The calorie paradox for raw vegan foods can be stated succinctly, as follows:

• The raw vegan diet promoted as the "party line" does not satisfy minimum calorie requirements in its strict form. Active healthy adults (i.e., in Western countries) need, on average, at least 2,000 calories of energy per day from their diet. However, the foods that usually comprise the raw vegan diet, with the exception of avocados, nuts, dried fruit, and sweet fruit juices, are relatively low-calorie-density. That is, they provide only limited calories per pound or kilogram of food. Hence, to acquire the 2,000 calories needed per day, raw vegans who follow the "party line" and limit their consumption of avocados, nuts, and dried fruit need to consume, as we will see: (a) very large amounts, each day, of the lower-calorie-density foods (raw vegetables, fruits, legume sprouts), or (b) ingest significant quantities of sweet fruit juice (which has the side-effect of excess sugar consumption).

  It should be noted that actual calorie requirements will vary by individual according to age, gender, size (weight), level of physical activity, special situations (e.g., growing children, pregnancy and lactation, etc.), and other factors. The figure of 2,000 calories is used as a standard in this paper because it is a relatively conservative minimum for adults in most Western countries. Of course, as requirements vary, individuals who wish to have a more precise estimate of their calorie requirements might want to consult Recommended Dietary Allowances (National Research Council, 1989, National Academy Press, Washington, D.C.) for details.

• What are the predictable and/or actual problems that happen when individuals do try to follow the "party line" strictly? Two questions arise here which characterize the raw vegan calorie paradox: The first is whether it is possible to attempt option "a" above without losing excessive weight and eventually becoming emaciated on the (relatively) modest quantities of plant foods some advocates claim to get by on (compared to what would actually be required). And the second is whether the amounts of fruit juices necessary under option "b" are advisable or even sustainable in the long run (due to the very high sugar content) without risking serious health problems.

The discussion here of the calorie paradox is inspired by the discussion of the topic in The Natural Hygiene Handbook (1996, American Natural Hygiene Society, pp. 46-47), although they don't use the terminology "paradox." Careful consideration and evaluation of the raw calorie paradox provides valuable insights into raw veganism, and goes a considerable way toward explaining why so very few people succeed or thrive, long term, on 100% raw vegan diets, and also why so many raw vegans are extremely thin/emaciated.

• Calories ARE relevant: a critique of Herbert Shelton on calories

• The paradox: quantity of raw vegan food required for sufficient calories
  • Table of daily food quantities of different raw food types needed to provide 2,000 calories (Categories: vegetables, sweet fruit, neutral fruit, legumes, starches/grains, fatty foods, nuts/oily seeds)

  Discussion:
  
  • Vegetables only--the "gorilla diet"
    
  • 100% sweet fruit diets--are you sure that you are getting enough sugar? ;-)
    
  • Fruit-juice diets are not a long-term solution
    
  • Dried fruit--concentrated sugar
    
  • Neutral fruit does not solve the paradox/sugar problem
    
  • Legumes--sprouted and/or cooked
    
  • Sprouted grains and starch foods
    
  • Cooked starches
    
  • Fats--avocados and nuts
    
  • Is a diet of sweet fruit and avocados the answer to the calorie paradox?

• REALITY CHECK #1: Stomach capacity vs. food required

• REALITY CHECK #2: Excreting the food mass

• REALITY CHECK #3: Using the paradox to assess credibility of "experts"

• REALITY CHECK #4: What is your primary calorie source?
  • Why 100% raw vegans eat so much avocado and nuts, or overeat sugar (fruit)
    
  • The calorie paradox explains why prominent (raw) organizations endorse/allow cooked (starch) foods
    
  • What raw vegans can do to partially mitigate the calorie paradox
    
  • Ranking the workability of various 100% raw vegan diets
    
  • Please don't overeat!

• Postscript: Foods not mentioned
  • Protein
    
  • Acid Fruits
    
  • Oils
    
  • Animal Foods

• In closing: Advice to readers

• Appendix 1: Primary calorie sources for raw vegans--summary

• Appendix 2: Details of table and calculations
  • Sources
    
  • Details

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(Calories ARE Relevant: A Critique of Herbert Shelton on Calories)

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