Yet Another Raw Food Diet Update (Blog)

[Steve Pavlina]

Use this thread to discuss the following entry from Steve Pavlina's blog:

Yet Another Raw Food Diet Update

[martin]

Thanks for the update. How many calories are you averaging a day now?

[Didi]

I’d have less energy, I’d be more tired, I’d need more sleep, I’d be physically weaker, my blood would be acidic instead of alkaline, my brain wouldn’t work as well, I couldn’t concentrate as deeply, I have to deal with problems I couldn’t solve as easily, I’d experience more confusion, I’d make more bad decisions, I’d age faster, I’d get sick more often, I’d achieve fewer goals, I’d generate less value, my income would suffer, I’d be a worse writer, I’d be more distracted, life would be harder, I’d experience more negative emotions and fewer positive ones, I’d be more stressed, I’d be more likely to succumb to addictions like caffeine, I wouldn’t help as many people, my contribution would suffer, I’d be a bad example for others, etc.

It sounds like the gates of Hell would open and the four horsemen would come riding out if you went back to your old diet. I know that comparison is a little extreme, but couldn't the same be said of that impressive list of raw-food-attributed life benefits?

my blood would be acidic instead of alkaline

The normal range of blood pH is 7.35-7.45, which is an alkaline solution. This range is carefully maintained by your body to ensure it's able to survive...anything outside this range and bad things start to happen. When you say that going back to your old diet will turn your blood acidic...well...it makes so sense. Blood is always alkaline. Do you regularly test your blood pH? I hate to nitpick, but this jumped out at me as I read your article because I do not like to attribute effects to causes without proper logic and analysis.

I could probably attriubte that list of positive benefits to any number of life changes. Could it be possible that eating a raw diet is what you need to do in order to attain this kind of clarity, not from the physical nutrients, etc, but the focus and motivation one gets from accomplishing one's goals and purpose?

[Jeff Lilly]

I've been doing all raw, low-fat since July 9th (before that, I was doing a standard American diet). I've dropped about 20 pounds (from 245 to 225), and seen a lot of that steady high energy and mental clarity that Steve talks about. Most people who make an abrupt dietary transition have any number of detox side effects, but I have basically felt great the whole time, with no moodiness, headaches, weird zits or spots, etc. Apparently this is exactly what my body needed.

Tomorrow I'm going on vacation with my family, and I'm going to stop the diet for at least a week. I'm disappointed -- but also very curious to see what it will be like going back to cooked food.

Thanks, Steve, for inspiring me to do this -- and all the other great things you've inspired me to do. :-)

[Wilfred]

I must admit I'm rather skeptical on Steve fully ascribing his perceived gains in energy to his most recent diet change. I can understand that he would like to be a good role model for anyone who is considering going vegan or raw but increased energy is something that is (as far as I know) not measurable. I'm not denying that a diet change can make you feel good (i.e. more energetic) but since Steve was already feeling pretty close to excellent (at least that is what I've gathered so far from visiting this website) I would be interested in knowing whether his statement was truly unbiased (by for example expectations he had prior to starting this diet).

[Goldhart23]

A poster above mentioned detox effects. Steve, I remember you saying that in the beginning of your trials of raw food dieting, you had rashes/itching. I was wondering--how long did that last, and how did you cope?

Secondly, I'm thinking about going raw but am a bit afraid of the "end" consequences, if you know what I mean. I've been having problems with diarrhea, which could be due to either Celiac disease (runs in my family) or Tethered Spinal Cord Syndrome (which I was diagnosed with in 2006). Anyway, I've been self-treating with Imodium A-D (1 mg. per day)--probably not smart, but it keeps me "safe" in public. (Dropping wheat out of my diet didn't help, either.) I wonder if the raw food diet would clear this problem up. I guess I would be afraid to go out in public without the Imodium!

My last question has to do with healing of the body after surgery. I had surgery to detether my spinal nerves about a year ago, have been getting physical therapy, but there is not much change in my strength or ability to walk. I still have to use a walker due to spasticity in the legs. Do you think a raw food diet could help heal me in a better way? It's beginning to look like this disability is permanent, but I really don't want to think that way. I know if I think more about what I DO want, it will help. But have you seen or heard of the raw food diet actually healing some people with disabilities?

