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Weight loss chat

A space to talk openly about weight loss journeys and challenges. Mumsnet hasn't checked the qualifications of anyone posting here. You may wish to speak to a medical professional before starting any diet.

Anyone tried changing to eating mostly raw food?

9 replies

jaycay · 11/01/2009 20:43

or am i the only one contemplating that it seems to make sense? You can even get raw chocolate and loads more.......

OP posts:
whomovedmychocolate · 11/01/2009 21:55

Hmm well in the sense that it would force you to slow down your eating and be more conscious of what you are eating it probably would help. But what a pain in the bum when you are in a rush? Doesn't make a lot of sense to give yourself a diet which is very restrictive IMHO, you'll only feel deprived and/or be practically unable to follow it.

Why not just try eating slower and being aware of what you are eating and if you want to make your diet mostly raw because that's what you enjoy then great. But if you are contemplating chewing cocoa pods, I would advise against it. They are horrible!

jaycay · 12/01/2009 07:53

hi thanks for the reply,

why would it be a pain in a rush, fruit and veg are the ultimate fast foods aren't they? I think the key maybe is to change slowly so your body prefers raw foods, just keep adding raw foods until you naturally choose them. Buy raw cacao powder and add it to smoothies, get your choccie fix that way.

No one would disagree that key nutrients are destroyed by cooking would they?

I'm just bouncing round a few ideas anyhow. I'm not looking to go on a diet just want to change my eating to improve health.

btw what do you mean by eating slower?

have u tried cocoa pods then?

thanks again,

jc

OP posts:
idontlikesundays · 12/01/2009 07:59

I have eaten a largely raw diet since last April. Will expand later, have the school run and other stuff to do. It is the most amazing thing I have ever done for my health.

leothelioness · 12/01/2009 08:20

I think that sounds like a good idea I tried it a couple of months back and it make me feel very healthy but found that it could be a pain to do if you are eating out. I lapsed over the christmas period but will join you of you decide to go for it. btw I also did lots of smoothies and juices too.

idontlikesundays · 12/01/2009 09:44

Beginning of last year I became really ill, and after three months was finally diagnosed with Glandular fever. I was post-viral and just ill all the time. I did lots of reading, and came across the raw diet, and it totally made sense to me. I had nothing to lose. I ate probably 90% raw for a month, and basically, I was well again, after being ill for months. I ate salads, with oil and nuts and seeds ( not raw ) putting in as much variety as possible. Fruit, obviously. Juices and smoothies, with plenty of green stuff in. I made my own chocolate from raw cocoa butter, coconut oil, agave syrup and raw cocoa powder.

I'm not eating a particularly raw diet right now, I need to get back on it, because when I stop eating raw, my health really suffers again. You don't have to eat 100% raw to reap the benefits - just adding lots of fruit, salad, juices and smoothies into your normal diet ( and cutting out the crap ) will make you feel amazing.

I like to keep my raw diet as simple as possible. Some people make elaborate recipes, have a dehydrator etc. I have a standard blender, a reasonably decent juicer, and that's it.

Personally, instead of spending a lot of time making raw "replicas" of food such as crackers and cheese, I would rather just eat small amounts of those cooked things, but it's a very personal thing.

I'm also wary of so called "superfoods". I feel that often it's just a marketing ploy. I'm sure these things are good for you, but I'm not sure they're any more good for you than raw brocolli or a banana.

Many people eat 100% raw, but that's not for me. I like to eat a largely raw diet, with small amounts of good quality meat and dairy ( cheese is my treat )and some whole grains. I eat oils, nuts and seeds which aren't raw, although these are available at a price. The most important thing I've done for my health is cut out all processed sugar. I use agave nectar and good quality honey in small amounts instead.

Typical day for me ( when I'm being good ) is

a banana for breakfast

a green juice mid morning ( spinach, celery, carrots, apples )

a salad for lunch with nuts, plus some crackers and cheese maybe.

chicken or fish with a large salad.

I try to replace cooked vegetables with salad or raw veg as much as possible.

Snacks are fruit, nuts or crackers or bread if I'm feeling in the need for carbs. Nut butters are nice.

Sweet treats are home made raw chocolate ( although haven't made it in a while ), home made marzipan balls made from honey and ground almonds. And Booja Booja ice cream is nice!

jaycay · 12/01/2009 13:17

Hiya,

I've dibbled and dabbled in raw food but there was always something missing and i've concluded that fruit and veg isn't as mineral or nutrient rich as it should be and i wasn't adding enough greens. I had a stint of green smoothies and have used the superfood maca...that month i had no pms or depression, my period came as a surprise! I need to do that this month as i lapsed over xmas and ended up nearly killing everyone. I belve what is missing is some mineral and nutrient rich foods..but will only say for sure if they work after trying them, i know maca definitely works for me...instant hormonal balance.

i want to get back into more raw and raw especially green stuff, maca root and cacao.

I am also very keen on foraging and have eaten loads of dandelions in the past which i very nutritional, medicinal and are everywhere most of the year. Gonna try nettles this year and just read the book 'food for free' by richard mabey.

i'm not overweight, just don't feel healthy, have bad pms (irritation, low energy, depression) and no motivation for exercise
, don't want to continue like this so am making the change...but doing it very slowly...and if i want to have a choccie biccie i can.

so the key for me is

  1. loads of green smoothies
  2. lots of raw fruit and veg
  3. buy some raw cacao
  4. continue adding maca to smoothies
  5. start walking more places.
  6. not to deny anything eating wise

also have cut out adding refined sugar to tea and its been quite easy (only thing i have cut out strictly)

How does the raw cacao compare to the regular shop stuff idlsundays ?

would love to know how you get on...and anyone else...is there anyone?

jc

OP posts:
idontlikesundays · 12/01/2009 14:37

Taste wise, there is little difference. I buy the ground nibs, so it's a powder, and use it in smoothies - favourite is choc/banana - as well as making proper chocolate with it. I just love that you can make and eat proper chocolate that tastes great, knowing that it's sugar free and healthy.

Agree about the diet eliminating PMT, but I've worked out that to do that, I have to eat very strictly sugar free/high raw. Even a tiny bit of processed food aggravates the symtoms.

It's funny how your taste buds change - even eating cooked vegetables now, they just feel stodgy and wrong. I love the sparkly zingy feeling I get after a green juice or a big salad.

jaycay · 12/01/2009 17:57

ooohh i'm going to order some nibs or powder.

love a pint of green lemonade...bliss and i feel so healthy...

i've made raw brownies with shop cocoa (so not all raw)walnuts and dates...kids loved them...want to make them with raw cacao now....

OP posts:
leothelioness · 13/01/2009 02:32

I did not do completely raw either just mostly raw and it was just because i felt lethargic anddrained of energy all the time. I thought I am not even 30 yet and if this is the state I am in now what I will grow roots by the time I am 40. The raw smoothies and salads gave me such an energy boost (will start again tomorrow)

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