Post # 1
Member
511 posts
Busy bee
Over the last two years my diet has changed a lot. I was diagnosed with celiac disease and for 3 months was so afraid to eat anything that might hurt my stomach/intestines. By eating only fruits, veggies, and lean proteins, I shed 20lbs quickly. As I expanded my grocery list, I gained about 10lbs back over the last year. Now that Ive added in more “normal” foods.. and figured out what junk food is ok for me to eat.. I feel gross again. Nothing felt better than cutting all the gross stuff out and eating au naturale.
Ive been doing some research on vegetarian/vegan diets, but those didnt really hit home with me. Then, I came across an article in an old Domino magazine about going raw. Ive dedicated today to researching the raw diet- and WOW. It seems incredible.
Has anyone adopted this lifestyle? Or at least tried it for an extended period of time? (More than a month?) Im curious to know the pros & cons.. especially about blood sugar levels. Can anyone share some stories or experiences?
Post # 3
Member
3281 posts
Sugar bee
My BF is a celiac too! I try to live by the diet as well but it can be very difficult sometimes. especially when we eat out. I have tried to eat very clean recently because I have been trying to lose weight but I dont know if i could really do it for the rest of my life!
It seems so extreme, but such a healthy way to live. I wish I had the will power to be able to eat that way all the time. But i have noticed when I eat something thats not clean I get a terrible stomach ache and so it almost makes it not worth it lol
Post # 4
Member
292 posts
Helper bee
I was RAW when I still lived in LA and, luckily, there were quite a few restaurants that were RAW so it helped.
PROS
I was slim, but super energetic.
I wasn’t sick ever (I get sick very easily when I eat ‘normal’)
It’s cheaper because you don’t buy meat and dairy.
CONS
VERY limited diet
Hard to get protein (for me, at least. I don’t like many nuts/seeds)
You gotta research your product thoroughly. A lot of stuff is not unmessed with in our supermarkets.
Anything involving “sprouting” is a frickin pain
So, what I did was go RAW for a couple months, and then reintroduced dairy. I didn’t go back to meat for three years, and I did because I, despite my best intentions, cannot for the life of me not eat meat for life. I love it too much. I just choose grass-fed and range-free/hormone-free products now.
Post # 5
Member
511 posts
Busy bee
Great feedback. Celiac has definitely changed the idea that food= a social activity for me. I simply cant go to a restuarant without a separate gluten free menu and eat. So Im hoping switching to raw wont be too difficult. I’ve eaten meat my whole life, not sure how Ill feel taking that out of my diet.. but Im thinking the way I feel will determine if I can stick with the raw or not.
Post # 6
Member
292 posts
Helper bee
Did you see Oprah this past week? She was interviewing the author of “The Omnivore’s Dilemma” and I think he put forth a very good plan to keep yourself eating right. Cook everything yourself. It forces most of us to keep things simple, which means that we’re more likely eating whole foods that aren’t full of oils and crap. I make it a rule never to buy anything pre-made (outside of bread and dairy products).
Because although RAW was very good for me, it was too hard to commit 100% to. It’s best to try to eat RAW, but also give yourself a break and cook something (even if its a veggie stir fry).
ALSO, some veggies don’t give our bodies nutrients unless their cooked, so, most of the things you eat just go straight through you. Its cleansing, but you want to make sure you’re getting your vitamins, so take an all-vitamin tablet daily!
Post # 7
Member
420 posts
Helper bee
On that show secret life of women they did a episode on raw food. It was AMAZING to see the differences in eating “normal” and a raw diet. The energy level is incredible! Too much work for me personally.
Post # 8
Member
461 posts
Helper bee
I usually go raw in the warmer months. If I lived in a warmer climate (ie not the north east!!) I would probably be 90% raw….but in the winter months, my body craves warm foods, soups and stews.
I had always dabbled in vegetarian and vegan diets, but when my mother bought me a blendtech for my birthday, that kicked in the raw experimentations. 🙂
Post # 9
Member
5822 posts
Bee Keeper
My cousin is a raw/vegan type. She has the same problem as TerraWellness, in that she finds it hard in the winter to stay raw because her body craved warm soups. And actually, most vegetables LOSE their nutrients when they are cooked because they are denatured in the heat. So you will probably get MORE nutrients than before you ate raw.
I think it’s important not to label your diet as strictly raw or vegan. If you eat an occasional fish filet, don’t freak out. For some protien is hard to get, so maybe you modify it for yourself and you are on a raw diet plus fish. Whatever works best for you!
My cousin really likes this blog post about diets. Thought you’d like it too!
Post # 10
Member
2825 posts
Sugar bee
I’m starting to turn my diet toward the Raw food diet… It makes me feel amazing though no lie.
My friend has been on the raw food diet for about 7 weeks now and she’s lost like 20 pounds! I ate one veggie/nut packed lettuce wrap and I felt like I was on drugs, my body was tingleing and I almost instantly had more energy!
Her website with alot of yummy raw recipes is http://www.rawissexy.com!