cut out grains (not all carbs) and WOW

13

Replies

  • secretlobster
    secretlobster Posts: 3,566 Member
    It really does feel amazing - I tried the same thing (primal) and felt fantastic. But I couldn't deal with committing to life without grain forever... Still it changed the way I eat (minimal grain). Glad you had success!
  • Marll
    Marll Posts: 904 Member
    I have cut out all grains and been that way for quite some time now. I feel better, no bloating, no gas, used to also get really bad eczema on my feet. I now notice whenever I eat wheat it flares up BAD. My wife and son have been found to be gluten intolerant this year, so that helps keep us on track.

    After a while you really don't miss and don't care about pasta and bread, especially on the rare occasions where you might indulge and end up feeling like crap for several days.

    I have a good friend that completely cleared up HORRIBLE acne by eliminating grains.
  • iris8pie
    iris8pie Posts: 224 Member
    I have cut out all grains and been that way for quite some time now. I feel better, no bloating, no gas, used to also get really bad eczema on my feet. I now notice whenever I eat wheat it flares up BAD. My wife and son have been found to be gluten intolerant this year, so that helps keep us on track.

    After a while you really don't miss and don't care about pasta and bread, especially on the rare occasions where you might indulge and end up feeling like crap for several days.

    I have a good friend that completely cleared up HORRIBLE acne by eliminating grains.

    Awesome! I have two friends who healed their eczema by eating this way. Thats why I decided to do it...I figured if it heals the outside of you it probably heals the inside too ;)
  • mnichol
    mnichol Posts: 642
    Trying to stay at 30-40 g a day, on day four, really struggling with carb flu? any suggestions ?
  • SgtMindy
    SgtMindy Posts: 53
    I cut out eating grains 20 days ago, yes, even oatmeal, and am really amazed at the difference. I have more energy, sleep better and a few stubborn pounds are gone. Also with cutting grains, I have more calories available for steak and fish. Are these improvements all due to cutting out grains? Well, I havn't really changed anything else and I was eating pretty clean before cutting them out. I am eating more protein foods like meat and fish. I use to eat oatmeal on a regular basis, sprouted grain breads (ezekial), whole wheat tortillas, hamburger buns, etc.

    I am not suggesting anyone do this, I know there are those who consider grains a required food group (it really isn't) but I don't see or feel a downside and only positives so far. Do I miss them? It is a bit inconvenient as I like making hamburgers and skipping the hamburger bun changes the experience and I love carne asada tacos...but eventually I will still eat an occasional bun or taco.

    Give it a try for 21 days and see if you feel better.

    Alright, I'm going to try this for 21 days!!!
  • pattyproulx
    pattyproulx Posts: 603 Member
    Awesome! I've cut them out 2 years ago and don't plan on ever going back. (That's not to say I don't have the occasional cheat!)

    Keep it up! :)
  • Dave198lbs
    Dave198lbs Posts: 8,810 Member
    Trying to stay at 30-40 g a day, on day four, really struggling with carb flu? any suggestions ?

    not unusual for early on. as your body adapts it will get better. It did for me. I dont miss them at all and feel fantastic. Just hang on and it sill soon clear up. good luck!
  • mcjabber
    mcjabber Posts: 374 Member
    I try to eat this way too. It started when I did the Whole30 program (google it, it's basically eating clean and no grains). I felt AMAZING and while I didn't lose any weight, I looked like I lost about ten pounds, since (probably for the first time in my life) I wasn't bloated anymore! My stomach got SUPER flat. And now, when I eat grains from time to time (I'm human, come on), I feel lethargic and tend to have tummy troubles. I had cut out gluten a few years earlier and felt a lot more mental clarity without it, but it wasn't until I cut out all grains that the lethargy truly lifted. I have a TON more energy when I eat grain free, and honestly, just more all around joy of living!

    TO BE CLEAR: this is not Atkins, it's not a way of eating that avoids carbs! I still ate plenty of carbs (mostly from sweet potatoes!!). I did not have any signs of ketosis. I just had signs of awesome. :laugh:
  • toysbigkid
    toysbigkid Posts: 545 Member
    how does the ketosis work in this?
  • LeggyKettleBabe
    LeggyKettleBabe Posts: 300 Member
    I was a huge grain carb hound.

