Errr ... help on getting my body functioning properly again?

[Apples'nAvos]

WARNING: This is also going to be a LONG post, so prepare yourselves (gather the raw trail mix/sweet potato chips or whatever you snack on and get comfy) :)

I have a confession to make. I was 100% raw for 3 straight months, and I battled cooked cravings until 2 weeks ago when a different feeling hit. It wasn't a familiar craving feeling, and as much as I tried to subside it for a good week or so, it wouldn't relent. My body was hankering after grilled shrimp, steamed rice and steamed veggies. So after fighting it for a while, I gave in and ate it. I felt fine, the craving went away, and I happily returend to raw food. I wasn't pining for more cooked food, nor was I fighting the endless cooked food demons that people say that they face once slipping up.

Then 2 days later, we went over to a friends house, and the idea of "Well, just this once I'll experiment. I felt fine after the shrimp a few days ago". And this time, we weren't talking grilled shrimo with steamed rice and veggies. No sir, THIS time it was (i feel SO bad even listing it out) shrimp, salmon, devilled eggs, macaroni salad, lentil and sweet potato salad (i made it, so it was vegan, but still cooked), french bread grilled with olive oil, and salad. And I ATE and ATE and ATE. 2 hours later I was realizing just how smart my moves HADN'T been.

I wasn't in pain, and I didn't vomit or even feel nauseous, but I definitely felt weighed down and all I could do was apologise silentlyto my body for putting it through such a thing. Until then, I hadn't realised the difference between feeling full on cooked and being full on raw. Now I know.

Fast forward to 3 days later, and once again, I'm back on raw (quite happily) with no cooked food cravings. I've been eating like a horse, but strangely enough, none of it has come out. Not even the cooked food binge food. So I start to get worried. Where is all the food GOING (well, it's obvious it wasn't going anywhere, but where on earth,and HOW, was my body stortng it all)? I drank warm water with lemon and it helped to get things moving.

My problem is that that was 10 days ago and I'm still feeling bloated and weighed down in the abdominal region. Like I saiy, I'm back being 100% raw, but my body is sluggish and not doing what it it meant to. However, I am also due to get my period on Friday, so I'm not sure what the bloatedness can be accounted to? Maybe some of both?

I did notice that since going raw, the week before my period had become less and less noticelable (in that my body wasn't PMS'ing as much at all) but I think I might be in for a bad one this time around.

I guess what I'm wondering is: can cooked food DO this to someone for so long? I mean, I was raw for 3 months complared to 1 or 2 cooked meals - why is my body not bouncing back quickly? Is there anything I can do to help my poor body through this?

Thanks for reading my novel! ;) And for any advice :)

[ShelShel]

I guess if my body were doing what yours is...I would work the most on getting everything flowing again. Have you tried some laxative tea? Or extra fruit. Or maybe some fruits and veggies that add in your digestion...like pineapple, pears, or celery. I'm not really sure what to tell you...except that it will probably help you to feel better if you were able to rid your body of all this excess food that isn't leaving your system. Remember to not be too upset with yourself...but never to forget how this feels. It's a good reminder when you feel like eating something cooked. We have all done this...don't feel alone. ;)

[rawpriestess]

I think drinking water is the most important part of digestion, when people are constipated, it is because they don't have enough liquid in their system, so I would drink alot of water, and eat lots of fruits, with fiber and then allow your body to do what it does.

[veggie]

I've been there before A-n-A. Since your body probably had some time to get clean when you were raw before, just that little bit of cooked food probably toxified it. I echo the other posts of trying to get it moving out of your system. Flax is great for that. I will sometimes eat some flax and chase it with some lemon water and follow with some dates or juicy fruit.
Also, another thing that helps my gut is drinking Kombucha throughout the day. It's amazing how that clears my thinking and helps my digestive system.
Also, juicing will probably help. Good luck--it will just take some time... :) and I'm so glad to hear you don't have cooked cravings!

[jaurequi]

So sorry for you, Apples'n Avos! But it's going to be fine, you know that :)


I agree with the pineapple recommendation; I'd make a nice big smoothie with pineapple (use the skin!) and that will really get things moving.

Also agree with veggie about kombucha; it works very well.

If you don't want to do either of the above, some apple cider vinegar (about a tablespoon) before each meal is good for digestion (and alleviating bingeing, supposedly).

Another option is raw kim chee/chi,(site also has a recipe) you can purchase it in the fridge section; or you can make your own.

Some ginger tea is also very good :)

Best,

[tvillemom]

What is kombucha?? This is new to me! And I didn't know you could digest the skin of the pineapple?? You mean the prickly part??
Wendi