Hi, I am so glad to hear that you are feeling better! Maybe your hemoglobin levels were lower before when you were feeling like crap, and now that you have changed your diet they are actually on the rise! I would get them tested in a few months now that you are on your new diet and then see where they are at. They say that it takes 3 - 4 months for your body to recover. Maybe consider an iron supplement, there is a vegan one called Floravit that I liked. But because my energy levels were so low I have to take an animal product one, (yikes! I am so thankful to the animal livers) but I feel way better since so...
I am type O-. I hear you about the things on the Blood Type Diet that we cannot eat. I am just doing this myself, but I feel amazing. I am going to consult with a nutritionist, homeopath person soon though, I got a name from a friend. I just do research on the web usually. Like if I am craving something, I will go on line and look that food up and see what is in it and see why I may be craving it. For instance, I was craving bananas anytime I had some nuts, and I discovered that they have B6 which is necessary to metabolize protiens. Anyhow, there could be other reasons that I would be craving them, but.. who knows? :)
I don't know about your portion sizes. I think that as long as you are eating until you are satisfied you are ok. I think overeating is far more detrimental to our ability to absorb nutrients than anything. I also find that I need to eat alot of iron rich foods, like tomatoes and greens, lots of greens. I also like raisons or dried fruit in general. Nuts are also iron rich. I also found out that we need vitamin C to absorb iron and that calcium or mainly dairy products inhibit the absorption of iron as does caffeine.
The reason why I asked what you are eating that isn't raw is that I have found that I am very sensitive to grains. In fact I believe that I am gluten sensitive. However, I have found that I can have sprouted grain products such as essence bread. I read in my gluten intolerant book that anemia is often a symptom of gluten intolerance. And in my blood type book it is a symptom of a clogged up system, and they recommend protocols to clean up your system. So anyhow I am trying to see if as I detoxify from the diet that I am on whether my body will become more able to absorb the nutrients.
Anyhow some tibits....take care!
Layna

Hey, this is something interesting. I have found that I actually require less protein than I originally thought. My raw friend also said that this is the case. I think that I read somewhere that 5% of our calories are to come from protein. And you know what I was so surprised to find that carrots have protein! I used to run competitively and teach aerobics classes and at that time I used to eat about 130 grams of protein a day, but I had BIG TIME digestion problems and energy problems. Now I don't know how many grams I eat a day, but I find that I need less and less. I also just practice ashtanga yoga. In my transition to raw though I had some protein crises when I ate alot of nuts, but now I find I need less. But I do find I need to ensure I have a little protien in every meal, even if it is in the form of greens :) My raw friend said that protien is very acidic for our bodies, and I have found that to be the case. I have found that it has more to do with absorption and digestion than anything! SO quality protien versus quantity :) I also think that there is some validity to what a prior email said, in that the iron level standards have been derived from a non raw population. So, I am taking them with a grain of salt and going more by how I feel.
Anyhow, take care.
Layna

Hi Lorena,

You probably looked up quite some information on hemoglobin already... just in case this might add something for you. David Wolfe says about hemoglobin that it is the same molocule as chlorofyl with differing center minerals: iron in hemoglobin and magnesium in chlorofyl. Therefor green leafed vegies which are high in iron are the best way to turn sun energy into blood energy. Especially spinach and parsley are high in iron. Other sources of iron include water melon, berries, red flesh figs and pomegranate (red fruits).

take care, Leoni