Raw Food - Why Don't People Get It? - A Rant

[trenchchic]

Today, I went to see the doctor for my Over-40 physical. She looked at my lab work and said, "Your cholesterol is excellent." (Normal range is 140-200, I'm sittin' pretty at 158). Then she said, "That's because you exercise." (The only exercise I get is walking the dog at a very leisurely pace 5 times a week. I don't break much of a sweat.)

Then I said, "Well, actually, I think it's because of the way I eat." She didn't respond except for an almost silent, "Oh."

About a week ago, when I told a co-worker that I eat raw food he said this - "Do you REALLY think that the food you eat makes a difference in your health?" Of course I responded with a "YES!" He didn't believe me...

When I was at the hospital having my blood drawn for the aforementioned cholesterol test, I saw so many overweight people with so many different problems, and I just wanted to stand on my waiting room chair and yell, "RAW FOOD!! LIVING FOOD!!!" But it doesn't matter, they wouldn't listen even if I had.

Why don't people get it? The answer is so simple, so elegant. They are spending hours at the gym, buying into diet fads and processed food that says, "100 calories per serving" on the package.

The answer to the majority of their problems is in the produce aisle!!! But I can't tell anyone that. No one wants to hear it, and when they do hear it, they remain incredulous.

I ordered the documentary "Average Joe On the Raw". I loved it, but I couldn't help but think - we are preaching to the choir. The majority of the people who are going to watch this are already raw.

I have to except that the only life I can change is mine and my dog's (he's raw too...and when I took him to the vet recently, the doctor and the tech commented seperately on how good his teeth looked.)

Ok, rant over. Thanks for letting me vent.

[rashelle]

I have to agree with you. It is frustrating that people don't seem to get it. On the other hand, maybe they do get it; they just don't feel capable of eating raw. I've just started eating raw, and a month or two ago, I would have told you that I'd love to do it, I just didn't think I could do it because I don't really like vegetables. LOL. I think the key is for people to understand that they could do it, working with the things they like. I never liked ANY raw veggies; I think it's the texture. But, now I'm blending greens into green smoothies & I'm actually able to do it. I'm blending veggies smooth in my new Vitamix, and I'm actually able to eat it & I think it tastes fine....much of it even delicious. I'm still hoping that eventually I'll like whole, raw veggies ( still won't touch a salad), but in the meantime, I'm still eating them raw in a healthy, raw diet. I try to tell people about my new way, but they just don't want to hear it. I think that people have to be in the right mind for it, unfortunately. For me, this is something that happened as a natural progression, I think, from first being vegan and now raw. It just seems like the ultimate in healthy lifestyles, & I feel so great starting on this journey (even though I'm still experiencing symptoms of detox--blah). I do, however, wish that everyone would embrace this way of life. It's worth sticking with!

[DebB]

I was interested that you posted your cholesterol and that you're sittin' pretty. Cuz just last week, I was to my MD and mine was 146 and he told me I was "DANGEROUSLY LOW" he was so concerned. Told me to get it up around 200 and to do that I was to eat 1/2 stick of butter a day. Or 4 eggs a day, 5 days a week.

sigh sigh sigh

He also told me that people that eat raw or vegan - it was just a fad and that wasn't the way to eat. Blah blah blah (I told him I eat this way a year ago, I don't know if he remembered or not). I don't say anything - wouldn't matter and only prolong my office visit and raise the payment.

There's my little rant... And this from an MD that I actually do love, he's the best MD I've ever been to. Gotta take the 'bad' with the good I reckon. (Yes, I do need him for my thyroid workups).

As for telling others - I rarely do that any longer. Really no one wants to hear it. It was hard for me to keep it to myself, but that's what I do and I'm happier for it -- haha and so are those around me.

[rawconvenience]

Sooner or later they will "get it". If not, it's too bad. The "living food" revolution is gaining momentum. Keep ranting. We need more of that. It is funny that people don't want to listen. Why? It is easy to order that pizza. Rant on. I do.

[The Sproutarian (Mr Raw)]

I was interested that you posted your cholesterol and that you're sittin' pretty. Cuz just last week, I was to my MD and mine was 146 and he told me I was "DANGEROUSLY LOW" he was so concerned. Told me to get it up around 200 and to do that I was to eat 1/2 stick of butter a day. Or 4 eggs a day, 5 days a week.

sigh sigh sigh

He also told me that people that eat raw or vegan - it was just a fad and that wasn't the way to eat. Blah blah blah (I told him I eat this way a year ago, I don't know if he remembered or not). I don't say anything - wouldn't matter and only prolong my office visit and raise the payment.