Thanks to Steve and anyone else who wants to tackle these questions!

Barb

[carenkh]

Originally Posted by Wilfred

I must admit I'm rather skeptical on Steve fully ascribing his perceived gains in energy to his most recent diet change. I can understand that he would like to be a good role model for anyone who is considering going vegan or raw but increased energy is something that is (as far as I know) not measurable. I'm not denying that a diet change can make you feel good (i.e. more energetic) but since Steve was already feeling pretty close to excellent (at least that is what I've gathered so far from visiting this website) I would be interested in knowing whether his statement was truly unbiased (by for example expectations he had prior to starting this diet).

It seems like the 30-day trial, then eating cooked, then going back to raw, and the effects those actions had are pretty strong evidence. I don't believe he could maintain a sustained energy change for as long as he has on expectations alone.

[Steve Pavlina]

As for blood pH, that was a typo. I meant to type urine since that's what I was measuring. I fixed the original article to correct that. Thanks for pointing that out.

[tigerlily94]

I've been reading Steve's blog for over a year now, but found the raw trial especially inspiring...I was a strict vegetarian for three years and slowly incorporated lean meat back into my diet. However, I did a two-week trial of a vegan diet earlier this month and while I found the transition difficult at first, like so many others I was actually hesitant to go back to meat + dairy products and have generally avoided them since then!

I have registered to run the Boston half-marathon this October and have similarly found that I had significantly more energy while training on the vegan diet; running felt easier and lighter (if that makes any sense!)

I know the omnivore --> vegetarian --> vegan --> raw transition seems the most natural, but was wondering if there is a smart way to tailor a vegan/raw diet for marathon-training. I am burning so many calories on the days I run (multiple 5ks/week, 7-10 mile runs on weekends) and am concerned about the sheer quantity of raw food I might need if only for "fuel"! Does anyone else have any experience with this sort of thing? Does it make more sense to depend more on cooked food in this case?

[Monique7nuns]

You know what's really interesting though... people who consume diets at the complete opposite end of the vegetarian/vegan/raw spectrum say the same thing. Kinda makes one wonder why that is... and at the same time stresses the importance of figuring what works best for yourself.

[Steve Pavlina]

Originally Posted by Monique7nuns

You know what's really interesting though... people who consume diets at the complete opposite end of the vegetarian/vegan/raw spectrum say the same thing. Kinda makes one wonder why that is... and at the same time stresses the importance of figuring what works best for yourself.

Precisely why I only trust personal testing.

I've never seen before/after pics that look as good as the raw food ones though -- you can really see a difference in the face, the eyes, and the skin after several months.

[Monique7nuns]

Originally Posted by Steve Pavlina

Precisely why I only trust personal testing.

I've never seen before/after pics that look as good as the raw food ones though -- you can really see a difference in the face, the eyes, and the skin after several months.

Have you seen Jordan Rubin's before and afters? Those are pretty drastic as well. The more I've thought about it, the more I think the differences have to do with the wide variety of cultures and global locations in which they evolve - past and present tense. The main similarity is that neither end of the spectrum consumes processed/Frankenstein foods.

It's pretty fascinating...

[Fullcrum]

When people talk about blood pH, what you have to realize is that the body leaches minerals from bones to restore blood pH to the slightly alkaline levels it should be at. On raw foods, the body no longer has to do this.

Anyway, I agree that Steve wrote some of his best articles this month. I noticed he consistently wrote posts that made epiphanies go off in my head. Which is pretty cool because sometimes I wasn't in that "epiphany having" state, but the articles always "realigned" me with what I want to be. Good stuff...

BTW you might want to try mango in your smoothies. I just did 1 mango, 1 banana, 2 cups water, and 5 full stalks of green kale (with stalks) and it tastes quite awesome. Have you diversified your green smoothie consumption yet, or do you stick to bananas, spinach, and water?

[Steve Pavlina]

Originally Posted by Fullcrum

BTW you might want to try mango in your smoothies. I just did 1 mango, 1 banana, 2 cups water, and 5 full stalks of green kale (with stalks) and it tastes quite awesome. Have you diversified your green smoothie consumption yet, or do you stick to bananas, spinach, and water?

I made one like this a couple days ago but with spinach instead of kale. It was pretty good. I also like making smoothies with nectarines and with cherries.

