Bread - How am I going to stop? [Archive]

dlt123

05-01-2010, 04:38 PM

Hello, all... I am trying to eat better and I'm trying to get rid of white sugar and bread in my diet. The sugar is hard enough to stop, but bread is something I absolutely love and am having a really hard time quitting... I mill my own flour and love to make bread and sandwiches are really easy and quick to make.

I know that sugar and bread are factors in keeping weight on and I am trying to lose weight. I am considered morbidly obese.

I am just starting my journey into a Raw food diet, i.e. getting my ducks in a row, and I'm currently a moderate vegetarian, but I see the need to move totally into a veggie diet. I currently green juice and am really enjoying this.

Here is my problem... For those who have made their journey into a Raw food diet, how did you overcome your love/need(?) for bread? :( :confused:

Thanks,
Dennis

katy.j

05-01-2010, 05:18 PM

Onion Bread and Corn Tortillas are filling the gap for me thus far. Bread is tough... no doubt! You can do it though.

revdrcyn

05-01-2010, 05:45 PM

I thought giving up bread would be the most difficult part - but it has been so easy! The myriad raw bread and cracker recipes are amazing - raw "baked goods" are way more delicious than anything I have ever eaten cooked.

Especially Onion Bread - you absolutely have to try it!

Here's a link to a thread that may be helpful:

http://www.rawfoodtalk.com/showthread.php?t=57203&highlight=Onion+bread+recipe

Green_Woman

05-01-2010, 06:02 PM

MmmmmmmAimee'sOnionBread... you can find it online. ;) Or make your own - it's super simple!

DebB

05-01-2010, 06:11 PM

MmmmmmmAimee'sOnionBread... you can find it online. ;) Or make your own - it's super simple!

Do you have Aimee's recipe Green Woman? I've never heard of this. *Ü*

Rick2009

05-01-2010, 06:56 PM

Hi Dennis,
Making raw bread is actually fairly easy and the energy you get from raw bread is at another level. I almost always include sesame seeds bc its a "feeling-good" food.

There was a great recipe for sweet potato posted here some time ago. Granted its not bread, but its top quality carb and comfort food. As I recall, you slice a sweet potato into fries sizes, marinate in curry and celtic salt for a few hours then warm for a few minutes. Enjoy it with a glass of cool spring water and a squeeze of lemon...one of the good things in live foods. And simple too.

CathyA.

05-01-2010, 07:34 PM

You don't need bread to live. You need good wholesome foods. Just remind yourself of that when you feel the craving comming on. Good luck with breaking your bread addiction.

Shelly11

05-01-2010, 09:47 PM

For transition, maybe try Manna Bread or Ezikiel Bread. Can be found at Whole foods if you have one near you. Good luck, I miss bread too :)

sidrah

05-02-2010, 01:09 AM

You're already creative with baking, so I am sure if you tweak your recipes a little bit and get different recipes working out you'' like making that as much when you use raw food options. There really are a lot of different things you can make and if everything else is raw then your taste buds will change into seeking that and it should make it easier to want it. Good luck!! I miss cheese, but I am getting better. Avocado is too good and I would rather eat that and fruit and vegetables all day then worry about watching carbs in them.

dlt123

05-02-2010, 01:38 AM

Thanks all, your words are all very encouraging. I'm sure I'll make the transition, I just don't know what's available to me yet...

I know this has been asked before, but does anyone here have a Raw book they can recommend for someone like me? From what I've gleaned from Amazon, some books have ingredients that are hard to find... I really want to stay away from anything that is going to be time consuming or hard to make... i.e. hard to find ingredients.

Thanks again for fielding my questions,
Dennis

ShelShel

05-02-2010, 07:18 AM

Well, obviously Alissa Cohens raw food book! :p She has the best bread recipes. There are also, Rawvolution, Ani Phyo and Jennifer Cornbleet. The list is rather large, and the choice is really in your taste buds and budget who your favorite is! Experiment. Have fun. You will find things that work for you that others won't like and conversely things that others love that you just hate. Just jump in and unbake! :D

rawmiss

05-02-2010, 10:26 AM

What you have to realize with wheat is that it is very addictive, the gluten becomes a morphine-like substance in our bodies. So you are doing something equivilent to giving up cigarettes - except these cigaretts are everywhere.

It took me many months to get out of the bread-every-day habit. I still eat it sometimes but I now feel the diffence when I eat it and it's discouraging. I'll be walking around on Monday wondering why I feel so bad and then I remember that I fell off my diet over the weekend and now I'm in depression because I'm detoxing the peptides from the gluten.

The best advice I got was to eat more fruit to replace the energy the bread would have supplied.

http://heartscanblog.blogspot.com/2008/06/wheat-withdrawal_23.html
"I wouldn't have believed it, but after witnessing this effect countless times, I am convinced there is such a phenomenon: Wheat withdrawal.

