Newbie with some questions...thanks!

[LeanGreenMachine]

After reading a ton of material on diets, exercise and nutrition, it came down to the low carb diet (with more fruits and veggies than they recommend) or the raw food diet. I chose the raw food diet. I really don't care for meat anymore and I hate the idea of it sitting in my intestines for days. I truly feel that this is the way to go for me. I wanted some of you who have been doing this for several months or years to look over my plan and tell me what you would change...my goals are listed in my signature. This is a way of eating I want to follow for the rest of my life.

I plan to exercise 6-7 days a week.

MWF Elliptical machine 45 minutes
Tuesday Full body weight training
Thursday and Saturday Carmen Electra workout DVD
Sunday will be a make up day or outdoor stuff or just plain rest

Next, my eating plan and I'm doing around 90% raw for now:

Breakfast: Smoothie with berries, water, flax seeds, nuts, protein powder.
Snacks: Fresh fruit
Lunch: Fresh fruit
Dinner: Large salad with several types of greens, a cucumber, a tomato, a green pepper, green and black olives, some shredded cheese and either ranch or oil dressing

This is around 1500 calories and 60-70 grams protein

How does this look to you and what would you change?

Next question...I love bananas and would like to eat 1-2 a day but sometimes I have hypoglycemia and my blood sugar goes wacko. I'm afraid bananas are too high in sugar and will cause my body to produce insulin = no fat loss. Where can you steer me or what can you tell me about bananas and weight loss? That is the food that gives me most concern but I love the things and would eat them if they were safe to eat and still lose weight...

Sorry for the long post but in a year, I want to post my before and afters and share my own success with all of you! Thanks so much for your info and support!

Kelly in Ohio

PS... this is the coolest raw foods forum on the net! :cool:

I want in on some of this raw food forum love!

[LeanGreenMachine]

I also take a bunch of vitamins and a fiber supplement...and drink plenty of water every day. I don't do artificial sweeteners, etc.

Thanks again for your advice!

[Goddess_girl]

read this and the inner threads.

http://www.rawfoodtalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=8781

and also read

"need to know more about raw" by Alissa.

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

[Goddess_girl]

p.s.

Dont make it harder than it needs to be!

[LeanGreenMachine]

Thanks for the links but I guess I'm looking more for the forum members' personal experiences and advice on my eating plan and some info on bananas and if they make the blood sugar go crazy.

I did look at those links though and thanks again!

[Goddess_girl]

Then I would suggest you read a few journals.
They are good reads.

[sport]

The first thing that I would say to you is that the cheddar cheese will have to go if possible. It is not raw and if you are still not convinced that dairy is bad for you I will find stuf on the net that will frighten you. I have been making a salad dressing this week from pine nuts, fresh basil, Olive oil and apple cider viniger and it will beat the sox off cheese any day.
Why are you including protein powder in your smoothies. What is the source and why do you feel that you need it.

[LeanGreenMachine]

Guess I add the cheese for flavor and for protein. I use a natural protein powder made from whey in my shake. I'm not ready for 100% raw and so that's why I'm still eating a bit of cheese, the whey protein powder and sometimes choose the ranch dressing over the olive oil dressing. I'm sure eventually I'll gravitate into 100% raw.

I looked up bananas and a lot of web sites recommend you avoid them if you happen to have diabetes or hypoglycemic episodes, so that answers that question. I will choose less sugary fruits such as green apples, pears, nectarines, etc.

Aside from the few items that aren't raw, would you suggest I eat a fruit lunch or a greens lunch? Fruit or salad for lunch?

[Goddess_girl]

I think maybe you need alissa'a book so you know where she stands about protein powder and cheese.
This is a 100% raw web site; most people here strive for 100%.
You wont get no advice telling you you need the powder and cheese.

[Goddess_girl]

Aside from the few items that aren't raw, would you suggest I eat a fruit lunch or a greens lunch? Fruit or salad for lunch?

Eat what you want to eat; it is not a very difficult thing to do.

