What to expect?

[November Blue]

Hi all! This is my first day of going completely raw - I'm excited. :P I have read a few books about eating a raw food diet, though I have just recently ordered Alissa's book and have not received it yet. Please excuse my ignorance if this is something that is covered in the book but I'm wondering what I should expect in my first few days of eating raw. Bowel issues? Dizziness/lightheaded? Crazy cravings? I'm just trying to get a handle on things that could happen so I'm prepared and don't panic if I don't feel 100% myself.

Any thoughts or advice?

Thanks!

[dime]

Wow you already read a few books. And it wasn't covered in any of those? :P
You can't predict the future so easily, only way is to try and see.

Here you go something on the topic: http://drbass.com/symptoms.html

[dime]

Good luck on your raw journey btw!

[November Blue]

Maybe I should have been more clear. :p One of the books did say that the body will start to detoxify and there could be some side effects of that, but it wasn't very specific. I guess I'm more interested in what "real" people have to say about it.

Thanks for the link.

[dime]

I myself didn't have many problems transitioning to raw. The only thing is I developed orthostatic hypotension and still have it. Whenever I get up from the chair I get close to fainting and the longer I sit the worse it gets when I get up. Still no clue how to fix it.

[MysticTree]

It will be whatever it is because we are all very different and have different issues. Try it. See how you go.

Try not to think of what it might be before it is what it is. Don't go looking for monster where there aren't any. That way you only have to deal with your own monsters.

[November Blue]

Try not to think of what it might be before it is what it is. Don't go looking for monster where there aren't any. That way you only have to deal with your own monsters.

Good advice, I think. I wasn't really "looking for monsters" as much as wanting to make sure that I don't get discouraged and quit if I start feeling bad.

So far, so good today. I'm feeling pretty satisfied and I'm looking forward to "meeting" the new me. :)

[Bamagirl]

I didn't really have a hard time with it. I did notice that I was very tired at first, and unable to concentrate on days 2 and 3. I reached for nuts alot because I was looking for something really "substantial". I don't want near as many nuts now. I was surprised at how much food I was actually consuming and had to get over that.

But even after 2 days I was totally hooked. My stomach felt so much less bloated. I felt lighter and my constant muscle soreness magically went away. I've been a new woman!

[Lin]

Hi.......I am 3 weeks 100% raw today. I started and have continued with a Green Smoothie I make at night and store in a quart canning jar in the fridge for work the next day along with fresh fruit if I feel like it. From the very beginning I felt no cravings, no hunger, no blood sugar crashes and have felt really good.

I am sleeping better, daily aches and pains are going away and I am overall calmer. It took 5 days for my elimination to become regular, comfortable and easy. I added nuts last week and have had mucus and slight cough to clear my throat so I will avoid them and try later. Don't know if I am detoxing or if the nuts didn't agree with me.

As for detoxing I noticed two or three slight headaches in the first week, but other than that I have been doing very well.

Another poster said that everyone is different, what one person goes through another might not, or have a totally different experience. Look forward to giving your body clean healthy fuel and like me you will find yourself smiling and talking to your fruit, veggies and smoothies!

Above all............Have fun with it!

[November Blue]

I just wanted to give an update. Today is day 4 and I'm feeling great! I did have a little "funny" to tell though. I went out yesterday morning to run some errands. I had my smoothie before I left and took some fruit with me in case I felt hungry while I was out. I ended up staying out longer than I had planned, so at around 2:00, I was feeling pretty hungry. I decided to make one more stop at the store - bad idea.

Here I am, pushing my cart around the department store and I kept feeling paranoid. I felt a little lightheaded and thought everyone was staring at me. I passed two young-ish guys who were laughing and I kept thinking "are they laughing at me?" "Have I somehow soiled myself or have something on my face?":ROFL: Logically, I knew there was nothing amiss, but I couldn't help but feel paranoid. I had myself cracking up by the time I got into the car.

I came home right away and ate a nice salad. I'm guessing it was partially to do with not eating enough + detoxing maybe? I don't know but I DO know that I won't wait that long to eat again. :D

[Raw Angel Mom]

Physical detoxification will depend on what kind of diet you had prior to do raw food. The more unhealthy thing you had, the more you will have the side effect.

If you were vegetarian already, then it will be easy.

Drink a lot of water, do green smoothie to help with craving etc..

You could experience fatigue (good sign, it means your body is doing major repair and healing inside, try to sleep if you can)

Have a plan to deal with your emotion that you were suppressing with food.

One moment at the time. Enjoy this journey, you will be very grateful that you have done this gift for your body.

Expect to look younger, it is part of the side effect, lol....

All is well, just keep posting about your experience, there is always someone that will relate and support you.

Congratulations!