Raw Vegan Questions that Make You Go Hmmm
You’ve decided that you are will give the raw vegan diet a try for 100 days. You say to yourself, “Eating raw vegan for 100 days should be easy and I can do this with no problem.” But little do you know it will not be as easy as you thought.
Many raw vegan authors/experts will try to convince you with their books and speeches that their recommended way of eating a raw vegan diet is the way and the truth.
You become confused and your 100 day challenge comes to an abrupt end. You don’t even make it for 10 days, let alone 100 days. You throw in the towel and say, “This way of eating is impossible and it can’t be done.”
By now you should have done a little research and read a few raw vegan books. Be honest and truthful with yourself. Does it make any sense for you to eat a certain way because someone has recommended it?
Do your own research and do what makes sense to you and your body. Don’t discount any scientific reports and data, but again, do what you know is right for you and your body as well as your situation.
Head scratching questions about the raw vegan diet
- Do I need to invest in superfoods?
- Do I need to eat a 100% raw vegan diet to be healthy?
- Do I need to eat 80% carbohydrates, 10% protein, and 10% fat?
- Do I need to stay away from fats entirely?
- Should I eat 15-30 bananas a day or large amounts of fruit at one meal?
- Should I stay away from nuts completely?
- Should I eat raw cacao?
- Should I eat sprouted seeds and sprouted legumes?
- Should I eat sprouted grains?
- Should I add concentrated oils to my diet?
- Is it okay to eat garlic and onion?
- Is it okay to eat mushrooms?
- Is it okay to add salt to meals?
- Do I need to drink water?
- Should I drink raw cow’s milk or goat’s milk?
- Should I eat sea vegetables?
- Should I take protein powders?
- Do I need to exercise?
- Should I fast?
- Is it okay to eat herbs and spices?
- Is it okay to use soy products like Liquid Braggs Amino, Nama Shoyu, and Miso?
- Should I drink nut/seed milks?
- Should I eat fermented foods?
- Is Kombucha good for you?
- Should I take a vitamin B-12 supplement?
- Should I take any supplements?
- Is it okay to have colon hydrotherapy or enemas?
- Should I eat honey or bee pollen?
- Is it okay to add sweeteners (stevia, honey, agave nectar, maple syrup) to food?
- Can I have raw apple cider vinegar?
- Am I doing the raw vegan diet correctly?
As you can see, there are a lot of questions that will make you scratch your head. If you stay away from everything that someone recommends, then what will you eat?
But one thing is for sure, you should never do anything because someone else is doing it. Do what makes the most sense to you and what is best for your body. Make it a practice to take cues from your body and not someone else’s body.
Do you have any head scratching questions about the raw vegan diet? Speak on it!
Your health is your wealth!
Image credit: San Drino
Category: Vegan
If a raw vegan diet is the perfect diet, why do we need Vitamin B12. Wouldn’t the perfect diet contain everything humans need to be healthy?
Twitter: evelyn_parham
says:
Hi Theresa,
Everyone really should take a B-12 supplement, regardless of the type of diet he/she chooses to eat. Studies show that meat eaters and vegetarians both have issues with vitamin B-12 levels.
There is no perfect diet. The best diet is what works for you and what keeps you healthy.
Take care,
Evelyn
Thank you, Evelyn. The best diet I have found for myself is the raw vegan diet. But I can’t help wondering why God didn’t include all the nutrients we need in our food. Did He make a mistake?
Twitter: evelyn_parham
says:
Hi Theresa,
Some raw vegans do not take supplements of any kind and that is their choice, but over the long-term it can be an issue. There are a few popular raw food vegans who found out their B-12 levels were low. As a result the doctor recommended they supplement. And this was years later after they had been eating a raw vegan diet.
Being deficient in B-12 can result in health issues, that could possibly not be reversed. See article: http://evelynparham.com/2010/04/21/the-importance-of-vitamin-b-12/
I choose to take a B-12 supplement because I do not want to have any issues. I not only supplement, but I also use nutritional yeast. Ultimately to supplement or not to supplement is a personal decision. I was one who did not believe in supplementing, but after I read studies and saw the numbers, I was convinced that B-12 was something I needed to add to my diet.
As for God making a mistake, I have no response to that. But today we are living in a time where the food, soil, water, etc. are not like they use to be, regardless if the food is plant or animal based. As a result some may choose to take a few supplements to compensate for this. I’d rather be safe than sorry.
Yes, I understand that. I also supplement – at least while I am on the raw vegan diet. I was on it for 5 months a few years ago, but gradually went back to eating the SAD. Now I am trying to get back onto raw food again. I guess at one time the raw food did have all the nutrients in it, but because man has polluted the soil, and the atmosphere, it no longer is enough just to eat the raw food. I would rather get my vitamins from my food, though, and for that reason have been thinking about adding soymilk and processed cereals just to get the B12. Can’t quite make up my mind which is healthier. I really think it’s raw vegan, but then I have to take those darn pills. Anyway, thank you for the response. I appreciate your answering me so quickly.
Twitter: evelyn_parham
says:
Hi Theresa,
I like eating raw foods. I recently finished a 30 day challenge and I was glad to get back to eating my vegan cooked food. I do try to eat a certain percentage of raw foods. I try to keep the percentage around 75%, but sometimes, I just don’t make it.
I think the raw vegan diet is ultimately the healthiest diet, but for some it can be a challenge – mentally, physically, and spiritually. It is always best to listen to what your body tells is best.
I recommend you incorporated raw foods and work your way to where you’d like to be. I know for myself a little bit of both (raw and cooked) works well for me. Besides there are some foods that digest better steamed/cooked. A good site you might want to check it is http://ecopolitan.com/ and http://thetrueaboutyourfood.com <— Dr. T does several lectures that you may find helpful. He also has a YouTube channel.
I'd rather get everything from the food too. Be careful with soymilk, try to rotate your milks (almond, hemp, coconut, rice..etc). You can also make your own nut and seed milk.
You're welcome! Whatever you decide to do, make sure you listen to your body.
P.S. I found a good video on YouTube and it is in the sidebar. The guy made some excellent points about B-12.
Take care,
Evelyn
[...] Raw Vegans Need Supplements? A month ago I posted an article entitled “Raw Vegan Questions that Make you Go Hmmm?” These are head scratching questions that people considering a raw vegan diet often ask. I [...]
Gosh these are fantastic questions, Evelyn. Where can I find the answers?
!!!
Farnoosh recently posted..10 Smart Questions to Ask before Choosing your Next Language
Twitter: evelyn_parham
says:
Hey Farnoosh!
Great question! Seriously, I’ve found that the answers lies within you!
Sheesh, Evelyn, it’s like you’re reading my mind! I can honestly say I’ve asked myself nearly every one of these questions since going raw in June. And my answers continue to change and evolve every day.
The one question I am sure of is #25: Yes, I should take a B-12 supplement, as should all vegans, raw or otherwise.
Thanks for a great post!
Christianna
Christianna Pierce recently posted..Vegetarian Diet Reduces Phthalate and Antibiotic Levels
Twitter: evelyn_parham
says:
Hi Christianna,
Glad to see you! I agree with you about B-12. I’ve read a lot of information in support of this with the data to back it up.
Thanks, Christianna!
Take care!
-Evelyn
There’s definitely no shortage of questions out there! I’m eating high-raw and am finding it works best to do as you suggested . . . listen to my body! I’m feeling great, by the way.
Jean Sarauer recently posted..How to Grow Your Blog With Kindness
Twitter: evelyn_parham
says:
Hi Jean,
Woohoo..high raw! That’s great! Glad to hear the great report!