    I was eating 275ish carbs daily. I decided to lower my carbs by having one portion of low carb grain choice. In 16 days I have lost 10 lbs doing this. I have gone from 275g carbs daily down to around 50g carbs daily.

    My calorie goal has not changed, just the food I eat. 90% of my food is fresh and prepared at home minus a salsa and tortillas

    I feel great, have lots of energy, im not cranky nor tired and im not bloated or feel stuffed after a meal.

    Definitely has worked for me
  • oceanbigwater
    oceanbigwater Posts: 100
    I haven't eaten a single grain, potato, rice, pasta, starchy food or refined sugar at all for 90 days. I have even gone as far as to eliminate bananas as they are starchy...I eat no beans or legumes either as they are high in carbs. I have lost 32 pounds in 90 days and I eat lean meats, fish, nuts, berries and green vegetables, it was the hardest thing I have ever done but the paleo diet works for me and it may for a lot of others here, but it's tough to do. Some complain of headaches and other slight side effects but I haven't felt anything but good from eliminating those things from my diet
  • TheVimFuego
    TheVimFuego Posts: 2,412 Member
    I haven't eaten a single grain, potato, rice, pasta, starchy food or refined sugar at all for 90 days. I have even gone as far as to eliminate bananas as they are starchy...I eat no beans or legumes either as they are high in carbs. I have lost 32 pounds in 90 days and I eat lean meats, fish, nuts, berries and green vegetables, it was the hardest thing I have ever done but the paleo diet works for me and it may for a lot of others here, but it's tough to do. Some complain of headaches and other slight side effects but I haven't felt anything but good from eliminating those things from my diet

    I'm with you, I feel awesome having cut way back on that stuff about 3 months ago.

    I am nearing my ideal weight so I'm 'cheating' occasionally now (a small bit of garlic bread, for instance) but I do it mindfully :)

    I think the key to fat management is discovering your personal tolerance for carbohydrate, hence we are all different.

    Don't crave 'em, no big hunger periods, I eat well and my energy is good, awesome.
  • oceanbigwater
    oceanbigwater Posts: 100
    nice its great
  • NewLIFEstyle4ME
    NewLIFEstyle4ME Posts: 4,440 Member
    Bump
  • pdworkman
    pdworkman Posts: 1,342 Member
    There are a number of different diets/lifestyles that are grain free or substantially grain free. Paleo and raw vegan are opposite ends of the animal products scale, but both tend to be grain free.

    I have been grain free for about a year. Didn't affect my weight, but improved some auto-immune issues greatly, symptoms that I still had after being gluten free for several years. I am not paleo or low carb. I eat plenty of potatoes, sweet potatoes, buckwheat, quinoa, squash, beans/lentils, etc. I make my own grain-free buns, tortillas, pizza shells, and other baking, so I am not deprived of those things or tempted to go back. I don't eat a lot of baking, but it's there when I want it.

    (Anyone viewing my diary note that right now I am journalling my foods but not logging my calories - just scroll down to the notes section of my diary. If you want to see my diet broken down properly, just go back a couple of weeks.)
  • pamperedhen
    pamperedhen Posts: 446 Member
    Here's THE ULTIMATE question....if I decrease my carbs to approx. 100~120...do I have to increase my protein or can I "wing" it?? Thanks guys! You are the best!!:drinker:
  • pattyproulx
    pattyproulx Posts: 603 Member
    Here's THE ULTIMATE question....if I decrease my carbs to approx. 100~120...do I have to increase my protein or can I "wing" it?? Thanks guys! You are the best!!:drinker:

    You should still look to meet your caloric goals - whether that's upping protein or fat (you should aim for 1g of protein per pound of lean body mass).

    It should also keep you fuller longer.
  • Cerebrus189
    Cerebrus189 Posts: 315 Member
    To me it sounds like you're on the Paleo Diet - no grains, pasta, rice, etc. I have been thinking more and more to give it a try for 30 days because I have a few friends who say after being on the Paleo Diet they have more energy, sleep better and lots of other positive things. Have nothing to lose but weight anyway so why not try it?!?

    hmmm...well I dont know if they allow milk and cheese and I love both and still eat both.

