I need RAW guidance

[h00pychic]

I am new to the whole raw diet, in fact i haven't converted yet, i want to make sure that i am getting the proper nutrition first. does anyone have simple sample meals for me to follow? I am a college student, so i mean really simple, they dont permit appliances in the dorms :(

I am really enthusiastic and eager to begin.

How much fruits/ veggies can i eat in a sitting? what are normal proportions?

I really need health and energy.

[Angelina]

I think most here would suggest first getting a great book (that would be alissa's); or if you don't jump into it 100% there is a good book out there that has a 5 level program for going raw (by Natalia Rose)....my suggestion is that to just go into it very simple. I haven't purchased a dehydrator yet; just rely on my blender and occasionally borrow moms food processor. My typical day looks like this : fruit in the am (basically as much as you like, I usually do a big fruit salad of two apples, two bananas, some raisins); lunch is a salad with lots of veggies or for instance today I have two jumbo portabellos with avocado (mashed and seasoned with spices) toppped with sundried or fresh tomatos. Mid afternoon snack is usually a green smoothie (made in blender, 3 handfuls of baby spinach with 1 bag of whole foods tropical fruit mix.) dinner is usually a salad. Quick snacks are veggie sticks, fruit, Lara bars. A lot of new people rely on nuts to satisfy them (I did too, but find them to be very heavy and slow down digestion) ~ but be careful not to over do it. I get my fats mainly from olive oil, flax oil or avocado. Also experiment, I take some dates, nuts and carob in my mini food processor and roll in coconut ~ this is a quick and easy treat that you can take with you when you get hungry. Its actually very simple if you don't complicate it!! For me, I'd rather eat easy to prepare/grab meals and save complicated recipes for the weekends.

[Angelina]

oh one more thing I should've mentioned, especially since you are concerned with proper nutrition; one thing that I am still working on is eating enough foods!! Sometimes you may think you've eaten enough, even may feel filled but your energy levels will tell you otherwise. I realized that I wasn't eating enough!! (I'm pretty active) and I was just feel downright exhausted. I started logging my menu on Fitday.com (I know, I know...many people here don't count calories, but mine was more to insure I was getting enough!!) ~ whats really cool about this is that you can also see what your daily vitamin/mineral intake is!!! I love it, its proof of how you can completely nourish your body with real foods when you actually see the %'s (most of the time I go over the RDA)... the key is to really listen to your body, whether it is telling you to eat more or less....that will give you success.

[h00pychic]

Thanks for the tips, and so quick too :)

What is the 30 day challenge?

I am so happy to hear about a diet like this and there are so many supporters!

I am going to purchase alissa's book thanks.

[Angelina]

The 30 day challenge is basically going 100% raw for 30 days!! You're right, this board is excellent support. Its great to see everyones experience with their raw lifestyle and its also very helpful to see what challenges some people face and how they overcome it...then of course picking up some great recipes and ideas don't hurt at all either!!! Check out some pics of the food in the various threads, you'll definitely be impressed

[Sweet lips]

Hi, Welcoem to Raw.

Angelina is right on point with her suggestions and especially - purchase the book and the DVD and dive in. Also the recipe section is full of recipes and topics for a novice. There is volumes of support here. I am sure that whatever you are attempting to do, you will find someone on the same journey.

As for supporting your nutrional needs, you will find that on RAW ---> All can be met. Many people ask about protein, and here is a link that provides some really good discussion on vegan protein: http://www.rawfoodtalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=5030&highlight=protein

There are some great journals out here as well - and take your time as you study through the celebrations, even the moments of tempatation and back up in the saddle again.

Remember that your body will celebrate you as you listen and provide what it needs.