Symptoms and trouble going raw,

Odalys · Mar 29, 2007

Hi, I'm new to raw food. I recently read Natalia Rose's book The Raw Food Detox Diet and I was totally inspired to go raw (atleast mostly) I am currently a vegan so I figured it wouldn't be too difficult. 
Well, this past week I have been eating predominantly raw fruits and veggies. I am doing well through breakfast and lunch. Right after lunch though, I start getting ridiculous cravings for sweets. Then somehow I reach for roasted almonds and I go overboard. THEN I feel extremely bloated for hours... 
What worries me is that I don't feel like I am properly digesting my food, nor am I having enough bowel movements. 
Ok, so now its turning into a "gross" topic, but hopefully you guys can be mature about it. 
I feel constipated, and I can't explain WHY. I'm eating the healthiest I've ever eaten. Ever. 
If anyone knows anything that I might be overlooking, any advice will be greatly appreciated.

BlindLemonPep'r · Mar 29, 2007

I started on the same diet from that same book. I did not experience constipation, but then I also switched to what could be a more "standard raw" diet soon after becuase it was so hard to follow. I still eat only fruits for breakfast, but for lunch I do a green smoothie with nuts/dried fruit as opposed to a salad of whole greens. Whole greens are harder to digest and you do not get as many nutrients. This is essentially my tradeoff for not having a juicer. What makes this different from the diet outlined in the book is that raw fruit is used in the green smoothie. I don't know if this will help but that is how I ate and have not had constipation. 
I had crazy cravings for CHOCOLATE, and I allowed myself to lightly indulge on a couple afternoons. Honestly, since moving to the smoothies this craving has mostly disappeared, but I have had moments where I feel like a snack late afternoon but this is not a strong desire and can be ignored. 
I hope this helps somehow. I am new, and these are the experiences I have gone through over the last week and a half. Here's what I ate today in case it helps somehow... 
Breakfast: Apple, Banana, Tangerine 
Lunch: Raw Nuts, Dried Apricots and Raisins, Green Smoothie (baby carrots, celery, broccoli, spinach, parsley, apple, banana, water, hemp seed protein, ground flax seed) 
Dinner: Guacamole, broccoli, sliced cucumber, celery sticks, baby carrots

Odalys · Mar 29, 2007

Thank you so much for the reply...I might try making smoothies for lunch (they do add variety) since I don't have a fancy shmancy juicer. I have to admit though, DRINKING a vegetable does not sound appetizing at all. You added fruits, which I imagine made it more bearable...how did you get used to the taste of the green smoothie? 
By the way, i admire you for sticking to the raw diet. It is tough at first, I imagine eventually it'll become habit...I am waiting for that day! <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="/images/smilies/sunny.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title=":sunny:">

scarlet · Mar 29, 2007

i felt better recently by adding in more raw foods gradually, rather than doing "detoxes" and what not. I'm more raw now than i've ever been, and i think it's been an easier transition, and i'll stick with it longer because i'm not craving as much cooked food.

