R.A.W. Foods

I'm interested in eating R.A.W. but I don't know how to begin, how much it will cost me, how convenient it is etc. I'm a student and don't have tons of time or money but I'm willing to make it work. I've read numerous blogs about it but am still having a difficult time of the literal day to day, meal to meal innerworkings. I do understanding the concept and I like it. Any help would be appriciated! Thanks.

hm i don't know if i really have any advice for you, but eating raw is definitely something i am also very interested in. from what i understand, it is easiest to go raw gradually. and if you don't want to or don't think you can go completely raw, it's better than nothing to try and maintain some kind of percentage (for example, try and eat raw for breakfast and lunch, but allow something cooked for dinner). i know that it's MUCH easier to be raw if you have both a dehydrator and a food processor. the food processor you can find for under $50 easy, but dehydrators can be pretty pricey.

good luck!

I'm gradually transitioning from vegan to raw- right now my day is 80% raw here it is- my breakfast isnt raw because I cant stomach raw stuff early in the morning-but rest of the day is any way:

My sample meal plan:
Breakfast:
1 cup soymilk plain unsweetened(wholefoods brand)
1/3 cup hodgsons mill hot cereal
2 tbsp peanut butter (crazy richards creamy)
1 banana
STATS: 500 calories, 20g fat, 14 g fiber, 24g protein

Lunch weekdays: cucumbers, red,green,yellow bell peppers, carrots, green peas, chickpeas, 1-2 fruits STATS: 300-400 calories, 4g fat, 8-12 fiber, 8 protein
Lunch weekends: Energy soup

snack: larabar (200) 10gfat, 4g fiber, 4g protein

Dinner: energy soup: 1 romaine lettuce leaf, handful mixed greens, 1/4 avocado, 1/2 apple, 1/2 cup bean sprouts, 1tbsp dulse flakes, 1/2 cucumber, 1/2 zuchini, 1 cup water,
STATS: 250 calories, 5g fat, 12g fiber, 8g protein

snack: 3/4 cup blueberries, 2 tbsp manitoba hemp protein, 1/4 banana, 1/2 cup soymilk,
STATS: 180 cal, 2g fat, 6 g fiber, 12g protein

TOTALS:
CALS: 1450-1550
FATS:41g
FIBER:44-50g fiber
PROTEIN:56g protein
FRUITS:5-6
VEGGIES:6

its not very expensive you just need to find some staple recipes and you will find that many use the same fruits and veggies

I really don't want to come off as rude or offensive, but is that you in your profile picture? if so, then I really don't think it woudl be ok to continue limiting your diet, or trying to lose weight or even maintain your current weight, as it does not seem healthy.

This isn't to say the raw diet isn't healthy, it can be if you do it correctly, although I think everything in moderation is healthiest. I only say this out of concern and as someone who has been dealing with an eating disorder for over a year, so i recognize it if someone may be having the same problems. I know I'm finally learning this art of moderation and how to have a healthy relationship with food, although I have been drawn to several different types of diets, mostly just as excuses to restrict my food intake further.

If this isn't you at all, then I'm very sorry and please dont take offense, but if you do think you might have a problem, are eating a very limited diet, or have any other eating disorder related issues, please seek help, and I'm more than willing to offer support.

Haha nooo this is not me - merely a beautiful art-like inspirational photo. Thanks for your concern though!

ok i'm relieved now! Sorry about that, I would just hate to see someone go through what I've had to.

I can see the beauty from an artistic perspective, but it might be promoting a very unhealthy body image? I dont know, just my 2 cents, since this is a dieting website.

I'd love to eat more raw foods, and I do feel my best eating them, though I don't think I'd ever go more than like 75% due to my lifestyle, job, family,etc. Unfortunately right now it's taking 3000+ calories a day for me to gain a little more weight and that would be wayyy too much bulk in raw foods.

Best of luck! and keep posting on how it goes, I'd love to hear the effects and benefits as they come.

i find raw food diets interesting but rather unrealistic.
its common knowlegdge that protiens, carbs, fats and enzymes/vitamins, etc. Are severly denatured with heat and cooking.

however, eating raw meat, veggies, grains, all the time is pricy, unsafe and hard to digest if you dont know what your doing.

Grains have to be sprouted, soaked and sourleavened like sourdough bread to become fully digestible, same goes for beans. Also, many veggies have oxalates and other calcium binding toxins. also, some veggies, like broccoli for example has hard cellulose that need to be slighlty softed for most peoples digestive tract. Some raw foods, espeically soy are dangerous. cooked soy isnt much better.

the only raw foods i think are great is raw milk, cheese, fish, veggies, fruit, and nuts, etc. remeber, nuts need to be soaked as well, they are heavy to digest, like grains.

Now you see what i mean? Many cultures traditionally didint eat all raw diets... its either inconvienent, or too hard to digest. 

eating raw fruit and veggies is very good tho.

I appreciate all the comments and suggestions - thanks! I've been alternating between raw and not raw days/ meals. The first day was 1/2 and 1/2, the 2nd was nr, the 3rd was all raw, the 4th was 1/2 and 1/2 and today will be all raw. The only thing I'm concerned with thus far is the amount of fat in my diet on all raw days...it comes from seeds, nuts and oil and is MUCH higher than my body's used to. I was having stomach problems after my all raw day the other day alll night! How much fat should I be getting? I can't tell from random sources online. Also, how much protein? I'm 21, 5'3" and 122.5 lbs. Thanks for your help!

(edit: removed entire post because i don't agree with what i wrote anymore. sorry)

generally most people need 30 percent of thier calories as fat. 15 to 35 perent from protien ( 1 gram per KG of your weight is adequate) and 40-50 percent carbs. THough, remeber, EVERYONE Is different, some need more carbs, less carbs, more fat, more saturated fat, more protien, etc...

i personally think those are a bit too low reccomendations for some people, some people need alot more, espeically babys, elderly, etc. Some need more saturated fat, etc.

one of the best oils and fats you can eat is extra virgin coconut oil, its almost all saturated fat, but it comes from medium chain saturated fats which are used quickly and are never used in conjuction with blood colesterol. they also have many benefits.

ive noticed when i eat grains and beans, nuts that arnt prepared properly, i feel like total crud. i do best on breads like  real whole grain sourdough and soaked nuts, etc.

Check out the recipe book "Raw."  I was able to check it out at my library.  The guy who wrote it is a little fruity (be prepared) but the recipes are pretty solid.  It encouraged me to buy a food processor and everything I have made out of it was quite good.  My only concern is that it is a little "nut heavy." 

why the dots in between the letters in the title??