Gaining Weight the Raw way

[Lunar*Fey]

I'm sure most people here are sick of me talking about this, but I really need some help. I really want to go raw but I am very underweight and need to get about 3500 calories a day and counting. This is quite hard when the raw foods we have in the house are vegetables, fruits, pumpkin seeds, and cashews. I'm not sure if the almonds we have are raw. We have some raw chick peas and lentils but I honestly don't know how to eat them raw. I tried soaking and eating beans and they tasted horrible and I got sick. I don't have a dehydrator at the moment. the only thing we have is a blender. Should I hold off on going raw until after I've gained weight? I really don't want to...
Oh yeah and I miss cereal soo badly, I absolutely love cereal. I used to eat cereals like Kashi and other healthier (as far as SAD goes) breakfast cereals all day long...What can I use as cereal? But the first question is reallly important, does anyone have any advice, ideas, etc?? thanks :)

[juliebove]

I truly think that sometimes it is next to impossible to gain or lose weight. I spent all of my childhood trying to gain weight. I was very underweight and sick of the comments I'd heard people say about me. Also sick of having the Dr. insist that I gain weight every time I saw him. I tried! Oh, how I tried! And I normally ate a ton of food anyway. I am not one of those people who can eat until their stomach hurts. My husband is one of these. He is not satisfied until he feels the pain of a stuffed tummy. To me, this is an uncomfortable feeling and something I try to avoid. But when I was trying to gain weight, I did do this on purpose a few times, thinking it would help. It didn't.

For me, something happened when I was 16. I became very ill and couldn't keep any food or drink down. As a result my weight got down to 85 pounds. I think I was about 5' 6" at that time. Not good! But even after I was no longer ill, I could not bring myself to eat. The thought of food struck fear in me. I just could not bear the thought of throwing up again because I was tired of the pain it caused. Water was the only thing I felt safe to drink. Grape juice had caused a violent reaction and to this day, I can't bring myself to drink the stuff. But the severe weight loss caused me to have next to no blood pressure and I passed out at school. Something had to be done.

My mom took me to the Dr. and he gave me something to pep up my appetite. Wish I knew what it was. He told me it was vitamins, but I suspect it was something else. Within 24 hours, I was overtaken by insatiable hunger. I sat there and ate a whole box of crackers and jar of peanut butter before dinner. And then I ate a normal sized meal!

Well, it has all been downhill from there. In a short amount of time, my weight shot up to 145. That was the most I'd ever weighed and at that weight, I felt very fat. I wasn't. That was actually a normal weight but after being so underweight for so long, it just felt strange. After that my weight fluctuated between 130 and 145, seemingly with no regard to what I ate or didn't eat or the amount of exercise I got. Although when I was younger, I was VERY active! And at some point I grew taller. I'm now almost 5' 8".

I began to put on weight in my late 20's. More in my 30's. I went on a very strict diet and managed to lose weight then, but I couldn't maintain this diet for a lifetime. Eventually the weight came back and then some.

Now in my 40's, I've gained and lost. Then gained some back, lost it again and finally lost more. Now I know two reasons for that weight gain. One was a thyroid problem that I've seemed to resolve when I stopped eating soy. The other was a food allergy. Since I stopped eating the foods I was allergic to, I've lost weight. And I continue to lose.

So I've seen both sides of the coin. For me, it was just as futile to try to gain weight as it was to try to lose weight. Sure, if you are not eating properly to begin with, that would be one explanation for being at the wrong weight. But if you are eating properly and have no exacerbating medical conditions, then I wouldn't worry about the weight. Unless of course it is causing some other problems in your life. Such as feeling weak or faint.

As for the chickpeas and lentils, you need to buy the kind meant for sprouting. And they need to be washed well before you soak them. You also need to change the water during soaking if you see any scummy stuff coming up into it. I soak mine for about 12 hours. And then I sprout them for a few days. It is vital that all soaking/sprouting euquipment be very clean to start with and you have to really rinse them well and frequently during the sprouting process. I haven't gotten sick from mine but I can't eat very much of them at a time because they're so filling.

I was never much of a cereal lover, so I don't know how much help I can be to you there. I'd suggest making a trail mix of assorted nuts, maybe some coconut and bits of dried fruit. You can snack on that all day long.

You might try raw corn. Cut the kernals from the ear and try eating them like that. Some people like it, some don't. Corn is a grain.

You might try some flax crackers. I bought some at the health food store but you can also buy them online.

