SAD Eater Converting to Raw

[Psycho]

Hi all. I'm a SAD eater preparing to convert to a raw foods diet. Since I will be continuing to live with a SAD family for the near future, I would greatly appreciate all the advice I can get from raw eaters so that I may face the challenges ahead of me. I have some concerns that I would like to have addressed; some bigger than others. They are listed as follows:

I'm significantly underweight, likely due to a high metabolism. Is there anyway that I can ensure that I do not lose weight when making the transition? If I do, it would be likely that I would be highly pressured to return to the SAD.

How beneficial would it be for me to eat organic fruits & vegetables? Would I still be considered a raw foods eater if I didn't? Until I can I can get my own sources of income, it'd be best for me to minimize expenses.

Could you give me any ideas for variety?

I've found out about goneraw.com through another thread on this forum. I've also seen a discussion on that site's forums concerning the fat content of that its recipes. While I think I'll probably be most successful keeping it simple, I also have an uncanny appreciation for fastfood (which I'm prepared to give up, of course.). Would it be worth my time to try a couple of the site's recipes once in a while to get comfortable with this change I'm making?

Also, I was wondering if there's any chance that this may benefit my skin's sensitivity to cold weather. It seems like my hands are bleeding almost every year. Guess I just should get in the habit of wearing my gloves regardless.

Thanks in advanced!

[Minsc]

Originally Posted by Psycho

I'm significantly underweight, likely due to a high metabolism. Is there anyway that I can ensure that I do not lose weight when making the transition?

How do you know that you're underweight? (BMI is a pretty crappy way of measuring fat)
If you know your body-fat percentage(via tape measure, impediance, water displacement, ect), percentages under 6% might be low enough to cause problems but anything over or at it should be fine.

How beneficial would it be for me to eat organic fruits & vegetables? Would I still be considered a raw foods eater if I didn't? Until I can I can get my own sources of income, it'd be best for me to minimize expenses.

Organic has more vitamins/minerals/antioxidants, and it doesn't have any pesticides(which can be pretty bad, cause cancer, maybe immune system problems, ect). Technically it's a raw diet unless you cook it.
You could buy organic versions of the cheaper plants and leave the more expensive ones inorganic.

It seems like my hands are bleeding almost every year. Guess I just should get in the habit of wearing my gloves regardless.

Sounds like a vitamin or mineral deficiency if your hands are bleeding without getting cut. (maybe vitamin E)

[beautyscientist]

I would say that non-organic raw fruit and veg is way better than processed food in general. If you take synthetic colours and flavours out of the equation, you probably have a pretty good assessment system for the quality of food. We have all evolved to know what is good for us.

[bdp]

It seems like raw is the worst choice for those wishing to minimize food expenses. Especially if you go organic.

There is no such thing as being 'underweight' or 'overweight:' an accurate description of your 'weight' involves percentages of muscle and fat. If you want to build significant muscle on a raw food diet, you will likely be eating large quantities of nuts and seeds and lifting heavy weights.