Thinking of Going Vegan, possibly just Raw Vegan. Any Advice?

idoltrainee

For animals and health. I've seen people go fully raw before and their skin is better, their hair is better, they have more energy. I'm seriously considering going fully raw. Has anyone experienced this lifestyle, and do you have any thoughts, ideas, or advice that you think might help me decide? Thanks ❤️

DaddieCat

Have you done any research on vegan nutritional needs? It's super easy to end up with vitamin/mineral deficiencies if you aren't aware of what you need and your body's natural state. I've known to many people who went vegan without proper research in how to eat a nutritionally balanced vegan diet and ended up in hospital.

Nothing wrong with going vegan... just do it wisely and sustainably for yourself.

idoltrainee

Thanks for replying. Yes, I've done research, and I plan to do a lot more before I decide on any kind of lifestyle. I do know that you can get these basic minerals and vitamins from specific types of fruit and vegetables. Now, you may be shaking your head at the screen if you ever see this reply. "What, vegetables? She's crazy!" But I'm fairly confident about the idea. Thanks for your feedback! ❤️

DaddieCat

What about protein? It's widely recommended for people in deficit to consume .6-.85 grams of protein per lb of lean mass to assist in curbing lean mass loss during weight loss. What are your go-to plans for protein sources? (Not trying to poke fun or change your mind, just making sure that you have dotted your "t"s and crossed your "I"s)

Raynne413

I did the raw thing one summer and felt great at first, then felt worse and worse. By the time winter hit, I was ready for some hot food and gave it up. I found it is a lot easier to do in warm weather. And it can definitely get expensive if you go for more of the gourmet recipes that use a lot of nuts.

SherryTeach

This is what Webmed has to say about a raw food diet (besides being expensive and time-consuming)

A raw food diet is low in calories, high in fiber, and based on primarily healthy whole-plant foods, so eating this way will lead to weight loss.

But the diet is a nutritionally inadequate and highly restrictive plan that will be hard to stay on for the long-term. The risk of food poisoning from eating raw or undercooked foods outweighs the benefits of this plan.

In general, cooking makes your food more easily digestible and safer.

There are some nutrient-rich super foods that can’t be eaten raw, such as beans, whole grains, and lean proteins.

idoltrainee

Thanks for all of your replies! The thing is, I tried to mention this in my original post, but it was too long so it got cut out. What I said was that these "problems" didn't seem to be an issue with the people I know that went fully raw vegan. They just said that they got everything they needed from fruit and vegetables. Thanks anyway! ❤️

PikaKnight

idoltrainee wrote: »

Thanks for all of your replies! The thing is, I tried to mention this in my original post, but it was too long so it got cut out. What I said was that these "problems" didn't seem to be an issue with the people I know that went fully raw vegan. They just said that they got everything they needed from fruit and vegetables. Thanks anyway! ❤️

Not getting enough protein will lead to ridges in nails, hair loss, and various other problems. I would try to get them to explain in more detail what they are eating and how they are supplementing their protein intake. Taking their word on it that they are "just eating fruits and veggies" isn't going to serve you very well.

DaddieCat

It's not possible to get EVERYTHING you need from straight fruit and veg. I've been vegan for a long time. Never done the raw thing myself, but known many who have.

You'll find yourself extremely lacking in protein on a raw vegan diet. Now, that is not necessarily the case for a vegan diet as there are plenty of protein sources out there, but it'll be hard to get enough raw through veg, or grains, or nuts or what have you.

