RAW FOOD DIET. Ideal for distance runners?

1/10

I use to graze with the sheep in the lower back 40 until I

got scrapie.

Nasty_Nadz wrote:

In order to reach my genetic ceiling in the sport of distance running, I've considered eating a high carb, plant based, raw food diet.

-If anyone has experimented with it, please share positive/ negative experiences.

It's f-in incredible. It really does miracles for everything: emotions (to get u high and psyched for life and running), sex drive, weight loss, energy, digestion, skin, cognition. The problem is it's damn near impossible to do the work required to acquire and prepare all the items (probiotic beverages, fermented foods, salad dressings, wheatgrass juice) with the stress of society and it's bullshit and readily available junk food everywhere. I saw the results from going to a 3 week raw vegan retreat where everything was taken care of and didn't have to deal with stress of job, driving, social, etc.

The best one can do is incorporate as much raw fresh organic fruits and veggies possible. The enzymes in uncooked vegetables heal the body like no other food. Whenever I have headaches I binge on them. All the chemical laden garbage junk food of the standard American diet clogs the digestive system, makes it less efficient, makes my bowel movements suck, makes me feel like crap after eating, u name it. Google raw food recipes online and look for books on the topic. Ask around especially athletes who are doing it. Social support helps, especially since every meathead in our society is slamming protein and trying to get laid as much as possible. It takes a real warrior to incorporate raw foods to a large percentage, though, let me tell u that.

You can get very lean and ripped on it, too. At first it will be tough. Most people overload too much on protein. They never grasp truth because they don't push the limits. Science shows that when deprived of food, and then consuming it later, we hyper respond (super compensation, same thing renato Canova talks about in running training!). So a regular schedule of excess protein is retarded. I know some guys who are % raw foodies, meaning they still believe in org milk (sometimes raw). And grass fed eggs and small amount of grass fed organic mature meat. But the fact is, if our digestive system, red blood cells, etc aren't efficient , there is a ceiling to how much use you can make of ANY nutrient. And, nutrition wise, the one category of food to improve the efficiency of the machine and clean up is raw fruits and veggies. Remember to chew very well (excessively) or you'll get some wicked but brief stomachaches. Besides, too much regular indulgent food makes a man soft. Fasting, juice fasting and bitter foods can out you in the mindset for beast mode. I used to take bitter food become track intervals, to brace myself for the pain and nerves of the commitment. Plus, when you deprive yourself of, say, white bread and coffee, it becomes performance enhancing when u do consume it.

TravisBickle wrote:

Blah blah blah...

Post a complete list of your dietary intake for one day.

sort of interested wrote:

TravisBickle wrote:

Blah blah blah...

Post a complete list of your dietary intake for one day.

Another douchebag forumite. Keep kissing Mammon's a$$ and worshipping falsity.

Kipketer_Pumpkin_Eater wrote:

Another douchebag forumite. Keep kissing Mammon's a$$ and worshipping falsity.

Don't get me wrong, I'm all about psychotic nonsensical postings, but ummm...I beg your pardon?

I was raw for a while. It's awesome, but was really hard for me to do because, like the poster above said, it's very difficult to do all the work & prep if you have a real job/life.

I went on a raw milk diet for about 16 months, then I started eating oatmeal and different fruit/veggie blends. After that I've transitioned to eating like a normal person.

Nasty_Nadz wrote:

In order to reach my genetic ceiling in the sport of distance running, I've considered eating a high carb, plant based, raw food diet.

-If anyone has experimented with it, please share positive/ negative experiences.

As you are a

I heartily endorse this diet for you. Eat all the cacti, grass, forbs and shrubs you want!

Raw Vegan Diet

Pros:

Engergized 24/7 I had more energy running doubles and triples ( more miles )

Lighter Weight my lowest weight was 140lbs Ran a 17:11 5k pr 2011

I was able to fit children's clothes because they are cheaper

Fruits and vegetables tasted better.

Cons:

I looked sickly skinny

I lost my explosive aggressive personality and became more passive.

No muscle mass

No/Boring Social life

Standard Clean Diet with lots of meat.

Pros:

More muscle mass went from 140lbs to 160lbs and ran 16:39 5k pr on the same course.

More power and explosiveness

My aggression returned

More sleep

Better Social life

Cons:

Lower Energy levels and I been running less miles but it might be because im getting older.

Fruits and Vegetables don't taste as good anymore

Basically the raw food diet will make you feel like you have more energy and you will find yourself running more volume and struggle during workouts with more quality. When I went back to my regular diet I felt a lot stronger but my energy levels dropped but it allowed me to achieve more with less and I was able to develop a kick. It really depends on the person, im just one of those people who thrive on a more meat based diet

Another person here for whom the raw food diet gave unprecedented levels of energy. My mood was also better and more consistent.

I tried it out back when I was a competitive swimmer and I can honestly say that I was able to work out significantly harder, and felt better while doing it.

I have no regrets about quitting the diet, though, and I wouldn't recommend it for a runner. Like others here, I got almost dangerously skinny during my two-month raw stint, and half my life was tied up in food planning and preparation. Do you have any idea how much time it takes for a dehydrator to pop out something worthwhile? 10-12 hours. I had to plan every meal way in advance. I was also having nightly dreams about cookies, and I don't even love cookies. I eat them three, maybe four times a year.

For those that converted to raw or nearly so, how long before you notice the changes (energy levels, weight loss, etc.)? What are thoughts on eating some of the veggies blanched rather than completely raw? I can't stand the taste of raw broc and cauli, but love them cooked. I just think I sometimes over-steam them.

RAW FOOD is possible, e.g. sushi or raw eggs. Meat, I'd advocate to cook to medium-raw.

Unless you're a dog, then you can eat raw meat.

larunnr wrote:

I went on a raw milk diet for about 16 months....

annnnnnd you're an idiot. Congrats!

Thanks for your input, guys! I'm not too sure about going fully raw, but I'll definitely think about leaning towards mostly plant-based diet.

- I've increased my carb intake to around 1,000 grams (fruits and fruit juices) and noticed an huge improvement in my running.

annnnnnd you're an idiot. Congrats!

__________________________________

And you missed the joke.

Oh the ironing!

It's one of those things that sounds too good to be true. I tried it three years ago and dropped 85lbs very quickly, it changed my life. It's what put me on the path to find this life style.

Prior to, I would get home from work and just crash. Have enough energy to make some food, watch netflix and sleep again.

Not long after being on it, I was training before work and riding 100km after work, having enough energy to live life.

I eventually stopped eating raw completley, it really is just too difficult. Now I just stay clear of meat and dairy and high fat foods. 165lb 9%bf, I was a power lifter prior to finding endurance sport...just waiting for the muscle to disapear now.

Anyway, I would highly recommend these books;

The Simply Raw Kitchen

Engine 2 Diet

Thrive - Brendan Braizer

The Starch Solution

The China Study

My Beef with Meat

Also Richroll.com and his podcast are incredible

For something less plant powered, but balanced.. check out

The Feed Zone Cook Book

The Feed Zone Portables

For shits and giggles on raw foodies, youtube channels

Durianriders

Freelee the bananagirl

Happy Healthy Vegan

Evan Rock