There's my little rant... And this from an MD that I actually do love, he's the best MD I've ever been to. Gotta take the 'bad' with the good I reckon. (Yes, I do need him for my thyroid workups).

As for telling others - I rarely do that any longer. Really no one wants to hear it. It was hard for me to keep it to myself, but that's what I do and I'm happier for it -- haha and so are those around me.

Your doctor sounds like a real loser Deb, way behind the times. No wonder people are leaving those people in droves and going to more natural health minded doctors. The days of chemical medications are numbered, it will die a natural death. The best doctors are now using electrical treatments (both machines and living foods).

Who cares what these people think, it's none of their business what we do.

l never bring the raw subject up with anyone unless they specifically approach me and show me that they are serious about giving this a go. The way l see it; people need to be at a stage of development where they are ready...you can't talk people into it, they need to be ready to do this.

[The Sproutarian (Mr Raw)]

My doctor is a vegan raw fooder who is highly respected (written a bunch of books and studied with David Wolfe), but he still has silly ideas about doing B12 injections, juicing shop vegetables and all that silliness. l trying to help him overcome the brain rot, but it is still a challenge.

He does the whole thing. Meditation, raw foods, juicing, exercising and all. But he still has silly ideas that don't make any sense. He is behind the times.

This is him:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mGECvcV43_4

[Denise Nicole]

When I went on the "an extreme diet (vegan)" and lowered my cholestrol and blood pressure, the 300lb, out of breath, flush faced nurse strolled in after the doctor asked what I had been doing (I had already tried the super healthy standard diet with exercise which didn't work). I told them and when he left she sneered and said "it wasn't your diet" (which was the only thing I changed). Now that I have gone raw ... oh my goodness, I can't imagine the fall out! In this eat what you want, pop a pill to take care of the fall out, society. Most simply don't want to do it. And WE are the freaks. I'm ok with that .... I'll be a beautiful, healthy, raw freak. haha

[The Sproutarian (Mr Raw)]

People have forgotten the knowledge of the ancient cultures. Food is your medicine. lt would be hard for well meaning doctors who spent 6 years at medical school to acknowledge that they don't know much about health, especially to someone they consider a lay person, their ego won't allow it.

Ego's keep people dumbed down and ignorant, so best to avoid speaking to these types of people.

[robh]

Amen. I feel exactly the same way.

The documentary "Food Matters" hit the nail on the head. Our doctors are trained to be pill pushers that serve the drug industry. The drug industry knows there is no money in promoting nutrition. This is why they have spent loads of money to do silly things like make it illegal to treat cancer with vitamins. I am not sure how, but they also keep doctors from being trained in nutrition. Furthermore, they control the medical journals. Any studies that indicate vitamins or nutrition can improve your health are filtered out of the mainstream medical journals. Any traditional doctor is going to laugh you out of his office and that's how the drug companies want it. It is total BS.

As far as spreading the word, people do not want to be preached at. Unsolicited advice generally falls on deaf ears, regardless of the topic. I will sit back, eat my raw food and wait for other people to seek the knowledge before I divulge it.

[DebB]

Mr Raw - Yes, I was very disappointed with his responses to me this last visit. I'm currently seeking out NDs and will see what I find. I watched 5 mins of your MDs video - lucky you having him for your MD! Even though he has "silly ideas", the good probably far outweighs the silly? I would be in Heaven to find such a forward thinker here...

You mentioned juicing shop vegetables - what are shop veggies? I'm unfamiliar with that term.

Interesting thread all!

robh - I liked your last paragraph. It took me a long time to learn that and I'm so much better off now than before because of it. :)

Denise Nicole ~ I was just shaking my head reading your post, especially about the nurse. Oh my, oh my...

[The Sproutarian (Mr Raw)]

Mr Raw - Yes, I was very disappointed with his responses to me this last visit. I'm currently seeking out NDs and will see what I find. I watched 5 mins of your MDs video - lucky you having him for your MD! Even though he has "silly ideas", the good probably far outweighs the silly? I would be in Heaven to find such a forward thinker here...
Eventhough l stir him up abit, l do feel very very lucky to have him. All the vegans love Dr Green, and Dr Green loves all the vegans, they are his favourite patients.


You mentioned juicing shop vegetables - what are shop veggies? I'm unfamiliar with that term. .
Vegetables that aren't grown yourself. ln other words, vegetables bought from shops. ln other words, vegetables that aren't as fresh as they should be.

