Eating Raw while really stressed out...

[ShelShel]

Good morning, rawbies! :)

I just read another post on how peaceful someone was while eating raw and I wish that was me posting it!

My question...when working a job that totally stresses you out (while knowing that it is financially best in todays economy to be thankful for the great pay and hours...meaning I can't just find another) how do you keep eating raw.

See...food...is my drug of choice and there is nothing like it to take the edge off when things are really bad at work. I leave for the day and come home to grilled cheese sandwiches. :eek: Knowing this isn't good, I still do it because I somehow feel better after. How is this? Why is this? How do I stop and consciously choose to eat the lettuce which does nothing to relieve the stress my body is feeling.

How do you switch from stressful to not stressed when food is the only tool you know? Help!

[k8sl8]

Lettuce would never do it for me either in a high stress, I need food situation... how about having some raw treats available. Doughnut holes are to die for. I find raw chips and nut cheese dips to be much like their counterparts. Lots of other very satisfying higher fat and density treats to make or buy. Let that take the edge off - then you may be able to eat something more sensible than grilled cheese! Even if you have "too much" of the raw treats, it's still better than the alternative!

[Dimond]

I binge on raw instead. I don't recommend it, but it's better than the alternative. This is when you allow yourself to have anything raw at all. Helps if you have a stock of items you make or buy around for these times. There are many super quick snacks/meals you can make to satisfy cravings-wraps, spread on cucumbers or crackers-if nothing made avocado with a dash of salt, dates-alone or blended with cacao, sprinkle spices on nuts. You can make batches of cheese to keep in the freezer. Believe me this can be done as I've been doing it for years. The key is to be ultra prepared.

ETA: One thing that has always worked for me is simplifying gourmet raw. There's always ways to create something amazing without tons of ingredients or time. Just take something you like and cut it way back. You'll be surprised how tasty it still can be without many ingredients.

[January Noir]

I can relate.

I've only been raw for 11 weeks so I can only tell you what I do so far.

My job is very stressful and on top of that I have a little stress in my personal life too (family, significant others, etc.) and when I want to eat because of that stress, I grab an avocado (or two) w/ sea salt or nuts (Brazil Nuts, Almonds, Cashews), or dried un-sulphured fruit (apricots, apples, mango, pineapple).

I bring my own breakfast and lunch to work most days and keep "snacks" in my office drawer. I ALWAYS keep a few avocados and Goji Berries or Almonds handy just for these times.

After about 10 minutes or so, I'm calm and able to get back to normal. The key is whatever you eat, don't beat yourself up. Get right back on the "horse" and pick up your good Raw habits right where you left off. You're only human.

[gritsnla]

Breathe! In through the nose - long and slow - and blowing out even slower through pursed lips. Try it. I was told you can't be two things at once (stressed/concentrated breathing) , so the calming benefit of the breathing takes over.

[ArcturusXIV]

Hey, this may be an off-question, but I assumed this thread was about something it was not. I realized there was an emotional detox element to Raw Foods, do you find yourself getting more stressed when you go through it if you already have unusually high anxiety?? Also, I am juice fasting, is there any way to prevent my blood sugar from getting too low, I have unusually low blood sugar, and my body is telling me to detox. I am throwing tempers left and right! Need some help. Can't breathe with this sinus infection....grrrr! I am already an aspie, help!

[RawKnitster]

I relate emotional eating to this... stuffing one's face pushes the stress and emotions we are suffering from back down our throats into our hearts where they are buried. In the longrun, this is very harmful to our hearts, minds, and bodies.

Letting those emotions surface and be dealt with is sometimes the only way to overcome. Easier said than done.

[RawKnitster]

Hey, this may be an off-question, but I assumed this thread was about something it was not. I realized there was an emotional detox element to Raw Foods, do you find yourself getting more stressed when you go through it if you already have unusually high anxiety?? Also, I am juice fasting, is there any way to prevent my blood sugar from getting too low, I have unusually low blood sugar, and my body is telling me to detox. I am throwing tempers left and right! Need some help. Can't breathe with this sinus infection....grrrr! I am already an aspie, help!

Don't know what to tell you about the blood sugar issues. Have you posted on the fasting thread? Plenty of help there.

All I can say is... Hang on! Good for you juice fasting. I went to the "2nd International Juice Feast" last Sunday. Several of the speakers used juicing to heal themselves. There is definitely an emotional component to detox. I'm starting my first juice fast tomorrow. Hoping I'm ready to deal with it.

