Going Nut-Free
Sunday, July 25, 2010 at 6:24PM Since going raw I added so much weight and fat to my body – I’m the biggest I’ve been in a very long time. Most of my clothes don’t fit me anymore. And although I feel great, full of energy, I’m physically active like never before, I still keep getting padded… I just saw a video of myself that was taken two weeks ago while I was demonstrating the cooking class at La Diosa, and I was quite shocked to see how I look like. For some reason the mirror doesn’t reflect it as accurately as a moving image on a screen. I decided it’s time to get my body back to the shape I like it.
Most people think that when you go raw you are supposed to lose weight. It’s true for some. However as an emotional eater, I was always seeking that feeling of being completely full – I should probably say EXPLOADED, and the only way I could achieve this feeling with raw food is by eating a lot of nuts.
Now nuts contain a big proportion of FAT. You could argue and say that it’s “good fat”, however no matter how you look at it, fat is fat, and eating too much of is making me grow bigger and wider J
Last night I made my decision. I need to take it easy with those nuts, and from oily substances in generally – like cold pressed oils that tend to find their way into my food preparation with too much ease. When I was eating cooked food I was more cautious about oils, now on a raw diet I stopped paying attention to the quantities of fat I was consuming and the results are obvious.
So from today I’m making a strong determination to adhere to some “less fatty” rules:
1) Not more than a handful of nuts each day.
2) Not more than one avocado each day – and try not to have both an avocado and nuts on the same day.
3) Making sure I’m having some days with no nuts/avocados at all.
In order to help me with this decision, I have been reading a few different views about the subject of avoiding CRAVINGS – there are so many suggestions – some say you just need to have enough sweet fruit and your body will be satisfied so no cravings will haunt you. Some say having a small amount of cold pressed virgin olive oil in a salad or a handful of brazil nuts every day will do the trick.
I guess I’ll just have to experiment with it myself and see what works for me.
I’m pretty sure I’ll be having some nut-based treats while I’m operating the Raw Café, so I can’t be too strict. However my mind is set to loose these unnecessary kilograms that distributed themselves throughout my body.
This morning has started with a beautiful blend of fruit and vegetables – the perfect start to my nut-free challenge!;)
Morning Elixr
Reader Comments (6)
I know what you mean Maya. When I eat too many nuts I get white pimples that erupt on my cheek, just the one side, weird. But I know it's from overnutting!! Was a cheesecake that dunnit.... had a slice every night till it was gone.
HI Maya; the fact that you have cravings tells me that your body is missing something. My sense (having met you) is that for your metabolism to function optimally, you need more protein. Perhaps consider more sprouted seeds, or raw rice or hemp (if you can get it) protein.
Hope you don't mind this comment.
Penny Eager
Natural Therapist
all the best my dear. experimentation. love it. whatever it is with. its all about experimentation, and getting in touch with what feels right :)
Hi Maya, This is the second time you've really hit the nail on the head for me... I went throught he exact same thoughts and feelings about my fat intake only recently (and clothes not fitting!) and came to the realisation that I was eating too many "good" fats too. Gotta love those cashews and avocadoes! My AHA moment came in the last few days as I'm reading the 80 10 10 diet (after seeing Grant Campbell speak and eating your lovely raw food). It seems we only need a handful of nuts or a bit of oil or fat every other day, and fruit for the most part- what a revelation. I guess no matter how you look at it, it's just a matter of eating enough, and not going overboard, as I know I do whenever I see a raw sweet indulgence around! Nice to know that some of us are in the same boat this winter!
All the best
Cat
Good information, didn't realize that nuts would be that fatty, but yeah kind of makes sense. Good luck with the weight loss.
Hi Maya
One of the challenges I have with increasing the raw foods in my house is that my son is anaphylaptic to all nuts. He had one cashew when he was three and nearly died.
So I have searched for a raw food program that doesn't include any nuts at all and am yet to find it. So if you can put together a nut free raw cookbook I'll be your first customer !
Interestingly when I try more of the 811 diet I put on weight. I think that's because I am not as active as I should be. Grant is amazing but he is an exceptional athlete too