Essential Foods on a Raw Vegan Diet

Hi!! This is my very first discussion. :) So... I'm transitioning to a raw vegan diet over the next couple weeks and would like any suggestions or tips to help me along!

In particular, I was wondering what foods you consider essential to a raw vegan diet.

I don't eat "super foods" because I simply don't think they're necessary and/or very friendly to a college budget. I assume any fresh, organic fruits and vegetables will make up the majority of my meals, but what can I add to these meals? I think I'll be adding some raw seeds (hemp and/ or flax) and raw almonds or walnuts to my diet. Hmmm... am I missing anything?

Okay, well thanks!
xSarah

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Permalink Reply by jennysbelly on May 12, 2008 at 10:56am: Wheatgrass is inexpensive to grow? How do you do that? I have only seen it as juiced and I don't have a juicer, but it didn't occur to me to put it in a smoothie.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by bitt on May 12, 2008 at 9:53pm: get wheatberries and soil. sunlight and water!; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by jennysbelly on May 12, 2008 at 10:14pm: where do you get wheatberries? online?; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by RawZi on May 12, 2008 at 10:36pm: Wheat-berries are fantastic! Yes, shop for a good buy on organic wheat-berries online.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by idarastar on July 25, 2008 at 11:51am: Do you soak the wheat berries and sprout them prior to planting or just stick them in the soil?; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by The SaladMander on May 4, 2008 at 8:44pm: I couldn't be raw without adding guacamole and carrots to that and making lemon water.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by ellaminnowpea on May 10, 2008 at 12:46pm: Do you guys have set amount of greens you feel you need to eat everyday? Or like any food that is really necessary for optimum health? I've been dong about 3-4 fruits in the morning, a few snacks throughout the day of nuts, seeds, or something cooked, and then a salad at night w/ lettuces, carrots, tomatoes, avocado, sprouts, radishes, etc.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by bitt on May 10, 2008 at 6:32pm: amount of greens per day=

i have 1/2 bunch kale in my green smoothie
1-2 cups lettuce/spinach/mesclin for lunch
1 cup dark greens at night either in smoothies, salads, or wrap

total= 2-3 cups per day i suppose

dark greens like kale will get you a whole lot more nutrition than lettuce. even my husband who is not all raw LOVES green smoothies.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by bitt on May 10, 2008 at 6:29pm: I have to tell you i have overcome some pretty major health issues since being raw for one month. i have greens at every meal, 1-2 cups. green smoothies are essential, i have at least 1 a day. the other things is juices, carrot for me. (at least one a day) i could try to do it without that, but i don't think i would have the energy i do now. nuts are filling but too many can weight you down. my "staples" are sunflower/pumpkin seeds, walnuts, fruits including bananas, apples, oranges, lemons, salad greens for lunch or dinner, and kale or dark leafy greens, avocados (1/2-1 a day). also hemp or flax seeds. a good transition food for me has also been lara bars. i keep on in my purse for when i am really hungry. but if i have an apple or pear around i eat that instead. i have made some fancier recipes but salads, smoothies, and wraps are the simplest.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Jessica on May 13, 2008 at 12:08pm: I used to have a serious Larabar addiction which could easily have bankrupted me, then I realised I could make them myself! I throw 1 cup of cashews in the food processor and pulse...I don't know how to describe the consistency, not as fine as flour but where some of the bits are floury and there are still chunks of cashews. Then I add 1 cup of pitted dates and process until the mixture starts to turn into a clump. I press the mixture into a small tray for bars, or I take spoonfuls and make them into little balls. This is what gets me through the day, I always keep 2-3 of the balls in my bag for snacks or emergencies.

I also agree a thousand times about hemp seeds, I mix these in my smoothie in the morning and they keep me full until a late lunch. They are a little expensive but a great source of protein and fats. If you are in the U.S. you can order from Amazon and they are cheaper, my friend in NYC does this with some sort of 'subscription' where they automatically send her more every 3 months or something, this is the cheapest source she has found.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Jess on July 25, 2008 at 11:46am: OMG, that's genius! I'll have to try this.Thanks for the tip :); ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Tory on September 27, 2008 at 6:16pm: that is ingenious!! you seem to know alot, i need help teachhh mee your ways! haha; ▶ Reply to This