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Login Here Signup Here Signup using FacebookI'm going to be homeless here in a few weeks, just staying where we can. We'll have a roof but no kitchen. Figured perfect time to go raw since I have no way of cooking things! We'll get EBT, so I'll be able to afford fruits and veggies (Thank goodness!)
We eat TERRIBLE now though... lots of mac and cheese, those $1 pizzas, stuff we can afford.
Any suggestions for transitioning to a raw food diet? I need to get healthier, it's true the poorer you are the heavier you get because you can't afford the good stuff! We were working with no budget for food, so looking I'm forward to fruits again.
What I'm worried about is the transition... junk food is so addicting, I'm afraid I'll have massive cravings for the bad stuff...
Any suggestions for recipes that aren't too exotic to help me transition?
Comments
Sorry to hear of your difficulties. But it's nice you are using it as an opportunity to help your diet and health. I sympathize with you, IMHO it is cheaper to eat junk food. But not better for you.
Bananas and apples are usually cheap. As far as fruit I would keep them as a staple.
For transitioning (or for some who only go high raw not 100%) brown rice is cheap and a healthy choice. Lentils too. Most nuts are kind of expensive, but if you want nuts, sunflower are about the cheapest.
You might also want to ask your local produce person if they sell marked down produce (really ripe bananas that are good for smoothies, lettice just starting to brown on the edges).
I second becky on the looking into your local product person. Working with a raw diet, your connections are what will get you the good stuff... they usually take EBT at the farmer's market, too, I think, and you can get really affordable stuff there.
My only advice on transitioning is that you make sure not to beat yourself up about eating cooked food. If you tend to read a lot of raw lit, you may start to feel like cooked food is "wrong" and you might feel really bad if you eat it. Just do what you can and take your time with it. Eventually, you'll find your body will crave the raw stuff more than the $1 pizzas (and that's an awesome place to be!).
Good luck!!!!!
i reccomend dumpster diving!
i wish i did it more, because every time i do go i end up finding wonderful treasures. you'll never know what you'll find, but you will always be surprised by what stores throw away... finding bananas is like finding gold! cuz they are self-packaged. :) sometimes there will be packaged lettuce & other vegetables, fruit wrapped in plastic... it all depends on where you go i guess. it is technically illegal, but i have never been busted. i've heard that the worst of being busted is if you just say you're hungry they will either leave you alone or just tell ya to leave. farmer's markets are definitely the other best option- healthiest, cheapest, and eco-friendliest. scope out your health food stores and look in their clearence sections, i have found AMAZING deals before. ($2 nuts that are usually around $5-8! among other great deals.)
peace, love, & good luck to you & yours!
Dumpster diving is how I help feed my family too!
There is a badge of honour when you can freegan well!
I don't know what area you are in, but I remembered this video from the summer. It tells how to get free raw food in San Francisco.
http://renegadehealth.com/blog/2009/08/18/how-to-get-free-vegetables-in-san-francisco/