Protein in a Raw Food Diet

[e700]

This may seem like a stupid question but are the only sources of protein in a raw food diet leafy greens and nuts? I am very drawn to the diet for many reasons and have been transitioning for a short time now. But, I do crave a substance like meat. As a lacto-ovo vegetarian, I had many options to satisfy this. But, with this diet there is no fake meat. I have a recipe to make my own cultured tofu and I plan to do that, but it's taking a long time to grow the sprouts and then culture the tofu. The book I read said that regular tofu you get from the store is void of nutrients b/c it's been so overprocessed. I need something quick and fast that I can eat every day like a banana. Does anyone have any suggestions? I love eating the fruits and vegetables and feel great. But, I can't seem to get rid of that particular urge.

[SamuelWilson]

A ripe avocado is a great protein source. It has more usuable protein than any meat.

[Sharon in Colorado]

http://www.rawfoodtalk.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=19

[exurb]

with this diet there is no fake meat

I think you're totally mistaken when you say there's no fake meat with raw foods.

You could make lots of stuff, from mock salmon and tuna, to fake meatballs with nuts veggies and spices, to fake meatloaf, I've even seen fake barbecued chicken fingers, I make "crab" cakes, there's burgers, etc., etc...

so open up your mind and look around a little harder, and you might be amazed what's out there.

[Rawkinlocs]

In addition to the link Sharon provided you, please bear in mind that when you CRAVE meat, that doesn't necessarily mean your body is craving/needing protein. Cravings are mostly mental but when you go raw and your body gets cleaned of those things, you may find that urges and cravings creep up during the body's detoxification process as it clears out old things you've eaten in the past. This is why some people end up smelling fried chicken when there is no chicken anywhere around them or tasting metal in their mouths or craving burgers when they've been vegan for years and years...old stuff comes up.

Not saying this is the case with you, but it does happen.

The fake meats/mock meats are mainly for transitional purposes and to help with the whole mental aspect of eating.

And there are mock "meats" in a raw diet in the form of recipes such as Alissa's Mock Salmon Pate', Meatloaf, Carrot-Pecan Burgers, etc... and many others.

But when you read the article on protein in the link Sharon provided, you'll see that our bodies don't make protein FROM protein, but rather from amino acids (which a good source are dark greens).

ALL of nature's foods (nuts, fruits, veggies, seeds) contain protein and everything we need...it's just in smaller amounts than in animal products, but with a nice balanced raw diet eating a variety of foods, you will have your protein needs met and it'll be the protein your body can actually USE and assimilate rather than the kind that ends up robbing your bones of calcium in order to break it down, which is what happens with animal protein.

If you don't already have it, I advise you getting Alissa's book as you'll find it a refreshing, down-to-earth approach to raw and you'll see that all your needs can and will be met through eating raw.

[Angelina]

You could make lots of stuff, from mock salmon and tuna, to fake meatballs with nuts veggies and spices, to fake meatloaf, I've even seen fake barbecued chicken fingers, I make "crab" cakes, there's burgers, etc., etc...

so open up your mind and look around a little harder, and you might be amazed what's out there.[/QUOTE]


Please please please, post the recipe for crab cakes!! I tried a few others but hadn't really been satisfied and would love to try a new one.

[DavidZaneMason]

Rawkinlocs is exactly correct. Protein deficiency is NOT a problem....but not being satisfied is. There ARE alternatives: Try portabello mushrooms marinated in garlic & lemon juice. Try a thick, spiced, sprouted sunflower seed pate on romaine lettuce leaves.

-David Mason

[exurb]

Please please please, post the recipe for crab cakes!!

Angelina, I will try next time I make them to post a recipe. I sort of base them VERY loosely on a recipe in Brigitte Mars' book called Rawesome, but only vaguely. (and I took that book back to the library, so it might be some time until I have it out again and can make them). Things I remember being in them are fresh corn cut off the cob, some grated carrots, and I like to use chopped up pea shoots, there's NO flax in them, some sort of nut (I think pine), and fresh cilantro, a little hot pepper, sweet red pepper, some lemon juice, fresh ground coriander seed, paprika, ground pink peppercorns, salt... when they go in the dehydrator they sort of take on a brown tone on the outside and they look like fried crab cakes. I wouldn't say the taste is exact, but they sure are tasty. maybe some of those ingredients help you in the meantime?