This website will let you tell it what you want to eat and will tell you how much you'll need to eat to get an adequate amount of protein.
http://scoobysworkshop.com/protein-calculator/

For example, edamame which is a very good protein source, would require you to eat 1996 calories to get 60 grams of protein. That's not very actionable over time.

beemerphile1

Man gained a longer lifespan due to better nutrition once fire was controllable and transportable. Cooking food became common. Beats me why anyone would want to go back to caveman days.

janjunie

There is a YouTube "guru" who does nothing but tout a raw food diet. Some people claim to have had success, while others have had serious medical issues caused by the diet. Google it. Anything that is so restrictive and extreme can't be good for you, imho.

ew_david

idoltrainee wrote: »

Thanks for all of your replies! The thing is, I tried to mention this in my original post, but it was too long so it got cut out. What I said was that these "problems" didn't seem to be an issue with the people I know that went fully raw vegan. They just said that they got everything they needed from fruit and vegetables. Thanks anyway! ❤️

Like, you actually know these people or you're referring to "success stories" from people around the web?

AnvilHead

idoltrainee wrote: »

Thanks for all of your replies! The thing is, I tried to mention this in my original post, but it was too long so it got cut out. What I said was that these "problems" didn't seem to be an issue with the people I know that went fully raw vegan. They just said that they got everything they needed from fruit and vegetables. Thanks anyway! ❤️

It sounds like you already have your mind made up, so are you just looking for thoughts, ideas or advice which agrees with the idea?

Howdoyoufeeltoday

I have milk issues so I try to avoid any dairy or even milk products (so I buy vegan dairy products and avoid packaged products with milk etc.) I also have some digestion issues so I tend to only eat meat once a day. It's fine to go vegan and raw so long as you keep your macros in check. But I can't go raw cause of my digestion. I think the reason people feel better on raw is cause they get more vitamins from all the fruits and veg they end up eating. But cooked veg is just as nutrient rich if it's cooked right. You don't have to go completely raw. Do what works for your body.

Unknown

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idoltrainee

Thank you for your replies.

janjunie

idoltrainee wrote: »

Thanks for all of your replies! The thing is, I tried to mention this in my original post, but it was too long so it got cut out. What I said was that these "problems" didn't seem to be an issue with the people I know that went fully raw vegan. They just said that they got everything they needed from fruit and vegetables. Thanks anyway! ❤️

I once had someone tell me (with a straight face) that they got all their nutrients from the maple syrup diet....seriously.

ClubSilencio

I don't recommend eating a fully raw diet like that Kristina gal. First of all, she runs an organic produce co-op so she always has convenient access to all the produce she needs. Second, she has money. Even before Youtube she had parents who supported her diet financially.

The volume of food you need to eat on this diet is enormous and you will constantly need to shop for produce. I eat a ton of fruit, I'm not raw vegan, and it's a pain in the bleep making sure I have ripe fruit on hand.

Skin, hair, and energy are not exclusive to a raw vegan diet. Focus on sleep, hydration, and de-stressing first. Then start eating nutrient rich foods. Don't feel like you have to go to an extreme to attain these things. Some people have great skin and smoke cigarettes. Life is funny that way.

jim180155

BecomingBane wrote: »

It's not possible to get EVERYTHING you need from straight fruit and veg. I've been vegan for a long time. Never done the raw thing myself, but known many who have.

You'll find yourself extremely lacking in protein on a raw vegan diet. Now, that is not necessarily the case for a vegan diet as there are plenty of protein sources out there, but it'll be hard to get enough raw through veg, or grains, or nuts or what have you.

This website will let you tell it what you want to eat and will tell you how much you'll need to eat to get an adequate amount of protein.
http://scoobysworkshop.com/protein-calculator/

For example, edamame which is a very good protein source, would require you to eat 1996 calories to get 60 grams of protein. That's not very actionable over time.

OP, Bane is right. If you go vegan you’ll need to supplement your diet. Vitamin B is one of the obvious deficiencies from eating plants alone. And while it’s possible to get enough protein on a vegan diet, it takes more work and planning. You should start doing some serious research. And if you come across somebody claiming that you can live on a vegan diet alone, run away.