If it is merely the crunch factor you're looking for, then try cutting up some carrots and celery into small pieces. You can take these with you when you go out if you pack them in a small soft sided cooler with some ice so they don't spoil. A sliced apple would provide similar crunch, but soak it first in some water with lemon juice added so it doesn't turn brown.

[michigan roman]

lf , a suggestion to grind up in blender to coarse powder sesame seeds , walnuts and any other nut or seed you like . this makes them easier to absorb in my opinion as opposed to eating whole . then eat with spoon along with bananas mixed in .

[cherry405]

I'm sure most people here are sick of me talking about this, but I really need some help. I really want to go raw but I am very underweight and need to get about 3500 calories a day and counting. This is quite hard when the raw foods we have in the house are vegetables, fruits, pumpkin seeds, and cashews. I'm not sure if the almonds we have are raw. We have some raw chick peas and lentils but I honestly don't know how to eat them raw. I tried soaking and eating beans and they tasted horrible and I got sick. I don't have a dehydrator at the moment. the only thing we have is a blender. Should I hold off on going raw until after I've gained weight? I really don't want to...
Oh yeah and I miss cereal soo badly, I absolutely love cereal. I used to eat cereals like Kashi and other healthier (as far as SAD goes) breakfast cereals all day long...What can I use as cereal? But the first question is reallly important, does anyone have any advice, ideas, etc?? thanks :)

I would say eat TONS of fruit. If you crave carbs it means you are not getting
enough natural sugar. I use to crave bread but not anymore, I eat tons of fruit & green smoothies too.
If you start eating lots of fat, you may feel worse.

[Leiloshka]

Try kasha for cereal. Kasha is buckwheat and you can find it at an ethnic Russian store or I guess any health food store. Soak it overnight with plenty of water. Rinse it in the morning. It will be soft, but you can add sweetener (honey or maple syrup) and milk, if you like milk. You can also add bananas and berries to the cereal.

When you get a dehydrator, after soaking, you can dehydrate the cereal and it will be more crunchy. After dehydrating you can store it so you'll have it on hand.

[Lunar*Fey]

Thanks so much for the great suggestions. I really like the kasha idea and I'll try the ground nuts until we get some as that sounds good too. Although, I have had a lot of trouble finding things like buckwheat. You have all been really helpful, thank you so much. :)

[dreamrawalwz]

If you juice a lot of fruit you can get calories in that way on top of your regular meals. Dried fruit also has more substance for the little volume.

[heabrook]

Just a question.....

Who says that you are underweight? I was just wondering because people always say that I'm so thin etc. At least, people who don't know me that well do. The people who DO know me, don't say that because they know that I'm healthy. My ribs don't show and my bones don't protrude, but I am thin.

I was just wondering if you are really underweight, or if someone is misleading you to believe this about yourself. The American SAD perspective of "underweight" is usually someone who is at a healthy weight but isn't participating in SAD.

The BMI isn't everything either, if you are going by that. If you feel healthy and you aren't malnourished, then I wouldn't say you would be underweight.

[vickiesltw]

I really want to go raw but I am very underweight and need to get about 3500 calories a day and counting. This is quite hard when the raw foods we have in the house are vegetables, fruits, pumpkin seeds, and cashews. I'm not sure if the almonds we have are raw. We have some raw chick peas and lentils but I honestly don't know how to eat them raw. I tried soaking and eating beans and they tasted horrible and I got sick. I don't have a dehydrator at the moment. the only thing we have is a blender. Should I hold off on going raw until after I've gained weight? I really don't want to...

Well, I don't know if you should hold off on raw. But, I can tell you that my hubby was underweight. Any type of activity causes him to just drop weight has trouble maintaining 130lbs unless at desk job and not activities outside of office but sitting.

Now Hubby is 5ft 8in 130lbs with a 28 inch waist (that was bloated)

When we went raw 21 days ago. Our only goal was my weight loss. Hubby started lossing weight. About 8-10lbs in the first 2 weeks. He then started gaining he seems to have leveled out at 138lbs. So he lost 8-10 and has gained 18-20 back almost overnight. He is eating just raw. I was shocked. I think the weight jumped off me and onto him.

As far as eating chick peas and such we sprout ours and make it inot hummus or refried beans for tacos. Tried eating them before fully sprouted really gross.

Hope this helps

Lil' Brat

[dreamrawalwz]

Well, I don't know if you should hold off on raw. But, I can tell you that my hubby was underweight. Any type of activity causes him to just drop weight has trouble maintaining 130lbs unless at desk job and not activities outside of office but sitting.

