Plateau on raw

[twinyoga]

I'm a little confused and following is sort of a vent and questions together...

I've started a raw diet three times. The first time, I didn't eat enough (treated it as a diet) and lasted two days! The second time, after having my twins, I did it for a week straight all 100% and totally freaked out! The last time, last week (twins are now 9 months old) and I did great for a week. I ate some non-raw but felt like great. Then I freaked out again.

So, a few days after eating mostly cooked foods, I'm back to wanting to go mostly raw. I miss the light feeling I had. I miss having the energy. Here are my concerns that I think are causing my plateau and maybe all of you can give me some advice.

1. I worry about calcium and iron. I need to know I am getting enough calcium and iron eating mostly raw.

2. I worry about pesticides. I buy alot of organic but not all organic. I wash my fruits and veggies well. But who knows what's sprayed on the produce? How can I feel secure about washing and eating the foods.

Basically, I'm a new Mom with "Mom" responsibilities. I want to be at my best for my family! I've practiced yoga for years, I run, I'm healthy and really don't need to lose weight. I like raw and the fresh feeling I get from it but get scared and discouraged that I'm doing it wrong. What advice and confidence can all of you more experienced raw "eaters" share with me? I really do appreciate this!

Also, I think it might be fun to start the day (or end it) with what our menu for the day was. I did this with a group of vegetarian people when I was losing a little weight a few years ago and it was very motivating. Either you list what you plan on eating for the day or what you ate all day yesterday.

For example, I plan on having fruit tomorrow morning (banana, grapefruit, apple maybe with a little wheat germ and honey sprinkled on top), a salad for lunch or maybe celery with almond butter and dates and I'm going out for dinner so probably a big salad maybe with some steamed veggies.

Anyway, it felt good to share this. I want raw to be fun and exciting...not scary and intimidating.

Goodnight.
Debbie

[Helen Of Tennessee]

Hi Debbie,

Here are some calcium articles that will help you to understand if you are getting enough calcium. Don't let the titles fool you, it does cover your question in most of the articles:

Cow’s Milk is for Calves
by Michael Dye
http://www.all-creatures.org/cb/a-cowsmilk.html

Dairy Products
by Dr Gina Shaw, MA
http://vibrancy.homestead.com/dairy.html

What About Dairy – Tasha Ann
http://www.geocities.com/HotSprings/Villa/4895/lih-nh-dairy.html

What About Dairy?
http://www.earthsave.org/news/whatdary.htm

Should you drink your milk? & Milk and Calcium
http://chrysalisyog.homestead.com/milk.html

Who Gets Bone Disease?
http://www.rawvegan.com/bone_disease.html

Exercise and Vit. D is important for bones (not milk or calcium supplements):
http://www.mercola.com/2000/jul/9/exercise_bone_density.htm

Is Dairy Good?
http://64.106.220.190/nutrition_book/Milk%20and%20Cookies.htm

Why dairy products won’t help you maintain healthy bones
http://www.milksucks.com/osteo.html

<>< Helen of Tennessee

[rawvegirl]

The pesticides in animal products are more concentrated than those in plant food. The lower you eat on the food chain, the fewer pesticides you should be exposed to. I would love to be able to buy organic all the time, but I'm poor and can rarely afford it. So - I don't worry about it. Worrying, for me, is toxic and pointless unless I can do something about it. Right now, I can't do anything about it, but in the future (more money) I will.

To feel better about what you're eating, try using one of those fruit/veg washes that you find in the produce section. I hear they can wash off the majority of pesticides.

If you eat enough greens, there is no need to worry about calcium, iron, and other minerals. I eat a huge salad every day with about 3 cups of kale so I don't worry about calcium. (Vegans need much less than the 1000 mg RDA.)

Have faith that the human body is infinitely wise and strong. The raw diet has to be fun and exciting in order to stick with it. Do your research so you know how to eat, then relax and enjoy it.

[Rawkinlocs]

The pesticides in animal products are more concentrated than those in plant food. The lower you eat on the food chain, the fewer pesticides you should be exposed to. I would love to be able to buy organic all the time, but I'm poor and can rarely afford it. So - I don't worry about it. Worrying, for me, is toxic and pointless unless I can do something about it. Right now, I can't do anything about it, but in the future (more money) I will.

To feel better about what you're eating, try using one of those fruit/veg washes that you find in the produce section. I hear they can wash off the majority of pesticides.

If you eat enough greens, there is no need to worry about calcium, iron, and other minerals. I eat a huge salad every day with about 3 cups of kale so I don't worry about calcium. (Vegans need much less than the 1000 mg RDA.)

Have faith that the human body is infinitely wise and strong. The raw diet has to be fun and exciting in order to stick with it. Do your research so you know how to eat, then relax and enjoy it.

I love this post on all points! *applauds in agreement*