Learning things about myself!

sylvanette

My Primal Lifestyle (still quite new at it) is turning out to be revealing and interesting. A few adjustments may be needed.

1. I used to think I didn't really like meat that much and worried how I'd manage. Turns out that when I'm not just eating dry chicken breasts all the time, I like it quite a lot!
2. I am eating normal servings for dinner (I think) and going to bed 2-3 hours later still feeling quite full. This is leading to heartburn, so I probably need to "flip" my meals and make breakfast my main meal... Problem is I just can't seem to eat much in the mornings! 2 eggs is about all I can manage. Tried 3 yesterday and ended up putting a fair bit in the fridge for lunch. Suggestions?
3. Hubby and I are enjoying our newfound hobby of cycling, and take things at a pretty leisurely pace, but still finding this is driving a craving for carbs. Maybe because I'm still pretty new to being primal?
4. Still struggling to get above 70g or so of protein a day without supplementing with a shake, which really seems to defeat the purpose!! Suggestions?

SteamClutch

You have probably already figured out this from this site and other that there is no "set" diet in this lifestyle, that said, I can only tell you that we all eat differently doing this and you will have to experiment possibly a lot before you can settle into a routine. I am still working on mine and I have been primal for around 8 or 9 months.

My routines are different on weekends and completely undefined, but on week days I do 3 eggs every morning with a green salsa usually and with some sort of onion in them also with some raw veggies like cherry tomatoes and some green olives (not vinegar soaked but natural ones). Lots of variable built in to decrease monotony. Lunch has a main meaty dish and a big salad and that repeats daily because I prepare my lunches on Sunday and make enough for the whole week, things like meatloaf, chilies, pulled pork etc. Dinner is similar to lunch but the meals are based on what my wife chooses to make and I pull from that (everyone here eats non primal but better than SAD) and a big salad.

Akimajuktuq

I have much experience with GERD, ulcers, etc. The doctors even decided that the opening to my stomach doesn't close fully (without actually looking of course). This lifestyle eliminated heartburn quickly and completely by normalizing my stomach acid (most people have LOW stomach acid, but are treated for having too much stomach acid!) and healing my digestive system in general. In my experience, heartburn is not normal. I eat at bed time almost every day because I sleep best on a full stomach and I don't eat breakfast at all.

So things are different for everyone but make sure you analyze your food as well to see if there are any specific foods that might be increasing your incidents of heartburn. For me, pre Paleo, I always thought it was onions, butter, coffee etc and it turned out to be none of the usual suspects. It was caused by my crappy diet in general even though it would happen even when I ate healthy food items, they were not the CAUSE.

However, with meal timing etc, absolutely find what works for you the best and do that. We are not all the same.

PS. Yes meat/fat is DELICIOUS and healthy. yay!

Dragonwolf

Paleo isn't necessarily low carb. While most people do do better on lower carb when they're trying to lose weight, doing so is not required. So, if you're going on longer bicycle rides, there's a possibility that having some more carbs on ride days would be beneficial, though you will need to experiment.

Without seeing what you're eating, here are some thoughts:

Eat more fats. Fats are fuel as much as carbs, and while it will take some time for your body to adjust, they can be your primary fuel even for bike rides, if you want. This may also help with your heartburn, too.

For the heartburn, try either a smaller meal in the evening, or eating sooner (or going to bed later). If you're still having trouble with heartburn at bedtime, drink some diluted apple cider vinegar (or whatever vinegar you have on hand should suffice). It sounds counter-intuitive, but as Akima pointed out, most of people's issue is not enough stomach acid, not too much.

sylvanette

Some fantastic advice. I may try some potatoes on bike ride days and just see, but my carbs aren't super low anyway (need to be lower if I want to lose, I think). I may just need to fight the cravings so my body can get used to using different fuel!

I'll also try looking back at my food diary when the heartburn hits and see if I can isolate a food. I've assumed until now that it was the full stomach!

Thanks for the suggestions. I'll let you know how I go on!

cindytw

in addition to ACV I would suggest digestive enzymes with meals. If you are feeling that full it is likely because you are not digesting properly. DIgestive enzymes and also HCL or ACV can help.