[DebB]

Sounds like you give him food for thought? ;) Ah - I see what shop vegetables are now. I look forward to the farmers' markets opening in a few months. That's about as fresh as it gets unless it's out of your own garden.

[PansyLo]

@Mr Raw: He still seems like a pretty cool guy. You're lucky to have a doctor like that available. At least every visit to the Doctor wont be a struggle between completely opposing opinions.

I have only been raw for 24 days so I haven't experience any problems with doctors yet. I'm going into treatment soon for BPD and I think they'll want to try and put me on some sort of medication. I'm not sure how helpful it's going to be for me, I already told them I didn't want to go on meds. I'm happy to get as much help as I can and try different therapies and techniques that offer me but I can't see how adding more artificial rubbish and chemicals to my brain is going to help me.

I'm really just trying the free health service to see if it can help before opting to pay for private treatment. If I was paying for treatment I could find a natural doctor who'll be able to offer me options in conjunction with my raw diet perhaps.

[breathless]

PansyLo, I have read that a raw food diet can cure depression. Perhaps it can cure BPD as well?

[The Sproutarian (Mr Raw)]

@Mr Raw: He still seems like a pretty cool guy. You're lucky to have a doctor like that available. At least every visit to the Doctor wont be a struggle between completely opposing opinions.



Yes, he's quite alright. Dr Green has lots of great contacts too. Really good exercise guru's and lots of vegan people all over Australia and lots of little secrets like where the wild goji berries grow

l previously had a doctor that didn't even know what vitamin B5 was and had really stupid ideas about what a healthy lifestyle was. l told them that vitamin B5 did exist, so they looked it up in their handbook and said "no Mr Raw, you are wrong, vitamin B5 doesn't exist" and then went on about how we can eat what we like as long as we exercise. They also refused to give me a complete blood test that tested all the vitamins and minerals because she said we are rarely deficient in vitamins and minerals because we would be sick if we were (really?). Needless to say, l sacked her from offering me any future health services. l didn't make an argument or fuss about it (l just thought to myself...`not another dumb doctor'), but l did say that l was going to seek another doctor who did appreciate a more complete balance to healthcare through foods and exercise. She was o.k with that because l was nice about it (you have to be nice to dumb people, especially `dumb doctors'). Now l could have knocked the stuffing out of the `dumb doctor' on many points, but l knew not to bother because it would be well over her head.

[The Sproutarian (Mr Raw)]

PansyLo, I have read that a raw food diet can cure depression. Perhaps it can cure BPD as well?

lt can for both, but l can't speak for everyone here.

[NamasteNyki]

This is a wonderful thread all. Thank you! PansyLo, I wanted to talk about BPD as a mother of 2 diagnosed as such. I was on meds and was told I could go off when my kids did. Wewe are all now completely off of them. If there is anything you'd like to ask me, let me know. I have found, food can play a part of it. Cleaning up my diet but holding on to the same painful thoughts.....well, you get it.
Namaste
Nyki

http://www.choose-again.com/home There is a solution!!.

[walnutty]

"Why don't people get it?"


I am trying to teach my mother about raw right now. She has agreed to start each day with a green smoothie. When we went shopping for supplies she and I battled constantly about protein, vitamins, animal products, etc., etc.

Her response to all I was telling her that I considered truth was that it was hard for her to believe what I had to say about nutritional therapy because she had been INDOCTRINATED her whole 66 years that meat was how you got your protein, milk was good for you and you should cook your vegetables always.

I thought this was a very valid point that most people could have. We are totally indoctrinated in the US that animal products are good for us and that is because of big dairy and cow companies sending their lobbyists to Washington and basically running things as far as the nutritional information that the public is getting.

[laughalways]

I battle the same thing all the time too. Its frustrating that one's family can't just support the choices we have made without always saying you can't be getting enough protein, etc.

[wannabehealthy]

if they don't listen you, it's cool. i mean you left so information with them. hopefully they will wise up later.

[happylife]

Walnutty, when I first started Raw, I was so excited about it, I wanted to tell everyone. I started with my Mother, she was the most unhealthy eater I have ever known. She thought I was nuts, we had hard feeling and that was getting us no where. I would visit her and bring enough raw foods for both of us. She would tell me to eat my food and she wanted fried chicken, pie and ice cream. I ended up just accepting her for the way she is. I would bring my food and stop some place and get her what she wanted. We would eat at her place and both be content with what we each ate. All the trying to get others to change just causes us stress on both ends. The stress makes our food rot inside us no matter what we are eating. It's just not worth it. Maybe when your Mother sees you healthy and her health go down she will decide on her own to eat healthier. My Mother will never have that chance. Just love yours for who she is now. I know you love her
or you wouldn't be so upset.

