Paleo to fix health issues??

PastelSquash
PastelSquash Posts: 7 Member
edited November 13 in Food and Nutrition
I recently started eating paleo and I am amazed at how full I feel. I'm not concerned about calories as long as I'm eating the right foods.
I have fibromyalgia and an abundance of mental health issues (including binge eating disorder). Paleo seems like the only way to feel better.

What I'm looking for is some new friends to share paleo recipes, success stories and support and motivation. Anyone who is trying to better their health through the foods they eat (paleo or not).

Anyone else here tried paleo to fix health issues? Any success?
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Replies

  • Hamsibian
    Hamsibian Posts: 1,388 Member
    I'm on the Autoimmune paleo protocol, and last Friday was my 6 month mark. I have experienced some positive stuff within the first few weeks, and just last week I've seen significant improvement in my symptoms. I still have to track calories because I have to gain weight while eating low carb as well (around 100g net carbs daily). I am loving this diet right now, my family tried some of my food the other day, and they raved at how delicious it was haha! I don't feel deprived thankfully.
  • crzycatlady1
    crzycatlady1 Posts: 1,930 Member
    edited November 2016
    Nothing wrong with eating a certain way if it makes you feel better, however, in terms of weight you do still need to be aware of calorie intake because that's the only thing that matters for weight loss, weight gain and weight maintenance. I've hung out on a couple paleo/primal forums and there were quite a few people who struggled with weight gains since switching to this kind of woe. 'Right kinds of foods' does not cancel out needing to eat the right amount of calories. In my own experiment with paleo years ago, I gained several pounds and had to abandon it because I developed some health issues with that way of eating.

    Good luck to you as you navigate through your health issues, I have an aunt to has fibromyalgia and it's really rough ~hugs~
  • Michael190lbs
    Michael190lbs Posts: 1,510 Member
    edited November 2016
    I just started reading on this diet a couple weeks ago and have been living it the past two years pretty much and must admit I have never felt better than I do today
  • singingflutelady
    singingflutelady Posts: 8,736 Member
    @Hamsibian I keep looking at aip but it looks like it encourages eating a lot of vegetables which are a huge no no for me :(
  • josh6466
    josh6466 Posts: 2 Member
    From what I have learned and understand from my doctor, there is no one diet that will fix your health issues. Certain low carb regimes seem to have some very good health benefits, but the overarching theme is find a diet you can stick with and roll with it. And no diet will work if you aren't allowed to cheat just a little bit. I took Keto too far and gained a lot of weight when some very stressful things happened in my life, in part because I was a little *too* keto. Here's to trying it again in moderation.
  • Hamsibian
    Hamsibian Posts: 1,388 Member
    @Hamsibian I keep looking at aip but it looks like it encourages eating a lot of vegetables which are a huge no no for me :(
    Yeah, vegetables are a tough one for us!! I have to eat them cooked and super soft like steamed or roasted. Forget about broccoli and cauliflower, plus I have to keep some like carrots at a minimum. I can't eat anything raw at all. If I remember, you can handle starchy carbs and grains...those are no no's for me. I miss rice. Crohn's stinks!
  • amgerbin
    amgerbin Posts: 49 Member
    I vote for primal paleo. It has changed our lives and we've never felt better. However, even on the plan, you have to find what works for you. I realized I needed a piece of fruit in the afternoon while my BF did not. So still listen to your body but huge fan of primal paleo. I've had to buy all new clothes - twice!
  • SLLRunner
    SLLRunner Posts: 12,942 Member
    I recently started eating paleo and I am amazed at how full I feel. I'm not concerned about calories as long as I'm eating the right foods.
    I have fibromyalgia and an abundance of mental health issues (including binge eating disorder). Paleo seems like the only way to feel better.

    What I'm looking for is some new friends to share paleo recipes, success stories and support and motivation. Anyone who is trying to better their health through the foods they eat (paleo or not).

    Anyone else here tried paleo to fix health issues? Any success?

    So, you are doing Paelo for health reason instead of weight loss?

    I ask because eating the right foods has all to do with nutrition and nothing to do with weight management. In order to lose weight you have to eat less calories than your burn no matter what type of food you eat.

