Can I ask those Raw Foodists here, Why are you raw foodists? What are the reasons?

I know now that carcinogens can be in cooked and burned foods, so perhaps this is one reason?

Thanks

Can I ask those Raw Foodists here, Why are you raw foodists? What are the reasons?

I know now that carcinogens can be in cooked and burned foods, so perhaps this is one reason?

Thanks
Wow, well where do I start? For me, it's more than the carcinogens and enzyme theories. First of all, because I'm a (poor) college student, with little time to spare, it works out great in my life. No more spending hours cooking food, and wasting money at chain restaurants--just grab an apple and run out the door, it's awesome. It also makes me feel great and energized. I don't have the uncomfortable digestive problems that accompany many SADists. (no constipation, cramps, etc.) and thats a wonderful thing in itself. I also feel better that I'm helping out others in my own little way because it's environmentally sound, and animals are not dieing in the process. I guess, in a nut shell, I do it because it makes me happy! :vebo: I no longer feel guilt for eating "forbidden things", I feel healthy, I love fruit and veggies, and it just makes sense to me. In writing this, a quote comes to mind: "Tell me what you eat, and I'll tell you what you are." (i don't know who by) and at the risk of sounding cliche, I'de rather be alive than dead.

okay cool, so tell me some typical breakfasts, lunches & dinners that you'd eat?
Do you eat cereals, eg. cocopops?

Can I ask those Raw Foodists here, Why are you raw foodists? What are the reasons?

I know now that carcinogens can be in cooked and burned foods, so perhaps this is one reason?

Thanks

I eat raw foods because I like them. I feel better and have more energy when I'm eating a raw diet.

The enviromental benefit is important to me.

The convience factor is great. I don't schedule time for meals because I can munch on fruit throughout the day. (I almost always have a smoothie in the closest fridge so I can quickly grab a drink when I pass.) To be fair, I've eaten six-eight meals a day for so long, this isn't much of a change for me.

Another benifit is that the raw foodist label quickly (with brief explaination) gives others parameters of what I eat.

I don't eat out as much since I can't find food that I prefer at many resturants. This is a benifit and a downfall. I save money and eat healthier becuase I have to take my own food to school/work. But, I can't skip packing lunch in the morning thinking I will grab something out. It's good that it isn't all that hard to throw 10 pieces of fruit in a bag and go.

okay cool, so tell me some typical breakfasts, lunches & dinners that you'd eat?
Do you eat cereals, eg. cocopops?

I don't worry much about what time it is when I eat, so I may have any of these meals at any time during the day.

Typical meals:
apples, bananas, sprouted wheat, and honey

bananas and assorted nuts or nut butter

avocado and tomato

mushrooms, tomato, and sprouted lentils

salad of lettuce, grassy sprouts, cucumber, peppers

celery and carrots and hummus

any combination of fruit and juice in a smoothie

tomato juice, avocado, hot pepper smoothie

melons

carrot, beet, and garlic juice

I mix and match quanities to eat between 300-500 calories a meal. I eat a couple of salads a day. I eat 2 servings of overt fats a day. Most of my calories come from fruit. I drink between 3-6 liters of water a day - 2 when I first wake before consuming any food.

I'm not a complete raw foodist, but it makes total sense to me, and I agree completely with the theories that it can heal almost any disease, and that processed cooked foods can build up in your system over a lifetime and be really bad for you. Natural foods (raw) are eaten by every other animal on this planet, but for some reason, humans have taken to cooking their food (probably to kill the diseases in meat that was hunted), and we are the sickest, most unhealthy animal there is.

I started eating a lot more fruits in the spring, and noticed a BIG difference in my disposition and ability to deal with stress, I have a lot more energy now (don't get that afternoon slump), and found that I'm addicted to fruits. This past weekend, we've been having to really cut down on our spending, so I didn't buy fruit. It took 2 days for me to have a complete exaustive breakdown. I slept too much and was cranky all day. I realized I needed some fruit. As soon as I had a banana and an apple, I was back to my normal peppy self.

I make a fruit shake in the morning with 2 bananas, 1/2 cantelope, flax seeds, honey and molasses, (or dates if I have them) and some soy milk (which isn't raw, but I just love it so much!) Amazing amount of energy from that shake.

I try to always eat something raw with every meal, plus extra fruit in the afternoon and nuts or seeds for snacking. I also try to bring carrots or cucmbers along to work.

is that I refuse to let my body become as unhealthy as the bodies of my older relatives. I refuse to let poor eating habits cause me 24-hr pain, limited functioning, surgery, and death.
I've mostly taken pretty good care of myself for an omni, and my body is way healthier than my older relatives bodies were when they were younger. However, for the last few years or so, I've eaten a lot of cruddy food. Put on about 20lbs and have felt the beginnings of what those relatives of mine have lived, and died with and I don't like it one bit. I'm 100% sure that my body has the potential to be like theirs given just a little more poor treatment.
I have three kids and my mother depending on me right now. I really don't have time to get sick or be tired. In another 15 years, when I'm 54, I'm likely to have grandkids and a couple of other older relatives depending on me too. I need to stay strong and healthy for their sake, too.
I also hope that seeing me getting healthier everyday will inspire my kids and my mom to really understand how important it is to eat better.
Green Gorilla

That's exactly how I feel too, G.Gorilla. I want to stay as healthy and strong for as long as possible before any kind of crazy disease or joint pains or ailments take over me. I want to beat them before they get a chance.

I love feeling energetic and strong. I haven't felt this good since I was 23, and I'm not even 100% raw !

Energy.

Sharp mind.

Trim body.

Beautiful skin.

Happy disposition.

Better immune system.

Need I say more?