You'll recognize it in someone who previously ate bread and other wheat flour-containing products freely, then eliminates them. This is followed by extreme cravings, usually for bread, cookies, or cake; profound fatigue; shakiness; mental fogginess; blue moods. The syndrome can last for up to one week.

Then, bam! Sufferers of wheat withdrawal report mental clarity superior to their wheat-crazed days, improved energy, decreased appetite and cravings, heightened mood, and, of course, fantastic drops in weight."

dlt123

05-02-2010, 11:39 AM

It looks like I just have to man-up and bite the bullet. I appreciate everyone's help and I'll keep you informed on my progress so others who suffer from this addiction like myself will have an idea what to expect.

Also I should mention I love it when you offer links to listen to or read. I love to do research and find it fun to do my do diligence to improve my health.

Thanks again and have a great week,
Dennis

nadien alexandra

05-02-2010, 03:57 PM

I have a dehydrator (100$ and so worth it)
and i make flax "bread" with it. It works just like bread, tastes great, and I don't feel like something is missing.

I don't miss bread!

the bonus, I never feel heavy and lazy from eating cooked grains, i get the good nutritious benefits from flax and whatever else I may put in with it that day, and i feel guilt free and light.

I know you can give up bread, you just have to tell yourself that you do not need it.

JennaHoneyBear

05-02-2010, 05:22 PM

i went gluten-free, and while it was difficult at first, I don't even remember my struggles. you just get used to not eating bread. nothin more to it. i ate gluten-free (cooked) pastas and stuff to get me by, but now I don't really miss it.

snoops

05-02-2010, 06:46 PM

Just give it 3 or 4 days. I thought exactly like you about giving it up. It is an addiction. It is something in the wheat that affects some of us. After 3 days not eating ANY - I totally didn't crave it any more. Really. I know that I would not have believed it either but 3 days and I had NO cravings. Try it. You just think you need it and love it.

No cravings after 3 days, no hot flashes after 3 weeks, minus 10 lbs in one month. And it was so easy because there was NO cravings after 3 days. I ate whatever else I wanted. Sorry but I just can't say it enough. How dramatic it was for me.

What have you got to lose?? Give it a couple days.

kgarrett

05-03-2010, 05:50 AM

I have actually found that eating the raw recipes, while wonderful and healthy, sometimes make it more difficult for me in the cravings department. I actually find it easier to control cravings when I am eating more simply. I understand where you are coming from. I was morbidly obese and now am in the middle I think of the obese section somewhere. It took me 3 or 4 tries to stay raw. And, by staying raw I mean I am on day 40 or so. When I first started, trying to make recipes was a bit frustrating so I just ate something raw and simple. When I got cravings I ate an apple. It worked! It was easy on my digestion and didn't give me that, I am so full but still hungry feeling. With the recipes I still get that sometimes.

I wanted to let you know this because, if you need the recipes, it is ok but, I feel that if I had used them in the beginning it would have hurt me. My cravings would have lasted longer and been harder to resist. When I first had raw cheesecake and crackers and lasagna on this go around I had already been raw for like 3 or 4 weeks so when the cravings hit me, and they did, it was easier to get thru them. I also hold onto my weight more when I am eating them and my GERD returns.

Anyway, just my 2 cents - I hope it is helpful.

juliebove

05-03-2010, 10:50 AM

I guess I am lucky. I never ate much bread and really wasn't a sandwich person.

Onion bread is good though. I make mine in small pieces. I pat it to size with a flexible scraper. Dehydrate until still soft but holds together in pieces. Make sandwiches with Swiss nut cheese, lettuce and tomato. Very good!

somelikeitraw

05-03-2010, 12:50 PM

I was completely addicted to bread! Seriously, COMPLETELY ADDICTED. It was NOT easy for me to give it up. I just kept telling myself that raw feels so much better than bread tastes. I am the only raw person in my house and now, after 15 months all raw, bread doesn't usually smell good to me anymore. It smells so very heavy of yeast that it usually isn't appealing. Occasionally, when one of the fam makes a piece of toast it smells nice, but it still can't compare to how good I feel staying raw. This is especially evident when they complain of body aches and pains or when we are out walking and THEY can't keep up with ME! That is new! I was also morbidly obese and am now almost into the normal range. This, to me, is so worth not eating poison, er, I mean bread! LOL!

YOU CAN DO THIS!

dlt123

05-03-2010, 05:08 PM

I've been searching the net for Psuedo bread, i.e. Raw crackers, raw breads and such.

I've found a couple recipes for onion bread and crackers that might help me over time, so will continue to do my best, knowing that a mistake isn't the end, and keep aiming for a totally raw diet.

In the meantime, I will start by doing a Juice fast or feast. I need to detoxify my system...

One thing I've noticed since my green juicing is that my taste buds have exploded... by this I mean, other foods seem to have a higher pronounced flavor which really surprised me. Has anyone else noticed a change in their taste buds since juicing or going Raw? Mine seem to be a lot more sensitive... in a positive way.