    I have not tried the paleo diet, but I have to eat a certain way to deal with intolerance to lactose, soy and wheat, as well as digestive issues, so I can relate. :)
  • cwolfman13
    cwolfman13 Posts: 41,865 Member
    I use food for wellness, but I'm not paleo...I just eat a lot of whole foods...Paleo is great in that it introduces people to more whole food eating...and then they go *kitten* it up by demonizing other perfectly good whole foods.
  • SLLRunner
    SLLRunner Posts: 12,942 Member
    amgerbin wrote: »
    I vote for primal paleo. It has changed our lives and we've never felt better. However, even on the plan, you have to find what works for you. I realized I needed a piece of fruit in the afternoon while my BF did not. So still listen to your body but huge fan of primal paleo. I've had to buy all new clothes - twice!

    What is primal peleo?

    I ask because it brought this image to mind..... :D

    release-your-inner-carnivore-a-caveman-is-hunting-a-wild-boar-with-a-spear.jpg
  • singingflutelady
    singingflutelady Posts: 8,736 Member
    edited November 2016
    Hamsibian wrote: »
    @Hamsibian I keep looking at aip but it looks like it encourages eating a lot of vegetables which are a huge no no for me :(
    Yeah, vegetables are a tough one for us!! I have to eat them cooked and super soft like steamed or roasted. Forget about broccoli and cauliflower, plus I have to keep some like carrots at a minimum. I can't eat anything raw at all. If I remember, you can handle starchy carbs and grains...those are no no's for me. I miss rice. Crohn's stinks!

    Yes to starchy vegetables and no to grains. I can eat white carbs but whole grains kill me
  • amgerbin
    amgerbin Posts: 49 Member
    SLLRunner wrote: »
    amgerbin wrote: »
    I vote for primal paleo. It has changed our lives and we've never felt better. However, even on the plan, you have to find what works for you. I realized I needed a piece of fruit in the afternoon while my BF did not. So still listen to your body but huge fan of primal paleo. I've had to buy all new clothes - twice!

    What is primal peleo?

    I ask because it brought this image to mind..... :D

    release-your-inner-carnivore-a-caveman-is-hunting-a-wild-boar-with-a-spear.jpg

    This isn't funny SLLRunner. Eating right and getting your body in a good place is a very serious topic for people.
  • butterbuns123
    butterbuns123 Posts: 150 Member
    There is a lot of research and study that would strongly suggest against a paleo diet for any attempt at health.
  • cerise_noir
    cerise_noir Posts: 5,468 Member
    Paleo did the complete opposite for me 'issues' (IBS, mental health issues, fibro, other digestive issue, migraines).
    amgerbin wrote: »
    SLLRunner wrote: »
    amgerbin wrote: »
    I vote for primal paleo. It has changed our lives and we've never felt better. However, even on the plan, you have to find what works for you. I realized I needed a piece of fruit in the afternoon while my BF did not. So still listen to your body but huge fan of primal paleo. I've had to buy all new clothes - twice!

    What is primal peleo?

    I ask because it brought this image to mind..... :D

    release-your-inner-carnivore-a-caveman-is-hunting-a-wild-boar-with-a-spear.jpg

    This isn't funny SLLRunner. Eating right and getting your body in a good place is a very serious topic for people.
    Let's not start a fight and derail the thread. I know @SLLRunner meant no malice by posting the cartoon. She asked a valid question and tried to lighten up the post.
  • AnvilHead
    AnvilHead Posts: 18,343 Member
    There is a lot of research and study that would strongly suggest against a paleo diet for any attempt at health.

    That's an awfully broad statement. Links to said research?


    Disclaimer: I'm not a paleo eater - I don't believe in any diet which arbitrarily excludes foods/entire food groups, and I think the "principles" behind paleo are laughably phony and flawed - but I also think it's ridiculous to say that nobody could possibly create a healthy paleo diet.
  • butterbuns123
    butterbuns123 Posts: 150 Member
    Well check out mic. The vegan on YouTube. He cites all his info and there is a pretty overwhelming concensus among cardiologists that paleo is not okay for arteries. Aswell as the paleo diet not really actually following what paleo man would have eaten.
  • AnvilHead
    AnvilHead Posts: 18,343 Member
    edited November 2016
    Well check out mic. The vegan on YouTube. He cites all his info and there is a pretty overwhelming concensus among cardiologists that paleo is not okay for arteries. Aswell as the paleo diet not really actually following what paleo man would have eaten.

