Is 100% Raw Necessary? How do you manage it?

Cassy – Is 100% Raw 100% Necessary?  How do you manage it?  

I’ve engaged in this conversation PLENTY of times, both on message boards and in person. I always hesitate to weigh in on the controversy, because the answer is so subjective, isn’t it? I mean, one person’s journey is so different than the next, so how can ANYONE say what will work for sure for EVERYONE. Especially when we don’t know the circumstances, state of health, environment, state of mind, etc. Here are some quotes from message board conversations I have had in the past.

I wanted to quickly say that many newbies to RAW can benefit from using a nutrient calculator, or working with a nutritionist. I constantly see people in my line of work, (I am an Nutritional Consultant & Natural Health Educator) who dont realize that what they think they are eating is something totally different than what is going in the mouth. When we calculate the numbers, it can be very impowering, I think.

Personally, I eat about 80% raw year round, and have since 2003. (Readers- this was posted originally in January 2005, since then my percentage raw has fallen off to some degree, although I rarely fail to consume 60% raw most days.) Personally, I always worry about fat levels too, since my diet tends toward about 45% fat when I do all raw. This is due to the large numbers of coconuts and avocados I eat. I have had long times of 100%, as was the first 6 months of my journey. But when I do the 100% program, I usually eat a lot of fat and fiber. It is what I like to consume of produce…

Like I have written before, all raw or 100% is a great cleansing diet, but personally, I don’t think that it is the only way to achieve optimal health. I look at many health “gurus” like Bragg who ate mostly raw, but did incorporate the occasional steamed veggies, raw dairy or bread. That is not to say that they were perfect, no one is, only there is danger in becoming obsessive or fanatical. This is the case in all things in life. So, for those of you reading this, if you are trying to make changes in your diet, radical changes, and if you are not comfortable in maintenance, look at why. Ask yourself why you feel this way, take time to “listen” to the answers. You may be doing all raw to heal, to cleanse, to clear your bowels, etc…Or even, to thrive. That is just a difficult road, but not impossible.

There are some pretty influencial people in the raw community who are not 100% 100% of the time. And as my friends often remind me, there are many things in life besides eating. For me, that is what raw has helped. I have a lot of obsessive issues around health, so that when I eat high raw, I feel better, and know that the chances for many of those “hypochondriac” moments is lower…I am less afraid to eat things that affect me negatively. But then, I can’t always be in places where I have access to high quality raw food. So, I compromise. And that is ok for me.
Here’s another post:

I hope you were able to see that I was not advocating that you disregard the journey to becoming all raw, or even that you should spend everyday entering your food into a food calculator. What I wanted to express was that using such a calculator gave me comfort when I went 100%, in order to achieve that “relaxation” and “trust” that I wanted, in knowing that what I was eating was in line with what my body needed to thrive.

I think that for some it is easy to just say “relax”, but it is nice when you have numeric proof to show yourself, and family that you are “being taken care of.” In fact, in my case it was quite empowering. I also recall that the woman who asked this question of us originally had stated that she was “SCARED”. I think fear is a STRONG sensation, a powerful one, that we CAN conquer, and which often needs strategy. So as I offer direction to individuals encouraging the use of nutritional counseling and calculators, I am doing so in a way to assuage such fears….

That is not to say that I spend everday using nutrient calculators, once I learned what was sufficient, I don’t need it to the same extent. Also, I think we all need to take the journey that is comfortable for us, and if the nutrient calculator is my comfort, than I say I can use it, untill I break free from that tie too.
There is no doubt in my mind that all my counting would indeed make some peoples eyes spin… Even my husband giggles at me. But it has been something that has helped me see things that I needed to see. As the type of person I am, I like to see the nutrient values. It is something I started back when I was into working out doing body building.

Obsessive? Maybe. But in this this context it is helpful: I do like having the record, because it is a food diary that I have been able to use to track down my symptoms and recovery as my aches and pains and illness disappeared. In a way, it is my testimony to raw & wellness. I recorded the first 4 months extensively, and then maybe a few weeks here or there since 2003.