True hunger - enough calories - concerned parents

[rwishka]

Hello everyone!

It's been about a month since I've incorporated raw food into my diet. I started with daily green smoothies, and then moved on to raw breakfast+lunch. Now I am eating all-raw for almost a week and have a few questions:

1. What is the meaning of true hunger? I've read that it's not about the stomach growling but more of a clean, slight burning but pleasant sensation in the throat.
Sometimes when I ignore my stomach growling (drink water), then I have fatique and lack of focus a hour or so later.
Should I eat right when I have a throat/chest sensation? When everything is pleasant and empty? Or should I wait after a longer time with additional symptoms? Will I get enough calories in the day if I wait for true hunger?

2. I talk to my parents throughout the day and they always ask over the phone about what I've eating for breakfast, lunch, dinner, etc. They care for me - nothing more. I'm afraid that if I wait for true hunger, they will think that I'm purposely starving myself or going anorexic. How should I explain this to them? When I announced (after long contemplation and experiment) that I am going to be a vegetarian at the moment, they were shocked to say the least. We ate some chicken/goat meat twice a month, and the rest of time we had a light Indian vegetarian diet. I told them that I will do this for 40 days and then talk about the results with them. They are worried I am not eating enough and I'm starting to get concerned too.

3. I have no disordered eating patterns in my past. I love my body, have a normal BMI, practice yoga daily, dance, have a deep spiritual practice, drink lots of water, and more.

4. Sample Food Diary:
1.5 quarts (about 6 glasses) of a Green Smoothie
Big salad with light homemade dressing, half avocado, nutritional yeast
Two collard wraps with smear of cashew alfredo and tomatoes
2-3 servings of fruit (e.g. apple, banana, grapes)

[AllergyGirl]

You might try downloading cron-o-meter (http://spaz.ca/cronometer/) and entering your daily food into it for a few days. It gives a pretty good estimate of the number of calories you're eating, as well as a breakdown of vitamin and mineral intake. It might help your parents to feel more comfortable with your decision to go raw.

I drink water almost constantly, so I can't really say that I start drinking when I start feeling hungry, but for me when my stomach feels empty and is growling, that's when I eat something. It doesn't have to be a lot, and sometimes is only a piece of fruit, but I'm determined to stick with raw foods, and as such I don't want to start feeling deprived or starved, which might make me go back to a SAD diet.

[rwishka]

For that program, what would be good minimum values for categories like protein, fats, and carbohydrates in the life of a raw-foodist?

[Aleesha Sattva]

eat when you want to. don't put yourself on a schedule of eating or not eating. you don't have any weight to release... so eating as much as you want isn't a problem. over time your body will let you know what it wants and doesn't want.

from what i've read true hunger is a sign to stop fasting... not of when to eat when your body is not fasting. but of course, i could be wrong. i've never heard/read of it in the context of eating though.

[rwishka]

I think I didn't clarify myself about the weight issue. I am in a normal BMI range, however on the high side. Therefore, I can lose about 20 pounds to reach the lower end of the healthy range.
I'm already losing weight and I don't know how to explain to my parents when they visit in 2 weeks that I'm not starving! I eat when I'm hungry, and that variable changes depending on the day. They will think I'm losing weight just because I cut out healthy "nutritional" items like grains and milk. Not because perhaps my body is releasing any extra weight through detox, etc.

How can I phrase my response to them? :(

[Shels]

It doesn't matter how eloquently you put it, they are going to believe what they want. Try not to worry, and assure them that they don't have to. That's all you can do.

[DawnD]

I start eating when I get to work in the morning. I eat fruit then when I feel the slightest hunger pangs I eat the next serving of fruit. With the next hunger pangs I have a green smoothie... I just try to put 2-3 hours between foods so that I get good digestion and avoid creating a gassy situation. Be free to eat when you want. I am 46, 120 pounds and have no trouble maintaining that weight. Yippee! As for your parents just ask them to google raw food. There is so much info out there. They can calm their fears.

[sport]

For that program, what would be good minimum values for categories like protein, fats, and carbohydrates in the life of a raw-foodist?

I have put in a requirement of 30 grams of protein per day as a minimum. You need to get at least this.

[rwishka]

Thank you everyone! The journey is improving day by day. My parents visited me and were shocked at my weight loss. They say I look "perfect" now. lol They didn't know that even if I lost more pounds, I would still be in a healthy weight range. I've always been around this weight so we had no idea it was possible!
They might even buy me an Excalibur dehydrator! Slowly but surely they are accepting my lifestyle. I tell them that I don't know how long I will be raw, but I'm loving it right now. Maybe later I might become high raw but definitely not now. I am open to the freedom of living NOW.

Some nights I have a strong craving for a certain dish. I journal about it and sometimes do cry. After crying and a good night's sleep, I don't crave the item as much. Emotionally getting it out of my system. I don't want a loaf of SAD bread at all. Sounds bland and tasteless. Whoooo!!

Thanks again, everybody. I'm still trying to figure out how much to eat on a daily basis and mastering this learning curve. :)

[beckyh]

I have a question about the cron o motor. I did download it, however it doesn't have all the foods in it. i try to add some of the food, but i am not sure how to add the nutrients to it and i am having a little trouble any help?

[sport]

I have a question about the cron o motor. I did download it, however it doesn't have all the foods in it. i try to add some of the food, but i am not sure how to add the nutrients to it and i am having a little trouble any help?

What are you trying to put in.
The only thing that I have added are lara bars but I had no trouble doing that.