Now Hubby is 5ft 8in 130lbs with a 28 inch waist (that was bloated)

When we went raw 21 days ago. Our only goal was my weight loss. Hubby started lossing weight. About 8-10lbs in the first 2 weeks. He then started gaining he seems to have leveled out at 138lbs. So he lost 8-10 and has gained 18-20 back almost overnight. He is eating just raw. I was shocked. I think the weight jumped off me and onto him.

As far as eating chick peas and such we sprout ours and make it inot hummus or refried beans for tacos. Tried eating them before fully sprouted really gross.

Hope this helps

Lil' Brat

yes, after deotxing the body is then able to focus and fix what is wrong so you will be able to gain the needed weight if you are underweight. The weightloss at first is toxins and water, but then you'll put on healthy weight including muscle.

[Lunar*Fey]

Thank you so much! I eat a lot of fruit and dried fruit too...probably too much but it's hard because I'm trying to get the calories in to gain the weight...If only I were older or otherwise able to take my health into my own hands...I would go completely raw in the most healthy way...and just eat and just try and listen to my body and let it find its natural weight. I don't think I'll ever be able to feel comfortable and happy again until I do. Raw could probably make my depression better as well. It would greatly benefit my entire family! But no one wants to see that...they would rather just say I have a problem and ship me off to get it fixed because they are way too concerned and stressed and confused and stubborn and brainwashed to deal with me or try any ideas I have. Of course my own ideas for how I can heal my mind and body would never work, in the eyes of my doctors and family. This is all just so frustrating! sorry I seem to complain and talk about it so much...it's just I feel so lost and stuck and I know soon I'll just give up and do whatever they say and just be unhappy and unhealthy until I am on my own.

heabrook- I am almost 15, 80 lbs, and 5'4. I was always a slow developer anyway, so even if I never lost weight I would probably not weigh a "healthy" amount because my body wouldn't be as developed yet. if that makes sense. But the doctors probably wont be happy until I am over 100 lbs. For me, this probably isn't natural, but theres nothing I can do about it. I mean I don't care if I am over 100 lbs and look and feel healthy. I am not obsessed with a number or anything...I just feel that health should not be judged by a number. It makes me feel like I am not worth anything to my doctors and family and the others around me until I am what they consider healthy, a certain number on the scale. No one will be satisfied, they seem to say, until they see me begging for ice cream and cake and cookies and over 100 lbs. Soon I feel like I'll just give in and do it and be completely miserable the rest of my childhood. But I really don't want that. I feel health should be judged by the way a person feels and how their body works. I know I do need to gain some weight. I've always had a long and lanky look, so even dropping a bit of weight makes me look bony. I just wish I could gain it the raw way...then I would know that I was doing best for my body and that my body would be healthy and happy and functioning properly. I did lose bone mass when I lost weight and I need to regain that as well, that would be a ood indication of health...although I don't know how long that takes.

vickiesltw- thank you for posting that! it gives me hope and helps back up my theory that going raw would help my body to find it's natural weight once more. I hope that after I talk to my mom further she will see this, but based upon the way she has been acting and past experience I doubt she will.
Also thanks about the chick peas, I'll try sprouting them again...and this time I'll wait until they are fully sprouted before I taste one.

[RawDaddy]

So, you're desperate for cereal? I hear you! One of the things I missed most when I started was cereal and other crunchy cracker-type things. Obviously, if your family has a dehydrator, you could make great things (and I can give you amazing recipes -- I have this buckwheat cinnamon cereal that will blow your socks off -- with some sweet brazil nut milk, you are having the breakfast of champions -- healthy long-lived champions! You can also buy FANTASTIC raw cereal at oneluckyduck.com -- their maple cinnamon crispies and cocoa crispies are awesome).

The idea of soaking buckwheat and then having that is great -- what you can do too is turn it into an oatmeal (since it is already mushy). If you are willing to have maple syrup, pour about 4 tablespoons into the blender along with your soaked, for about 4 hours at least, (AND RINSED!!! this is key for buckwheat because it gets slimy) buckwheat (I soak mine overnight). Use about 1 cup of soaked bukwheat. Put a dash of sea salt, a teaspoon of cinnamon, and any dried fruit you'd like (or even nuts, throw in the kitchen sink -- it's all up to your taste). Blend it briefly (depending on the consistency you like) until it is oatmeal texture. Serve it in a warmed bowl (put a bowl of water in the microwave, heat it for about 2 minutes, then pour out the water) and enjoy! For an extra treat, add coconut butter to the mix and you will have a WOW breakfast.

