Just started Raw... - Raw Food Chat

arcangel · 04-14-2008

Hi,
I just started eating raw foods about 2 weeks ago. Still mixed in with cooked foods, but very little. Most likely I will probably won't go 100% raw, because it's just too hard when I go to visit family weekends at a time or go out to eat, vacations, etc. But, I will do my best to limit the amount of cooked foods I eat. I have a sweet tooth and this is the best alternative to desserts.
I made a chocolate mousse with vanilla cream and it was so satisfying!!

The reason I started was I had an elevated liver enzyme blood test along with an Anti-Nuclear Antibody and Smooth Muscle elevation. The enzymes are now back to normal and no one really knows why it happened. I am seeing a homepath right now for this reason along with IBS and anxiety.

So far my reaction to eating raw is mixed and I am frustrated:

I do feel like I have a lot more energy, my mind is much clearer and I have been asked by a few people what I have been doing different because I look better (ex. my eyes & skin look clearer), so I am doing something right. Also, my digestive system is working much faster. I used to have only 1 BM a day. Now I am having at least 2 if not 3.
I am not a morning person, but I have been getting up at 8 am to work out and going to bed around 11ish helps. I usually like to stay up late which doesn't agree with me.

I don't feel hungry anymore like I used to and I only need to eat a small amount now. I guess this is because my body is getting more nutrition out of the [raw] food I eat.

The one thing I am frustrated with is I have IBS and as soon as I started to introduce nut/seed (especially seeds) based recipes I have been experiencing tremendous gastritis and bloating. Now, I haven't had the bloating like this in about 2 1/2 years.

Since a lot of the recipes call for nuts I don't know what to do??

I would love some feedback if possible.
Thanks.

jroo · 04-15-2008

You certainly don't need to be eating nuts and seeds. If you are concerned about fat, you can eat avocados and durians.

Eat lots of green smoothies, big salads, and fruit, fruit, fruit. Sweet fruit, non-sweet fruit (tomatos, cucumbers, peppers), acid fruit. Try sprouting seeds instead of eating them.

I don't know a whole lot about IBS, but most people on cooked diets have compromised their intestinal flora. You may want to try adding fermented foods into your diet until you have a stronger intestinal system. Kombuchu, sauerkraut, and raw pickled vegetables.

Raw yogurt and raw keifer are both made from nuts or seeds, so they may be out, for now.

arcangel · 04-15-2008

Thanks for the advice. I have been limiting my nuts and seeds, especially seeds. I did sprout the sunflower seeds and I think that is what gave me most of my problems. I may be slightly allergic to them.
Cashews and almonds are okay in small doses, I see that now.
I think what happen was I got a un-cookbook and most of the recipes call for some sort of seed or nut. I will just leave those alone for now.

Fermented foods...hmmm I'll have to try that.

I love avocados and eat them a lot. I noticed my skin is smoother.
One things for sure with IBS I only had 1 BM a day. Now I am having them all day long. Unbelievable.
I also drink psyllium husks in water every morning to bulk up, because I was having problems prior to going raw and now I'm afraid to stop taking it.

Thanks again.