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From:	Just Me (67.137.157.170)
Subject:	Re: do we really need to eat vegetables?
Date:	June 18, 2012 at 2:05 pm PST

In Reply to: do we really need to eat vegetables? posted by Alicia on June 18, 2012 at 1:07 pm:

Hi Alicia,

According to Dr. Graham:

"Some people adopt a totally fruitarian diet, meaning they attempt to live exclusively on fruits, but I do not recommend this practice. Dark-green leafy vegetables provide minerals and other nutrients essential for optimum nutrition and health." The 80-10-10 Diet, p. 26

Regarding cruciferous vegetables like broccoli, cauliflower, kale, collards, brussel sprouts, and cabbage, he says:

"These vegetables are best digested when eaten in their youngest and most tender state." The 80-10-10 Diet, pp. 26-27

He also says:

"I do not recommend an all-fruit diet. In my experience, we must eat vegetables, especially dark leafy greens, in order to experience optimum nutrition and ideal health. I recommend that 2 to 6% of our total calories consumed, on average, come from greens. In terms of volume, this would mean somewhere between 1 and 4 heads of lettuce, or 1/4 to pound of kale or 1/2 to 2 pounds of spinach per day (depending on how many calories you normally consume." The 80-10-10 Diet, p. 233

Fortunately, I've always loved plain salads (even as I child I'd say, "No dressing, please! I want to taste my salad." I can eat a head of romaine, or most any other lettuce (okay, not the bitter lettuces; I stay away from those) all by itself.

For you, I suggest experimenting. There are SO MANY varieties of young, tender leafy greens. I've found those locally grown (at local organic farms) or in my own back yard taste the best. You're still very early on this journey. I've heard of so many who grew to crave and enjoy greens after a while.

"We derive our best predigested fats adequate to meet our fatty-acid needs from fruits and tender leaves." The 80-10-10 Diet, p. 25

You can not get this from nuts or seeds (the ratio is highly skewed toward the omega 6 side, where we want as close to a 1:1 ratio as possible -- yes, even for walnuts which are touted as being high in omega 3s; the omega 6s are over 4x times higher), with the exception of flax and chia. I'm not saying nuts and seeds are "bad"; just keep in mind, in the overall scheme of things, that they are not going to do your omega 3:6 ratio any favors unless you include lots of melons and leafies as well.

Finally, words of wisdom from Dr. Rozalind Gruben-Graham:

"The number one source of all minerals is your vegetables; your number two source is your fruits. When it comes to vitamins it's the other way around. Vitamins . . . your number one source is fruit and the number two source is vegetables." Raw Nutritional Science, Part 1

So, this is my understanding. Keep in mind that I am not trained in nutrition; I just read and listen to anything and everything from Dr. Graham and his wife. :) So, I trust that Dr. Graham will chime in if he sees errors in what I've posted.

Hope you find this helpful, Alicia. And, best wishes on your quest for tasty greens! :)

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