The raw vegan conundrum, and the reason why I believe some raw vegans have difficulty over the long term, is as follows:

Bonobos and chimps, our nearest primate relatives with virtually identical digestive systems, eat about 6 or 7 HOURS a day, and the reason they spend so much time eating is because they are spending time chewing green leaves. Green leaves are a mainstay of their diets and are eaten in greater proportion to fruit than the proportion eaten by human raw foodists. Primates will always win the greens-eating contest with humans because it is simply not practical for humans to eat their truly natural diet -- the diet of bonobos and chimps -- which includes 6-7 hours worth of masticated greens per day.

Some have suggested drinking quantities of green juice as a substitute, and that is an excellent solution, however the VOLUME of roughage providing the satiation from that low-fat jungle fare will be absent.

And this is the true source of the conundrum -- what can raw vegans do when it is simply not practical to eat the true quantity of low-fat greens required by our most natural diet? IMO, this green leaf bulk is the "missing" raw vegan food that is the source of all deficiencies and cravings, and that which causes raw vegans to look to supplementation, food sources beyond raw veganism, or else imbalanced raw vegan diets.

For example, to provide the feeling of satisfaction that the "missing greens" would provide, some raw vegans turn to fats -- nuts, seeds, avocados -- to provide the fullness. Some go high fruit and low fat, with a greens component that is high compared to SAD but low compared to bonobos and chimps. Some turn to grains, though this is not an ideal human food. Some raw vegans become raw vegetarians while others turn to raw omnivorism (carnivorism). And of course there is cooked food, where it is easy to find low-fat, low-sugar, filling food -- unlike raw veganism where there are no "dense" low-fat AND low-sugar fruits or vegetables. Ironically, in spite of the never-ending search, none of these dietary pursuits will find the humble missing greens.

Since it is not possible to mimic the proportions of food eaten by our primate relatives and live as a modern human, a decision must be made on the part of every raw vegan on where the "bulk" of the diet will come from -- what will provide the fullness/calories? It seems that every choice involves a compromise.

Kudos to Victoria Boutenko for recognizing the "missing greens" element and her promotion of green smoothies.



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 02/22/2007 03:51AM by learningtofly.