BlindLemonPep'r · Mar 29, 2007

Thanks. I really do feel really good. I think the raw angle really has something to it, not that it should be so surprising really if you think about it. 
The first green smoothie I made was GAWD-AWFUL<img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="/images/smilies/spew.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title=":spew:">and went down the drain much easier. It tasted much like my worst fears with my first blended up green stuff experiment. I was inspired to do this by reading about raw soup recipes, and my concoction was not based off any particular recipes or anything. Please don't do what I did. Just as an FYI, I have not been very pleased with the 2 raw soup attempts I have made for dinner. I have switched to just eating raw veggies until I figure out what to do there. I think that perhaps raw soups may not be for me, but I will try other recipes eventually I am sure. I have just tried the worng ones I am sure. 
I wanted to have an option besides salad for lunch, so I did a search for green smoothies and found some ideas. The general concensus seems to be to use 60% greens, 40% fruit, and to use water or juice (too thick and it is hard to drink). What I do with my 6 cup blender is put in about 5 baby carrots, 2 stalks celery, 5 or 6 broccoli florets, roughly 8 sprigs parsley, and then 1 or two handfuls of raw spinach. This pretty much loads up the pitcher and then I fill the pitcher halfway with water and blend it until it mixes up. Then I slice up a red delicious apple and add it on high speed along with a banana. I have since added the hemp seed protein and flax seed as well but they are not needed. I use the flax seed for Omega-6 and Omega-3 and to assist in reducing bad cholesterol. I add the hemp seed because it is a whole protein which is hard to come across in veggie-dom. I blend this all together really well, the more ground up the better as it's sometimes annoying to sip fibers. I think the taste is pretty good, the sweet from the fruits is quite noticeable, and the greens add a crisp edge. There is no overbearing "green" flavor that I notice anyway. It is good enough I have had them every day for lunch a week straight and haven't felt a need to find a new item for lunch yet. Would I proudly server it at a restaurant...gosh, have to think hard about that one. 
I have noticed this smoothie gets digested really fast, as the fibers have been broken down. I also understand that more nutrients are available for digestion as opposed to eating the greens whole. 
If I'm too wordy in my responses, let me know. I'm just trying to be through in responding because I have found information on other raw vegan websites and blogs to be so, so helpful. I say this becuase something I noticed was a theme among some of these sites/blogs was how their meals became easier once they learned how to simply eat the fruits/veggies in their natural state. This helped me a lot with my dinner troubles, but my options really are limited right now to just guacamole dip with raw veggies. Luckily, there is enough variation you can do with guacamole that I think I can get by with this for a while. RawVeganMom posted a link to her website on a post she made yesterday, and her site was loaded with some links and I was trying to sponge up ideas from many of them. If you haven't looked yet, it was <a href="http://www.rawveganmom.com" target="_blank">http://www.rawveganmom.com</a> I hope I don't offend by posting that link without asking permission, but I am sure it is OK since it is public in a way.

jenna · Mar 29, 2007

<div class="quote-container">Quote:
<div class="quote-block">Originally Posted by BlindLemonPep'r <a href="/forum/post/0"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style=""></a> 
TThe general concensus seems to be to use 60% greens, 40% vegetables</div>
</div>
 
oh, dear. no wonder you were having trouble. 
it's 60% leafy greens, 40% fruit. 
i usually throw in oranges, bananas, strawberries, water, agave nectar, tons of leafy greens, sometimes a bit of cucumber. i tried to put some celery in mine once....blech. 
you just have to play around with it until you figure out what your taste is. <a href="http://209.85.165.104/search?q=cache:AcTvSxxhAlcJ:www.rawfamily.com/articles/odetogreen.pdf+ode+to+green+smoothies&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=1&gl=us&client=firefox-a" target="_blank">http://209.85.165.104/search?q=cache...ient=firefox-a</a> 
If that link doesn't work for you, you can try the pdf one <a href="http://www.rawfamily.com/articles/odetogreen.pdf" target="_blank">http://www.rawfamily.com/articles/odetogreen.pdf</a>

Odalys · Mar 29, 2007

Wow, thank you for putting so much time and effort into a thorough reply. I really do appreciate it. I find it difficult to find information on raw diets since its so rare and there's not much scientific research done on the topic (unlike veganism and vegetarianism!) 
I definitely thing the toughest part about going raw is find foods that truly satisfy my palete. Although salads are delicious, I couldn't imagine eating it all day everyday. The fancier meals require fancy and very VERY expensive equipment. I think, overall, eating raw is going to hurt my pocket if I don't figure out an effective way of eating. (I am in college) I don't want to be homeless in exchange for eating organic apples and avocados. Ha. 
As for the green smoothie, do you think I could start off with fruit smoothies and then slowly add the greens in? I figured if I have greens for dinner then I will not be lacking the nutrients the veggies provide. Or are the nutrients in the veggies more crucial than those in fruits? 
I plan on trying my bed to keep my breakfast and lunch 100% raw for the next few weeks until it becomes a breeze. Dinner, on the other hand, is a different story. I love to cook! I love sauteed mushrooms! Sweet potatoes! Whole grain bread! rice! It shouldnt be too bad if I eat a small portion of starches with a generous portion of veggies for dinner. Atleast that's what I want to believe. 
Also, lets say I want to stay around 70-80% raw. Do you think fasting would do any good? 
Anyhow, thank you in advance for your response. And thank you SO muchf or the link! I'm find tons of sources now. I will read up and learn and much as I can so I can tailor the diet accordingly.