Going vegan is a big step in itself. As part of your diet you can eat a lot of raw veggies and fruit. But committing to a fully raw diet, on top of the already restrictive vegan diet, seems a little nuts to me. Before taking that last step I’d want some solid science that fully explains and supports the specific benefits you might expect.

idoltrainee

Thanks for all of your replies and feedback. I think I know what to do now.

toe1226

just remember to listen to YOUR body,something that works for your friends may not work for you. I have friends who went vegan and are doing amaaazing. I also have friends who went vegan and their health really stalled and plummeted after a while. If it isn't working, don't feel ashamed - there are lots of ways to improve your relationship with animals, reduce your impact on the environment, and still eat some animal protein.

SideSteel

I can't think of any reason that this is a good idea, and I'm not saying that to be insulting, just to be clear. Sometimes it's hard to express ideas through written communication so hopefully this isn't perceived as attacking on my part.

You have basic nutrient needs because you're a human being. The more restrictive your diet is, the more challenging it will be to meet those nutrient needs. Additionally, the more restrictive your diet is the more challenging it will be for MOST people to adhere to the diet.

There certainly may be logical benefits to eating a high volume of fruits and vegetables. You'll likely promote satiety, you'll get a decent amount of fiber in, you might be able to consume lower calories than a diet predominated by junk food.

But one can eat a high volume of fruit and vegetables without taking things to an extreme as you are suggesting.

In my opinion, these extreme endpoints are pretty common with topics in health and fitness and it's a reason why many people fail.

EDIT: If you want to avoid animal products for ethical reasons, have at it. But it doesn't sound like this is your basis for doing so.

kshama2001

ClubSilencio wrote: »

I don't recommend eating a fully raw diet like that Kristina gal. First of all, she runs an organic produce co-op so she always has convenient access to all the produce she needs. Second, she has money. Even before Youtube she had parents who supported her diet financially.

The volume of food you need to eat on this diet is enormous and you will constantly need to shop for produce. I eat a ton of fruit, I'm not raw vegan, and it's a pain in the bleep making sure I have ripe fruit on hand.

Skin, hair, and energy are not exclusive to a raw vegan diet. Focus on sleep, hydration, and de-stressing first. Then start eating nutrient rich foods. Don't feel like you have to go to an extreme to attain these things. Some people have great skin and smoke cigarettes. Life is funny that way.

Yes, the vegans I knew in real life who went raw lived in a vegetarian yoga community, and had unlimited free access to a fully stocked pantry and walk-in refrigerator. They still found sprouting legumes, etc. to be a lot of work, and being raw unpalatable and unsustainable when the weather turned cold. They also did not find the promised value of being raw.

rbiss

I fully support vegetarian/vegan lifestyles, but raw vegan is very difficult. If it's something you are seriously considering, try eating raw for a meal and transition over to see how it works for you. It can be expensive and is time consuming.

robs_ready

Best advice, don't do it.

Not only will you be missing out on a number of basic vitamin and mineral requirements, the diet us just unstastainable

withoutasaddle

I've done raw vegan before, and was playing around again with Raw Till 4 the last few weeks. During the summer fully raw was fine- lower fruit prices, it's hot outside so a nice cold watermelon tastes great.... But in the middle of December where mangoes cost $2, 200 cals of berries are $4, and all you want to do is make yourself a mug of hot chocolate? I would wait for fully Raw Vegan. Raw till 4 has been great, but I'm having more problems than I remember with my veggies. They're just so hard to eat uncooked now! I can't stomach them. Or, I don't want to. But who cares- come dinner I can stir fry them and make a nice cooked casserole and whatever else I want. I would suggust trying raw till 4, and fully transition if it's working well for you
The only -only- nutritional things you can't get on raw vegan is B12, but that's a cheap and easy CVS gummy to take. Plus it would take years for your body's stores to run out of it anyways.

lemurcat12

rbiss wrote: »

I fully support vegetarian/vegan lifestyles, but raw vegan is very difficult. If it's something you are seriously considering, try eating raw for a meal and transition over to see how it works for you. It can be expensive and is time consuming.

