If you happen to follow any other blogs in the raw food movement, you may have noticed that there is a bit of a split happening between strict raw veganism and non-vegan raw foodists.
Is there a movement away from Raw Veganism?
(Click here to watch the embedded video about raw food.)
It’s a very interesting phenomena, and I think it’s one that really needs to be addressed. Gena Hamshaw from Choosing Raw wrote about her commitment to being vegan and how she was vegan before going raw. I respect her position and determination, and love the piece she wrote about her stance on the issue.
On the other hand you have people like Anthony The Raw Model and Daniel Vitalis who are into the more primal way of eating, including animal products. They are also to be respected for openly discussing their own trials.
Where I Stand on the Issue
As you know my approach to raw foods has never been one of all-or-nothing. Because of that, I don’t see this split in the raw food movement as being such a monumental shift.
The truth is that I think a 100% vegan raw food diet is great if you really need to cleanse or purify your body. Most of us do at some point, if the food industry is anything to go by.
However, I don’t think it’s perfect for everyone in the long term. I think that different people have different body types, live in different climates, and have access to different quality foods.
I am very much in tune with the animal rights movements and treading lightly on our planet.
However I don’t think that adhering to 100% raw veganism is the only way to champion those causes. If you think about it, you can be a good steward of the earth even if you do consume animal products.
Raw Veganism For Health Reasons
Chances are you came to the raw food movement to improve your health, and I think that it is a great starting point to changing unhealthy habits.
I also think that it is your responsibility to do your research and eat the way that makes you feel your best, and if that means taking supplements or eating something that is not raw and/or vegan then I say go for it.
The raw vegan diet is very idealistic, but the truth is that most of us don’t live in an idealistic society.
I admit it, I am an idealist and I wish that it could be as simple as surviving only on raw vegan foods.
With books like The Vegetarian Myth
Raw Veganism and Animal Rights
I know of monks in China who are completely vegetarian. Still, there are other monks who choose to eat animals because they say that eating only vegetables does not limit the amount of harm done to other life forms like bugs, worms, etc.
Of course the real problem is not so much the fact that some people choose to eat animal products at all. But rather the way animal products are sourced unethically.
We are growing animals in factories. These dark conditions are certainly no way to raise animals, let alone animals to be eaten.
So here’s my take away point
You are an individual and you are allowed to research, experiment, and see for yourself what works best for you and your body type.
If that includes raw dairy products, a little bit of meat or fish, or some ethically sourced eggs then I say go for it.
Some of the most nature-respecting native peoples were hunters who ate animal products. They never abused the earth and they made the most of their position as shepherds of the planet.
It’s our time to do the same.
If you’re going to take care of yourself, you need to care of the planet as well.
That means eating organic, grass fed, ethically sourced animal products if you choose to do so.
That also means including lots of raw fruits and vegetables into your daily diet.
Finally, breathe deep…
Just because there is division in the raw food movement, doesn’t mean that eating fruits and vegetables raw is less effective or less important for your health.
I believe it’s important to get everything out in the open and to really dig deep.
{ 13 comments }
I COMPLETELY CONCUR with all those points!
I especially don't like labels, and I'm trying not to think of it in a “percentage” way either, anymore. Just, as much raw food as possible, as much as I want.
Great post. Nothing more I can say than that. :D
I have had mixed feelings about a raw vegan diet/movement since I went raw/vegan for nine straight months a few years ago and had to stop for health reasons. The raw movement really exploded over the past few years, though natural health pioneers have been talking about the benefits of raw foods since the end of the 19th century.
I think the problem came from the recent so-called raw food gurus who demonized anyone who dare go against the grain. When I was learning about the lifestyle, I belonged to a half a dozen forums and message boards and most teachers offered very little flexibility. There was too much focus on numbers, percentages and there was a lot of pressure to “do it right”.
A lot of the motivation from these people was purely financial. If they could sell books, videos, prepared raw food products, and seminars (where they could further sell their items), they were going to make sure they were not going to lose business – even if they themselves are not walking the talk.
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Yay I'm so glad you're not thinking in percentages either! I love it: as much raw food, as much as I want. Yum yum. :)
I think I know which message boards you might be referring to, since I used to hang around boards a lot in the beginning of my journey too. You're so right to bring up the money thing, I think that just changes the whole dynamic of trying to find what works for each person as opposed to what sells books, etc.
Thanks so much for sharing your point of view, especially since you've been there and gone through a lot of these changes in the raw movement. :)
Not that trying to earn a living in the movement is a bad thing either. But when your motivation is purely profit with nothing to do with helping people, then that's when it becomes dicey.
Great post! (btw that was the sweetest “rant” I've ever heard!) I think you hit the nail on the head. Too many people trying to strictly categorize themselves – vegan, raw-vegan, primal, wapf etc- when in actual fact if we just continue be informed (via quality research and info) eat REAL food and tune into our bodies , we can make the best choices for ourselves regardless..
Thanks Justine! I totally agree: categories are great at meeting similar people, but they're also great at putting up barriers. Woohoo for real food! :)
Thank you Nathalie. That is why I like you. You remind us that it is OK to enjoy the fresh wholesome things that this earth has to offer – even if some of them are cooked. The messages you write always seems to have an underlying tone of “There's a place for just about everyone. Come join.” :)
Aww thanks Linda. I never thought about it before, but that is a message I want to give. You don't need to fit a certain title/label to eat more fresh fruits and veggies, that would just be silly! ;)
I totally agree with your stake on this. In any movement, it is never healthy to go to the extremes. Eating more raw food is about listening more to your body's needs, therefore no-one should be pressured to go 100% raw and vegan. That is why your approach is so refreshing, as you accompany people into their journey to health rather than imposing a lifestyle.
Life is to be joyful and fun, if a raw vegan diet feels too restrictive and not enjoyable, what is the point?
As you noted, as consumers, we have the responsibility to inquiry about what we buy and make sure to support ethical food production by buying local, organic and ethic farming, whatever our diet is.
Yes! Life is meant to be enjoyed, not guiltified and stuff. Yeeks! Thought you're also spot on when you mention that it's our responsibility to make sure we're buying ethical products and food. :)
Thank you for commenting on my post about not being vegan anymore: http://thelabrawtory.com/2010/03/09/i-am-no-lon…
Your support and kind words mean alot! :)
p.s. LOVE your blog!! Putting it my reader right now. ;)
Yay – awesome stuff! :)
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