    I agree 100% that the paleo diet does not actually follow what paleo man would have eaten. The whole premise is silly and ridiculous.

    As for asking a vegan about a paleo diet....LOL. LOLOL. Thanks, but I'll pass on a YouTube video by a vegan as an "information source". Would love to see the link to research indicating that there's an "overwhelming consensus among cardiologists that paleo is not okay for arteries". If it's that overwhelming, surely there's plenty of published literature about the research leading to those conclusions.
  • janejellyroll
    janejellyroll Posts: 25,763 Member
    newmeadow wrote: »
    Did you folks know that humans ate plant foods thousands of years ago?

    Yes, we know. Which is why classic "Paleo" encourages the eating of plenty of non-starchy plant foods.

    And yes, yes, we know that calling the diet "Paleo" was a bit shortsighted and unfortunate. Which encourages the posting of hilarious cartoons featuring cavemen chasing warthogs with targets painted on their asss. To innocently lighten up the mood of course.

    Paleo is just a poorly named elimination diet which, scientifically or anecdotally, improves the mental and physical health of the vast majority of its loyal adherents. Sigh. But carry on with the thread.

    "Scientifically or anecdotally"?
  • cwolfman13
    cwolfman13 Posts: 41,865 Member
    newmeadow wrote: »
    Did you folks know that humans ate plant foods thousands of years ago?

    Yes, we know. Which is why classic "Paleo" encourages the eating of plenty of non-starchy plant foods.

    And yes, yes, we know that calling the diet "Paleo" was a bit shortsighted and unfortunate. Which encourages the posting of hilarious cartoons featuring cavemen chasing warthogs with targets painted on their asss. To innocently lighten up the mood of course.

    Paleo is just a poorly named elimination diet which, scientifically or anecdotally, improves the mental and physical health of the vast majority of its loyal adherents. Sigh. But carry on with the thread.

    You see, the thing is...you can have a very healthy diet that includes a lot of whole foods and whatnot...and you don't need some weird name to go by and you don't have to demonize and eliminate certain whole foods which are also perfectly healthy and good for you...

    And actually, there are some legit medical concerns with Paleo and the amount of meat they eat...my BIL has been paleo for years...he's still overweight and has some major cholesterol issues...anecdotally...

    but sigh...carry on.
  • amgerbin
    amgerbin Posts: 49 Member
    cwolfman13 wrote: »
    newmeadow wrote: »
    Did you folks know that humans ate plant foods thousands of years ago?

    Yes, we know. Which is why classic "Paleo" encourages the eating of plenty of non-starchy plant foods.

    And yes, yes, we know that calling the diet "Paleo" was a bit shortsighted and unfortunate. Which encourages the posting of hilarious cartoons featuring cavemen chasing warthogs with targets painted on their asss. To innocently lighten up the mood of course.

    Paleo is just a poorly named elimination diet which, scientifically or anecdotally, improves the mental and physical health of the vast majority of its loyal adherents. Sigh. But carry on with the thread.

    You see, the thing is...you can have a very healthy diet that includes a lot of whole foods and whatnot...and you don't need some weird name to go by and you don't have to demonize and eliminate certain whole foods which are also perfectly healthy and good for you...

    And actually, there are some legit medical concerns with Paleo and the amount of meat they eat...my BIL has been paleo for years...he's still overweight and has some major cholesterol issues...anecdotally...

    but sigh...carry on.

    Then he should have been working with a doctor, if not multiple, as well. I don't believe that Paleo gave him the issues. Sorry - not buying it.
  • cwolfman13
    cwolfman13 Posts: 41,865 Member
    amgerbin wrote: »
    cwolfman13 wrote: »
    newmeadow wrote: »
    Did you folks know that humans ate plant foods thousands of years ago?

    Yes, we know. Which is why classic "Paleo" encourages the eating of plenty of non-starchy plant foods.

    And yes, yes, we know that calling the diet "Paleo" was a bit shortsighted and unfortunate. Which encourages the posting of hilarious cartoons featuring cavemen chasing warthogs with targets painted on their asss. To innocently lighten up the mood of course.