[delmar]

People don't like change. They don't like giving up the things they like and they don't like admitting they are wrong. I am no different. I doubt if I would have had any interest in living foods if I hadn't developed cancer. I was fortunate to develop a form of cancer that is very resistant to chemo and radiation or I probably would have gone that route.

[PunkRotten]

A few people know the way I eat. And I have heard comments ranging from " It doesn't have any taste", "You're always hungry", "fruits and veggies don't have as much nutrition as meat". I am dead serious some idiot told me that once about the fruits and veggies not having same nutritional value as meat. Seriously some people are so ignorant about food and eating. I can't believe how many people I run into that are clueless. I have tried to influence others to try things but they are resistant. One time I was describing a green smoothie to some guy and as soon as I mentioned adding greens he starts to cringe. I almost felt like back handing him. I get so many people trying to start arguments with me like as if they are trying to prove me wrong but the reality is they feel offended cause they are stupid when it comes to food/nutrition. So many people eat garbage filled with so many unknown ingredients and they still eat it. When I make something like say a granola bar with simple and all organic ingredients they give me a hard time about it. They ask questions like "what's in it"? They question my food but continue to eat garbage with junk ingredients, pesticides, artificial colors/flavors, tons of added sugar etc etc.

[MysticTree]

I think raw is a good example of putting "be the change you want to see" into action. It doesn't matter what others do or think.

[walnutty]

Walnutty, when I first started Raw, I was so excited about it, I wanted to tell everyone. I started with my Mother, she was the most unhealthy eater I have ever known. She thought I was nuts, we had hard feeling and that was getting us no where. I would visit her and bring enough raw foods for both of us. She would tell me to eat my food and she wanted fried chicken, pie and ice cream. I ended up just accepting her for the way she is. I would bring my food and stop some place and get her what she wanted. We would eat at her place and both be content with what we each ate. All the trying to get others to change just causes us stress on both ends. The stress makes our food rot inside us no matter what we are eating. It's just not worth it. Maybe when your Mother sees you healthy and her health go down she will decide on her own to eat healthier. My Mother will never have that chance. Just love yours for who she is now. I know you love her
or you wouldn't be so upset.


I am actually not upset at all.

I just thought I'd share a reason that a non-raw person would give to why this lifestyle is so foreign to so many.

My mother does see how healthy I am and how good I feel that is why she is starting with green smoothies.

Meeting her at the grocery store was at her request.

Again, I was just giving a reason that might be an answer to the person who started this thread. That was their question, not mine.

[walnutty]

People don't like change. They don't like giving up the things they like and they don't like admitting they are wrong. I am no different. I doubt if I would have had any interest in living foods if I hadn't developed cancer. I was fortunate to develop a form of cancer that is very resistant to chemo and radiation or I probably would have gone that route.


To be honest, if I wasn't so sick myself I don't think I would be doing this. I had a cancer scare 10 years ago and the doctors wanted to start removing body parts. I was NOT OKAY with that! So, I hit the computer and found raw. David Wolfe, to be exact. He's my raw hero!

I am the only one in my family and out of my friends that eats this way. It is not always easy, but it sure is worth it and if it wasn't for the cancer scare I don't know if I would have found it!

[happylife]

Sorry that I misunderstood you. I just didn't want anyone to get upset over something they can't change in someone else ;)

[CaiHong]

I may have the opposite "problem" a friend attended a party on Saturday and mentioned that I was opening a raw cafe in 2 weeks, she said that about 10 people expressed interest in doing the 30 day raw food diet and eating at my restaurant.
A lot is said at parties but sounds promising.

[PansyLo]

^ That's great.

I think most people are:

a) uninterested. Being unhealthy and drinking/smoking/eating yourself into oblivion is fashionable.
b) people genuinely enjoy their vices. People love things that are bad for them, they think they make them feel good. They've never known anything any different so firmly believe it's what they want.
c) ignorant. Lots of people simply don't know about how bad things are for them. Plenty people eat normal "healthy" food and think they're doing well. Others read mixed information and just don't believe raw foodism is viable and aren't willing to try it because they don't believe it enough to think it's worth their time.
d) interested but don't believe that they can do it. It's not easy to completely change your lifestyle so drastically. Many people would like to do it but genuinely believe they just couldn't so they don't try. Some people try and still struggle. Others put it off thinking they'll do it in 6months... a year... when "X" happens... and so on.

I think that more or less sums up why people don't get it.

[happylife]

ChiHong, sounds like you are a very good Ambassador for Raw if you already have that many followers.

