Some General Questions

cdngrl81

I haven't started going Primal yet, but plan on doing it in the near future - trying to get all my finances in order so we can do the first larger grocery shopping to stock up on all the "new" foods. But my question (or my husband's question, lol) is Can we still eat spaghetti (with noodles) from time to time? Obviously not all the time, but say like once a month? He loves his pasta and spaghetti squash is just not going to cut it.
Note: We plan on starting the program and following it strictly for 30 days, so that we can see the real benefits, but we would probably follow the plan afterwards about 90% of the time. I do like cake and cookies during the holidays.
Any comments would be truly appreciated.

GalaxyDuck

Pasta would be a no no, although it's up to you whether or not you allow yourselves a little cheat here and there. When I cheat, I still don't touch grains.

My advice would be to do the 30 days strict, no grains. Make sure to read your labels so nothing sneaks in there. Then after the 30 days, let him have some spaghetti noodles. If he feels anywhere as awful as I do when I eat pasta now, he likely won't see the need to include them in his diet.

Spaghetti squash isn't the same "taste" as spaghetti noodles so I can see why he says no to that, but compared to the alternative (the pasta), I'd rather have the squash that doesn't require I spend the next day close to a toilet. If you want to get the full benefits, you want to make sure you have very little contact with grains, including cakes/cookies during cheating. Check out baked goods made with coconut flour or almond flour! They will allow you for those little cheats without damaging your gut.

rebeccap13

If you're trying to see the real effects for 30 days, then no pasta is the way to go. You will probably start to realize how little you actually miss pasta throughout that 30 days, at least that's what has happened to me. If you want to add things back in after the 30 days then go for it. Some people don't seem to be affected by grains and dairy as much as others. To get a real baseline for your body 30 days is recommended, then you can try to reintroduce different foods (one type of food at a time, i.e. dairy for maybe two weeks, grains/gluten the next two weeks) and see how your body reacts to these things.

A lot of people follow the 80/20 rule after they try 30 days strict paleo/primal. 80% of the time they follow strict paleo, 20% of the time they still eat relatively healthy but may incorporate dairy, grains or sugar back into their diet. It's hard especially at social events to follow paleo or primal so that's usually where the 20% comes into play. Although, that 20% is not a time to go buck wild and eat all the junk food you want. It's a chance to maybe pick an item or two that is still pretty clean but maybe isn't paleo, like pasta, cheese or milk. If you take your 20% too far you're going to negate the effects of the 80%... or your 80/20 starts to slowly become 70/30, 60/40, then 50/50 and you're losing most of the benefits of eating paleo/primal.

MikeFlyMike

Not a perfect solution, but maybe try one bag of this
http://www.paleopasta.com/ (some quinoa)
I bought some to help make my transition to Primal less shocking.

I found it a suitable substitute - but honestly after having been grain free for 60 days, I don't even bother with it. the "desire" or need for such things is just gone...

I also would NOT wait until" finances are in order". Just cut out grain, then sugars. That doesn't cost more, that costs less.
Going all in grass fed, fresh organic - sure requires some reset of priorities.
Marks 21 day transformation book might be a good intro for you.

weathergirl320

yeah honestly, i dont miss the pasta and im italian!!! once you actually go primal and see what it feels like to have energy and not be bogged down you will realize you dont even miss the grains. pasta or others. its amazing because i had to give up wheat for medical reasons and once i did i really dont look back at all. no desire whatsoever. very rarely i get a crazing for something but it usually passes quickly. good luck!

cdngrl81

Thanks for the great tips.

I have another question. What are some ideas for breakfast? I do like eggs, and had some yesterday for breakfast, but was quickly famished (about an hour after eating). Most people's advice was to add a piece of whole grain toast (which is a no-no). So I was just wondering how I can fill up for breakfast without resorting to grains?

