Going Raw with Veg/Fruit Allergies

[Omnivore]

Hello,

I've been looking into the wonderful world of raw food, and would very much like to see myself living on a raw vegan diet - for life.

I have the problem that I'm allergic/intolerant to about 80% of all vegetables, fruits and nuts, if they are not cooked. :(

I'm not deadly allergic, like some people are. Mostly it involves itching of the mouth, throat. Some swelling of the lips/mouth/throat.
In rare cases, its more serious; like with strawberries, where I get into difficulties with breathing.

The only nuts I can eat are peanuts, almonds, coconuts and cashews. (although I have not tried every kind of nut there is in the world, of course).

The only fruits I can eat, without allergy/intolerance, are citrus fruits, watermelons and rasberries.

I watched a lecture by Victoria Bushenko[?], where she mentions that allergies disappear when people have followed a vegan, raw diet for a while.
Great! I thought.

But after having gone through many posts on this forum where allergies were mentioned, I have not seen this reported.

So, my question, basically, is:
Can I realistically expect to eat a raw diet for X amount of time and expect that my allergies to these foods will go away?

I'd really like to hear some personal experiences.

If I'm doomed to itch and swell the rest of my life from being on a raw vegan diet, then I might as well not even attempt it, if you know what I mean.

But I'f there's a good change the allergies will clear up, I'm willing to put up with a lot of itching, swelling etc for some time at least.

Thanks for any input. :)

[Shels]

Honestly, I would not recommend it - the reason being that if you restrict yourself to only those couple of foods for long enough, you'll develop allergies to them as well. :(
You'd have to be able to vary your diet, or at least rotate it routinely. Hopefully somebody here has more information than I do, but that's my take.

You didn't mention which veggies you're allergic to though - if you can get enough of those you shouldn't have to worry about fruits too much..

[Omnivore]

Wouldn't there be a problem with getting enough carbs when not consuming fruits?

As far as I know, there are very few carbs in vegetables?

[walnutty]

You mentioned you are allergic to vegetables, but didn't list which ones.

If you aren't allergic to greens and you can also eat seeds (I didn't see you list those either) then YES you can do this.

Greens are by far the best for you. AND if you can afford to incorporate superfoods you have got it made!

GO FOR IT!!!

[deedee74]

Have you read Alicia Silverstone's "The Kind Diet"? She is not raw, but making the changes she did to her diet led to her losing some of her allergies. It could be a place to start.

I also have some food sensitivities with raw foods (apples, plums, peaches, almonds... anything in that family, plus some other nuts), so I look with dismay at some of the beginning juice recipes I've seen that call for fresh apple juice, or for the many recipes calling for fresh almond milk. I can't have them raw (yet) or my mouth and throat itch like crazy, sometimes even in my ears and my scalp! I have to wash my hands after cutting an apple for my kids, because if I touch my eyes, I pay for it.

[Raw Angel Mom]

I would eat what i can but also ONLY ORGANIC. You could have problem with GMO or pesticide.

Have you thought to consult someone that do raw food and is a MD or Nutritionist. Such Dr. Gabriel Cousens, dr. Bichisci or the Hypocrate Institute.

I truly feel that plant food is the key to good health with their enzyme preserve.

I wish you all the best and hoping that you find the answers that you need

[Omnivore]

You mentioned you are allergic to vegetables, but didn't list which ones.

If you aren't allergic to greens and you can also eat seeds (I didn't see you list those either) then YES you can do this.


I didn't list the veggies I'm allergic to, because I've actually not eaten that many veggies raw yet [why would I] - and there are MANY different veggies. :)

Onions, lettuce, celery, I'm fine with. But, for example, carots, potatoes, spinach I'm not OK with.

Every sprout I've tried I've been allergic to. :(
But, again, I've not tried EVERY kind of sprout there is out there.

[Omnivore]

I also have some food sensitivities with raw foods (apples, plums, peaches, almonds... anything in that family, plus some other nuts), so I look with dismay at some of the beginning juice recipes I've seen that call for fresh apple juice, or for the many recipes calling for fresh almond milk. I can't have them raw (yet) or my mouth and throat itch like crazy, sometimes even in my ears and my scalp! I have to wash my hands after cutting an apple for my kids, because if I touch my eyes, I pay for it.

Wow, seems like we have almost the identical problem.
You describe the exact same symptoms as I get when eating stuff I'm not tolerant to.

How long have you been raw?
Do you think your allergies will improve with time? [please say yes ;)]

[Omnivore]

I would eat what i can but also ONLY ORGANIC. You could have problem with GMO or pesticide.