[Charybdisjim]

I'm somewhat surprised at the responses I've heard people in this thread received from doctors. Most doctors I've known have always advocated diet and exercise as being the two key controllable factors in a persons health and weight. That is I've never heard one of them emphasize exercise alone, its always diet and exercise and failing that then at least improving the diet. The ways I've always heard them describe improving one's diet was less meat and more fresh fruits and vegetables. I'm shocked to hear doctors incredulous as to the powerful role diet plays in health - considering that is something that has been taught even in the most commercial of main-stream medicine for decades and born out consistently by literature. These don't just sound like doctors stuck in convention but doctors who aren't even familiar with convention let alone the less conventional.

That is not to say that my doctors and friends of mine who are doctors have not consistently expressed skepticism with regard to raw-food diets. They have, but when I explain things to them and they realize I've done my homework they confess that they're not skeptical about the potential of such a diet so much as they are of their average patient's attention to nutrition required or will to see it through without giving up. Given the other patients I see in the waiting rooms though, its hard to blame them too much for being becoming jaded and skeptical when many of them don't seem to be following the simplest changes they suggest.

Of course they did have concerns about vitamin b12 in such a diet; but as the owner of this site, Alissa, points out that is something that an informed raw-vegan should be careful of (http://www.rawfoodtalk.com/showthread.php?2898-B-12). My most recent doctor has explained that this issue is actually the source of what she apologized for as misplaced frustration and skepticism with discussing nutrition with some of her vegan patients. She eventually realized though that responding to her vegan patients who refused to listen regarding the B12 deficiency potential by closing down herself and refusing to work with their desire for a raw-vegan (or even just vegan) lifestyle was both hypocritical and unhelpful.

[LexieW]

Great thread, everyone. It helps me out when I end up in a situation and have to explain why I won't eat this or that.

I went home for the 4th of July and my family had a big BBQ. I'm not one to force my beliefs or lifestyles on anyone else, but you should have seen/heard everyone when I sad down at the table with my fresh, raw Pico de Gallo and salad while they tucked into all their grilled meat. And it wasn't like I bought anything up, it was they who couldn't stop commenting on MY diet.

Meanwhile, I'm the only one who is healthy. Hm....

[Raw Angel Mom]

On top of not wanted to change, we are so so addicted to cook food and what make us sick. There are a lot of fear about this.

I feel that the main cause is brain washing at school at young age and for our medical doctor at their school. Many of their material is sponsor by pharmaceutical company. So there are a great deal of bias thought.

I think the plan is to inspire by doing what is right for us. When people see the result, they get curious and want what you have (youth and health). I am careful of not bringing up the subject of my diet, unless i sense they truly want to know. My sister has a juicer, the other, is more discerning and my father are started to read the label now. It is a start.

My doctor is very much close mind on the property of food. Last summer when i went for a blood check because i am vegan and wanted to check if i was ok with b12, she also got me check for way more. My result came absolutely perfect. She now pay attention when i share what i do. She knows my age and clearly i don't look my age. Again, these are things that plant the seeds. I feel we need to take care of us, and our family but to trust that in time, others or our birth family will observe the result and get curious about it.

[Harmony_me]

Great thread, everyone :-)

I've found people will change when they are ready. I've pleaded with cancer patients in my family to open their minds, but they are so invested in what their doctors say - and the doctors unequivocally disagree that a raw diet can mean life instead of death. So sad....but we each make our own choices and live with them.

As far as doctors - I can't afford health insurance and don't go.....they've messed my life up more than they've helped it anyway. My apologies out there to all the good doctors, and I do know they exist :-) Anyway - I live what I consider the "natural" life....if I ever have a life-ending illness, I will go naturally, not with the interference and false hope of doctors.

[CaiHong]

Hi Happylife,
There does seem to be a real need here for healthily raw food. People have said I shouldn't be so "narrow" . They don't understand the scope of raw food and I am not going to compromise.
We have to do that most of our lives.

When I open I will keep you updated on the responses
caiHong

[Dillon]

I totally agree with you.Raw foods are so effective for our health.It controls our weight and prevent us from many diseases.A you were facing cholesterol problem so you ate raw foods and got positive results.
Hence exercise is important for good health but good diet has its unique importance.