scarlet · Mar 29, 2007

i don't think fasting is nessasary on a raw diet. what's the point?

BlindLemonPep'r · Mar 29, 2007

Oops! Thanks for correcting me, I meant to say 60% greens, 40% fruit (not veggies). I think starting with a fruit smoothie and adding greens is a great way to start, and work in more greens later when you think you are ready. 
I didn't do any fasting so I don't have any advice in that department. 
I think 70% raw is a great and easy way to start, and is certainly better than eating less raw.

queenfluff · Mar 29, 2007

I will admit I am very bad at getting my greens. I don't like green smoothies. If I have one it is something like pineapple, bannana and a handful of spinach and some vanilla or agave. I can't handle green smoothies with "chunks" in them. My bf is always trying to get me to drink green smoothies and I hate the way he makes them (lots of chunks). <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="/images/smilies/laugh.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title=":lol:"> 
I would rather eat my greens in a salad. <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="/images/smilies/smiley.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="

"> 
For your bloat with the almonds, you probably ate too many. Nuts are very heavy food - go light on them. Plus, in the world of raw food, roasted anything is considered very bad. The reason is something like that when you roast foods it creates some sort of toxins on the food. 
It is not necessary to do a fast on a raw diet BUT doing a day or two of a liquid fast will help get rid of your bloat. Also switching from a mostly cooked diet to a raw one will cause some slow detox symptoms ..constipation can be one. Drink lots of liquids esp water. 
For chocolate cravings, raw chocolate will definately help. It can be expensive but a little goes a long way. I have been making some yum-yum raw cacao smoothies for breakie all week. I am not a person who craves sweets either - in fact, I rarely eat them. I am salty person. Here is the the recipe I have been using for my cacao smoothies: <a href="http://goneraw.com/recipes/304-Raw-eo-Smoothie" target="_blank">http://goneraw.com/recipes/304-Raw-eo-Smoothie</a> 
For your starchy and bready stuff, there are things you can make but you will need a dehydrator to make them (or you can buy some raw breads and crackers on line). I have a problem with breads too so I am glad I have a dehydrator to make the raw breads and cracker to fill in that craving. 
Here is a place that sells raw flat breads. They are pretty tasty: <a href="http://www.glaserorganicfarms.com/Merchant2/merchant.mv?Screen=CTGY&Category_Code=eb" target="_blank">http://www.glaserorganicfarms.com/Me...tegory_Code=eb</a> 
There are few recipes online too if you ever get around to making your own: <a href="http://www.rawfoods.com/recipes/" target="_blank">http://www.rawfoods.com/recipes/</a> 
Good reads for transitioning to raw and for recipes are the following: 
'The Complete Book of Raw food'. This has raw food recipes from tons of different and well-known raw foodists. It is like owning 10 raw food books. The recipes are unique and fun. <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/redirect.html?ie=UTF8&linkCode=ur2&camp=1789&creative=9325&tag=veggieboards.com-20&location=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2FComplete-Book-...%2Fdp%2F1578261430" target="_blank">http://www.amazon.com/Complete-Book-.../dp/1578261430</a> 
'Living on Live Food'. This has a lot recipes that are basically raw replacements for the cooked versions you used to eat. Raw Pizza! <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/redirect.html?ie=UTF8&linkCode=ur2&camp=1789&creative=9325&tag=veggieboards.com-20&location=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2FLiving-Live-Fo...3292050%26sr%3D1-1" target="_blank">http://www.amazon.com/Living-Live-Fo...3292050&sr=1-1</a>