[LeanGreenMachine]

I definitely don't think I need the cheese and protein powder but I'm easing my way into this way of eating. I'm sure eventually I'll go 100% raw. Rawkinlocs has a post that I like...speaking about allowing everyone to be where they need to be in their eating and not judging if it isn't 100% raw.

No need to get impatient with me...I am new to this and I want to have a positive experience with it so I can help others find this way of eating too through my success. I have read several raw food books and I will probably eventually get Alissa's book. I just like hearing about personal experiences too. If someone can help me through their own experience instead of me "feeling my way" for several months, then that would be great.

Merry Christmas!

[Goddess_girl]

I definitely don't think I need the cheese and protein powder but I'm easing my way into this way of eating. I'm sure eventually I'll go 100% raw. Rawkinlocs has a post that I like...speaking about allowing everyone to be where they need to be in their eating and not judging if it isn't 100% raw.

No need to get impatient with me...I am new to this and I want to have a positive experience with it so I can help others find this way of eating too through my success. I have read several raw food books and I will probably eventually get Alissa's book. I just like hearing about personal experiences too. If someone can help me through their own experience instead of me "feeling my way" for several months, then that would be great.

Merry Christmas!

I was NoT being impatient with you; I was only making suggestions on where to read personal experiences; as people get tired of posting there story over and over.

[sport]

I think that the ideal eating plan is to eat the lightest and more easily digested things first. This applies to the day as well as to each meal. If you feel that you need to add protein then that meal should be your last one of the day. Fruit should be first at each meal and each day so fruit for breakfast, salad for lunch and then your heaviest meal later in the day. For me this would include avacado or nuts or seeds.

[Raw_Medic]

LeanGreen Machine,
I'm going to PM you :-)

[Raw_Medic]

Well, I was going to PM you....but there's no link to do that when I click on your name. so I'm sending you an email!

[ReneeSC]

Hi Kelly!

Raw is *very* individual. It's applicability is universal, but it's truly an individual lifestyle since what your body will require _when_ will be different than.. say.. your best girlfriend. There are some common or more-common threads of truth. Please, if you've not ordered yet, get Alissa's book and DVD set. It WILL explain it all to you.

Here, at Alissa's ( and that's why we're here, many of us are "Dancin' with the One that Brung Us) - the beginnings of Raw are not so planned. Simply put, in the START OF RAW you will eat whatever you want, as much as you want, anytime you want. This allows the body to adjust to live enzymes, water intake, cleansing, and restabilizing of the body's organs and lymphatic system. You then work on the Tweak Time as you go.

We don't count calories here. If you're into that habit ( and MANY of us were ), you'll find yourself breaking it or it will break "itself".
We don't count fat grams here. Raw fat grams are assimilated by the body differently than SAD grams. Many eat HUGE amounts of "fats" when beginning on raw. Your body will command as it wishes. Just go with it for now.
We don't food combine unless your body is telling you it's _time_ to do that.
We don't worship the weight scale. Okay, we're not supposed to ( lol ). RAw weight is different than SAD weight.
Protein: We don't fret over that, either. If your body wants more, eat more broccoli, spinach, and dark green leafy vegetables, and some protein powder if you want to.

Your body will detox more-quickly if you're going to jump in and take the 30 Day Challenge and GO ALL RAW. You may wish a slower transition, and that's perfectly your timing. Alissa has said over and over.. that you NEED to be READY to commit - and at gut level.. or have hit rock bottom ( for some people ).. and then just Go Raw. Some others, though, didn't know they had that sort of committment until they got into Raw and then... became so committed once they saw what raw was doing for them.
That's why the 'mantra' around here is.. JUST GO RAW! for 30 Days - straight - Journal - discuss on forum, and walk out the lifestyle.