[lovelyjewellz]

This is the exact issue that inspired me to start writing a book. I want to design a program to help people stuck on the SAD diet to open their eyes to true health. It's a 7 week program, each week designed to remove one low energy food group with a high energy alternative so that the person can see and experience first hand how their body feels with that change without having to commit to a complete life style change. The program starts with the SAD diet and gradually shifts the person to a raw vegan diet by week 6. I'm hoping to help people to see how the way they eat is really affecting them and to help them feel the difference raw foods can have on them without radically changing their lives. I don't claim that the raw, vegan diet is the only way to go in the book. I'm hoping it will open people's eyes to that reality through their own personal experience. If nothing else I hope to get the average person to appreciate raw food more, to eat a greater variety of foods and to help them consciously choose what they eat based on how it actually affects them instead of just pre-programmed, subconscious habits. I want people to feel confident in their own power to create health for themselves. It's a shame how easy it is for everyone to experience better health but they are just so misinformed that they can't even acknowledge the truth. I hope I can help empower people to move beyond this way of thinking. Everyone deserves to be happy and healthy! :)

[aspie_and_proud]

This thread is very helpful. I think I have always had a good mind set to go vegan or raw, but I needed the right timing and push. I grew up on the outside of society, so it wasn't that dramatic of an idea. When I got fat and drugged up from medication prescribed to me that was what did it. It also helped that I never cared for meat either. I was about 175 in May and lost 20 pounds in less than a month after I began juicing and fasting. I now weigh 138 (in the morning) and feel so much better. I have encountered a lot of skepticism, though. I have had a friend say eating healthier was a "placebo effect," but to me that doesn't even make sense. I often go on rants to my online friends and even if they don't immediately take it with skepticism, they don't really think to do it either. I also had a girl say that she was does yoga every morning, but then she followed that up with, "and then I ate a few slices of pizza." -__-' Oh, and another girl who said, "caprice sun is a fruit!" O_____O Caprice Sun as in the juice packets.. You can be sure that I started ranting when she said that.

I do have a few problems, though. I have been having trouble with knowing what to eat, because it is hard to kick the idea of needing something to be cooked for it to be food. And I never feel confident making something if I don't have a recipe, so I keep thinking I need recipes to be more raw. I grew up eating whatever my taste buds liked, so it has been difficult not to stuff my face in the cooked foods I used to like.

The main person in my life is my fiance and he doesn't exactly eat that healthy, but he didn't criticize or even question me when I announced that I was going to be healthier, start juicing and make the transition to vegan (and then raw). He has even been warming up to it as I have shared the knowledge of natural remedies with him over these passed few months. We just recently watched a GMO documentary.

The movie about GMO's is brand new and it is called "Genetic Roulette," for those of you who are curious. Just do a quick google search. It was free for a few days, but that ended over last weekend. I knew a little bit about GMO's, but I learned way more from the movie. I realized that some of the things I was cooking for the fiance had GMO ingredients and immediately threw them out, or used them (because we don't have the money to waste).

I honestly think this country is full of lazy, ignorant and uneducated people. Sure, go ahead and be that way. It's your choice. But what annoys me is when people try to put you down for being healthier. Like being healthy is horrible. It is quite a conundrum.

[Gianni]

Double post.

[Gianni]

But what annoys me is when people try to put you down for being healthier. Like being healthy is horrible. It is quite a conundrum.
I'm going through the same thing. My in-laws think I'm crazy and being radical because of my new found vegan diet and because of my juice-fasting.

Yesterday, my father-in-law asked me, You're still on your "diet"? Don't you think you've already lost enough weight? Can't you fit into your old clothes? Aren't they loose on you now?

Well, first of all. I don't consider my mostly raw vegan lifestyle a "diet". It's not something temporary that I'm using to lose 30-40 lbs. and then go back to eating ovo-lacto vegetarian junk food which would make me put the weight back on. I'm in this for the long haul, for the rest of my life. Secondly, while the clothes that I have been wearing are fitting looser, the jeans I wore 10 years ago are still considerably too small for me.

Then you have to consider that I'm at an age where people start having heart attacks. My first cousin just died of a heart attack earlier this year. He was 52. My aunt also had heart bypass surgery this year at the age of 65. That was a path I was likely going down too before I made this "radical" super healthy change in the way I eat.

I think the problem with my in-laws, and with a lot of people, is that they have come to accept that as people get older, it is normal for them to weigh 30 lbs. more than they did in high school or college and still not be considered overweight. Well, I don't want to be part of that crowd. I don't just want to look good for my age. I want to look good for any age.

[Mitch]

My grandparents are really the best! :) Grandfather keeps telling me I will get sick if I don't eat butter, pepperoni and white bread after he has got heart attack and has very high cholesterol levels (he has got to take medicines) and arthritis. Last time he looked at me after I lost weight and looked the best in my whole life and told me very seriously: You look so bad that I am afraid you will die right now! :)

Also my grandmother told me that I will get sick if I won't eat that pepperoni. I asked her if her doctor told that she will get sick if she doesn't eat pepperoni.

