gum and vitamins

[Jennalle1771]

I have two questions to ask.

The first is how do poeple feel about gum. I love gum but haven't had any since going raw. I know gum isn't raw but I wasn't sure if its ok to chew or what.

The second is taking a multi-vitamin. If your eating raw I know that your body is getting all the required minerals and vitamins it needs. What about if your new to raw? I know I'm not eating a huge variety of foods and I wonder if I would benefit from taking an all natural vitamin. How does everyone else feel about this and is anyone currently taking any?

[Tanja_swe]

I can only answer for myself... and since I'm pretty new to raw food I don't know how much my thoughs count.

Anyway, personally I wouldn't chew gum. Even if you don't swollow the gum itself your body will be absorbing from the gum. And for me the gum is too unnatural and processed to be worth it.

Regarding vitaminpills... I don't think it does any harm to take a good vitaminpill BUT I'm not convinced that you absolutely need one. Before going raw, did you eat a varied diet to ensure that you got all the different things that you needed? If not, did you worry about it? If you didn't then there isn't a need to worry now either... A defficiency won't occur from one day til the other... it takes time! Concentrate on making raw food work for you on a daily basis first. BUT then again... if you can't stop worrying then why not take a pill?

Maybe someone more experienced has more insight in this then I do?

[Wrecked Spark]

I take a number of supplements ~ it's particularly difficult to find organic produce up here, especially during the winter months (brrr... Canada) so a good multi-vitamin/mineral supplement is a must. I received a good recommendation from my nutritionist who I believe receives hers from Nature's First Law. The use of chemicals and pesticides in non-organic fruits and veggies, AND with the rapid depletion of minerals in soil (particularly in countries who do not predominantly grow fruit eg. higher latitudes, cooler climates) I feel it's beneficial to take this. Our diets still aren't what they were thousands of years ago with all the tampering science has done to our crops... GMO... need I say more???!

I also take a liquid calcium/magnesium supplement and the difference is unbelievable... it really affects the quality of my sleep and helps to regulate my moods. I take pro-biotics to ensure intestinal health, as well as digestive enzymes... particularly when the food I'm eating isn't organic. When the food is picked too early and ships for days (sometimes weeks!) it loses the enzymes present within the living fruit... this ensures I have adequate supplies without having to strip the enzymes the body produces naturally. If I have had cooked food, I take a herbal colon cleanser in the morning before breakfast and again after dinner... keeps things moving along nicely!!

I also take a Synergy supplement... a high-quality Greens drink that ensures I'm getting the variety of nutrients that is sometimes difficult to maintain with a very busy lifestyle. I also love Hemp protein powder and Maca powder... wonderful when I'm hungry and won't be eating for hours again ~ really keeps hunger pains in check (raw, organic cacao beans also do a wonderful job of keeping hunger in check and are a great thing to carry along with you ~ small and mighty!!)

I think that's about it.

Cheers,
Wrecked Spark

[vegbaby]

I don't take a multi-vitamin anymore, but I do supplement my diet with foods containing B-12 (nutritional yeast, not raw, I know), spirulina, hemp butter, etc. I also eat a VERY wide variety of fruits and veggies. I can tell when I'm not because I bruise easily, and I adjust what I'm eating to up my iron.

Melanie

[smasty]

Check out the gum options at the health food store...there's options there that don't have aspartame or splenda in them, and don't have all the chemicals either. When I realized I really didn't want to give up gum, I did that and found much more acceptable alternatives (Xylichew and Peelu).

[Jennalle1771]

Thanks for the great advice everyone!!!! I was taking an all natural vitamin before raw and i think i will start again. (It gave me extra energy before and I'll see what happens when I start taking it again) i'll also go to my local health store to look for a gum alternative (Thanx smasty I never even thought of that)

[rawjojo]

Wrecked Spark,

Would you mind sharing what brand of liquid Calcium you take. I have been looking into it and would like to have a recommendation. Thank a million!
rawjojo

[Wrecked Spark]

Ooooopsy! Just noticed that post now...

I take Flora-dix Liquid Calcium Magnesium Zinc Vitamin D liquid. It's in a bottle (either 250ml or 500ml) with orange and blue on it.

Great, great stuff.

Hope that helps and apologies for the delay!!

Cheers,
Wrecked Spark