Any Conscious eaters out there?

deborahanndeborahann Raw Newbie

I have only recently gone raw (9/19) with a couple of (bad!) slips, but I am still struggling with many issues. I am not feeling nearly as good as I could and I’m still dealing with lot’s of bloating, fluid retention, constipation, cravings on and off,- basically not much better than my previous (healthy SAD). I have recently really been monitoring my ph and it is way to acid, so I have been working on that and not getting anywhere. I’m in the process of reading Conscious Eating by Cousens and I think the light bulb has gone off. He basically states that everyone’s metabolism is different and no one diet will suit everyone but there are systems that dominate in each individual and this is what determines how food and nutrients work for each body. He really goes into great biochemical detail and by going through my self exam I am a fast oxidizer for sure! The only thing I’m having trouble deciding is whether I’m oxidative dominant or autonomic nervous system dominant. I think oxidative because I’m eating a lot of greens and such that should push me alkaline but it’s not. My protein intake has been fairly low but adequate(I think) and on days I do eat more protein (almonds, hemp) my urine is more alk several hrs later.Being a fast oxidizer I actually need more protein at every meal to slow the ATP system, so today I’m starting to really pay attn to that. I do know that when I eat only fruit in the morning, as many people here do, I feel hungry all of the time. I can’t eat more fruit because my blood sugar goes to high, I get a sugar crash and I’m in a fog an hour later. The other issue is that if you are oxidative dominant then the things that are normally listed as alkalinizers may actually acidify you. I find this all really intersting and certainly the likely reason that some people thrive easily on this diet high in complex carbs, low (but adequate) protein and fat and others struggle and just don’t feel like they know they could. I do think that balancing my body’ ph is the key to getting rid of all of this fluid and bloating, I just have to figure out which way will work for me! Anyway. I was wondering if anyone else has hammered out their partcular metabolic type and how you went about it. Today will be my first day really working at this.

Comments

  • ZoeZoe Raw Newbie

    I am not a Cousen’s reader, but I just wanted to make a couple of points anyway…

    Just a thought…if you used to eat animal products and now you are not, then you must be detoxing them out of your system. This means that they are in your bodily fluids as they get carried out your system. Couldn’t this be making your ph acidic, as animal products are acid forming? After you have detoxed, you will be alkaline if you only eat raw foods. It is cooked foods and animal products which cause acidity.

    You’ve only just started eating raw, I think everyone needs a little transition time to get used to this. And the body goes through all kinds of strange stuff as it detoxes. The main detox lasts 2-3 months of 100% rawness. Then everything gets much easier. Give it time you will feel good if you only eat raw foods.

    .

  • deborahanndeborahann Raw Newbie

    I thought about that and I do think I am eliminating acids now because sometimes my saliva will be more alkaline than my urine. I haven’t eaten meat since about June and before that I had gotten to where I only had it a few times per week and no more than 3 ounces at a time. It is annoying to crave the nuts and fats so badly. I’ve gained about 10 Lb so far since going raw half of which is probably tissue fluid and intestinal bloating. Work has been absolutely overwhelming this summer and fall so my exercise has really dwindled down to sporadic at best and I normally walk and lift regularly. I know it is not just the raw eating that is at the root but too many calories in and not enough out! Cousens’ theories really strike close to home and would neatly explain why I do so poorly on a heavy fruit diet and seem to need alot of nuts and seeds to feel good. I definitely have some bad eating habits to break also, but I’m just soooo ready to feel good again. I do have times when I get that raw food high,so I do think I am also going through some detox. Thanks for the input!

  • ZoeZoe Raw Newbie

    I’ve been raw nearly 3 years and 100% for 2 1/2 years. What I eat has changed so many times during those 3 years. I started off “needing” tons of nuts, eating a lot of cheeze and raw burgers etc, and then I even ate nothing except raw desserts for about 3 months, and then I lived off Shazzie’s pizza for 4 months.

    I have also gone through periods of just gorging on fruit for weeks at a time, and leaving fat way alone.

    It seems that as my body cleanses it wants different things. Now I am leveling out on green juices, veggie juices, kale salad and a dessert now and again. Going 100% was the best thing I ever did. It all got a lot easier once I tweaked my ingredient list and got rid of all those borderline foods.100% raw=Bye bye cravings for the main part for me.

    It is cool that you are so determined to get through your hiccups and go for it!

  • deborahanndeborahann Raw Newbie

    Thanks for the support Zoe. So far I’m finally alkaline today on my checks and I way overate at lunch!(The worst of my bad eating habits!). I ate what should have been acidifying things, but I upped my protein intake with rice protein powder and extra hemp and a ton too many really raw cashews and so far I’ve tested alk all late afternoon. My muscles and low back are aching more today so hopefully I’m expelling some acids. My glucose went too high but at least I’m making progress. I’m trying to muster the will to do a green smoothie cleanse. Maybe adding in hemp for protein will help control the appetite enough to get through a few days.

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