[Gene]

Originally Posted by Steve Pavlina

I made one like this a couple days ago but with spinach instead of kale. It was pretty good. I also like making smoothies with nectarines and with cherries.

I am a big fan of fresh peaches. I wonder what kind of smoothie I could make with them. Anyone have experience with them.

[Fullcrum]

Just remember to take the skin off the peaches...don't do what I did. Or it'll turn your whole 2 quarts into a bittergreen smoothie.

And that sucks.

[actualize81]

OK,

Here is the truth about RAW FOOD. It brings your emotional baggage and issues to the surface. As Steve mentioned in some of his earlier posts, he has gone through short periods of feeling really sad or anxious followed by peace. This is what Eckhart Tolle describes as "raising your consciousness" and eliminating your problems at the level of cause.

If you're high enough in consciousness, addictions are easily overcome and new habits can build easily. If going on Raw Food is super easy to you and doesn't bring anything to the surface AND you still feel like a separate person, I have bad news: You're probably more of a new soul and your adventures on Planet Earth are only beginning. I wish you the best of luck.

I think Steve may be supported a lot by his own consciousness and not totally by Raw Food because many average people crash and burn on a RAW VEGAN Diet, not matter how sexy and healthy it sounds.

Many highly conscious people also eat animal meat because earth is a school made for humans, not cows or chickens.

As for me, I must admit that i cannot get 80% of my calories from Carbs, it just isn't working and isn't healthy for me. I must admit that the RAW diet is for people with almost no issues... either they mostly dealt with them (pavlina) or their biggest obstacle in life is their mortgage... You get the idea..

Best of luck..

[Goldhart23]

Hi, again

I wrote post #6 earlier, but didn't get any answers, so I suppose I asked too many questions. So I will just boil it down to the one I really care about and would love to hear from anyone who might have an answer:

Do you know of or have you heard of people with nerve damage being partially or completely healed on a raw food diet? (I had spinal nerve surgery last summer and have not had much improvement in walking ability, despite physical therapy. But I've been on the typical American diet and wonder if a raw food diet might better heal my nerve damage...see post #6 about how they got that way if you're curious.)

Thanks,
Barb

[Rachelle]

I'd like to give this a try, but there's currently a lot of cooked food in my kitchen pantry I'd like to get rid of first, so I probably wouldn't do so for a couple months.

BUT I was curious... I have a weakness for chocolate (I'm vegan too, so I only eat vegan chocolate and I also try to make sure it's organic and fair-trade) and often I find it has a very significant impact on my mood - maybe that's the sure sign of addiction? hmmm. But I digress - I was curious: is there some kind of raw chocolate out there? Have you tried it? Is it hard to find?

Thanks for indulging me with answers about this indulgence of mine. haha.

[Kaspian]

Originally Posted by Goldhart23

Do you know of or have you heard of people with nerve damage being partially or completely healed on a raw food diet? (I had spinal nerve surgery last summer and have not had much improvement in walking ability, despite physical therapy. But I've been on the typical American diet and wonder if a raw food diet might better heal my nerve damage...see post #6 about how they got that way if you're curious.)

It's possible that no one here knows for sure. Why not try it and see for yourself how your body responds? Whether you choose to eat raw only or not, I highly recommend that you choose fresh, whole (unprocessed), organic foods.

[DRK]

Can't say anything for certain about healing nerve damage, but a low fat raw diet is best for all types of healing. This is because it's the easiest on the body (least energy to digest, leaving the most energy for other bodily functions like healing) and provides the best balance of nutrients, in their easiest-to-digest form.

As for raw chocolate, well, there is "raw" cacao, but many claim it's not truly raw. Apparently if it has not been heated, it just doesn't taste good. And, like chocolate, it is a stimulant. But a raw diet, like anything else, is whatever you make of it, and if the only thing holding you back is chocolate, then go for it & include the cacao. You can always give that up later, if you choose.

