Every once in a while?

[passionpulp]

I've been raw for about three weeks. It's great. But I also love food. So I just ate some cracker jacks, baked pita chips, and Laughing Cow cheese. I havent eaten like this since I started the diet. Do you think this is okay? Just once a month, for a meal, to have a couple of my favorite foods? I don't feel bad now so I don't think my body will crash or anything. I don't really regret it. I don't look at cooked foods as 'poison', I just know raw food is the way to go. Could I still consider myself 100% if I have this monthly binge? I mean I'm not stuffing myself or anything. And I'm not trying to lose weight, so whats the harm? In fact, I'm almost underweight. So whats your view? I have heard people say that Teens should not be 100% raw, more like 75%. I'd rather just be raw all month and at the end, enjoy my day. I think that would be less stressful for me to say "I could have this later" instead of "I can never eat this again. I would like your input.

[NanaLove]

You're eating way healthier than most people so personally I don't see the problem. Don't stress yourself out over not being 100%. If you can handle it then more power to you. :)

[passionpulp]

I've been raw vegan for about three weeks. I like the feeling after a meal, I don't feel like tired like I used to. That's really good. Other than that, I don't feel very different. Is there something wrong? Should I be on this diet? I get enough sleep and everything. I thought I felt better, but I guess that was just in my mind. Also. I LOVE Cracker Jack. But I really wanna be on this diet. Would it be okay if I had a bag of Cracker Jack every other weekend or once a month? Would like your input.

[JennaHoneyBear]

try being raw for longer than three weeks to see more benefits. Not feeling tired after a meal is great. while three weeks of raw is a tremendous feat, it isn't that "big of a deal" in the grand scheme of things. your body does a lot, and giving it three weeks is a great start, just don't expect things to happen so quickly. this might be a 'miracle cure-all diet', but even miracles take time. some folks on here don't even lose weight the first month because their body is just cleaning out the toxins.
I don't feel a huge difference when I go raw, but I think it's because the three months of raw I was doing wasn't long enough to get the high like Aleesha and others on this board experience :) you can't expect to get feelings like that from three weeks versus three years

As for the Cracker Jack, if you want Cracker Jack so bad, just have it. or don't. whatever you want to do :) maybe someday you won't want it anymore. maybe it will give you a stomach ache and you won't need to eat it. there's no raw vegan police, we just support the lifestyle. your diet is what you make it. if you want to be 99% raw and still eat Cracker Jack, then so be it :)

keep it up, you're doing great!!!

[Aleesha Sattva]

there are no raw food police so it's your choice but no, you aren't 100% raw unless you are 100% raw.

that's like saying you are vegan and eating animal products.

but what is it really? just a label. who cares about labels... eat as you choose as every thing you put in your body is a choice.

own it, it's yours to make.

[klomasius]

^ What Jenna said...

[sport]

Plan for some Cracker Jack in your future but give yourself permission to not bother with it if you are not really wanting it when that time comes.
There is a good chance that that is what will happen.
I often gave myself permission to have something but then when it was no longer forbidden I found that I no longer wanted it.

[Revvell]

What Aleesha said in your last thread. Either you want to do this or not. If you want to eat Cracker Jacks (or anything else) do so.

[Aleesha Sattva]

I've merged these two threads. Please do not double post your questions in the future. Thanks :)

in light,
Moderator

[BlackKat]

I also love food! I have noticed the longer I stick with raw, the less I crave or want other foods. My body no longer craves it, but my mind sometimes does... I am now reaping the benefits of more mind control (which somehow was missing on my old diet) as well as the amazing things I'm putting into my physical body. Do what is right for you at the moment, and when the future comes... you'll do what is right for that moment as well.

[Juniper44]

I also find if I go without certain foods that I normally would eat I don't crave them. But I think while you are eating 100% raw you are 100% raw and that is huge deal! Give yourself credit for that. Don't let one day make you feel guilty. Like others have said , if you want it have it.

[RawKnitster]

cracker jacks??? Is that the sugar coated popcorn and peanuts in a box? Are there still prizes in the box? I always thought the prizes were the best part.

If you can eat junk food for one day without feeling sick and get right back to a raw diet the next day... I stand in awe.

[Stancel]

Purity is for Puritans.:rolleyes:

Do what you want...remember, if raw food is healthier then it doesn't matter if you are 100% all the time, you'll still be healthy. It's not like you're doing something terrible and evil by eating cooked food.

[sport]

Purity is for Puritans.:rolleyes:

Do what you want...remember, if raw food is healthier then it doesn't matter if you are 100% all the time, you'll still be healthy. It's not like you're doing something terrible and evil by eating cooked food.
I know that this is the case and even eating some raw is so much better than eating none but there are reasons why some say that there is a big difference between 99% and 100%.
Your body does recognise the difference between raw and cooked and immediately reacts to cooked and raises your white cell count to fight it. This is called Digestive Leukocytosis http://www.healthe-livingnews.com/articles/are_enzyme-deficient_foods_making_you_sick.html
You do not know what effect this has on your body in the long term.
The other thing is that those foods cause your digestive system to build up a protective mucous for protection. If you can be 100% and get your body to eliminate this protection then you can more readily absorb nutrients from the food that you do eat.
As long as you are eating any cooked food you will maintain this protective mucous.

[RoseGreen]

"Purity is for Puritans."

Haha! That is funny, I like that one. I'll have to use it again sometime.

I have only beed doing raw for a month but I happened to notice already the difference of a post-cooked meal feeling as opposed to a post-raw meal feeling. Yesterday for lunch I had some Moroccan pumpkin soup (vegetarian) and some steamed broccoli while I made my big green smoothie to take in to work. Just to see. I did feel very sluggish and unfocused and ready for a nap! Whereas, after a raw meal I tend to feel very alert and focused. Even later in the evening when I normally would be very sleepy. It is very surprising. A half-drugged feeling v. refreshed and energized is a strong argument for eating predominantly raw, at least for me.

[terry brown]

cracker jacks??? Is that the sugar coated popcorn and peanuts in a box? Are there still prizes in the box? I always thought the prizes were the best part.

If you can eat junk food for one day without feeling sick and get right back to a raw diet the next day... I stand in awe.

My thoughts excactly!!
Good advice here in this thread from all. I say give the all raw a try then if you want to add your treats later do it. Especially if you can do it with out ill effects.
Me? It would send me back into eating cooked food often.
I do love an all raw diet!
11 months in and I find I no longer crave or want any cooked foods. I am grateful for this!
Best wishes to you!