The bad thing is I eat this junk food just for they leave me alone. And feel bad after that of course.

[lafsalot]

Who cares what other people think?!! If you spend your whole life worrying about what other people think of you, or what they want from you, you'll never get very far - you'll most likely fall (as Mitch did) into someone else's plan. It's just wasted energy anyway, because the truth is, the only opinion that really matters is the one you have about yourself!

[Revvell]

First of all, this is a diet. What you eat IS your diet. For some reason, people have come to hear the word and think it means to lose weight. That's a misnomer. Your diet is what you eat.

Secondly, may "older" people expect to be sick. Unconsciously they are not surprised when they have a heart attack, stroke, high blood pressure and they also still don't make the connection with food and health. Trying to change that is like spitting in the wind and/or herding cats. They'll tell you that at their age, they'll do what makes them happy ~ even if it kills 'em. *shrugs* Is what it is.

We just have to do what we have to do for us. I was lucky. Even though my mother ate meat, she began looking at her health way before many of her generation. He 3 brothers all died fairly young (50's and 60's, I think), one of cancer, the other of cirrhosis of the liver. (Yes, a drinker) She lived to 94 and if she had chosen to live with me, she may have been alive today ~ yet, she didn't.

Life is too short to concern myself with what others are doing or saying. My life ~ reread that ~ MY life! It's mine to do with as "I" wish and, theirs is theirs to do with as they wish. I choose to leave others to their otherness and take care of myself ~ unless they pay me, of course. ;)

[Mitch]

Who cares what other people think?!! If you spend your whole life worrying about what other people think of you, or what they want from you, you'll never get very far - you'll most likely fall (as Mitch did) into someone else's plan. It's just wasted energy anyway, because the truth is, the only opinion that really matters is the one you have about yourself!

I guess it is time to tell them to leave me alone and stop treat me like a child. I really don't know why they have to do this to me... If I ever say anything opposite to them they just think I don't respect them... Old people...

[Gianni]

Maybe you should get them to watch some videos like Forks Over Knives (http://www.forksoverknives.com/) or one of Dr. Caldwell Esselstyn's presentations (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J6pLRdawBw0).

[lafsalot]

The beauty of unsolicited advice (even from well-meaning grandparents) is that you do not have to take it and/or feel compelled to defend the choices you have made. AND as an "old" grandma myself, I can assure you that your gps won't think any less of you because of what you choose to put on your plate.

[Revvell]

I really don't know why they have to do this to me... Old people...

Nobody is doing anything "to you..." They're just doing what they do. Ummm.... how old is "old" here?

[Mitch]

The beauty of unsolicited advice (even from well-meaning grandparents) is that you do not have to take it and/or feel compelled to defend the choices you have made. AND as an "old" grandma myself, I can assure you that your gps won't think any less of you because of what you choose to put on your plate.

If I didn't listen to them and ate this food I am sure they would send me to doctor and check my blood and of course wanted to see the results. And they would hold grudge against me (I tried that once. All discussions would be about my food till I would eat SAD food again).

[Mitch]

Double post.

[Mitch]

Nobody is doing anything "to you..." They're just doing what they do. Ummm.... how old is "old" here?

They are in their seventies. They told me they don't care about food they eat because they will live just for some years more no matter what food they will eat.

And how would you feel if you try your best to eat healthy and then someone would literally push their food on your plate. They prepare food and put it on my plate eventhough I told them thousand times I don't eat pepperoni and butter. How would you feel if someone would look at you very worried and tell you you will die right now if you don't eat that pepperoni? If the food was the main topic for the whole time you were together if you don't want to make their way? Will you be OK with that? I am really interested in your answer.

And please... I really don't feel like fighting with people in virtual world... It is just forum and opinion exchange. I didn't know that some people here will feel offended with one single word used. I don't find that productive and it should really be the best to continue discussion about RAW and not OLD. ;)

[Mitch]

Double post.

[MysticTree]

how old are you Mitch? Maybe that is where your autonomy is compromised.

[Mitch]

how old are you Mitch? Maybe that is where your autonomy is compromised.

I am 29 and I think I am old enough to make my own decisions concerning my life. I really don't like they treat me like a child.

By saying "old" I didn't really want to upset anybody. With that said I only want to tell that older people have their own opinions and it is very hard to tell them your own opinion and that they respect it eventhough they don't necessarilly agree with it. At least it is the case with my grandparents.

