Fast metabolism and raw?

[Actaerica]

I'm a 21 year old female, and up until now have been on a SAD of the worst variety. My typical diet was food from the restaurant where I work (fatty, TONS of salt, white bread, potatoes, meat, and butter sauces), as well as fast food almost every day, and huge portions of junk food at night (chips, zebra cakes, cookie dough). Ugh, I hate typing all that out. It's pretty gross.

I'm in descent shape physically, recently started working out more trying to get very fit again (a very bad accident last year put me off working out for the last year). I'm about 5'4" and weigh around 90 pounds. Extremely low body fat. I've always had a super fast metabolism and no amount of eating has ever made me gain weight.

In the process of trying to become fit, I've realized that my diet is horrendous. To correct this, I started a raw food diet on September 13. My intention is to stick with 100% raw for one month, and afterward go to about 75% raw. The purpose of the 30 day 100% trial is to get myself into the habit of eating healthy - sort of like a crash course on a good diet. It's also a mental endurance test, which I love.

Anyway...the point of this thread. I am having a very hard time getting enough calories on this diet. I am a very small person and even though I have a huge appetite most of the time, my stomach can only handle so much food at once. According to what I have read online, the daily calorie needs for someone my height and weight are about 1800, but I'm sure I need more than this (because I am trying to put on muscle mass by working out and because my metabolism is faster than the average person). I'm at day 4 on this diet, and so far I have only been able to hit 1800 calories on one day, and it was a day that I spent basically all day eating since I didn't have work or school.

In order to hit my calorie needs, I am having to consume large amounts foods very high in fat, which basically undermines the whole point of this diet. My fat intake yesterday was over 80 grams! Insane. But calories were still only at 1800.

I am currently eating mostly fruits (in the form of smoothies), with some veggies, nuts. My learning curve on this diet has been huge but I still need help. I'm a full time student and I work about 30 hours per week...between that, the gym, and lots of hobbies, I don't have time to sit at home and eat all day! But I also CANNOT lose any more weight.

Any advice would be VERY much appreciated.

[Aleesha Sattva]

First and foremost... we do not discuss eating raw meat here. It's a raw vegan board. You can eat what you want... but you can't discuss it here.

Calories don't really matter as much as most people think they do but... you can make some lovely pate's with nuts, nut butters and nut cheese as well which will increase your daily intake.

Raw fats are good fats... they aren't unhealthy fats like the ones you were eating... so you don't need to worry as much about them.

There are many raw food athletes and body builders out there... I'm sure someone will chime in with some names for you soon.

[Dimond]

I don't think you should focus on a specific number, but more be in a certain range that works for you. If you're not highly active, then you don't as much calories anyhow. The more active, the more you can consume. What I found for myself is I wasn't getting enough calories because I focused too much on savory type foods which are very low in calories (besides fats). Really we need to have a much higher fruit content in our diets and way less of everything else. Having a list of high calorie fruit helps. Over 100 Calorie fruit: Bananas, melon, Lg Apple, Lg Pear, Mango, Grapes seedless 1 cup, Cherries pitted 1 cup, Orange Juice, Raspberries pint, mamey sapote, Persimmon, Figs 1lb. You can also supplement with food powders without fats. 1-2 Tbs of Goji Powder or Berries, Camu Powder and/or Chlorella Powder, can greatly help you get the calories needed.

[SmartyPants]

Actaerica:

Trying going to the Exercise and Fitness section of the board to ask questions on how to incorporate healthy raw foods into a fitness regimen.

[Aleesha Sattva]

Hey Smartypants... it's there! ;)

[maria84]

actaerica, where did you get this figure, "1800"?

[Lunar*Fey]

Hey there,
I would say Don't go by the recommended caloric intake...its just way too low for anyone who wants to live high energy and with passion and vitality. I am a female exactly your height and weight and I eat between 2400-3400+ calories a day.
Make sure your fruit is super ripe, it helps you digest and be able to eat more. Also make sure you're well hydrated. Stock up on really ripe bananas and denser fruit like dates, mamey sapote (tastes like pumpkin pie filling), mangos, sugar apples, etc. You can order good fruit online if availability is inadequate. I used to have a lot of trouble getting enough calories in and on 1800 I was always full and losing weight. Now I feel so much better and am super high energy and not losing at all! I've always been really small no matter what too. I highly recommend seriously upping your calories from ripe fruit. by the way, dates are perfect for meeting caloric needs 'on the go". you can order amazing ones online. try googling bautista dates. I highly recommend them...they're fresh and so delicious.

good luck girl!

[frezbkr]

I have read your article.There is a huge amount of misinformation being taught in the raw food world about metabolism.You are going to have to do it slow probably. eating will speed your metabolism,as will exercising.It wont shoot back up though,it will go up slow, so take it slow.

[albertamosh]

I want to lose about 5 pounds, so it may be my engine. I did the SWF this morning and yesterday. I am vegetarian, so not much of elimination. I usually exercise about 3 days a week and felt great.. Would work, but thinking I could slow down the rapid. I Thats about 300 calories per day. Do you think I should wait to exercise when I break the fast? Maybe it will speed up my metabolism and increase your calorie intake.