Finally, tigerlily94 asked about running a marathon, and diet considerations. I'd recommend consulting w/ Dr. Graham (he has run marathons & advised a ton of athletes) and/or purchase his book, Nutrition and Athletic Performance. There's supposed to be a new edition coming out in the next month or so. But basically, there is no reason to think that cooked could ever be better than raw for athletes, although keep in the mind the mental changes that occur when switching to raw. As actualize81 points out, the emotional clarity can be overwhelming. Personally I think anyone can get through this step, though many may require some assistance (counseling, learning meditation, etc.). The end result is much much less emotional turmoil, but, as the old affirmation says, the only way around it is through it. I think this is one of the best things about low fat raw - it allows (okay, forces) one to truly deal with emotions.

[Andrew Brunelle]

Rachelle, there is a raw chocolate championed by David Wolfe, a raw food advocate who is really fanatical about cacao. I currently am not raw, but I indulge in an 85% lindt chocolate that is truly great. But look up Sacred Heart chocolates in google. They're expensive, but most likely worth it.

[Brendon Colby]

I wholeheartedly support eating a whole foods, plant based diet for many reasons. I admire many of the things "raw foodists" say about their diet and the benefits they seem to have received from it. However, something nags at me whenever I read a post here about raw foods or when I read a book like 12 Steps to Raw Foods by Victoria Boutenko. Here is the logic of "raw foodism" as I perceive it:

(1) I used to eat cooked foods and was sick all the time/had less energy/fog of brain/etc.
(2) Now, I eat raw foods, am in great health/have more energy/mental capacity/feel great/lost fat/etc.
(3) Therefore, cooked foods are unhealthy.

Am I the only one who thinks that's illogical?

The "cooked" and "raw" labels can be reduced quite a bit. For example, we can bake, broil, braise, fry, grill etc. We can use a range of ingredients from animal to plant to synthetic food like substances. I will agree that eating french fries is unhealthy for a number of reasons. I will agree that "dry cooking" a number of foods appears to produce cancer causing acrylimides. But what about steaming kale or boiling soup, for example? Do we have evidence that this is an unhealthy way to consume vegetables? I haven't seen any empirical evidence to support the theory that ALL types of cooking ALL types of food is unhealthy - that the mere act of cooking food is unhealthy!

I think including some cooked vegetables by steaming and boiling them into soups can help make the transition to healthier eating much easier (it's helped me). Plus it helps get more greens in one's diet and adds to variety. Until I read facts stating why this form of cooking vegetables is unhealthy, I will remained unconvinced about raw foodism. ("Facts" other than the standard "cooking destroys enzymes" etc. I think cooking definitely destroys some of the nutrients/enzymes/etc. in vegetables, but what's left appears to be much more available to the body.)

[wulph]

Originally Posted by Brendon Colby

Am I the only one who thinks that's illogical?

Nope. I'm right there with you; the raw diet eliminates many "frankenstein" foods from even a typical vegan diet. I think these are a much bigger culprit than braising your cabbage.

[DRK]

Originally Posted by Brendon Colby

Here is the logic of "raw foodism" as I perceive it:

(1) I used to eat cooked foods and was sick all the time/had less energy/fog of brain/etc.
(2) Now, I eat raw foods, am in great health/have more energy/mental capacity/feel great/lost fat/etc.
(3) Therefore, cooked foods are unhealthy.

That's maybe a little too simplified. In most cases it's more like:
1. I used to eat meat, then became a vegetarian and felt much better. Therefore vegetarianism is healthier than eating meat.
2. I switched from vegetarian to vegan and felt much better, therefore veganism is healthier than vegetarian.
3. I switched from vegan to raw vegan, and feel much better, therefore raw veganism is healthier than cooked veganism.

(At least that's my story, and seem to be Steve's story, and that of many prominent raw food proponents.)

I think a cooked low fat vegan diet is almost the healthiest diet possible. The only diet healthier is a raw low fat diet. That's not a slam on cooked, just my personal experience that however great low fat cooked vegan eating is (and it is great), raw is even better.

[Steve Pavlina]

I judge a diet largely by the effects I can measure for myself. Lots of people do this. But there's plenty of detail to the logic of the raw food diet if you dive deeper into it. I don't bother to write about that because there are already so many books published about it. Dr. Graham's 80/10/10 Diet book makes for a good overview, although he doesn't get as technical as some writers.

[Monique7nuns]

As a general rule it would seem like going to any extreme with a diet would not be optimal for anyone. *Unless it is for a temporary period of time in order to naturally heal the body IE) detox.

