"Okinaraw" diet

[abeedabu]

Hello!

I was starting to wonder if I was the only one on earth who included fish in their raw diet, for b-12 purposes (canNOT take the idea of being on supplements the rest of my life). I'm not too sure about dairy, and try to stay away from it for fear of both osteoperosis and overeating (cheese is BIGTIME addicting for me). So I logically came to the conclusion that I should get a b-12 supply from fish (most likely after reading about the Okinawan Japanese and how they are the healthiest people on the planet). Also I think I took into account comparative anatomy that's often used in omnivore v. vegetarian debates. ANYWAY. My point is, I would like to hear any arguments against the addition of fish to the raw diet, speaking purely from a dietary perspective v. a moral one. I don't and will never have a moral dilemma over eating fish.

Of course, I don't see many arguments against the addition of fish.. it just seems kinda like a given that most raw foodies are vegans (possibly w/ the exception of honey). So if there are any well-researched ones out there, by all means, lead the way! I want to get this all straight in my head before I start a family. )

aubrey

__edit__
and obviously, this is assuming you have a pristine, unpolluted and fresh supply of fish. which I do.

[The Vej]

suposedly you can get all the b-12 ya need from dirty hands that pick your food! Or if you eat dandolions in the summer. I'm just gonna try not to worry too much.

[abeedabu]

Unfortunately, many people have relied soley on not washing vegetables and other unreliable methods for b-12 and had serious nervous system damage later on. No plant source is reliable enough to replace the approx. 3 mcg you use daily, especially if you plan on becoming pregnant, which I do. If I were you I'd look into it.

[Melon Man]

i've read in books that the body makes enough b-12 for its self the way it is. its up to you though. what ever floats your boat.

[The Vej]

I don't plan on getting pregnant but hey whatever happens happens I guess. Maybe I should get tested or something to see if I'm lacking anything. Can they do that? Do they just take blood? Some things like Omega-3 and B-12 are awfully goofy cuz then you can't be a vegetarian if you eat poor little animals but then people tell you you're gonna die if you don't. And Omega-3 is only found abundantly in fish and flaxseed I guess. So you either have to swim around in the water chasing fish that are way faster than you or you have to mash up your food until you can actually digest it or it will just pass through so some things here aren't exactly adding up for me. I know I have a lot of learning to do but it shouldn't be that complicated. Or maybe I’m just retarded! lol

[passionforliving]

No, you aren't retarded. Raw foodists just WAY overthink this! It should be simple, and natural!!

In nature, no 100% vegetarian creature exists. 99%, but not 100%. All vegetarian creatures PASSIVELY consume little grubs, termites, and such that are crawling on the vegetation they are actively consuming. That little bitty one percent of non-vegetative material supplies the microbe that makes vitamin B12 in our digestive tracts. B12 has never come from animals, or plants, or the soil. It's the microbe.

Because I choose to follow the natural way, I maintain one percent of my diet from non-vegetative matter. On a 2000 calorie per day, that amount is 20 calories, approximately half an ounce of meat, cheese, or egg per day. If you consume less than 2000 calories per day, as most raw-fooders do, then it could even be less. But it should NEVER be more. (And yes, it SHOULD be raw... if you can stomach the thought.)

[rawallison]

I agree with the advice of allowing some non-raw into your diet in order to get the nutrients that veggies, grains, fruits and nuts are naturally low in. You hear a lot about how gorillas are 100% raw vegan and how we should live as they do, but the previous poster is right to note that they eat bugs! Another thing to remember is that our soils today are becoming depleted of the nutrients they used to have, so we aren't getting the same wholesome foods our ancestors got. Better to eat a little fish or take a supplement than stick to a principle of 100% raw that could come back and bite you!

-Allison

[greenbunny]

Osteoporosis is caused by acidity as is heart disease (see post on raw dairy thread) When the body is acidic steals as much calcium (which is alkaline) from the bones as it needs to protect other more delicate parts of the body (such as the arteries of the heart). Cholesterol is also just a reaction of the body to acidity to patch up the arteries. Pasteurized, homogenized milk is very acidic. That's the problem. Raw milk is a whole other story.

The downside of eating raw fish is that you have to be very careful about bacteria. Very careful. I can't eat the stuff - but can and do eat raw smoked salmon. Not much - but a little goes a long way.

As far as I'm concerned I've thrown away all the shoulds a long time ago. What is your body craving?! What makes you feel good and tastes good/right? That's the ticket. I ate purely vegan a very long time with great results. My body and circumstances changed and I needed to change with it. If you listen to authorities - any kind, even raw - without feeling it out for yourself then you get things like the ridiculous food pyramid created by the meat and dairy industries from which school children's diets have been drawn for decades.

Most dietary rules have an equally persuasive arguments directly opposed to it. Nobody's body is identical or has the same needs and nobody's body is the same year to year. Some people can produce their own B-12 some can't and some people can sometimes and at others can't. Only you really know for yourself what your needs are right now.

Well, that's my take on the whole thing - whatever it's worth,
greenbunny

[The Vej]

That makes sense but how much calcium do we actually need if we have a more alkiline diet?