Raw food newbie - I'm starving and still constipated!!

[tgold]

Hello! New to this forum and could use expert advice. I do not need to lose weight; I am very healthy with typical diet of lots of organic fruits and veggies but all other food groups too. I drink plenty of water and get daily exercise. My only problem is my severe constipation. I have decide to try raw food for 10 days to see if that helps jump start my system. The only things I have a problem giving up are tea, hummous and some cooked veggies like brussels sprouts and broccoli (oh, and white wine on Friday nights)! Will any of these things, in very small doses, really negate what I am trying to do?

Also, as far as proteins/fats go, I love peanut butter but am trying to eat raw nuts instead, in small quantities; half an avocado twice a day, and sometimes sashimi.

It has been 7 days, and I have had to cheat once because of the Jewish holidays, but I have not had any dairy or wheat products.

My colon still feels bloated and sluggish, and I'm starving most of the day!

Am I missing something or doing something wrong? Do I really have to be that militant?

TIA,
Tracy

[Medusa locked]

might I ask what kind of fruit and veges do you eat?
I, myself have had digestive complications and discovered that anything starchy tends to constipate me.
Are you eating rice, potatoes or a lot of root vegetables?

[firenexx]

If you are starving most of the day, you are probably not getting enough calories, i.e. undereating.

Try more fruit. That may "speed things up" a bit.

Out of the things you listed, hommus and peanut butter may be most likely to contribute to constipation. Do not discontinue drinking tea. Tea and herbal teas contain lots of antioxidants and are very good for you. I don't know many raw foodists who stop drinking herbal teas, though I am sure there are a few.

Also, raw leafy greens will help.

[tgold]

Medusa - No raw potatoes for me! Certainly no rice, that is binding, and must be cooked. Carrots yes, but only in my salad.

Firenexx - thank you, you are probably correct that I'm not getting enough to feel satisfied. The advice on hummous is appreciated, but makes me sad (even just one tablespoon?!) I have been eating salads twice a day with a homemade dressing of avocado, tahini, lemon juice and sea salt - sometimes tomatoes as well. Then dessert is usually soaked almonds and raisins. I will give it more time; I think things are starting to finally move along

[votoshka]

Try prunes, they may not be raw (but if you get ones that are sun dried, they're not really cooked either), but they can certainly help when you're constipated.

[bluestar]

Carrots, beetroot, brown rice, wholewheat bread, lentils, beans, apples.....will all stop you being constipated.
If you're still constipated after eating all these goodies, then there's some other issue going on besides food.

[aabbcc]

Originally Posted by bluestar

brown rice, wholewheat bread, lentils, beans

Most folks don't eat these items raw. You can sprout some of the smaller beans, but I've never found them very digestible in raw form. Lentil sprouts aren't too bad, though.

[tgold]

Carrots, beetroot, brown rice, wholewheat bread, lentils, beans, apples.....will all stop you being constipated.
If you're still constipated after eating all these goodies, then there's some other issue going on besides food.

Thanks - but after reading Steve's blog I have tried to give up wheat and rice and other cooked/processed grain products. I have eaten so much fiber over the last 10 years - in the forms of beans/whole grains/fruits and veggies, etc. - that even Colon Blow (does anyone remember this from Saturday Night Live?) would no longer work.

I have also had a battery of gastrointestinal tests, leading to the conclusion of "functional" constipation.

Try prunes, they may not be raw (but if you get ones that are sun dried, they're not really cooked either), but they can certainly help when you're constipated.

I love prunes - used to eat them stewed in the mornings with muesli or oats and hot milk. YUM! I may try them again - other sundried foods I eat are raisins and figs.

I'm really looking more for opinions on how militantly raw do I really have to be; even if temporary. Like, is processed organic almond milk fine, or do I have to make my own? ARE the dried fruits acceptable? CAN I have a handful of popcorn (great fiber!) for dessert?? I have to say that for the most part is has not been hard, and for protein and other important nutrients I will eat sashimi, but not raw egg yolk.

Giving up dairy may actually be the most important factor in turning my insides around - which is too bad because I absolutely love cheese.


Thanks!

[tgold]

Actually, it was this article that motivated me; as did another site called gutsense.org - both of which talk about our reliance on fiber and how high fiber foods are hurting us, not helping us! While I don't believe everything I read, it seemed to make logical sense, particularly for someone like me who has no other explanation for my condition. Thus I needed to give raw food living a try!

Food Causing Constipation

aabbcc - I did not know you could sprout lentils! I'm not very good at the sprouting thing as I don't have a dehydrator. I have soaked raw almonds overnight, dried them on a towel in the sun and then put them in the fridge. That's as adventurous as I've gone! Instead, I am bound to pay a FORTUNE for the raw food items at Wholefoods

[Medusa locked]

I think that carrots raw may have a contributive effect on your constipation, maybe try to leave out the carrots for a couple of days.

Other than that, I think its good to have some grains in your diet for the insoluble fiber, that's what stimulates peristalsis. You could also look at incorporating seeds and nuts. as for grains, I suggest rye and spelt are IMO the best. I buy this bread that has no bakers yeast in it. In my experience, the yeast has some weird effects on my gut to an extent.

I have to agree about green leafies, I like to consist my salads primarily of greens. I'm big on chinese veges.

[Medusa locked]

Excuse the double post but some other ideas came to mind.

Cocoa is good for bowel movement, so is coffee but if you want the caffeine free approach, I swear by peppermint and chamomile as for these are anti spasmodics and valerian also has anti spasmodic qualities.

Hope this helps.

[maxinatlanta]

I know my grandmother have done urine enemas to "clean out the bowels". It served her very well. She was surprised at "things" that were coming out of her.
Of course she used her own urine for enema. After 10 minutes she was racing to the bathroom ...That what works for her.

[firenexx]

Oh yeah, also exercises or yoga poses that involve static or dynamic twisting of the abdomen.
Also the yoga pose called "trikonasana" and the technique "uddiyana bandha" (an abdominal lock.)
These are physical things that may help with constipation. My sanskrit spellings are most likely incorrect.