Has anyone had any success with a raw vegan approach to eating and training? Raw fruits, vegy’s and seeds or nuts…
Dan
Hey Dan,
I was vegan for about 5 years, then included dairy and eggs in my diet for a few years. I’ve been vegan again for about 1.5 years. I don’t follow a raw diet. For me being vegan is largely an ethical choice, however I do feel that it is a great diet for athletes. You eat tons of fresh fruits and veggies. Everything is easy to get in your diet if you pay attention. I have set 3 pr’s at different distances in the last year and feel MUCH better about my choices and myself. So I would definately recoment it for many reasons.
That won’t work…
what about the increase in consumption of pesticides etc…?
Funny you ask because I was just thinking about the whole raw thing today… I have not tried it myself but I do eat mostly vegan. I’ve been vegetarian for a few years so I am basically making a gradual transition. I definitely feel better, cleaner, on many levels when I am being 100% vegan – on the other hand this past season when I was training I found it was just harder to get enough calories while being vegan. I guess I am still figuring it out.
What are the main sources of carbs for the raw diet? I guess I’m not much of a source of info for you, but, I’m interested in following your progress, so keep us posted!
Good carbs are fruits/ dried fruits. I eat a ton of organic raisins and bananas, lots of carbs and nutients. I also mix in all sorts of nuts with my fruit, lots of beans and tempeh or tofu. I also use rice protein (mix it in with my oatmeal and smoothies). I use perpetuem for longer workouts, which is vegan. It’s not hard it just takes some thought. I also feel alot cleaner on a vegan diet.
I teach nutrition at a local community college on a part time basis. This was my educational background before becoming a chiropractor. This is one of the areas I’ve discussed with the students. There are a few things to consider when being on a vegan diet.
Protein - The protein RDA is higher for athletes than non athletes. Lacto- Vegetarians have no problem since they use milk/egg products but pure vegans can get adequate amino acids only if they combine their foods carefully. Whole grains, legumes, seeds, nuts and some vegetables are good protein sources and have an advantage over meat sources by being lower in saturated fats and higher in fibre and some vitamins/minerals. However, plant proteins have a lower digestability so adequate amounts must be eaten. There are number of meat replacement products made of soy proteins, etc that are available for vegans.
Iron - generally poorly absorbed from plant products but is enhanced by higher levels of vitamin C usually found in vegan diets. Iron defeciency could be a problem for some vegan women but is still rare.
Zinc - also poorly absorbed from plant sources, but defeciencies are rare.
Calcium - also poorly absorbed from plant products, but calcium fortified soy products are available. This would be highly recommended for children or adolescents on a vegan diet.
B12 - this vitamin is found only in animal sources. There are vegetable sources but this form of B12 in vegetables is inert. Defeciencies effect the nervous system so a supplement is recommended for vegans.
Omega 3 fatty acid - typically very low in vegan diets. Either supplement or to compensate include foods high in linolenic acid. Best vegan sources are flaxseed, walnuts, soy or their oils.
I was vegan for about two years; my main issue was getting enough calories. Personally, I found it very difficult to eat enough protein - beans and nuts have a lot of fiber and that upset my stomach. I’m much happier and healthier now as an ovo-lacto vegetarian.
I think most things, however, are worth trying. You could do the raw veganism thing for a little while and if it doesn’t work, go back to what you have been doing.
"I’m much happier and healthier now as an ovo-lacto vegetarian. "
From what I’ve observed, would have to say that’s the general consensus. It’s difficult to be a true vegan and even harder if eating only raw food. Many people just can’t do it in spite of their good intentions.
I think a vegan diet is fine for a person who is not putting their body under the stress of intensive training. They don’t have the calorie needs that endurace athletes do. The other issue is energy gels and bars and stuff like that which a lot of endurance athletes use in training and racing - I don’t consider those “raw” foods, so you’re omitting those from your diet.
But for those people who can do it, I applaud them. Scott Jurek - ultramarathon elite runner - is a good example.
I agree that a vegan would have a harder time doing intensive training than someone who has a more varied diet. My 20 year old vegan receptionist was outwalked in a 3 mile charity walk by her mother who smokes 2 packs a day. Mary the receptionist barely weighs 100 pounds and doesn’t really look very healthy.
does she have anorexia?
A lot of sufferes of eating disorders will become vegetarians or vegans because it is an easy way to eliminate more foods from their diets.
She doesn’t have the “anorexic look” or other symptoms related to that disorder. She eats junk food as long as there is no animal products in it, drinks regular soft drinks etc. She is vegan for the moral reasons and also avoids things such as leather. It’s not so much a nutritional plan for health as much as a moral stand.
That’s good 
I became a vegetarian because I don’t like the way meat tastes. I agree with the ethical and moral reasons too, but they were secondary to taste buds!
My daughter suddenly became a vegan during her first year of college with no idea how to do it properly. She seemed to catch every cold and flu that winter, I assume due to a supressed immune system.
Fortunately, she’s now eating a more normal diet only avoiding red meat and is much healthier.
I eat loads of bananas and dried fruit/nuts too – in fact i have a baggie of trailmix with me almost everywhere, in my bag, in all my desk drawers at work . . . the problem is when I have to rely too much on this stuff all the sugar gets to my mouth and i start to get canker-sore-like symptoms. so if i were to go raw i would have to find other stuff.
i did go to a raw restaurant recently that was absolutely delicious. unfortunatley none of the dishes were anything i would be able to recreate at home.
"I’m much happier and healthier now as an ovo-lacto vegetarian. "
From what I’ve observed, would have to say that’s the general consensus. It’s difficult to be a true vegan and even harder if eating only raw food. Many people just can’t do it in spite of their good intentions.
just to be devil’s advocate, i know a bunch of vegans who don’t consider it difficult at all. one of the things that inspired me was going out with a guy a few years ago who was vegan – when i was with him i ate vegan and I was surprised at how effortless it seemed to him. he would always say that being vegan was easy. of course, location has a lot to do with it. he lived in nyc, and is now in LA. (has anyone been to the vegan donut store in LA? not health food at all, but the place is a trip…)
Humans are omnivours and can eat meat. Raw Veganism is hocky and turns a blind eye to how nature operates.
Now if you will excuse I need to find some meat for dinner.
“Humans are omnivours and can eat meat.”
I agree but it’s how some people eat meat. IMO, meat should be very small portions with other food. The great big steak for dinner every night is not good for your health. How do you say “clogged arteries”.
“Humans are omnivours and can eat meat.”
I agree but it’s how some people eat meat. IMO, meat should be very small portions with other food. The great big steak for dinner every night is not good for your health. How do you say “clogged arteries”.
And some people object to the taste and/or moral implications of eating meat (see above).