Odalys · Mar 30, 2007

Thank you so much queenfluff! You seem to be very knowledgeable!! 
A cocoa smoothie sounds extremely delicious! That is something I can definitely start off of and build my way up to more greens..hopefully. 
As for the chocolate... I am a college student (read: barely making rent) and I was wondering if there's a way of making my own. Common sense tells me some cocoa powder, some nut milk, and maple syrup would do the trick. Maybe you've heard of some amazing recipe that you would like to share with me? Then again, you don't have a sweet tooth. 
Also, I heard of a book called by Wolfe called EAtING FOR BEAUTY. I believe that's the title...I would like to get a second opinion before getting this book. I've heard David Wolfe can be very militant about the raw diet. I need motivation, not intimidation. 
Somehow over the past week of my experimentation with raw food I've begun to really thinking of the effects of my diet on my appearance. I have acne, dry skin, oily skin, scars, hair is mysteriously thinning (I'm 19!), I could go on and on....this is another reason why I really want to commit myself to this diet. Has anyone else experienced some really great improvement on their appearance? Just curious.

queenfluff · Mar 30, 2007

<div class="quote-container">Quote:
<div class="quote-block">Originally Posted by Odalys <a href="/forum/post/0"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style=""></a> 
Thank you so much queenfluff! You seem to be very knowledgeable!! 
A cocoa smoothie sounds extremely delicious! That is something I can definitely start off of and build my way up to more greens..hopefully. 
As for the chocolate... I am a college student (read: barely making rent) and I was wondering if there's a way of making my own. Common sense tells me some cocoa powder, some nut milk, and maple syrup would do the trick. Maybe you've heard of some amazing recipe that you would like to share with me? Then again, you don't have a sweet tooth. 
Also, I heard of a book called by Wolfe called EAtING FOR BEAUTY. I believe that's the title...I would like to get a second opinion before getting this book. I've heard David Wolfe can be very militant about the raw diet. I need motivation, not intimidation. 
Somehow over the past week of my experimentation with raw food I've begun to really thinking of the effects of my diet on my appearance. I have acne, dry skin, oily skin, scars, hair is mysteriously thinning (I'm 19!), I could go on and on....this is another reason why I really want to commit myself to this diet. Has anyone else experienced some really great improvement on their appearance? Just curious.</div>
</div>
 
Thanks! <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="/images/smilies/smiley.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="

"> 
For the chocolate, there is a difference between regular chocolate and raw chocolate. Depending on where you live, you may or may not be able to buy raw chocolate at the store. Regular chocolates (or cocoa) that you buy is roasted so making it non-raw. Raw chocolate (or "cacao" as you might see it called - "cacao" is the actual name of the chocolate bean where chocolate comes from). 
Raw chocolate is not roasted and is as it would be before it is processed. It has a bitter taste if you eat it by itself - although, I think it is tasty myself - but you can add bananna or coconut or other sweet raw stuff to make your smoothie. Since the raw chocolate is strong, you can use a little bit and have a good chocolate taste and your bag will last for a while. You can buy it in "nib" form (which you can grind) or already grinded. I get mine at RawGuru.com. 
I have the Eating for Beauty book. It is a beautiful book and has some great advice and info and beautiful pictures. It goes over what foods are good for skin and what are good for hair, etc...It isn't preachy or militant at all. David has "toned" down his style since the earlier days of the Natures First Law book. He is a huge raw chocolate fan. He even wrote a book called Naked Chocolate - about the benefits of raw chocolate for your health! 
I would get a used copy on Amazon.com of the Eating for Beauty book if you are worried about the price. <a href="http://www.sunfood.com/cgi-bin/order/index.cgi?id=589748174295&d=single&item_id=0567&c=Books&sc=Beauty/Personal_Care&tc=David_Wolfe" target="_blank">http://www.sunfood.com/cgi-bin/order...tc=David_Wolfe</a> 
For appearance benefits, when you first switch to raw, your body will start "letting go" of toxins stored in your body. These can come out in many ways. You might get a "cold", a headache, your skin might break out (this happens to me), you might get a rash or your hair might shed more. But you will get positive changes too - you have to go through some negative stuff to get to the positive stuff. 
Keeping a large portion of your diet raw will definatley benefit your skin and hair. It is all individual on when and how long it will take before things get better. Just hang in there and keep eating what will benefit your ailments. Mine goes off and on - some weeks my skin looks great and other weeks I get some pimples. It can take a while for years of toxins to leave the body. It goes in stages for alot of people. 
One thing most people notice is weight loss though. <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="/images/smilies/smiley.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="

