A few days ago I asked fans of Superhero Activation on facebook to let me know what their perceived barriers are to eating as healthy as they would like to in their everyday lives. One of the responses was this:
Honestly, my job and my body ...I know that sounds like a lame excuse but fasting and raw/vegan foods aren't substantial enough to sustain me. I DO supplement with nuts, avocados, olive oil on everything and at the end of the day ...like, if I don't at least do sushi or something like that, I will be passing out or it will take away from my PT. I'd love if I could break away for a month and just do yoga and take it down a notch!!!
I've heard this complaint many times before; raw food just isn't hearty enough. I work from 8-5, five days a week. In addition to working I walk everywhere I go (an average of over 3 miles a day), walk my dog, and practice ballet. My life doesn't actually leave a lot of time for food preparation, and it can be pretty physically demanding. My friend who fasted with me often works 10-12 hour shifts on his feet as a waiter, and while not taking time off for the fast was a strain on his body, he is able to happily sustain himself through long days of work on raw foods. Now that I eat mostly raw foods, I really notice how cooked foods slow me down and decrease my energy level when I do have them. I had all the same perceptions of eating raw before I started, so I totally understand your hesitation! Here's an example of a day of 100% raw eating that is nutritionally complete and totally satisfying!
Breakfast: Mango-Avocado-Kiwi Salad with Cashew Dressing
I changed this recipe a little to bulk it up a bit by including one whole kiwi.
Another possibility for breakfast are smoothies, which you can bulk up with almost as much protein as you'd like with either chia seeds or RAW Protein powder. Along with a handful of sunflower seeds, a well-crafted smoothie is definitely enough to keep you going for the morning. I like to bring mine with me to work in a thermos or travel cup and sip on it throughout the morning.
Lunch: Pesto-Chia Wraps with Cashew-Garlic "Cheese", Tomatoes and Greens
One of the foods I thought I'd have to live without when I started eating raw was sandwiches. This was something I could not abide. I actually assembled these yesterday on my desk on a napkin. I brought all the components with me and just made them when I had three minutes to snag a bite.
Wraps (makes 8 small wraps):
- 1/2 cup ground chia
- 3 tablespoons pesto
- 1/2 small tomato, diced
- enough water to form a gel
Let the mixture sit until the gel forms around the chia, and then spread over a teflex sheet. Dehydrate 4 hours, flipping them over once halfway through, on 115 degrees. Cut into rectangles and store in a ziplock bag in the fridge. If you don't have a dehydrator, try a collard wrap instead.
Cashew-Garlic "Cheese"
- 1/2 cup cashews
- 1/2 clove garlic
- 3 tablespoons raw apple cider vinegar
- water as needed
Blend in food processor. Add water as needed until a spreadable "cheese" forms.
Assemble wraps!

(the nutrition value listed is for 1 snack wrap sized wrap, I had two of these for lunch yesterday) If you get peckish in between lunch and dinner, try a Larabar- they are raw, delicious, and available at most grocery stores.
For dinner, since the comment mentioned sushi, you could have cauliflower nori or any of the other raw entrees I recommend. For more everyday raw ideas, check out my post on a sample day of raw eating.
I hope this helps give you some ideas of how to make filling, raw foods that can sustain you through the workday!
Be well and be bright!
Jill