Actually, I only ever buy organic. And I've had these allergies since.... as long as I remember.
So, sadly, I do not think the problem is non-organic.


I
Have you thought to consult someone that do raw food and is a MD or Nutritionist. Such Dr. Gabriel Cousens, dr. Bichisci or the Hypocrate Institute.


I live in Denmark, where something like being a raw food vegan is not heard of. They almost lock you up here if you tell people you're a vegetarian. ;)
There is very little awareness about raw food in this part of the world.

As far as I know, there are no such nutritionists here like you refer to.

[deedee74]

Wow, seems like we have almost the identical problem.
You describe the exact same symptoms as I get when eating stuff I'm not tolerant to.

How long have you been raw?
Do you think your allergies will improve with time? [please say yes ;)]

My primary issues are actually a cross-reaction to a birch bark allergy--it's in the same family as apples, almonds, peaches, etc. It's something that developed when I was pregnant with my 2nd and living in a house that had a birch tree out front. :( Somebody I knew who was very into alternative health things made the comment once that it was as though my body got over-taxed and just needed to really detox. I've never done it though.

I am not raw yet, just starting out on this journey! Well, kind of. I had read the Diamonds' "Fit for Life" about 12 years ago and had, for a short while, eaten only fruit in the mornings and felt so much better--in the mornings. Not sure why I didn't stick with it. Recently, raw keeps popping up in my searches as part of my desire for healthier living (been sick a lot this past year, am about 15-20 lbs above what I'd like to be at) and I've taken the hint that this is the route I need to go.

I can say this, though: My reactions are worse during certain times of the year and particularly worse when I'm consuming dairy products (another one of my sensitivities). Which says to me that if I can detox my body enough, I could be able to eat all of the foods I can no longer eat, so yes, I do anticipate my allergies getting better over time!

I actually had a dream one night I could eat apples again and for the following week, I was able to. If my body can be "retrained", essentially, by not fighting off all the junk/chemicals that go into it--and undoubtedly, lack of enzymes--then I think it will stop overreacting to harmless things like apples. I'm hoping, anyhow. I've read many cases of people getting better! And if this week is a testament to it, I had been all raw for the mornings (except for Rice Dream rice milk) for the first 4 days and backtracked on that; I'm now sick with a cold and my seasonal allergies are acting up. I don't think it's a coincidence.

Another thing I've been considering for my allergies is the NAET treatment. It can be rather pricey, though, and I'm thinking that I ought to at least give raw a serious try and see if my allergies improve before going that route.

[Omnivore]

My primary issues are actually a cross-reaction to a birch bark allergy--it's in the same family as apples, almonds, peaches, etc. It's something that developed when I was pregnant with my 2nd and living in a house that had a birch tree out front. :( Somebody I knew who was very into alternative health things made the comment once that it was as though my body got over-taxed and just needed to really detox. I've never done it though.

I am not raw yet, just starting out on this journey! Well, kind of. I had read the Diamonds' "Fit for Life" about 12 years ago and had, for a short while, eaten only fruit in the mornings and felt so much better--in the mornings. Not sure why I didn't stick with it. Recently, raw keeps popping up in my searches as part of my desire for healthier living (been sick a lot this past year, am about 15-20 lbs above what I'd like to be at) and I've taken the hint that this is the route I need to go.

I can say this, though: My reactions are worse during certain times of the year and particularly worse when I'm consuming dairy products (another one of my sensitivities). Which says to me that if I can detox my body enough, I could be able to eat all of the foods I can no longer eat, so yes, I do anticipate my allergies getting better over time!

I actually had a dream one night I could eat apples again and for the following week, I was able to. If my body can be "retrained", essentially, by not fighting off all the junk/chemicals that go into it--and undoubtedly, lack of enzymes--then I think it will stop overreacting to harmless things like apples. I'm hoping, anyhow. I've read many cases of people getting better! And if this week is a testament to it, I had been all raw for the mornings (except for Rice Dream rice milk) for the first 4 days and backtracked on that; I'm now sick with a cold and my seasonal allergies are acting up. I don't think it's a coincidence.

Another thing I've been considering for my allergies is the NAET treatment. It can be rather pricey, though, and I'm thinking that I ought to at least give raw a serious try and see if my allergies improve before going that route.

Thanks for sharing.
I hope your allergies do go away.
Kinda sucks that the thing we need most (raw veggies and fruits) are what so many of us are allergic to...

I don't have any other food-related allergies.

I've come across NAET as well. Thought I might try it some day.
I just did a search for practitioners for my country on their website. None! Typical. :p