I am trying to transition back to 100% raw. The hardest thing for me is that my husband thinks that being fully raw is some sort of eating disorder. Most of all it makes him feel uncomfortable eating cooked food around me.

Any suggestions?

He's not a big reader - I've tried referring him to books.
I've tried the arguments.
I've tried attraction rather than promotion.

He gets that eating some raw foods is good, but thinks that being a "raw foodist" is extremism.

I would appreciate any experience you may have.

NORA
posted by:
Nora
Hawaii
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    offline 36
    well.. for what it is worth.. I am in the same boat as you..

    everyone around me does not eat raw..or even vegetarian for that matter..

    they are not juck food eaters, but they prepare fried stuff and food that has been processed like pasta, and breads and chips and deserts and such..

    Everyone in my family has their own food preferences and no one gets exactly what they want..

    I have not even raised the issue of raw food because of the drama that it might create..

    I am just easy going suggesting to have something without much preparation.. like fruits and veggies..simply washed.. nuts and water..

    so I am not raw

    although I want to be
  • Have you tried to convince him to eat 100% raw? Maybe he's feeling pressured or judged - just stabbing in the dark, here.

    My wife is vegetarian, but not raw. No problems here. My sister thinks I'm a little nuts, but...

    Maybe just explain to him that not only is it not an eating disorder (I know people who think vegetarianism is an eating disorder!), but that there are several world-class athletes who are raw. Carl Lewis, the last time he raked in the gold at the Olympics, was raw vegan. Tonya Kay (professional dancer who toured with Stomp) is raw vegan and has been for years. Olympian & national biking champion Bob Mionski is raw vegan.

    Maybe you could point to models like Carol Alt or actresses like Demi Moore & Alicia Silverstone. None of them look like they have an eating disorder.

    I guess the salient question is: Is this causing problems in your relationship? If it's just a minor thing, then in time he'll see it's not an issue, and it will cease to be an issue. If it's increasingly problematic, however, then it wouldn't be wise to let it ride.
    • "I know people who think vegetarianism is an eating disorder!"
      Sadly, the way most people learn about vegetarianism is in high school, where it may actually be the first signs of an eating disorder. Kids trying to control their food can lead to heavier disorders.
      I went veg when I was five and never ate meat again. I'm 28 and I still run into people who are amazed I'm still alive (!!!!!!).

      Raw is just another lifestyle choice.

      I was trying very hard to go raw one summer whle dating a meat eater. He didn't get my vegetarianism to begin with, so the raw thing was just too hard to explain. We didn't last, but at least I got him to look at food lables and not buy "juice" with corn syrup in it. It's the small steps that matter.

      I would hope your husband would see how much better you feel on raw and that would help him understand. Seems like the best we can do is to be an example. I learned a long time ago that preaching you food choices to others does no good (I'm not saying you are).
      My mom is in the same boat. She made a fantastic raw pumpkin pie and my dad wouldn't touch it b/c it was raw.
      Maybe make him some yummy raw thing but don't call it raw, just say it's pie. I get people thinking (or at least not questioning) with my chocolate cinnamom rolls all the time. Let him see how yummy the food is!
  • Too bad your husband won't give you active support at this time. My advice is - make your own food choices, don't bring them up for conversation, and don't be defensive to anything he says about it. And get your raw food support elsewhere!
    • I agree. Just go about what you want to do for yourself. It took awhile for my husband to get used to me not eating wheat and gluten. Now he's more conscious of looking at labels and such. I know it's not just for me b/c now he's curious what certain things are. I feel the more you try to get someone to understand to the point of argument, they're just going to resist and back away more about it. That's what I did. When my husband saw how much better I felt, he came around.
      I'm not 100% raw, but I do include as much raw food in my diet as possible.
      Good luck! ;-)
      • Re: Any experience with partners who are not raw?

        Fri, April 18, 2008 - 10:06 AM
        when I was strict vegetarian for many years, carnivores/omnivores would occasionally question my tolerance of their diet. It was a personal choice for me, I told them I had no judgment of theirs whatsoever. It isn't a handicap, it's a choice. If they can respect or ignore mine, I can do likewise.
  • Re: Any experience with partners who are not raw?

    Fri, April 18, 2008 - 12:28 PM
    After the wave of responses from raw vegans/vegetarians, I should point out that despite my pointing to famous raw vegans, I am not raw vegan.

    Raw, yes. Vegan/vegetarian, no. I eat raw meat.

    That said, I agree with many of the folks offering suggestions. Lots of great advice.
  • Thank you everyone for your suggestions.
    Yes, I think he is "feeling pressured or judged." This is where I have the opportunity to embody the full spiritual aspect of being raw and do my best to be loving in all my actions - and most of all not to preach.

    As for just "not caring what he things and doing my own thing." I believe that is ultimately the real argument. That it's not what I eat - but making decisions based on self without considering how it might affect my partner.

    I think this is ultimately a great thread and one that I hope people will add to. I know the last time I was fully raw, the most difficult aspect (aside from the lure of cooked-food addiction) was that I felt alone and few people understood. Whether it be partners, friends, families, co-workers, this is a topic that I think we may want to explore more of in our community.

    Thank you for all of your love, light and support.
    NORA

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