QuestionQUESTION: hello. i am transitioning into a raw diet, and have a question relating to the storage of raw meats. i've read that freezing meat can cause some of the same type "bad effects" as heating, and cooking... is this true? is freezing meat an unwise practice?
ANSWER: There's not much scientific data on this, and the detailed scientific page I used to refer to has been deleted from the Internet. From what I've read and experienced, freezing meat ruptures the cell-membranes within the meat, so that once thawed, nutrient-loss is rapid. This explains why thawed prefrozen meat tastes less good than nonfrozen meat. Incidentally, due to this effect, never refreeze a piece of meat once it has thawed, just eat it all(or cut it up into tiny separate pieces before sticking it into the freezer).
Aajonus likes to claim that freezing meat destroys something like 25% of its nutritional value. I would disagree. Freezing does seem to do a little structural damage to the enzymes in the meat(I have come across one RPDer who claimed that freezing meat gradually destroys all the enzymes by the end of the 10th week of storage - not sure that's true, though). But freezing definitely is nowhere near as harmful as cooking, as cooking adds numerous heat-created toxins and greater nutrient-losses etc.
My recommendation, based on the above, is to not worry too much if you have no choice but to buy prefrozen meats. However, if you can get hold of nonfrozen meats, that would be better(especially since taste is important to newbies transitioning to a raw diet). For example, if you have a local farm delivering to your door, get them to have the meat chilled(ie nonfrozen meat surrounded by ice-packs) rather than having them prefrozen like they usually insist on for storage purposes.
RPG.
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QUESTION: i do have the ability to purchase fresh, unfrozen, grass fed beef... and purchased a "small" (1/2 pound) chunk the other night. my first meal with this beef was nothing short of wonderful, however, my fear was keeping the unused portion in the fridge for 4 or more days, as it may take longer to consume this amount of beef...
i placed the remaining, 'uncut' amount in the freezer last night, with the intention of cutting frozen bits from it as needed. i figured freezing small portions would be a lesser choice, due to the increased surface area. you are correct about the lack of information online, and i greatly appreciate your input. i am excited to continue experimenting with this diet, the last two nights have yielded positive results, however 'unconventional' raw meat consumption may be... (the first night was with a quality, thin cut veal, i had the option of purchasing a single - use amount). i am sure the beef will not be frozen for more than a week before being consumed.
i have tried to join the raw paleo diet forum as a means of learning and asking questions, however it has been nearly 4 days, with no activation email sent to my account, with no obvious recourse. trying to re-register has not been successful, since it tells me my username and email are currently in use (by me, of course!). if you are capable of assisting in this way also, i would be thankful. i do have additional questions regarding recipes and preparations.
again, thank you for your reply.
ANSWER: I need the username and password you used re rawpaleoforum.
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QUESTION: username: bookittyrun
password: nicepants
it occurred to me during my last reply... here i am, worried about the length of time i keep a cut of beef in the refrigerator, and seeking advise from someone who has consumed "high-meat"... it's a funny thought! i feel like i am very close to going full-raw #i'm still boiling rice, a little dressing on greens, and drinking coffee#, and in my forth day #today#, i awoke for work, with no desire to smoke cigarettes. i bought a pack this morning anyway, anticipating a craving that never really happened... have you heard of this?
AnswerGS has claimed he solved the reactivation issue. he must have sent you an e-mail.
As regards cravings, yes, it often happens. I found, for example, that, although I needed them, when I was in my pre-RPD diet phase, I found that, after the age of 25, that cooked animal foods became tasteless to me. When I switched to RPD diet, therefore, it was much easier for me to transition.
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