">

Odalys · Mar 30, 2007

<div class="quote-container">Quote:
<div class="quote-block">Originally Posted by queenfluff <a href="/forum/post/0"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style=""></a> 
Thanks! <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="/images/smilies/smiley.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="

"> 
For appearance benefits, when you first switch to raw, your body will start "letting go" of toxins stored in your body. These can come out in many ways. You might get a "cold", a headache, your skin might break out (this happens to me), you might get a rash or your hair might shed more. But you will get positive changes too - you have to go through some negative stuff to get to the positive stuff. 
Keeping a large portion of your diet raw will definatley benefit your skin and hair. It is all individual on when and how long it will take before things get better. Just hang in there and keep eating what will benefit your ailments. Mine goes off and on - some weeks my skin looks great and other weeks I get some pimples. It can take a while for years of toxins to leave the body. It goes in stages for alot of people. 
One thing most people notice is weight loss though. <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="/images/smilies/smiley.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="

"></div>
</div>
 
I read somewhere that toxins can be stored in your fat cells (OK, I didn't read it somewhere, I got it off of a tv show..House MD. HA!) I am wondering if THAT maybe the reason why our bodies "let go" of toxins and we begin getting all of the detox symptoms. A raw diet does result in fast weight lose, like you mentioned and I did notice I broke up pretty bad for a while now I'm clear again. 
As for the chocolate.. I use the cocoa for baking. It tastes bitter but I don't mind, however I don't know if its raw or not. Considering I got it at a regular super market I am guessing the answer is a big fat NO! 
ANOTHER theory of mine is that I am craving sweets but what my body really wants is FRUITS. I read somewhere (yes, this time in a book) that our ancestors considered sugar (from fruits of course) very healthy, but since we've figured out how to EXTRACT sugar and add ridiculous amounts to our foods, our taste buds are being mislead and we end up craving donuts and icecream instead. Maybe this is why I am getting so many sugar cravings. Maybe not, but I like my theory so I am going to stick to it. I am going to assume everytime I get a sugar craving that my body wants a kiwi, or a banana. That way I will steer away from cake. 
Also, I have a really...really...reallly cheap Walmart blender. I can't even blend juice with it (haha), that's how much it sucks. I would love to upgrade to something super nice but I know the prices are outrageous. Does anybody know of any blenders that work pretty darn well for a decent price?

