100% raw isn't for everyone...
I'm not saying it isn't the right choice for some people but for me, I know 100% raw wouldn't work.
Let me explain a little more:
I personally can't eat raw bananas. It has to do with the starches and how they convert to sugar. Technically I can eat a raw really overripe banana (black peel, mush inside, kinda gross) but I can also eat bananas if they are cooked. It is painful for me to eat a banana the way most of you would. It took me a bit of research to figure this out and then also to understand the chemical why of it all. Bananas aren't the only reason but it's a good example of why cooked can be better for some people some of the time.
I like to understand my foods. I also believe that there are reasons that some things do get cooked ... that certain fermented foods came into being for a reason also... Not all of us live in sunny California where food can be grown year round yet we have to eat year round. If you're trying to eat more locally and also trying to remain raw this can present problems.
I also believe that some people ARE better off eating 100% raw because of the way THEIR bodies metabolize food.
For me this whole raw thing is about eating better and adding in more healthy foods, not dieting, not getting upset when I eat one or two things that aren't healthy for me. I don't think people should be shunned for falling off the wagon - in fact I don't think there is a falling off the wagon because feeling bad about eating a burger and fries defeats that enjoyment. Maybe you shouldn't be eating it simply because you're in a rush but if you're eating it because you really really really want a burger and fries - take the time to enjoy it. And better yet, don't think "oh well, there went that 100% raw diet, I might as well have a milkshake now ... and some candy... and some..." Get my point?
What I personally want to see is healthier options... give people a
choice ... give people a way to transition if their goal really is 100% raw and they can't accomplish it cold turkey. Going cold turkey doesn't work well for most people unless there's a dire medical need involved (heck, if I had cancer or something else life threatening that I thought could be fixed by going 100% raw overnight I might be a little more gung ho about it.)
But I'm not going to stress out about my food every minute of every day. Stress is counterproductive to the point of eating raw. Stress is unhealthy.
I try and make HEALTHIER choices day by day.
I have added in green smoothies, I try and eat more veggies (even if sometimes they are lightly steamed or in a stirfry), I'm drinking more tea to help me avoid sodas, I try and avoid: high fructose corn syrup, beet sugar (white sugar), hydrogenated oils, wheat (especially bleached white wheat), and soy (if it's not fermented.) This doesn't mean I don't occassionally ingest eat something with those in it (I am a sucker for a good brownie or piece of cake.)
I do support those who feel that 100% raw is for them - I really do. I'm not going to tell you to eat an egg if they really don't agree with you ... but don't tell me that me eating eggs is wrong. This is about better health and a one size fits all just doesn't work.
Sorry that this came off as a bit of a rant but there have been a few discussions here that it's like many (though not all) of the 100% raw foodies seem to think it's the only way or the best way of eating for everyone.
Let me explain a little more:
I personally can't eat raw bananas. It has to do with the starches and how they convert to sugar. Technically I can eat a raw really overripe banana (black peel, mush inside, kinda gross) but I can also eat bananas if they are cooked. It is painful for me to eat a banana the way most of you would. It took me a bit of research to figure this out and then also to understand the chemical why of it all. Bananas aren't the only reason but it's a good example of why cooked can be better for some people some of the time.
I like to understand my foods. I also believe that there are reasons that some things do get cooked ... that certain fermented foods came into being for a reason also... Not all of us live in sunny California where food can be grown year round yet we have to eat year round. If you're trying to eat more locally and also trying to remain raw this can present problems.
I also believe that some people ARE better off eating 100% raw because of the way THEIR bodies metabolize food.
For me this whole raw thing is about eating better and adding in more healthy foods, not dieting, not getting upset when I eat one or two things that aren't healthy for me. I don't think people should be shunned for falling off the wagon - in fact I don't think there is a falling off the wagon because feeling bad about eating a burger and fries defeats that enjoyment. Maybe you shouldn't be eating it simply because you're in a rush but if you're eating it because you really really really want a burger and fries - take the time to enjoy it. And better yet, don't think "oh well, there went that 100% raw diet, I might as well have a milkshake now ... and some candy... and some..." Get my point?
