Starting Raw and Very Confused

[velvetskin]

I added green smoothies to my diet a month ago and feeling much better, more energy etc. I also have dehydrator and eat flax creckers, nut butters, seeds.

Now I am ready to switch to raw. I currently eat 70% raw. After reading few books and lots of research on the Internet, I am really not sure what to eat and in what quantities.

Some theories are preaty relaxed about what you eat only if it is raw, some of them are strict to 80/10/10 rules (fruit/greens/fat), some advocate not using dehydrator and spices/dry herbs and some are concerned about the fat (not to eat more than half of avocado a day or some nuts/seeds but not both, and some advocate not mixing nuts and nuts butters with dry fruit), some are saying how honey is very important to eat, still others say that their health returned after started eating raw goats milk and when they ate only raw vegan food they were not feeling well. So, I don't know what to think!

Also, I have read that lots of people experienced fatigue and loss of energy, some candida (lots of fruit), some lost their teeth, some lost too much weight, some started gettng sick etc.

I don't need to lose weight. I need to get about 1600 cal/day to maintain my weight (if I eat some fruits and some vegies, plus some nuts and seeds I am not sure if I will meet those requirements).

I am looking forward to better health, more energy, help with my stretch marks, grey hair, vericose veins (I hope it helps with those too).

I am preaty scared and confused what to eat now as I don't want to experience those simptoms in the long run.

Any advice from the experienced raw eaters will help!

Thank you.

[Revvell]

I'd suggest you order Alissa's book and dvd's. Most all your questions will be answered.

I use to interview all those people you're talking about and, after 2-3 years of doing so, as much as people really liked the interviews, in my opinion, all I was doing was confusing people. I've heard it all, even about those who've been raw for 10, 15 years and more adding dead animals into their food programs.

The only one who has stayed consistent up to now is Alissa who says, eat anything you want as long as it's raw. After a long enough time ~ and that differs for each person, your body will tell you what it wants and needs. Just gotta pay attention. Oh! And, play with your food.

[christinajade]

Definitely relax. Your body, if it already hasn't, is going to give you clues as what to eat. You'll probably begin to have certain cravings. Right now, mine is cinnamon and ginger. I have no idea why but I go with it. Always have a lot of leafy greens in your diet. Very important. I would limit your nuts/oils just like a SAD diet but a little less stressed about it. ;) I am 90% raw and I'm going to stay that way because it is working for me. Here's any example for a day:

Morning: Smoothie that consists of bananas, cinnamon, almond milk, nice size handful of spinach, stevia.

Snacks: apple, raw corn chips, black coffee <----this is my non raw item.

Lunch: Green juice that consists of 3 large handfuls of spinach, cranberries, lime, banana, stevia.

Snacks: banana or some other fruits maybe a small amount of nuts.

Dinner: Romaine salad with avocado, tomatoes, red onion, olive oil and lemon juice with salt and pepper along with some raw corn chips or possibly some raw falafel I made the other day. Turned out so good!!

This all varies of course but it gives you an idea. Everyone's body is different. This is what works for me. I always have a green juice. Sometimes a smaller portion for drinking and not a meal replacement. Sometimes in the mornings I have a nice bowl of thinly chopped bananas, apples, cinnamon, and then my raw ginger granola sprinkled on top with some nice almond milk poured over it. No rules here but hope this helps.

[velvetskin]

Thank you. I have also read from Victoria B. that rottaing greens is very important as they have alkaloids so don't consume the same greens every day. How important is that?

I am really worried about meeting my caloric requirements, as I don't want to be too skinny. I am afraid if I listen my body that I will be just that, skinny ( I have noticed in the past when went on diets, once I started eat less, my body requires just small amounts of food and I feel tired).

Can someone tell me what is considered too much fat, too much fruit and too much greens?

[velvetskin]

Also, some sugest eating sprouts, the others not. Can I eat them and how much?
Can I eat oats, buckwheat, quinoa, beans etc?
For someone who is begining is this ok to eat (before I get tunned into my body wants and needs)?

[TaupeRawMan]

Hi Velvetskin -

here is a nice thread regarding this issue: http://rawfoodtalk.com/showthread.php?t=50136

[Rawcstacy]

Thank you. I have also read from Victoria B. that ROTATING greens is very important as they have alkaloids so don't consume the same greens every day. How important is that?

They also have plant specific nutrients so variety would indeed be of exceptional benefit to you.




I am really worried about meeting my caloric requirements, as I don't want to be too skinny.

Eat as and when you're hungry, don't worry so much. Begin resistance/strength training to build up muscle mass which translates into weight gain. We exercise our bodies far less than we should.:cool:


Can someone tell me what is considered too much fat, too much fruit and too much greens?

I personally don't eat much in the way of fruit, but if you crave fruit initally then follow that urge. You can NEVER have too many greens.

[sport]

I need to warn you that you will probably get a bit skinny in the beginning but do not get disheartened. It will come back to a healthy weight. I lost too much weight initially (and I did not need to loose any) and people thought that I looked ill but it came back without any change to my diet.
Just stick with it. It will be worth it in the end.

[klomasius]

I'd suggest you order Alissa's book and dvd's. Most all your questions will be answered.

I use to interview all those people you're talking about and, after 2-3 years of doing so, as much as people really liked the interviews, in my opinion, all I was doing was confusing people. I've heard it all, even about those who've been raw for 10, 15 years and more adding dead animals into their food programs.

The only one who has stayed consistent up to now is Alissa who says, eat anything you want as long as it's raw. After a long enough time ~ and that differs for each person, your body will tell you what it wants and needs. Just gotta pay attention. Oh! And, play with your food.

sweet petals of wisdom ^ THIS!