    Paleo is just a poorly named elimination diet which, scientifically or anecdotally, improves the mental and physical health of the vast majority of its loyal adherents. Sigh. But carry on with the thread.

    You see, the thing is...you can have a very healthy diet that includes a lot of whole foods and whatnot...and you don't need some weird name to go by and you don't have to demonize and eliminate certain whole foods which are also perfectly healthy and good for you...

    And actually, there are some legit medical concerns with Paleo and the amount of meat they eat...my BIL has been paleo for years...he's still overweight and has some major cholesterol issues...anecdotally...

    but sigh...carry on.

    Then he should have been working with a doctor, if not multiple, as well. I don't believe that Paleo gave him the issues. Sorry - not buying it.

    Well, he didn't have them before...and he's ignoring them now...'cuz paleo.

    I take it you're a paleo crusader...that's another issue I have with the diet...the religious zealotry that comes with it and the notion that it's infallible...
  • amgerbin
    amgerbin Posts: 49 Member
    And...it was the cardiologist that suggested Paleo. To support her findings after testing. Again, each individual's situation is unique. Blanket statements about what works across the board are not right and neither are statements telling people that what they are doing is not legitimate. You don't know the entire story. Original poster was looking for support. Get over yourselves.
  • cwolfman13
    cwolfman13 Posts: 41,865 Member
    amgerbin wrote: »
    And...it was the cardiologist that suggested Paleo. To support her findings after testing. Again, each individual's situation is unique. Blanket statements about what works across the board are not right and neither are statements telling people that what they are doing is not legitimate. You don't know the entire story. Original poster was looking for support. Get over yourselves.

    You're missing the point...you can "eat right" and it doesn't need some name like paleo or primal paleo or whatever...just eat more whole foods...

    This was my OP on the subject...
    cwolfman13 wrote: »
    I use food for wellness, but I'm not paleo...I just eat a lot of whole foods...Paleo is great in that it introduces people to more whole food eating...and then they go *kitten* it up by demonizing other perfectly good whole foods.

    One of my major issues with Paleo is that they actually demonize certain whole foods...

    I eat a substantially plant based diet and I'm healthy as *kitten* for it...yet many of the things I routinely eat are "devil" foods from this so called super healthy diet.
  • vingogly
    vingogly Posts: 1,785 Member
    If you click on Groups up in the the top menu, then search for paleo, there are a LOT of paleo oriented groups on MFP. It's not for me, but if you think it helps you, go for it.
  • melaniedscott
    melaniedscott Posts: 1,458 Member
    newmeadow wrote: »
    amgerbin wrote: »
    And...it was the cardiologist that suggested Paleo. To support her findings after testing. Again, each individual's situation is unique. Blanket statements about what works across the board are not right and neither are statements telling people that what they are doing is not legitimate. You don't know the entire story. Original poster was looking for support. Get over yourselves.

    Right on. Paleo Critics at MFP routinely brag about their superior health on the threads. All while eating measured amounts of frosted layered cake, fast food hush puppies and chicken fried rice - because they're completely in control and all and want the world to know it. Also don't forget they're hiking mountains, lifting mammoth barbells while scantily clad and biking 20 miles a day....

    You forgot to add, "in the snow, uphill, both ways...
    newmeadow wrote: »
    amgerbin wrote: »
    And...it was the cardiologist that suggested Paleo. To support her findings after testing. Again, each individual's situation is unique. Blanket statements about what works across the board are not right and neither are statements telling people that what they are doing is not legitimate. You don't know the entire story. Original poster was looking for support. Get over yourselves.

    They love to remind us of this while posting pics to back it up.

    What's fundamentally distasteful about the above is that people interested in Paleo, and those who choose to adhere to it, are often not in the best of health and make themselves vulnerable by admitting it on the discussion boards. And the Paleo Critics always jump in Paleo threads to declare that Paleo is unnecessary, stupid, poorly named, funny and potentially unhealthy. And anecdotally demonic. Every. single. time.

    You realize this describes adherants as well as critics. Same with Atkins, South Beach, etc. Adherants and critics do the same thing for pretty much all fad diets. Bacon diet people, too (or did Janet Evonavich just make that up? Hard to tell with some of the fad diets that pop up).