Thank you everyone for being so helpful, honest and positive.
Dennis

Dennis

somelikeitraw

05-03-2010, 05:15 PM

One thing I've noticed since my green juicing is that my taste buds have exploded... by this I mean, other foods seem to have a higher pronounced flavor which really surprised me. Has anyone else noticed a change in their taste buds since juicing or going Raw? Mine seem to be a lot more sensitive... in a positive way.

Yes, I have definitely noticed this!

dlt123

05-03-2010, 05:40 PM

Yes, I have definitely noticed this!

I thought I wouldn't be the only one... I've not heard of this before, but knew something was happening to my taste buds.

Thanks somelikeitraw for validating my feelings. ;)
Dennis

CathyA.

05-03-2010, 06:41 PM

I love how things taste "more" (for lack of a better word)

I too have super sensitive taste buds now. Love it.

How's the battle with the bread going?

dlt123

05-04-2010, 12:09 AM

I love how things taste "more" (for lack of a better word)

I too have super sensitive taste buds now. Love it.

How's the battle with the bread going?

I had two really "thin" slices last night.. I know, I broke, but I am starting a juice fast today so will not have any bread until... ??? maybe never? I'm going to take this slowly. I'm not a cold turkey kind of guy, in fact, I had to quit in steps when I quit smoking years ago.

I'll keep you posted on my progress,
Dennis

CathyA.

05-04-2010, 06:18 PM

Hey join us on the fasting thread. I've been fasting for the last 7 days. It really does help cure those food cravings. The more the merrier.

SevenKindsOfCookie

05-04-2010, 07:08 PM

I had two really "thin" slices last night.. I know, I broke, but I am starting a juice fast today so will not have any bread until... ??? maybe never? I'm going to take this slowly. I'm not a cold turkey kind of guy, in fact, I had to quit in steps when I quit smoking years ago.

I'll keep you posted on my progress,
Dennis

I'd recommend not thinking that you're never going to have bread again. Such thoughts easily turns into cravings. Just take it one day at a time, and after a while you'll hopefully discover that you have no desire to eat bread anymore.

somelikeitraw

05-04-2010, 11:54 PM

I remember saying to myself that I was choosing not to eat something, not that I couldn't have it. Even now, when people say, "You can't have that, can you?" I respond with, "I can have anything I want. I just don't want that." I also told myself that there has been (insert item you think you can't live without) for longer than I've been alive and chances are good it will still be around next month if I want to eat it then.

It's all about the self talk. Hope this helps.

dlt123

05-05-2010, 12:07 AM

There is some really good advice here. Thanks everyone.

Dennis :)

steveoregon

05-05-2010, 11:38 AM

Rice and baked potatoes were my transition foods while I weaned myself off bread.

Bread withdrawal was the worst for me when I went raw. It made me feel tired and weak for a few days. Bread is very addictive, and won't let go easy.

.

dlt123

05-05-2010, 11:55 AM

...

Bread withdrawal was the worst for me when I went raw. It made me feel tired and weak for a few days. Bread is very addictive, and won't let go easy.

.

Wow, a neighbor. :cool: I agree that is what I've been experiencing for the last couple of days... I love to bake my own bread... and with all the cornucopia of artisan bakeries in Portland and Beaverton it really makes it harder.

Dennis

christinajade

05-05-2010, 12:09 PM

That is actually a great idea, telling yourself that you can have it instead of saying you can't have it. I never thought of it that way. :D That sounds so much better.

D'vorah

05-05-2010, 12:40 PM

somelikeitraw

05-05-2010, 03:32 PM

How do you get to the place where you say, "I don't want ______" and really mean / feel it?

Deborah

I got there by noticing how much better I felt eating raw. That whole - raw feels better than (thing I thought I couldn't live without) tastes - meaning, if I eat that thing, I will not feel nearly as good as I do now. Releasing over 75 pounds helped too. I truly don't want the food that makes me feel bad and put on weight. My back, knees, ankles, skin all feel so much better and my mental clarity is phenomenal. Maybe focus on why you are wanting to eat raw. It is said that if your why is strong enough, you can overcome any how.

This forum and all of you fantastic people are so key for me. The support and experiences of others makes a huge difference!

CathyA.

05-05-2010, 08:58 PM

How do you get to the place where you say, "I don't want ______" and really mean / feel it?

Deborah

I thinks it depends on you. I mean so much in life is mind over matter. I used to love bread. When I gave up sugar I gave up bread. After a few months went by I thought I would just have a taste for old times sake. It didn't even taste good. It's like that with a lot of the things that I used to eat. Just not as good as I remember. So I don't even bother anymore. I'd rather remember the taste of chocolate chip cookies than actually eating one and realizing that it doesn't even taste like what I hoped it would.