Raw Foods + Meat side effects?

[Remiel]

Ok so I have a horrible title for this and I can't think of anything better at the moment.

What I want to know is if I switch to a pure raw foods diet, for say a month, and then had a cooked meal with meat / dairy / fish / whatever else non-raw will there be side effects? I've noticed some people saying that they are X% raw foods. Does this mean they are already vegetarians and switching over? Or are they simply doing raw foods and whatever else there normal lifestyle is?

Basically I have no problem / qualms with eating meat and I'd like to still eat it on occasion if feasible. The way my life is now eating raw foods 100% of the time may work for a few weeks but I don't have the discipline to keep it sustained. I also enjoy eating meat products so I'd like to have the freedom to continue to experiment with different types of foods if that is possible.

So can a raw foods purist eat a meal with meat without too many side effects? Mind you I'm not refering to would they "Like" eating it. Just the pure physical effects on the body.

If they can't would a good alternative be to eat meat occasionally like once or twice a week?


I look forward to discussing this with you.

[Kaspian]

You could eat sushi (the kind that's just fish, no rice) and still be eating raw. There's also ceviche, which is raw fish marinated in lemon or lime juice.

I do not know how your body will react to eating mostly raw most of the time and eating cooked meat occasionally. It might differ from person to person, from diet to diet, etc. Steve reported that he got sick when he ate cooked food after a month of exclusively raw. But, his raw diet was strictly vegan, low fat, low protein—quite different than yours is now.

Originally Posted by Remiel

Right now I am consuming string cheese, strawberries, oranges, baby carrots and broccoli (Costco ftw) for my non-meal snacks throughout the day... <cut> Oh I also consume the Zone Perfect bars from costco on occasion as well.

The way my life is now eating raw foods 100% of the time...

An FYI - Maybe you already know this, but most dairy products are pasteurized, so unless the Costco string cheese specifically states that it's raw, it isn't. Also, the Zone Perfect bars are not raw, either. (I did a quick scan of the ingredients list and there are too many things in them, including pasteurized dairy, that are processed, dried, isolated, etc for those bars to be raw...)

[Remiel]

Originally Posted by Kaspian

You could eat sushi (the kind that's just fish, no rice) and still be eating raw. There's also ceviche, which is raw fish marinated in lemon or lime juice.

I do not know how your body will react to eating mostly raw most of the time and eating cooked meat occasionally. It might differ from person to person, from diet to diet, etc. Steve reported that he got sick when he ate cooked food after a month of exclusively raw. But, his raw diet was strictly vegan, low fat, low protein—quite different than yours is now.

Hmmm I didn't even think about sashimi as being raw. Thats an interesting point. I may just have to experiment with switching between raw and cooked foods to see what the side effects are. Once I've actually learned how to maintain a raw foods diet anyhow. I am hoping that someone has some experience with this sort of thing and can point me in the right direction.

Originally Posted by Kaspian

An FYI - Maybe you already know this, but most dairy products are pasteurized, so unless the Costco string cheese specifically states that it's raw, it isn't. Also, the Zone Perfect bars are not raw, either. (I did a quick scan of the ingredients list and there are too many things in them, including pasteurized dairy, that are processed, dried, isolated, etc for those bars to be raw...)

I do understand that. At this point I don't have the means to jump straight into raw 100%. So I'm working to move towards that ideal while working within the realm of my current knowledge. So zone bars and string cheese while not raw are a step up from potato chips, candy bars and other junk foods. I also have a hard time bringing enough raw foods to maintain as a snack throughout the day at work which is why I occasionally go for a zone bar rather than starve.


Thank you

[Kaspian]

Originally Posted by Remiel

I do understand that. At this point I don't have the means to jump straight into raw 100%. So I'm working to move towards that ideal while working within the realm of my current knowledge. So zone bars and string cheese while not raw are a step up from potato chips, candy bars and other junk foods. I also have a hard time bringing enough raw foods to maintain as a snack throughout the day at work which is why I occasionally go for a zone bar rather than starve.

I hear you. Since one post listed the foods, and the other said you were 100% raw, it wasn't clear whether you knew or not.

Lately, I am a big fan of combining fruit with something for tasty, healthy snacks. (And yes, there are some people that disagree with combining fruit with proteins and fats.) Apples & peanut butter, mango & coconut milk, mashed bananas with peanut butter & coconut milk, and so on.

Sometimes I'll make a smoothie with a banana, an orange, a large handful of greens (spinach, kale, chard), some fresh or frozen berries, some frozen peach slices, and a generous scoop of peanut butter. It's enough to satisfy two people for a few hours. (Or to split: half now, half later.)

Edit: The peanut butter I am using is not raw, though it is possible to get raw peanut or almond butter. Not sure about the coconut milk. Since it's canned, probably not.

[Remiel]

aah my bad. I meant that I'd like to experiment with 100% raw at some point and was curious how badly switching back and forth would hit me. Looks like I'll just have to experiment to see what the costs are for doing so.

Thanks for the tips on the fruit + something else. I'll have to experiment with that (the peanut butter sounds good).

[Holistic Star]

yes I agree you'll have to experiment if you want to try 100% with occassional meat. I mean only you know your own body - right?

At the moment I'm aiming for 100% up till 5pm then a half raw / half cooked dinner. I don't always manage it. According to some raw teachers, 100% is easier than some raw/ some cooked because you aren't leaving the door open for cooked and I see their point.

Right now I'm not ready for 100% either emotionally or being organised enough so until I am I'm staying with high-raw which I'm really happy with.