[MelanieBear]

My dear ShelShel,

Oh how I feel you on this one....been there. Done that. Still working on it.

I think that your last line is the one that points to the answer you're here to give yourself. You asked us how you could cope with stress on raw food when eating is the only tool you know. It seems to me that the clear cry here is for other (better!) tools for dealing with your stress. They're out there. They work better than food. And you deserve them.

Here are some of the tools that I am currently working with that are helping me to release food as a means of numbing my emotions/stress and freeing me up to enjoy it as nourishment and a means of true healing:

journaling
resting on my bed and just breathing for a few minutes
yoga
meditation
self-dialogue (ok....talking to myself. usually not out-loud if i'm in public!)
music
long walks
flower essences
connecting with the natural world and with my beloved pet parrot
connecting with friends, family, and my beloved partner
forgiving myself

There are probably more, but that's what comes to mind right away. I have also enjoyed some of Geneen Roth's work on emotional and compulsive eating (which is really the same emotional beast whether you're being compulsive on RAW or compulsive on SAD.)

How can we help you find some other coping mechanisms?


Hugs,
Melanie

[Stella Green]

Dear Melanie,

I love your last post! That's so great that you have a pet parrot :D As soon as I graduate, I'm going to get a dog and I can't wait. So, you seem to have everything together, but I also just wanted to point out that when you are stressed out and reach for food, think: rainbow. Colorful food always makes me feel better, especially a gorgeous salad with reds, yellows, shredded purple cabbage, and of course greens! A quick mix of fruit (especially blueberries) are so pretty it's pure art. Finding happiness in the color of foods will turn you off to grilled cheese sandwiches, which are just yellow and brown and has nothing on the beauty of a perfectly ripe avocado with that fabulous light green/bright green combo!

[ShelShel]

It's so funny to me as I read the responses that these are all the suggestions I would have been giving others just two years ago. Thank you everyone for your responses.

I had been raw for a long time and once I slid off, I can't seem to get back to it. I try and fail, try and fail. I hate using that word fail...I do know that it's simply a journey...curved roads instead of straight sailing, but it's how I feel. :p

I'm going to listen...reminding myself of all the blessings raw has brought to me in the past. All the yummy raw treats I would turn to back then.

I will also try adding yoga back to my daily routine, trips to the waterfront for strolls...and I've begun to crochet again. That really helps me relax.

I wasn't working when I was successful at raw a few years ago. I had all the time in the world to devote to me. No extra pressures. I could exercise any time I felt like it, instead of after a long day of hard work. :rolleyes: I was spoiled. LOL

So. I'm searching for how to be raw, with extra constraints. You guys were very encouraging and helpful. Thank you! :)

[Pop Tart]

Wow! What a time for me to read this thread. I too am very stressed. I started raw a while back and felt wonderful - even did the 30 day challenge!
But my job is overwhelming me (42hrs overtime!), my husband is about to start chemotherapy and I just can't cope.
I keep coming back to this site in hopes of finding some kind of lightening bolt or stick of dynamite that will get me back on track. I know it's only up to me, but sometimes we all need a little shove.
Thanks you all for this site. It really keeps me going sometimes.

[MelanieBear]

ShelShel,

There may be an additional resource that's helpful to mention. Have you ever read Annemarie Colbin's book about whole foods nutrition and healing? (The title is escaping me.) She makes some very compelling arguments about how following diets that are actually *too* alkaline-forming can cause rebound-style acid-forming food cravings and that this kind of thing happens to people who are rawbies sometimes. I found it helpful...maybe you'd at least feel validated for why you're going through this.

I can assure you that it's not a personal failing of some kind. You're so right to keep your mind focused on the fact that it's a journey.

Hugs,
Melanie

[ShelShel]

Thank you everyone.

I'm making improvements. :rolleyes:
For dinner last night...our girls and I had corn and peas. :p Seriously. They saw me making them and both chimed in, "I want some." Boy, I'm blessed that it takes so little to motivate them in the right direction. I just have to lead by example.

This morning I awoke and for the first time, in a long time, I made a raw smoothie. :D I feel great this morning.

No commitments being made here, but improvements in attitude and desire...that is just the beginning.

Thanks for all the words of encouragement and Melanie Bear I will definitely look for that book.