Bananas: I was famished early this morning. I couldn't stand it anymore. I ate two organic bananas ( oh yum ) and went right back to bed and slept like a baby. I'm a ( was a ).. diabetic. After months of working through some challenges ( still am ), can eat bananas like they're growing in my kitchen. I can make vice cream with them, I can make pies or cookies or leather.. and it's all good. I am one that still needs a protein source in my body when consuming sugars, but lately, I can down bananas with no trouble. I'm waiting for my body to correct that totally in time. I just don't worry about it anymore. I still, pretty much, since September 1, eat what I want when I want to. And, although my "shrinking" pictures are yet uploaded, I look GOOD!

I am, just recently, working through insulin resistant responses, some cravings ( mental memory ), and why sometimes I can eat one thing and then can't eat it the next time. I'm still learning about my body - but my body is still learning how to live raw. That's why you can't get too caught up in "it has to be THIS way.. or THAT way". It could change overnight, literally.

You and I are close in age.

Bunches of vitamins: You'll find some conflicting opinions on this here. Why? Because they're conflicting resuls in some people. Remember the "individualness" I spoke of before. However, it's generally accepted that mega-dosing on synthetic vitamins is simply not necessary; and could lead to more problems. Although I'm still within supplimentation because of things I'm working on healing, I do know that there are certain things you just don't need to do.
I had a LOT of health challenges when I started in September. I mean - A LOT. My two daughters were suffering as well. There were things we took that helped us along the way. Generally speaking, if Alissa is selling it in her store, most of us agree that we'd take it if we needed it; i.e, enzymes, super foods, protein powders.. etc. We try not to get into knock-down, drag-out fights about it on here. :)

Salad Dressings: Oh, girlfriend, MAKE YOUR OWN! Don't eat that stuff in the bottle you get at SAD world! ( yucky, yucky..and it's prolly full of disguised MSG, not to mention a chemical laboratory). We have threads in the archives which talk about how to many many different sorts of dressings that we just LUUUURVE. Alissa has some great ones listed in her book, and you can also find them online at others' raw sites.

Get some of these things in your kitchen, okay?

Lemons/Limes
Celtic Sea salt ( if you're still using iodized salt.. throw it AWAY!)
Nama Shoyu ( I'll literally douse my mixing bowl of salad with it straight from the bottle. )
Raw Apple Cidar Vingegar
Frontier brand spices ( if you use them now ), since they're dried at low temps
Raw, if you can afford the true stuff, OLIVE oil, flax oil, sunflower oil coconut oil..ect.
and then work on mixing up your own concoctions if you're so inclined. There are raw salad dressings online, but - it's much cheaper and more fun to make your own.
I learned to make dressings and toppings with blended veggies! No oil at all. Good stuff, Man.

Really - we do not eat bottled salad dressings anymore. I've not see any in my fridge for months now ( I have other non-totally raw people in my house ). My children have learned how to make their own dressings and LOVE IT.

Relax. Relax. Relax... and just EAT. If your body freaks out over something, working on finding out _why_, if that's possible, and keep going.

Welcome in!

[sweepea32]

How inspiring, caring, helpful and knowledgable you are.
Your response was so great and needed.
I read alot, but don't post much here.
The information, when posted in a non-judgemental manner is so much more helpful and easier to digest.
We are all here to learn.

thanks,

Mary

[jax]

What an excellent reply! Your post was very enjoyable to read! Also, to the Newbie, Good Luck in your journey to raw!! :)

Jax

[Rawmommie]

Hi Kelly and welcome! When I first went Raw in November of 2004 the last 2 things I gave up were cheese and ranch dressing. I intended for it to be a slow transition, just like you, but it really only took a few weeks. The ranch started tasting like metal and I found a great recipe for avacado dressing that was just as creamy and much better tasting. That helped me let go of those foods.