I agree with this. Rather than making a dramatic change, why not go vegetarian (if you are not already) and try to incorporate one raw vegan meal a day for a while, while reading up on how to meet nutritional needs while vegan or raw vegan. Then start working on cutting out dairy and eggs while making sure you replace them with other plant-based protein sources. Once you have put together a satisfying and adequate vegan diet -- and there are many people on this site who can help you with that -- start working on adding in raw meals that are nutritional alternatives to what you were eating (NOT just fruits and veg). There are lots of good raw "cookbooks" and you'd definitely want to be reading up on how to do it properly. Given how much work it can be I'd think a transition process as you learn some of the techniques would be important.

I personally would not do a raw lifestyle, but I understand veganism for ethical reasons and I think incorporating more raw foods might be an interesting experiment and if you like it you could continue and see how you feel.

jimbob386

A cooked, Whole food plant based vegan diet, is much more sustainable, satisfying and nutritionally complete.
Many raw vegans switch to cooked in the long term due to the unsustainable nature of eating raw. Yes eat a good amount of raw vegetables and fruit, but don't deny yourself tasty satisfying and nutritious cooked foods.
The reason many raw food vegans have success early on is due to the fact that they cut out processed vegan junk food, refined oils and calorie dense processed white starches, NOT because they don't cook vegetables! If you eat a wholefood plant based diet, rich in vegetables, legumes, and whole grains you will feel great, satisfied and you will sustain it.
Also some nutrients are absorbed better from some cooked vegetables.

rankinsect

If you do this, you need a really good plan for how to get various vitamins and proteins, specifically how to get:
1. Adequate total protein intake - hard on a raw vegan diet. Without cooking, you can't eat certain foods like soy that would be very nutritious and high-protein when cooked (soy is toxic when raw).
2. Complete protein - nine of the 20 amino acids can't be synthesized by your body. You must get adequate quantities of each in your diet. Most plants do not contain complete protein, so you have to plan to eat foods that complement each other and together form a complete protein diet.
3. Adequate vitamins, particularly B12 - hard on any vegan diet, most likely you'll be taking supplements.

redraidergirl2009

Just a tip - don't expect a miracle from going vegan. I was and then vegetarian and my hair got really dry and brittle, my Ibs got worse, I had less energy, my bp didn't improve. It's not for everyone

chupacabramamma

We did a 70% raw diet in our household for a few weeks. It worked pretty well, and the Raw Spinach Lasagne recipe in Baird Rodwell's "The Complete Book of Raw Food" (the only recipe book I found useful for a household of varied eaters) ranks in my opinion as one of the top 10 lasagne recipes, raw or cooked. (And I grew up with Sicilian neighbors, so that's saying something!) But no matter how good it looks or smells, if the leftovers have been in the fridge for 36 or more hours? Feed it to the pigs or chickens. I had a really nasty couple of days of food poisoning from that one bad food choice.

Raw doesn't actually mean cold or unheated, in the plan we used. Foods heated up to 115*F are still "raw" from what I remember. But you have to be REALLY careful - do not save the leftovers! Heat only as much as you'll eat in that one meal, and make absolutely sure what you've got carries little to no bacterial load, because you've got a real bacterial culture farm growing at that temp.

If I was going to do it again (and mind you, I live in ranching country and can get fully clean, fully safe raw beef from my own or other cattle) I wouldn't do more than a 70% raw. I stay away from raw dairy too, not because of bacteria (we have a couple of dairy goats) but because the heat from cheese-making seems to break down the hormonal traces that unwind my happily menopausal state. Note to others: "Raw milk cheddar" still means it had to be heated past the "raw" state to go through the cheddaring process.

I made an awesome raw, dehydrated, sprouted buckwheat breakfast bar that everyone including the kids loved - but if you're going to sprout buckwheat, do NOT let it go long enough to turn green. That makes it go toxic - not fluffy OMG TOXIN toxic, but actual bad chemical toxic. You'd have to look it up for details, it's been almost a decade since I made those.

I look forward to reading your notes on your food journey!