What I personally want to see is healthier options... give people a
choice ... give people a way to transition if their goal really is 100% raw and they can't accomplish it cold turkey. Going cold turkey doesn't work well for most people unless there's a dire medical need involved (heck, if I had cancer or something else life threatening that I thought could be fixed by going 100% raw overnight I might be a little more gung ho about it.)
But I'm not going to stress out about my food every minute of every day. Stress is counterproductive to the point of eating raw. Stress is unhealthy.
I try and make HEALTHIER choices day by day.
I have added in green smoothies, I try and eat more veggies (even if sometimes they are lightly steamed or in a stirfry), I'm drinking more tea to help me avoid sodas, I try and avoid: high fructose corn syrup, beet sugar (white sugar), hydrogenated oils, wheat (especially bleached white wheat), and soy (if it's not fermented.) This doesn't mean I don't occassionally ingest eat something with those in it (I am a sucker for a good brownie or piece of cake.)
I do support those who feel that 100% raw is for them - I really do. I'm not going to tell you to eat an egg if they really don't agree with you ... but don't tell me that me eating eggs is wrong. This is about better health and a one size fits all just doesn't work.
Sorry that this came off as a bit of a rant but there have been a few discussions here that it's like many (though not all) of the 100% raw foodies seem to think it's the only way or the best way of eating for everyone.
Add a Comment
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Comment by outofthebox on February 23, 2008 at 1:13am -
Preach it! I'm there with you. probably couldn't add more except to say come on over and join us as the High Raw nonVegan group.
Naomi
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Comment by FiddleMama on February 22, 2008 at 1:44pm -
100% raw isn't for me right now either. I can see going more raw than I am now once my baby has weaned but I doubt that I will ever choose the 100% path. It doesn't work well with my personality. It's as though I'm setting myself up for a long and hard fall.
My regular daily food life when I don't have any crazy circumstances consists of a big green smoothie, HUGE salad, veggie snacking, cooked vegan dinner. This works great for me right now.
If I go out to dinner (rare but delightful), I am very happy to choose a healthy vegan option but it can be cooked, that's fine. I'm not categorically opposed to eating the occasional egg. Dairy, especially cheese, has immediate and severe consequences for me so that makes it easy to avoid. I eat salmon once in a blue moon. I eat some desserts that aren't raw. Yesterday I ate some packaged flax crackers that weren't raw. They were delicious and relatively healthy and you know what? They weren't Doritos. Too much self imposed angst isn't healthy.
If I go to a friend's house for dinner or out to eat, I'm going to be polite and grateful. That doesn't mean I'm going to eat until I make myself sick, but I am going to try to eat to things that my body can handle even if they aren't 100% raw, organic. vegan, fair trade, etc. I don't buy those things in my regular grocery shopping life, but I'm not going to stress over whether something that someone lovingly prepared for me is completely organic. Most people respect the big NOs for me which are meat and dairy. I'm not saying that this approach is right for everyone or that this will always be my approach. It works well for where I am in my exploration right now.
Interesting post! Thank you.
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Comment by Raw Vegan Steven on February 22, 2008 at 1:41pm -
Ah yes! Well put sista!!!!
Indeed! People need to take it easy on themselves and "feel" out there body and their mind.
I feel eating more true "RAW" foods make me feel better.
When I eat something dehydrated or fermented or even sun dried... I don't get that same juicy feeling as eating a fresh ripe raw organic pink lady apple!
Personally though... I grew up on Mac and Cheese, Celeste pizza's (heated in the microwave)... oh joy!... Hershey's, skittles, popcorn... the list goes on. So for now I love my raw truffles that I make and raw vegan lasagnas that my girl makes! YUM!
Point being... I agree with you. To let go and be free in ones mind... is one of the keys to true JOY! TO LIFE!
-Peace!
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Comment by april on February 22, 2008 at 1:23pm -
I understand where you're coming from completely..and I couldn't agree with you more. It should always be about how you FEEL, and not trying to comform to somebody else's standards..
do what's best for your body, and to hell with anybody who trys to convince you otherwise! haha. :]
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