so how long before the cravings pass?

[jadexx]

I have been 100% raw for 18days now and though i feel amazing, and i have lost around 14 lbs and i have lots and lots of benefits, i still feel cravings for non-raw non-healthy.
i remember years ago i did weight watchers, after awhile the idea of eating anything unhealthy made me sick.. i felt so good & my body felt so good. I wish i would have never started eating bad stuff again (fell into a depression over a divorce and turned to food as medication)
anyway im just wondering, i know everyone will be different, how long was it you were raw before you stoped wanting to eat non-raw items? or do you still suffer cravings daily??

[Stina]

Significantly less time if you're willing to eat lots of fruit!

[jadexx]

lol i love fruit.. and im willing to eat tons of it. But i find myself craving comfort foods.. pastas,breads,pizza, fast food, ice cream... and foods that are in relation to activities like popcorn at the movies, cake at a bday party, beer at a football game.

I know my health is more important, and i have looked up and recreated many raw versions of these items but honestly nothing compares to the original (at least not that i have found yet) and though i have been strong and i havent kept the food within reach, i still want it. I think about eating it lol.

Just hoping these feelings pass.. and i dont have to think about feeling like this long term. I want this to be a lifestyle change not just a diet. So i really dont want to go back to non-raw. Just feeling week today.

[mcster]

Disclaimer: currently veganish with lots of raw in my diet doing a 21-day cleanse and going 90%+ raw after that.

I'm sure many of us can relate to your situation. I used to love pizza and ice cream. I loved cheese. You basically have two options:

a) Satisfy your cravings. I agree with the saying that "what you resist persists". If you're craving something really bad, the best way to make it go away might be to eat it and see how you feel. Chances are that after eating so clean for a while, they may make you feel sick or they may taste bad to you. The risk is that you fall back into your old pattern.

b) Exercise discipline. Remind yourself why you're doing this and pay attention to what happens to those who follow SAD and stay focused on your goals. The important thing for you will be to make sure that the reasons you have chosen this lifestyle are VERY compelling to you, otherwise, you might eventually give in to your cravings.

There is a third option: Go on a cleanse. This is my third Master Cleanse and the process has been highly educational for me. One of the things that it has done is made me realize how much time we spend thinking about, buying, preparing, eating and cleaning up after...food. It helps you frame food in a different light. Maybe that might be helpful in resetting your feelings about food. I know it's helped me fall out of love with the foods I used to crave.

The most important thing to realize is that your cravings are based on the fact that you are making a seemingly subtle but quite substantial lifestyle change and you are letting go of something that has been a major part of your life for a long time. What makes this difficult is that we have constant reminders of that lifestyle that everybody else buys into...your family and friends, advertising etc. That's why places like these where people of common interest can support and inspire each other.

Hope that helps!

[modernmonkey]

Fruit is also the only way the 'cravings' go away for me too. Try and replace the word 'craving' with 'hunger for nutrition'. 'Craving' makes it sound like an impossible desire which needs a grip on it and if you don't, you're weak or have failed. 'Hunger for nutrition' implies you are not a slave to your instincts but powerful and in control of what you put in your mouth. A 'craving' means you haven't had enough nutrition. It can be stopped by getting nutrition with fruit. Better still, is to make sure you eat enough fruit as meals, that way you won't even get a 'craving' that you have to deal with because your nutritonal needs have already been satiated.

Remember our ancestors did not experience cravings. Cooked foods contain a lethal combination of salt, fat and sugar that is so warm and palettable it has replaced our natural instinct for fruit. Forget the brainwash and return to what was intended!

[siennagray]

Haven't been full raw yet, so can't comment on that, but...

As suggested by mcster above, my experience on the master cleanse was that it got rid of unhealthy cravings quite quickly.

Additionally, I wanted to mention that dairy hangs out in your system for about a month after consumption. So if you were previously eating dairy, that could be contributing to the feelings you are having. I'm not sure if cleansing would entirely get rid of that right away, but on the master cleanse, doing the salt water flush and emptying the colon can do wonders for dissipating detox symptoms and cravings.

[Raw Angel Mom]

most people after 30 days will be fine. 40 days has been known as the magic number to reset your body.

If you do a detox down the road, strange craving cans re-appear.

