Hello from New England

[RAWatFIRSTsight]

I recently learned about the raw food diet and love everything I have learned about it so far. I have always been a fan of eating healthy and asking questions about my food. I am planning on making the switch soon to becoming a raw vegan, I just want to be absolutely sure I won't be deficient in anything before I start. I got a bunch of questions but I guess there are more appropriate sections to ask rather then here. I look forward to being an active member of your wonderful forum.

[sport]

Welcome, Download a nutrition tool such as cronometer
http://cron-o-meter.en.softonic.com/
It will help to reassure you that you are getting everything that you need and will help tell you where to get anything you are short of.

[laura-jane]

Welcome New Englander!

Please be sure to post any questions that you may have. :)

[BeingK8]

Hi there, NE!

I'm new to RFT (this site, in case that's not clear) ;-) but not to raw and let me say, I had the same concerns way back when, also, but here's some stuff that quelled my fears.

First of all, just as all the big raw living advocate-gurus always say, it's more important what you leave OUT than what you put IN.

Now, if you're looking to raw to regain the health that is your body's "biological birthright," so to speak, then yes, you want to be more vigilant. If you're coming to raw to fill in all the things that have been deficient all the years you ate S.A.D. or less consciously, then looking at nutrient profiles is important, but don't let that daunt you.

Nutrition "science" and modern medicine have done all of us a GREAT disservice in 'giving' us the belief system of 'lack' and 'deficiency.' It has forgotten to address where that lack or deficiency comes from - S.A.D. eating, chiefly. Your body will balance itself out quite well if you just take the junk out. You can start long before you find out the "perfect" combination of foods to ensure "optimal" nutrient levels.

Think about it - do any of the indigenous/primitive cultures of the world that have been shown to have robust health and considerable longevity spend time doing nutrient anaylsis? Nope. Michael Pollan says it pretty succinctly: "Eat food, mostly plants." And I think the only thing we could add to that would be, "Mostly, if not all, raw."

[January Noir]

Hello and WELCOME to you! :excited:

[RAWatFIRSTsight]

Thanks for the advice! I am incorporating more fruits and veggies everyday and can't remember the last time I felt this good!

[MARINE7]

Welcome from a fellow Massachusetts resident.

[Eva]

Welcome! This is probably the BEST way to keep from being deficient because your body can more fully assimilate the nutrition from what you eat.

I don't even know how my body managed to make it through with the pitiful amount of good nutrition when I was cooking everything and filling up on the super-expensive whole wheat pasta. Almost seems silly now, thinking back on it!

[RAWatFIRSTsight]

Welcome! This is probably the BEST way to keep from being deficient because your body can more fully assimilate the nutrition from what you eat.

I don't even know how my body managed to make it through with the pitiful amount of good nutrition when I was cooking everything and filling up on the super-expensive whole wheat pasta. Almost seems silly now, thinking back on it!

Thanks for the welcome Eva! I have heard something about this, but I am not completely sure what you mean by 'fully assimilate the nutrition'. If someone could elaborate a little more on this I would greatly appreciate it.

[spicyfull]

I wish you everything you need to Stay RAW................Welcome to MY World.

[Eva]

Thanks for the welcome Eva! I have heard something about this, but I am not completely sure what you mean by 'fully assimilate the nutrition'. If someone could elaborate a little more on this I would greatly appreciate it.

As in, if you cook out the nutrients, you can't use them. But if you are eating raw and actually able to USE the nutrition in your food, it sure helps!:heart

[Lesla]

Welcome! Glad you are here!