[MysticTree]

you are old enough . . so take the reins over from them. Stop giving them the power they seem to have over you :)

[lafsalot]

By saying "old" I didn't really want to upset anybody

You didn't - no offense was taken.

[laughalways]

I am 29 and I think I am old enough to make my own decisions concerning my life. I really don't like they treat me like a child.

By saying "old" I didn't really want to upset anybody. With that said I only want to tell that older people have their own opinions and it is very hard to tell them your own opinion and that they respect it eventhough they don't necessarilly agree with it. At least it is the case with my grandparents.

How often do you see them? Perhaps you should tell them that eating their way makes you feel poorly and you need to change your diet to feel your best. Tell them that food today is different...GMO etc. It is your body and you have to make your own choices. Overtime those close to you will come around and leave it alone.

[Gianni]

Why don't you just show them in the Bible where it says not to eat pepperoni.

[Revvell]

And how would you feel if you try your best to eat healthy and then someone would literally push their food on your plate. They prepare food and put it on my plate eventhough I told them thousand times I don't eat pepperoni and butter. How would you feel if someone would look at you very worried and tell you you will die right now if you don't eat that pepperoni? If the food was the main topic for the whole time you were together if you don't want to make their way? Will you be OK with that? I am really interested in your answer.

You are 29!!! I left home at 19! NO ONE would EVER do that "to me." Are you kidding?




And please... I really don't feel like fighting with people in virtual world... It is just forum and opinion exchange. I didn't know that some people here will feel offended with one single word used. I don't find that productive and it should really be the best to continue discussion about RAW and not OLD. ;)

No one here is offended, least of all me. And no one is "fighting." I just asked a question.

[Revvell]

I am 29 and I think I am old enough to make my own decisions concerning my life. I really don't like they treat me like a child.

So, stop acting like a child. People only respond to how others do. Break the pattern. As long as you keep doing what you do, they'll keep doing what they do.




By saying "old" I didn't really want to upset anybody.

No one is upset.




With that said I only want to tell that older people have their own opinions and it is very hard to tell them your own opinion and that they respect it even though they don't necessarily agree with it. At least it is the case with my grandparents.

EVERYone has their own opinions and to expect others to respect yours ~ well, good luck with that. If you stop expecting that you wont be disappointed.

[Revvell]

Why don't you just show them in the Bible where it says not to eat pepperoni.

This is not a religious forum. Not everyone reads the bible or is even christian.

[Mitch]

So, stop acting like a child. People only respond to how others do. Break the pattern. As long as you keep doing what you do, they'll keep doing what they do.



I agree with that totally and I am working on that.

[MysticTree]

I agree with that totally and I am working on that.

Hurrah
Go Mitch :cheer::cheer::cheer:

[Gianni]

This is not a religious forum. Not everyone reads the bible or is even christian.
No but it is a food forum. My post was relevant.

[MysticTree]

It's not relevant if someone doesn't believe in God and most Christians don't follow biblical food laws in any case.

[Gianni]

I'm not here to argue or preach my religious beliefs or lack thereof.

[MysticTree]

I'm glad :)

[Mitch]

Hurrah
Go Mitch :cheer::cheer::cheer:

Thank youuu :excited:

[Riansa]

lols, Dr was unaware of that :)

[TangerineCat]

If I didn't listen to them and ate this food I am sure they would send me to doctor and check my blood and of course wanted to see the results. And they would hold grudge against me (I tried that once. All discussions would be about my food till I would eat SAD food again).

hehe, Mitch- don't forget that perceptions of what a healthy body should look like have changed. Being heavier was considered beautiful and healthy. My grandparents (who are in Ukraine) are in no way annoying about diet (they're happy I take care of myself), but even in their opinion, I could be a bit bigger. Just different ideas about body size with generations :)

[PansyLo]

I hate how my family treat my diet, they're not as bad when I stick to it but they make fun of me completely if I struggle and have a day where I end up eating cooked food.

They say I'm inconsistant, or that I just like to pretend I have X diet, I'm not a proper vegan, that I just choose what suits me that day.

I just brush it off. NONE of them have ever tried to change anything with their diet. How would they know what it's like to try and be a raw food vegan when they've never even been on a diet or tried vegetarianism.

It is a little frustrating to be judged by people who have no idea. At least I'm trying to improve my health. I don't have to be 100% anything, I do get to choose what I eat from day to day as it's what I eat it doesn't effect them. I'll admit I'm having teething problems as I've just started raw again and I have VERY little time or money. I'm working towards my goals and I'm trying. That's good enough for me. :)