Also, a lot of the raw recipes helped when transitioning. Many of them are heavy and have a lot of nuts, but they are just what a transitioning body needs I believe. They help you feel full like you are used to with SAD food. My husband still jokes with me when I say I'm going to try a new recipe. First thing he says, "Let me guess, made with nuts and dates, right?" ;)

I didn't worry about calories or percentages when I first went raw, just trying to eat as close to 100% as I could and within a few weeks I was 100%. I wish you luck and hope that you enjoy the board. It's full of wonderful, helpful people. :)

[LeanGreenMachine]

Thanks everyone for your wonderful input. After one full week on eating 95% raw, I feel great! You've convinced me to give up the cheese and ranch dressing and go to an olive oil based dressing I make. I think I'll still use the protein powder in my smoothies for now, but eventually I'd like to give that up too. So now, 99% raw.

I appreciate all of your time giving me some great info...and thanks! I would like to post my before and after pics at the end of 2006 and be another success story to newbies at that point.

Again, thanks everyone for welcoming me in!

Kelly in Ohio

[Punky]

Thanks everyone for your wonderful input. After one full week on eating 95% raw, I feel great! You've convinced me to give up the cheese and ranch dressing and go to an olive oil based dressing I make. I think I'll still use the protein powder in my smoothies for now, but eventually I'd like to give that up too. So now, 99% raw.

I appreciate all of your time giving me some great info...and thanks! I would like to post my before and after pics at the end of 2006 and be another success story to newbies at that point.

Again, thanks everyone for welcoming me in!

Kelly in Ohio

Welcome Kelly; glad to have you join us here.
You are doing wonderful!!!!

We use protein powder in smoothies too; We use a hemp protein
powder and like it a lot (and it's raw). Just thought I'd let you know
about it if you ever want to try it later on. "Alissa and other internet
raw food stores carry it.

Best Wishes on your raw journey!

[Raspberry4]

ReneeSC - I agree that your post was written with great information and lovingly. When I first read about 'raw food' years ago and was curious, most of the 'authorities' were saying 100 percent raw or nothing. It scared and intimidated me at first. I do not like to be told 'my way or the highway' when I am looking to better myself. I do believe that the more raw food in the diet, the better. Some people cannot do 100 percent and it is ok, in my opinion. I hope I do not offend anyone with that statement. For me, I have such an addictive compulsive behavior, especially with food. In order to heal myself physically and mentally I am willing to go a little more slowly this time. My intention is 100 percent raw eventually. But that is my decision and not right for everyone. I have alot of healing to do and breaking this compulsion over food is a big one. Anyway...more to the point I am glad to be reading in the different posts that it is a personal choice, follow and really listen to your body - it will speak to you believe me. There will be days when you need to eat lighter. Days when you need more nuts or avocados. You will be able to tell. Thank you to everyone who is supportive and understanding of each of us and our decision to either jump right in, or go a little more slowly. I do not feel pressured this time around that it is all or nothing syndrome (not good for a compulsive person anyway). ;)

[LeanGreenMachine]

Thank you everyone and have a Merry Christmas!

Just over the past two days of researching and reading and having some great info sent to me by a poster I've decided to go ahead and toss some of the things that were not raw from my diet including the whey protein powder, cheese and roasted nuts. I'm going to have to do something about the calorie level but eating more fruit and veggies doesn't sound too scary, hahaha...

My newly revised diet looks something like this...

For breakfast I have a fruit smoothie with berries, a banana and water. Snacks are fresh fruit. Lunch is either more fruit or a salad from Subway. Dinner is always a big salad with oil dressing. I do buy Newman's oil dressing which has no additives and eventually I'd like to make my own dressing. So I can proudly say I'm 99% raw now.

The biggest thing beyond the fast weight loss in just a week is my energy level! Sometimes I find it hard to fall asleep because of it or I wake up during the night now. Anyone else have this happening?

I'm also thinking of adding a green smoothie each day at dinner...but I'm lazy so I plan to buy the organic kind in the organic section of my Kroger store which is 100% natural. I think they are Bolthouse? namebrand. My bf LOVES their orange juice...it's exactly fresh squeezed and it is delicious. No orange juice in the regular section can beat it.

Happy Holidays to you all and thanks for the warm welcome!