  • Skyblueyellow
    Skyblueyellow Posts: 225 Member
    You should eat the way that makes you feel great.

    I eat low carb because it makes me feel great. Lots of people jump on that as being a fad, unnecessary, etc. It's unfortunate that people can't just be accepting. Paleo isn't my cup of tea (I do have an AI disease) but I think it's ridiculous for people to ridicule others for their choices. I don't see paleo as "demonizing" foods. Low carbers are often accused of this as well. There is a huge swath of space between "Oh my gawd you'll die if you eat that--you're so EVIL" and "Meh, I avoid X, Y, and Z because that's how I like to eat". I see Paleo as just one WOE that seems to work for many people.

  • crzycatlady1
    crzycatlady1 Posts: 1,930 Member
    edited November 2016
    amgerbin wrote: »
    cwolfman13 wrote: »
    newmeadow wrote: »
    Did you folks know that humans ate plant foods thousands of years ago?

    Yes, we know. Which is why classic "Paleo" encourages the eating of plenty of non-starchy plant foods.

    And yes, yes, we know that calling the diet "Paleo" was a bit shortsighted and unfortunate. Which encourages the posting of hilarious cartoons featuring cavemen chasing warthogs with targets painted on their asss. To innocently lighten up the mood of course.

    Paleo is just a poorly named elimination diet which, scientifically or anecdotally, improves the mental and physical health of the vast majority of its loyal adherents. Sigh. But carry on with the thread.

    You see, the thing is...you can have a very healthy diet that includes a lot of whole foods and whatnot...and you don't need some weird name to go by and you don't have to demonize and eliminate certain whole foods which are also perfectly healthy and good for you...

    And actually, there are some legit medical concerns with Paleo and the amount of meat they eat...my BIL has been paleo for years...he's still overweight and has some major cholesterol issues...anecdotally...

    but sigh...carry on.

    Then he should have been working with a doctor, if not multiple, as well. I don't believe that Paleo gave him the issues. Sorry - not buying it.

    I had to quit my paleo eating experiment after a. began gaining weight b. developed some pretty intense digestion problems, which I did not have prior to eating that way and c. it led to a very distorted and unhealthy mindset towards food and I found myself on a slippery slope towards orthorexia. I quit following that woe after family intervened and talked some sense into me. If you've had success with this woe than sure, keep doing it. But, just because you haven't had issues with it doesn't mean others haven't.
  • SLLRunner
    SLLRunner Posts: 12,942 Member
    edited November 2016
    amgerbin wrote: »
    SLLRunner wrote: »
    amgerbin wrote: »
    I vote for primal paleo. It has changed our lives and we've never felt better. However, even on the plan, you have to find what works for you. I realized I needed a piece of fruit in the afternoon while my BF did not. So still listen to your body but huge fan of primal paleo. I've had to buy all new clothes - twice!

    What is primal peleo?

    I ask because it brought this image to mind..... :D

    release-your-inner-carnivore-a-caveman-is-hunting-a-wild-boar-with-a-spear.jpg

    This isn't funny SLLRunner. Eating right and getting your body in a good place is a very serious topic for people.

    Oh please, it's humor to go with the question, which you have no answered. ;):)

    What IS primal paleo, please?
  • SLLRunner
    SLLRunner Posts: 12,942 Member
    Paleo did the complete opposite for me 'issues' (IBS, mental health issues, fibro, other digestive issue, migraines).
    amgerbin wrote: »
    SLLRunner wrote: »
    amgerbin wrote: »
    I vote for primal paleo. It has changed our lives and we've never felt better. However, even on the plan, you have to find what works for you. I realized I needed a piece of fruit in the afternoon while my BF did not. So still listen to your body but huge fan of primal paleo. I've had to buy all new clothes - twice!

    What is primal peleo?

    I ask because it brought this image to mind..... :D

    release-your-inner-carnivore-a-caveman-is-hunting-a-wild-boar-with-a-spear.jpg

    This isn't funny SLLRunner. Eating right and getting your body in a good place is a very serious topic for people.
    Let's not start a fight and derail the thread. I know @SLLRunner meant no malice by posting the cartoon. She asked a valid question and tried to lighten up the post.

    Thank you. Indeed this is very true, there is no ill intent intended. :)
This discussion has been closed.