Green smoothies heals addiction, it took me only a couple weeks and i had no more craving cook food.

It depends of the person. When you have craving, just stick with raw food and keep moving on. Don't give it power and change your thoughts. Water is great too.

Best wishes!

[Raw Angel Mom]

I highly recommend that you don't do exception if you are a compulsive eater. It is like an alcohol trying to quit drinking and making an exception. He/she will have to deal with all the cravings all over again.

Hang in there, it will go away.

[OnMyJourney]

I have to agree with the recommendation of the master cleanse as well. I did my first MC in October of 2009 and began raw after that. Towards the end of 2010, I began eating a lot of cooked veggies and starches. In order to kick the "habit" again, I turned to the MC. I can't speak for any one else, but it completely resets my palette.

The first time it helped me to overcome my Coke/Coffee addiction and tremendously curbed my chocolate addiction.I was a pesceterian prior to the 2009 MC and afterwards lost all desire for fish/seafood. I still very much enjoy chocolate, but not processed.

The second MC has helped to wipe out the point of reference where cooked veggies/starches are concerned. While I ate 2 cooked vegetables on Sunday, I didn't enjoy them. Now when I "crave" something, it's raw. Right now I can't get enough cucumber and avocado! I just can't!


There are a few other things that keep me from eating certain things (meats) and other foods (chocolate, etc) and that is watching Food, Inc, Food Matters and The Future of Food. Once you watch these documentaries...you will never be the same. When you think desire something, your mind will automatically reflect back to these films...and trust me, you will stop. So don't watch them until you're really ready to change the way you think!

[nadien alexandra]

if I can recommend anything, cut out the salt and that includes miso and sauerkraut. And up the fruit and greens.

[GreenT]

There are a few other things that keep me from eating certain things (meats) and other foods (chocolate, etc) and that is watching Food, Inc, Food Matters and The Future of Food. Once you watch these documentaries...you will never be the same. When you think desire something, your mind will automatically reflect back to these films...and trust me, you will stop. So don't watch them until you're really ready to change the way you think!

You have that right!! These 3 movies changed me!

When doing the MC, how many days are required?

[OnMyJourney]

You have that right!! These 3 movies changed me!

When doing the MC, how many days are required?

A minimum of 10 days is the recommendation of Stanley Burrough's, originator. My first time I went 11 days, this time I did 10 on the dot. I loved every minute of it, but you have to follow the instructions in order to eliminate the toxins you are flushing into your system with the lemonade mixture or you will be sick. Personally, I never suffered any of these because I was adamant about following the instructions.

[sport]

I think that the 30 day challenge was set at that time because addictions can be beaten in 30 days.
You do not have far to go so stick with it.
Are you doing crackers. Sometimes a change of texture can help to satisfy.
I also found that ice cream helped.

[jadexx]

You have that right!! These 3 movies changed me!

When doing the MC, how many days are required?


Sorry if this is a dumb question.. but id love to watch these movies, but i can not stand to see any type of animal abuse or death in a video (even the implied say hearing the animal without seeing it) will there be any of this in either of these videos?
I know there are a lot of pro-vegan movies out there that show horrible images i dont want stuck in my mind forever.

Thanks! If it doesnt have that sort of stuff.. off to the video store i go for the inspiration.

[jadexx]

As for the MC, i did that before starting into my raw lifestyle.. i was a wonderful jump start into my new lifestyle and i went (19 days) without cravings until now. Is it too early to do another? Or perhaps should i just wait it out?

I do agree with the one statement that giving into to even a bite really isnt an option for me, i believe i do have a food addiction so i dont want to tempt myself with one bite or portion cause i may not stop there.

thank you all for your advice.. i will be strong and hang in there.. its good to know im not alone.

[GreenT]

Sorry if this is a dumb question.. but id love to watch these movies, but i can not stand to see any type of animal abuse or death in a video (even the implied say hearing the animal without seeing it) will there be any of this in either of these videos?
I know there are a lot of pro-vegan movies out there that show horrible images i dont want stuck in my mind forever.

Thanks! If it doesnt have that sort of stuff.. off to the video store i go for the inspiration.

Well, the "Food Inc." one does. But it has some very very good information in it. I am the same way, i am such an animal lover and that one was hard to watch. The other two movies don't have any of that in it...