Another thing to consider is the sheer amount of naturally occurring whole food variety available to us. What is the point of it's existence if not to eat and be nourished. It's just too bad that the food industry has monopolized supply to the point where we have limited choices. Which means the need to become more informed about what we consume is far greater - although not so readily accepted given the popular convenient/fast-food mentality of the masses.

I'm pretty sure I saw another post on this forum about moderation and that's what I tend to agree with. I've done a fair amount of research and some experimentation and ultimately it's really up to the individual to figure out what works best. I've seen testimonial from both ends of the spectrum so I'm very leary to jump on any single band wagon. IE) I was convinced veggie was the way to go in the 90's and I tried veganism for a time too.. and that's when everything went haywire. I haven't been the same since. Then my best friend, a life long veggie, told me she has diabetes shortly after I learned from the Naturopathic Dr I was seeing he'd seen a sharp increase of diabetes among his veggie patients. He then explained how the only foods consumed are carbs which covert to sugar during digestion.. and it makes sense to me.

What doesn't make sense is why then are those who have been life long raw foodists for example living long, diabetes free, healthy lives? I therefore also think there is merit for healthy people to eat raw - but totally raw is an extreme.

On the other hand, the life work of Weston A Price (dentist/nutritionist) studied primitive peoples who's primary diet consisted of animals - the whole animal fat, blubber, meat - cooked and raw. And those people were/are (if there are any left) healthy as ox... no high cholesterol, disease or cavities.. lovin life, you know? So how do you explain those results in comparison to a raw, non-animal diet?

I theorized in my previous reply as to why I think this is:

Originally Posted by Monique7nuns

Have you seen Jordan Rubin's before and afters? Those are pretty drastic as well. The more I've thought about it, the more I think the differences have to do with the wide variety of cultures and global locations in which they evolve - past and present tense. The main similarity is that neither end of the spectrum consumes processed/Frankenstein foods.

.. and the bottom line, it's all up to the individual to figure it out for themselves because not everyone is the same. Our ancestors didn't all evolve from the same part of the world.

On that note, I intend to begin one of those "extreme" detox's within the next few weeks to help bring candida back into balance, boost my immune system and heal my digestively challenged self. Other factors like stress management and exercise are also factors but the diet is what I look to set the stage. The detox is the exact opposite from what is most popular here and I'm thinking about posting my the experience on this forum because the perspective isn't represented.

I do intend to journal the experience on a new site as well.. it's a very fascinating subject.

[wulph]

Good points Monique.

I believe the common link is this: the vegetarian/vegan diet includes highly refined sugars and starches, trans fats, a high percentage of grains, destructive and toxic preparation methods, toxic food substitutes (aspartame, saccharin, etc.), and artificial fortification of "vitamins and minerals" just like the Standard American Diet.

Neither the raw diet nor the eskimo diet has these shortcomings. I'm sure they didn't eat their blubber with a side of high-fructose corn syrup or potato chips cooked in hydrogenated vegetable oil, for example, and neither does Steve with his avocado smoothies.

[James45]

Originally Posted by Steve Pavlina

I judge a diet largely by the effects I can measure for myself. Lots of people do this. But there's plenty of detail to the logic of the raw food diet if you dive deeper into it. I don't bother to write about that because there are already so many books published about it. Dr. Graham's 80/10/10 Diet book makes for a good overview, although he doesn't get as technical as some writers.

Hi steve,


Could you share some online resources that go into some depth on this? i.e. macronutrient ratios

[AnthonyBaker]

Great post, Steve. Have to say, I definitely think the raw foods diet has merit. Two friends of mine, Matthew and Terces Engelhart, founded a raw food cafe in the Bay Area called Cafe Gratitude. Really great place to go (they've got three of them now in the Bay Area). My wife and I hadn't tried any kind of raw foods dish until visiting them the first time (we're now in Washington), and it was amazing. We were refreshed after we ate, satisfied but not full in that stuffed kind of way you can normally get, and had loads of energy to spare.

I've also done a 30-day clease where I had no solid foods during that time and have also experienced heightened energy and vitality that, frankly, surprised the hell out of me. Amazing what the body can do.

In any event, was curious as to how long it not takes you to prepare your meals. From a practical standpoint, I hear that a raw foods diet takes more time to put meals together. That true?