Question from Newbie--Not feeling well eating raw...

[LindaKH]

Hi everyone--Was wondering if anyone has advise or had similar experiences when starting eating raw....

I am coming from a very high protien diet (Atkins/South Beach) for the past several years. I ate almost no fruit, some veggies and TONS of protien. About a month ago due to some health issues I started looking at my diet, researching other ways of eating and came to raw food as the way I want to eat. I did the Master Cleanser 2 times but only did 5 days each time instead of the 10 minimum.

I have been eating 100% raw only a few days and am not feeling well at all. My stomach is very upset and bloated. I am so uncomfortable...I really want to eat this way but am wondering what is going on. Should I have eased into it more slowly? Should I try fasting again? Should I cut out nuts (I was thinking they may be hard to digest--?).

Anyone else have a tough time at first and get passed it successfully?

Thanks for your help!
Linda

[Rawkinlocs]

I've heard that when you first start out, bloating and gas is quite normal and will minimize and diminish with time. If you are eating nuts, be sure to soak them first. Just put them in a glass jar or bowl covered with water (about an inch over the nuts; the purer the better) before bed at night and by the next morning, you can drain, rinse and eat or you can dehydrate them if you have a dehydrator...if not, store them in the fridge (can someone advise on how to store soaked nuts in the fridge as I normally don't do it). That makes them much easier to digest!

But going back to your former diet won't make things better, it'll make it worse. You have a lot of cleaning to do from all the meat and protein from the Atkin's diet...allow your body time to recover from that and whatever else.

You might also look into some enzymes (Alissa sells some on her site) or maybe doing a light enema every so often to aid in cleansing the digestive system...and a fast wouldn't hurt if you're up to doing that! Try juicing this time as opposed to the MC.

I'm sure others will chime in with more help!

Also, could you give us an example of what you've been eating the past few days? What has your raw diet consisted of?

[Sweet lips]

Linda,

I just wrote this suggestion on another post, add some ginger juice to your diet, it will helping with the bloating and the upset stomach. I make a ginger tea with lemon and a little sweetner of my choice and it does the trick.

As Rawkinlocs has asked, please share your diet with us - it can be a matter of food combining. And please don't go back to those diets, I have read too much animal protein will destroy your bones and well as play havoc on your kidneys - you do want to live long and healthy ;)

[Sheryl]

It usually takes up to a week after a dietary change for your body to start producing the appropriate enzymes needed to digest things properly. All diets need different levels of stomach acids, enzymes etc, and until your body adjusts you might have some side affects. The good news is that before long the upsets you have now will be a memory of the past.

Some people take it easier and slowly move to a new way of eating; others jump right in and accept a few days of discomfort for a speedier transition. Choose whatever works best for you!

Cheers,
Sheryl
www.Raw-Pleasure.com

[Rawmommie]

Hi, and welcome to the board! I came to raw from 3 years of Atkins. Some aspects were actually easier b/c I had already given up the breads, pasta's, rice, and ate lots of vegi's already.

I had about a week of bloating and detoxing that was uncomfortable. I was also REALLY tired off and on and only little bursts of energy. It takes a while for your body to start healing. Give it some time. I feel great now and I'm in my second month of 100% raw. I've lost 18 pounds, my face has cleared up almost completely, my mind is crystal clear, I feel calmer and more peaceful too. Hang in there, it gets better...MUCH better! Good luck.

Karen

[LindaKH]

Thanks so much everyone for responding so quickly--I really appreciate it. Here is what I ate today:

fruit until 3pm (probably too much fruit--?) 2 oranges, 1 apple, 1 banana, 2 tangerines, 1 cup of grapes

at 3pm had 2 BIG handfulls of walnuts and raisens (I find nuts are satisfying to me and make me feel that I am actually eating something of substance--though I think they aren't making me feel so great).

5:30 spinach salad, with some tomatoes, 3 types of sprouts (not sure what kind--I got them at Whole Foods already sprouted), 3 walnuts crushed up.

What do you think?

I will get some ginger and try the tea. Also, I didn't read this in time to soak the walnuts but will do so tonight.

I am committed to never going back to Atkins even though it is the easiest way for me to keep weight down--I feel like I am getting fatter now but am trusting that it will even out. I am trying not to be so weight obsessed but after so long with that as my main focus it is hard not to worry about it for me.

Karen--thanks for your experience--it helps tremendously. I will stick it out and hope for 1/2 as good of results as you have had!

Again, thank you to all of you for responding and for the great suggestions.
~Linda

[Sweet lips]

I think you did very well with your diet. I can see that the nuts may have assisted with the cause of the bloating, so soaking them should help you as well.

Hang in their - your body really does normalize and accepts what is best for it.

[FEELIN'GOOD]

LindaKH-

Hi there! I joined the raw food group after being on Atkins for 2 years as well. I ate more fish than read meat, but I tell you, once I got off and started raw, I gained 23 pounds... Of course, I ate a ton of nuts at the beginning because I was so hungry and used to eating cooked heavy stuff, so the nuts were enjoyable and filling. So I'm sure they had a lot to do with my weight gain- so don't be upset if you poof out a bit. Now after 3 months of approx 90% raw, my weight is going down again- I don't exercise much at all at the moment so I'm positive once I get moving this weight will melt off and I will feel a ton better. So be kind to your body- know in your mind and heart that this is how we are meant to eat, and ward off the evil food demons that want to urge you back to no good... As David Wolfe says over and over in his book- 'Cooked food is poison!' Good Luck! We are here for you!

[LindaKH]

Thanks for the replies...I have only eaten fruit today and am feeling better--I think the nuts have to go as I have no control over how much I eat.

Also, I drank some ginger tea this morning and will continue that.

FeelinGood--that is a good description--I feel like I am puffing up! How long did you find that you were gaining wt before it reversed?

Thanks everyone
Linda

[FEELIN'GOOD]

I gained it almost instantly- like within 3 weeks. But I ate too many nuts to satisfy my food cravings... I think that if you really commit to eating just veggies and doing a juice fast and prepare your body for the future you will not gain like I did. I was sorta depressed after I read about all the harm I was doing to my body on Atkins. I felt that because I lost over 35 pounds I was better off, but I may have done some real damage in the process.

I also have heard from many people, that when you get off a low carb diet, you should introduce carbs very slowly. And when you start going RAW you do get a bit poofy because of all the changes your body is going through...

Just don't worry about the weight for a while... it will balance out if you continue on a true RAW lifestyle... all you can lose is weight here... so be patient!