MikeFlyMike

add fat and more protein. again, bacon is the best go-to. satiates and has everything good.
(I get bacon from the butcher counter NOT the crap in the plastic - it is seriously much better and much better for you)
(I also get organic eggs)
Both are more expensive by just a small amount but the quality, flavor etc is amazing compared to factory.
You could add a protein drink with your eggs if you really think you are hungry before lunchtime.
I routinely now skip lunch because I just am not hungry. 3 eggs, cooked in the grease from 3 slices of bacon.

If I get bored with that, scramble, mix in veggies, leftovers etc.

laurelderry

Hi! First off, I recommend getting Marks 21 day challenge (you can get in for Nook/Kindle for 9.00) and/ his 30 minutes meal cookbook. It has some great breakfast ideas... but protein, protein, protein. Make an omelette (in butter or coconut oil), add mushrooms, tomatoes, shredded chicken, and cheese if you tolerate dairy. It will fill you up- TRUST me. Also check out marksdailyapple.com and honestly just google recipes! Kaits Primal Kitchen is something I stumbled across on google one day and I love her: http://kaitsprimalkitchen.blogspot.com/?z

I have been Primal for 90 days now and am working more towards Paleo (no dairy, no chocolate, etc- more like the Whole 30 (look it up- it's amazing). I began this entire journey as an organic eater and am slowly eliminating things from my diet. I can tell you honestly you will NOT want pasta. It will make your gut wrench after 30-60 on the program. I now purchase coconut and almond flour for my baked goods, use potato starch to thicken soups and sauces, and use zucchini instead of pasta for my lasagna.

Soon you won't want the traditional stuff and a lettuce wrapped sandwich will be the best lunch you've ever had! Good luck, girl!

GalaxyDuck

add fat and more protein. again, bacon is the best go-to. satiates and has everything good.
(I get bacon from the butcher counter NOT the crap in the plastic - it is seriously much better and much better for you)
(I also get organic eggs)
Both are more expensive by just a small amount but the quality, flavor etc is amazing compared to factory.
You could add a protein drink with your eggs if you really think you are hungry before lunchtime.
I routinely now skip lunch because I just am not hungry. 3 eggs, cooked in the grease from 3 slices of bacon.

If I get bored with that, scramble, mix in veggies, leftovers etc.

I agree with this 100%.

cdngrl81

You guys are great with all the help!! :flowerforyou:

I have been googling recipes and was wondering about a couple ingredients and if they are primal friendly:
- almond flour
- agave nectar
- honey
- coconut flour
- yacon syrup
- cacao powder

monkeydharma

You guys are great with all the help!! :flowerforyou:

I have been googling recipes and was wondering about a couple ingredients and if they are primal friendly:
- almond flour
- agave nectar
- honey
- coconut flour
- yacon syrup
- cacao powder

You'll get a lot of argument from the folks who like to use it to make primal/paleo 'cheats', but all of the sugars (agave, honey, yacon) should be used sparingly if at all.

The primal/paleo lifestyle is eating in a way to minimize/avoid insulin spikes, insulin resistance, metabolic disease, and type 2 diabetes - all of which are caused by a grain/sugars-rich diet. Baking is a post-agricultural food prep method. Baking with paleo ingredients doesn't change that - it's still not the way our hunter/gatherer ancestors ate.

Anathama

I'm about to hit the 60 day Primal mark, and I'm not missing much of my old life, maybe just good craft beer and Pizza occasionally.

I don't really believe in trying to make paleo equivalents of the food I used to eat. I think having a crappy version of something I like will only increase the unhappiness of not being able to have what I want. For me it points out that I can't have that thing.

I have tried to find some really good flavorful things I can have. I'm going Primal, so I can have cheese. I've been experimenting with buying really good quality Cheddar, blue cheese and smoked mozzarella. They make my dishes more flavorful and exotic and satisfying.

Also experimenting with flavorful and better cuts of meat are good ideas. I haven't been able to embrace offal yet, although I know I should.

Cheers and Good luck!