Just can't seem to do it...

I've been trying to eat raw for the last several weeks. I ALWAYS break down. I just start wanting something substantial, and I can't find it in my fridge. I feel so HUNGRY. So I eat toast or a sandwich or make some pasta and then I'm happy again.

Overall I'm a very healthy person. I'm a vegetarian and I eat mostly whole foods. I'm pretty active as well, so I'm already used to eating 5-6 small meals every day. But I really do want to be raw.

Can anyone share advice or suggestions? I'd love to see a site with recipes that don't require a dehydrator. I don't have a dehydrator, nor do I intend on buying one.

Honestly, I'm not sure if this is for me, even though I really WANT it to be for me.

Hey no worries! Maybe your a "transitioner" like me. :D It takes me sometime to transition to where I want to be. It sounds like you are eating high raw and working toward 100%, so take your time and you'll find your way.

Alissa has many recipes which don't require a dehydrator.

I don't dehydrate as well, it is what works for me. You may find some awesome recipes here: http://www.thegardendiet.com/ Storm and Jinjee also do not dehydrate food, so all their recipes are non-dehydrated. You can find a link to their e-book and why they don't dehydrate on the left about mid way down the page. There are so many recipes to choose form in it!

As Seasiren said, Alissa's book has a LOT of recipes that don't require dehydration. In fact, there are many recipes that DO call for dehydration that can still be eaten undehydrated. For example, if there was a recipe for nut burgers that you flatten and dehydrate, you can eat the mixture as a pate' stuffed in tomatoes, bell peppers or lettuce leaves!

If it's a cookie recipe that calls for dehydration, make refrigerator cookies instead...there's no fear of eating the cookie dough here cause there's no eggs and no salmonella poisoning! :D

The main things I can see that might "need" dehydration are the breads and crackers. I mean, wouldn't you benefit from and love to have some yummy, savory crackers or some kind of flat bread to make veggie sandwiches with? Your world would be SO opened up to greater possibilities!

May I ask why you seem to kinda "discriminate" against dehydrators? Are you feeling you'd have to spend over $100 for an Excalibur model dehydrator? If that's what's stopping you, take at look in the "Recipe Forum" where I answered someone about a dehydrator just today! There are less costly options that will widen the variety in your raw diet without breaking the bank. :)

Also, you said you want raw to be for you, but it may not be for you...what do you wish to gain eating raw? Think about those things...raw is for you, you just have to allow the transitional period. We all have moments of eating things that are contrary to the raw foods "diet", but just don't beat yourself up over it and wallow in feelings of guilt or failure.

And...if you haven't gone full raw yet, simply incorporating MORE raw foods into your current cooked diet is better than no raw at all! You will still reap some benefits from doing that. Maybe have one cooked meal a day or something like that until your mind and body say you're ready to take it to the next level.

This is YOUR journey...don't give up on it, just adjust it for where you are and enjoy as much yummy raw food as you can!

I agree with Rawkinlocs, as not every one is 100% raw, many are transitioning to 100% raw over a great period of time, like 5 years or more.


so, eat the fresh fruits and veggies that you love, and add in some frozen banana ice creams, or some fruit and veggie dips and some raw desserts, and some fresh fruit juices and smoothies, and just eat cooked dinner for a while, as it gets warmer and more summery, it will be easier and easier to go 100% raw, if that is your choice.

But please, dont' quit eating great raw fruits and veggies because you've had a couple slip ups, or think that you must be 100% raw instantly, it just doesn't happen that fast for everyone, in fact, for MOST it isn't like that.

So, eat as much fruits and veggies as you love, then eat a cooked dinner, and see how that works for you.