Starting Out

[knicks702]

Hey everyone. I am a vegetarian who is looking to go raw. However, eating raw in college seems ridiculously tough.

I am about to start my Sophomore year, and eating vegetarian on campus was hard enough. The only raw food in our dining hall is a salad bar, and I don't even think it's organic.

I don't think my friends will be supportive either. All the guys in my suite are the chug beer / eat burgers during football games kind of guys. Don't get me wrong, they are great guys, I just don't think they will support my dietary stuff.

I am also broke. I spend most of my money going down to Philadelphia to visit her college. I love green smoothies, but spending 1000 dollars on a blender is just not feasible for me.

Athletic performance also raises a concern. I row for my college's crew team, and need to maintain (preferably build) muscle mass. I know tons of guys have had success with this while eating raw, but it still concerns me.

If anyone could give any advice it would be much appreciated.

[GlimR]

First off you need to do what works for you and let the rest take care of itself, ie..the other guys on the floor. Having a great blender is cool but you don't need it to do raw...organics is a huge plus but also not necessary to eat raw..ideal yes but not necessary to eat this way. A magic bullet is only $60 and can do a reasonable smoothie, green powders can give you an edge there by adding them to it. Eat your fill at the salad bar...add as much variety as you can, add some nuts and seeds each day, chia seed is cheap and was used by ancient peoples to boost stamina and endurance, maybe spirulina or chlorella if you can swing it. Go to the local grocery and buy apples, bananas, etc...keep those around to grab and eat when you need something quick.
As for stamina...check out this guy...there is always a way to reach your goals...

Brendan Brazier...google him, he has several books out too about this subject...

Brendan Brazier is one of only a few professional athletes in the world whose diet is 100 percent plant-based. He’s a professional Ironman triathlete, bestselling author on performance nutrition, and the creator of an award-winning line of whole food nutritional products called VEGA. He is also a two-time Canadian 50km Ultra Marathon Champion.

You don't need to buy into the whole VEGA thing, but the info on training and nutrition, after workout refueling etc...is pretty good....and more than anything it's a testimony to the fact that you can build muscle on raw....also check out Storm...

http://www.thegardendiet.com/storm2.html

Even if you feel you have to add some cooked foods to round out what you eat...beans, cooked veggies, potatoes, etc...you will still be miles ahead of eating a SAD diet...and eat, eat, eat....when you are hungry eat..and I don't mean an apple or two...I mean three apples and three bananas if that's what it takes to satisfy you. Raw, whole foods are high in water content and very easily digested and especially when you are starting out you need a LOT of food, more so because you are an athlete...wishing you the best~

[spicyfull]

College Cafateria's are made of Starch and Glue, I know its hard for you. For now I would concentrate on RAW and if Organic is found RAWool. Take it one step at a time, eat what you can, you might not be able to go 100% now, then who know, you might be able to handle it.

We have a Member named "RAWStrength" who is also in College, Check out some of her Threads and Post.

I wish you everything you need to Stay RAW...........Welcome to MY World.

[knicks702]

Everything seems to be going well. I've been eating big salads and some fruit. I feel pretty good, and think I can keep it up.

My real question is about salad dressing. I have been using oil and vinegar. Is this considered raw? If not, what are some alternative salad dressings?

Thanks,

Derek