You should also think about some raw ice creams! If you have an ice cream maker these work best -- if not they will just be more dense. Get some young thai coconuts (2) and chop them, extract the water and the meat. Soak 2 cups of cashews for at least an hour. In the blender put in all fo the coconut meat, 1 and 1/2 cups of the coconut water, either the seed of 1 and 1/2 vanilla beans (or 2 teaspoons of vanilla extract), 1/3 cup coconut butter, 1 teaspoon sea salt, 2 packets of stevia and 1/2 cup agave nectar (or 1/2 cup maple syrup if you wish) and then, if you want a flavor other than vanilla, you can add cinnamon or carob or pureed fruit of any kind. Blend it all until creamy (about 2 minutes in a regular blender). Pour into your ice cream maker and run it. If you don't have an ice cream maker, then what I recommend is pouring it into a freezer-safe container, pop it in the freezer for about an hour, take it out, pour it either into your cuisinart with the dough blade (careful that you don't overflow the 'nart, you may have to do this in batches) or into the Kitchen Aid with the whisk or paddle (but not the dough hook) and froth. Then pour the frothed/chilled mixture back into the freezer-safe container and pop into the freezer for a couple of hours (or as long as you can stand to wait for it). Voila, guilt-free, creamy, amazing tasting ice cream. We have this at least once a week as our main course at dinner in our family!

Do not underestimate the power of coconuts and coconut butter. You can do amazing things with both. The other day we mixed up a cup of dates, 2 tablespoons of cocnut butter and a cup of raw almond butter with a dash of sea salt in the blender. We popped it into a brownie pan and put it in the freezer for a couple of hours. It tastes like fudge! When it gets hard enough (after a few hours) you can have it chopped up with some cold nut milk and it is like having the most delicious brownie cereal treat. We eat that for breakfast sometimes too.

Good luck, and when you get that dehydrator, come back and will I really feed you well!

[Lunar*Fey]

RawDaddy-- Oh my, can I come to your house for...every meal!!??? Sadly I don't have buckwheat, coconuts seem to be too expensive around here (boring old Connecticut), I don't have most of those ingredients, I don't have anything but a blender. Oh gosh I wish I could win a years supply of raw food and utensils somehow, soo desperately. This way of life would help me SO MUCH. beyond belief. I know it, I can feel it. But it just seems so impossible in my house. Which is so frustrating it makes me want to just cry and then just give up on myself and live for the people around me. Sounds absolutely awful I know, but i think if you were in my situation you might understand. Looking back I realize I've never been given any breathing room, never been aloud to do things my own way or explore my own interests...so as I became older I tried to force it in and it ended up completely backfiring on me and now I have even less freedom, I never thought that could be possible. Without some sort of miracle, I'm starting to see that going raw right now is so completely hopeless only because of my lack of support behind it. If I were on my own right now, i would be able to do it in a snap. *sighs* It seems there's absolutely nothing in my life right now in which I am aloud to make my own decision....ah well. Anyway, that website you sent me didn't work...

[tvillemom]

A cheap $40 dehydrator (make sure you get one that has a temp. control) will take you a LLLOOONNNGGG way. (I bought my first one from Walmart.)
I was missing cereal too!!!! I fixed that by sprouting and dehydrating buckwheat (these are REALLY cheap) and once they are crispy dry, I would make cashew (or other nutmilk) milk OR another thing that worked as "milk" for me was a blended (fresh, not frozen) banana...add water for a nice, sweet milk.....then add raisins, honey, anything YOU like, for a GREAT, crunchy, HEALTHY, cereal....YOU'LL NEVER MISS CEREAL AGAIN....I PROMISE!
Another "ice cream" is plain, frozen banana, use your food processor...add alittle water and then any other frozen fruit, or even carob...easy and delicious! Best of luck to you!
Wendi

[Lunar*Fey]

thanks tvillemom :)...I'll see what I can do about getting a cheap dehydrator, i really hope I can...maybe ebay? Do you know where I can find buckwheat? I saw some millet at the grocery store but I think that was it...That cereal sounds absolutely delicious!! And I have tried banana ice cream...yummmm. way better than regular ice cream. Of course I haven't had regular ice cream since last summer (slowly went vegan, naturally...without meaning to...if that makes sense). Lately I seem to just like eating bananas plain for some reason. I was never big on bananas until I got a horrible stomach virus a couple days ago and found myself craving them like mad...even though my stomach hurt horribly. Probably my body's way of telling me it needed potassium and electrolytes restored. Anyway, going raw seemed so simple and easy and natural to me. But when you are (almost) 15 and it isn't supported by your parents PLUS you are underweight and have a history with an eating disorder its darn near impossible...but oh I just know it would help me SO much! argh. thank you though