queenfluff · Mar 30, 2007

<div class="quote-container">Quote:
<div class="quote-block">Originally Posted by Odalys <a href="/forum/post/0"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style=""></a> 
I read somewhere that toxins can be stored in your fat cells (OK, I didn't read it somewhere, I got it off of a tv show..House MD. HA!) I am wondering if THAT maybe the reason why our bodies "let go" of toxins and we begin getting all of the detox symptoms. A raw diet does result in fast weight lose, like you mentioned and I did notice I broke up pretty bad for a while now I'm clear again. 
As for the chocolate.. I use the cocoa for baking. It tastes bitter but I don't mind, however I don't know if its raw or not. Considering I got it at a regular super market I am guessing the answer is a big fat NO! 
ANOTHER theory of mine is that I am craving sweets but what my body really wants is FRUITS. I read somewhere (yes, this time in a book) that our ancestors considered sugar (from fruits of course) very healthy, but since we've figured out how to EXTRACT sugar and add ridiculous amounts to our foods, our taste buds are being mislead and we end up craving donuts and icecream instead. Maybe this is why I am getting so many sugar cravings. Maybe not, but I like my theory so I am going to stick to it. I am going to assume everytime I get a sugar craving that my body wants a kiwi, or a banana. That way I will steer away from cake. 
Also, I have a really...really...reallly cheap Walmart blender. I can't even blend juice with it (haha), that's how much it sucks. I would love to upgrade to something super nice but I know the prices are outrageous. Does anybody know of any blenders that work pretty darn well for a decent price?</div>
</div>
 
Yep, you are correct about the toxins, the cocoa and the sweets. If you are craving sweets, you should eat some fruit. Just like when someone quits smoking, drugs or drinking they crave the things they can't have - the body craves it because it is used to getting it - you have those "withdrawal" symptoms. Pretty soon the body adjusts to not having it and the craving with disappear. Right now your body is probably craving the processed sugary stuff you used to eat - replace that with fruits and pretty soon your craving for cake should pass. Fruits will help with your sweets cravings. 
The blender I have isn't anything special either. It is an Oster 14 speed. I got it at Bed Bath and Beyond. It was around 40$ and I had a 20% off coupon. <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="/images/smilies/smiley.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="

"> <a href="http://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/product.asp?order_num=-1&SKU=13687471" target="_blank">http://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/prod...1&SKU=13687471</a> 
Nothing wrong with getting an regular blender from like Target or some place like that until you can afford something better.

rawyear · Mar 30, 2007

I wonder if eating things that really offend our tastebuds makes a lot of sense! ...as far as sweet or carb cravings, mine disappear when I eat enough fruit. Hard to believe the body is telling you of a need for grain or potatoes...so what IS it saying? 
70% is a lot better than the vast majority of eaters out there. Don't worry about any "purity" tests or anything. We're all at different points on our journey - I just keep trying to improve, whatever that means to me.

chilove · Apr 4, 2007

Hi there, 
Nuts are difficult to digest for a lot of people. Try avoiding them for awhile and see how you feel. 
Eat lots of fruit when you crave sweets!! Fruit is our natural food, which explains why people naturally have a sweet tooth. 
Dates blended with raw carob or cocao powder makes a yummy, easy to make fudge. Blend 1 cup of dates with 1/4 to 1/3 (depending on your tastes) of carob or cocao powder. 
Wishing you all the best! 
Audrey <a href="http://www.rawhealing.com" target="_blank">www.rawhealing.com</a>

PicklesAreVegan · Apr 11, 2007

<div class="quote-container">Quote:
<div class="quote-block">Originally Posted by chilove <a href="/forum/post/0"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style=""></a> 
Hi there, 
Nuts are difficult to digest for a lot of people. Try avoiding them for awhile and see how you feel. 
Eat lots of fruit when you crave sweets!! Fruit is our natural food, which explains why people naturally have a sweet tooth. 
Dates blended with raw carob or cocao powder makes a yummy, easy to make fudge. Blend 1 cup of dates with 1/4 to 1/3 (depending on your tastes) of carob or cocao powder. 
Wishing you all the best! 
Audrey <a href="http://www.rawhealing.com" target="_blank">www.rawhealing.com</a></div>
</div>
 
Wow! That recipe sounds delicious. As a raw-curious person, it definitely makes me feel better that there are raw desserts out there! <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="/images/smilies/blush.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="

"><img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="/images/smilies/lick.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title=":lick:"> 
Ps. We share the same name! Haha. <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="/images/smilies/elf.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title=":elf:">

Symptoms and trouble going raw,

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