous networking meetings a month and I don't seem to have any difficulty.

[Tsurugi_Oni]

Well there's pros and cons to everything. Really though you have to examine each philosophy within the context of your life and see which fits best.

[green jeanie]

this will not be a popular answer but it's true for me.

raw three years and i love it, it has changed my life in a million positive ways and i don't doubt it. it's not effort in any way

BUT i do miss the desire to exercise. and i am not talking about what most people think of as exercise, i am talking about the unstoppable urge to do long , sweaty hours of exercise.

i still can do it but the urge is not the same

the rest of it. ALL PRO

[xPIXIEx]

Am I just plain weird



So weird that I strive to be on the same level of weirdness. :)




I think I need to blog my thoughts out on this one


DO! Some of us still have LOTS to learn. :D

[skier2]

this will not be a popular answer but it's true for me.

BUT i do miss the desire to exercise. and i am not talking about what most people think of as exercise, i am talking about the unstoppable urge to do long , sweaty hours of exercise.

i still can do it but the urge is not the same

the rest of it. ALL PRO

I think that the peace and balance that the diet brings cuts out the urge to exercise, both because there is less nutrition-related tension in your life, and because there are fewer things to "sweat out". That being said, since I went raw, I have made serious strides in that I can essentially jump up and work out whenever, whereas before I had to have the energy and motivation. Now, if I don't work out, half the time I can't sleep until like 3 in the morning because I have so much energy.

[Rawcstacy]

So weird that I strive to be on the same level of weirdness. :)



That's really weird!:eek:

[Rawcstacy]

Honestly, the biggest con of eating raw is the social implications.


Even if you're Wonder_Woman, WHOOPS!, I meant Green_Woman and can somehow fit in socially, there is NOTHING like sitting down and sharing a living meal with others of like mind. I hope to try it someday. My three cents.

[Emma Jane]

Am I just plain weird in that I'm a full-time student, Opera singer, professional and extremely active woman who finds NO ISSUES eating Raw and STAYING Raw in any social situation, including family holidays?

What you put in your mouth is your bid'ness, your choice, and under your control. I just don't see why it should be Hard, unless you WANT it to be Hard. :D

I think I need to blog my thoughts out on this one, because there's something to say here... I keep hearing this crop up: "Your Social Life will suffer on Raw." That's crap. It's simply does not HAVE TO BE true for You, and I'm just ONE of many who've discovered easy ways to deal with it to the point where I don't even NOTICE that "I'm Raw, You're Cooked" anymore!


Yikes, don't think I've been this... uh... fired up in awhile. ;)

I think I'll stay weird. ;)

Great reply! (You're an opera singer AND a full-time student! Wow, impressive!) I totally agree - as far as social situations go, it's only as much of an issue as you make it. People might notice, some people might even think you're nuts (my roommate saw me making my green smoothie this morning and thinks I'm insane!) but mostly people are just curious and more often than not actually admire your healthy lifestyle. XxXxX

[Aleesha Sattva]

When I'm out with people who love and respect me... my eating raw isn't an issue.

And I don't go out with people who don't love and respect me so... it's not an issue. ;)

[CathyA.]

It isn't an issue for me, because I don't make an issue of it.

[SevenKindsOfCookie]

BUT i do miss the desire to exercise. and i am not talking about what most people think of as exercise, i am talking about the unstoppable urge to do long , sweaty hours of exercise.

For me it's exactly the opposite. I used to be a coach potato but now I have to exercise at least a couple of hours a day.

[christinajade]

Ok, sorry if I'm repeating what others said as I just skimmed through this post.

Cons:

Detox if you are going 100% right away or even partial if you have a ton of toxins in your body.

Depending on how you were shopping before, bill can get higher due to the many interesting and yummy new ingredients you might be using along with organic. Although, I have to tell you that with all the crackers and my husband's meats and processed foods, our bill is actually about the same with buying all organic and that includes organic and all natural cleaning products at WF!! So I would say that your grocery bill really depends.

My husband and I go out to eat all the time and I've been doing this for long enough to know where I can and cannot go. Meaning, who will have some type of raw dish for me. Great thing is when we go out to eat, you would be surprised at how the kitchen can come up with great raw dishes for you. Just be carefull of what you order and remember that it most likely isn't organic depending on where you go.

Um...can't think of anything else off the top of my head. Hope this helps.

[RawHeaven]

My response is it's all relative. If you're focused on pros and cons, there is a tendency to get into comparison mode with all other ways of eating, being, living. I say just dive in and see how you feel. Focus on what's working, the positive changes you're experiencing and go from there. If you start out looking for a "con", you're going to find one it's absolutely guaranteed. We are pretty amazing beings I dare say and can create anything. Love.

Personal case in point example: When I stumbled upon this path 4 years ago I didn't even know a raw food community existed. I went through detox and everything else in a delightfully, blissfully, perhaps ignorant state some might argue. I did know my nutrition... I studied anatomy, bought some raw food books and just did it. I made up my mind that I was going to eat raw foods and cleanse. That simple. It wasn't until I started communing in the community that I discovered I was supposed to have suffered. Listen to your own body, it will always steer you in the right direction. : )

[CathyA.]

Interesting point Raw Heaven. It is what you make it. Just as everything else in life. A lot of it depends on how you look at it.

[CosimaMoon]

I feel so much better eating raw, but regardless, I have to say that I find the diet hard to stick to...I try new recipes, and about half of them are FANTASTIC, and the other half are disgusting, and I find that most raw recipe books/sites just have the same basic recipe over and over...I know that this post probably won't be popular, but those are the problems I've had with the diet. You also have to be very involved, and I have a history of problems with food so for me that's not a good thing since it leads to obsession.

[green jeanie]

ha ha that's so funny Raw Heaven. It's been all JOY for me too.

the only suffering happened the times VERY early on when I sabotaged myself.