    It's a form of Paleo if you eat cheese and other full-fat dairy, and is called Primal. You should join us at http://www.myfitnesspal.com/forums/show/54-primal-paleo-support-group.
  • downinaggieland98
    downinaggieland98 Posts: 224 Member
    I completely am on board with the OP - my husband and I cut out all grains. No white flour, no pasta, no potatoes. We only eat sprouted grain bread, occasionally sprouted brown rice, and maybe once a month we will do a quinoa pasta. We've both noticed a huge difference. Also, on a side note, we stopped eating anything with artificial sweeteners in it, or anything that is labeled nonfat, or lowfat. I think that's a huge part as well.
  • Cerebrus189
    Cerebrus189 Posts: 315 Member
    Trying to stay at 30-40 g a day, on day four, really struggling with carb flu? any suggestions ?

    Nothing you can really do about carb flu except to be strong, not give in, and know it gets better. The first week I switched to Primal, I ate fruit to help me cope with not getting a lot of pasta/grainy carbs. Also, lots of water helps.
  • californiagirl1950
    californiagirl1950 Posts: 714 Member
    I was just reading about this paleo diet the other day. Also the newscast I watch, the have a Doctor that comes on to tell of things and she did this diet and lost quite a bit of weight and her blood levels changed for the better. Hmm, might have to try this myself.
  • pattyproulx
    pattyproulx Posts: 603 Member
    To me it sounds like you're on the Paleo Diet - no grains, pasta, rice, etc. I have been thinking more and more to give it a try for 30 days because I have a few friends who say after being on the Paleo Diet they have more energy, sleep better and lots of other positive things. Have nothing to lose but weight anyway so why not try it?!?

    hmmm...well I dont know if they allow milk and cheese and I love both and still eat both.

    It's a form of Paleo if you eat cheese and other full-fat dairy, and is called Primal. You should join us at http://www.myfitnesspal.com/forums/show/54-primal-paleo-support-group

    I think you have to remove the period at the end of that link for it to work (also, thanks for the link - didn't know it existed)

    I've been 'Primal' for a couple years now and love it. I eat some dairy but cut out most of it (mostly just cream in my coffee, a bit of cheese here and there, and some butter - if that qualifies as dairy).
  • pdworkman
    pdworkman Posts: 1,342 Member
    Sure, wings have lots of protein . . .
    Here's THE ULTIMATE question....if I decrease my carbs to approx. 100~120...do I have to increase my protein or can I "wing" it?? Thanks guys! You are the best!!:drinker:
  • Cerebrus189
    Cerebrus189 Posts: 315 Member

    TO BE CLEAR: this is not Atkins, it's not a way of eating that avoids carbs! I still ate plenty of carbs (mostly from sweet potatoes!!). I did not have any signs of ketosis. I just had signs of awesome. :laugh:

    <3 this! New motto: All signs of awesome point to me :)
  • ErinBeth7
    ErinBeth7 Posts: 1,625 Member
    Hm...I've been thinking about reducing my grains as well. I don't hardly ever eat potatoes anymore (even though I love them). I do however still eat pasta and bread in moderation. Lately, I've thought about eating more like the Paleo diet, but not full on because I'm not sure I could sustain that very long.
  • mmarcy7
    mmarcy7 Posts: 227 Member
    I cut out all grains April 1 of this year and feel great. Eczema has totally cleared. I will never go back. And I follow more the Primal way of eating as I occasionally eat dairy. All but 5 lbs of my total weight loss has been since cutting grains.
  • ErinBeth7
    ErinBeth7 Posts: 1,625 Member
    I completely am on board with the OP - my husband and I cut out all grains. No white flour, no pasta, no potatoes. We only eat sprouted grain bread, occasionally sprouted brown rice, and maybe once a month we will do a quinoa pasta. We've both noticed a huge difference. Also, on a side note, we stopped eating anything with artificial sweeteners in it, or anything that is labeled nonfat, or lowfat. I think that's a huge part as well.

    What is the difference with sprouted grain breads/rice as opposed to whole grain breads? Is it good?
  • CardiacNP
    CardiacNP Posts: 554 Member
    i also started this after reading "wheat belly" this week good book by a cardiologist.
  • peridot1383
    peridot1383 Posts: 49 Member
    It actually sounds like you're not doing Paleo which is more strict but that you're leaning towards primal. Not sure if you've checked it out yet but look up Mark Sisson. His website www.marksdailyapple.com talks a lot about the same principles you mention. I went primal for about 2 weeks and felt great. I should do it again but I am headed into a round of Insanity workouts. Might go back to primal when the workouts become less intense.
  • BlisterLamb
    BlisterLamb Posts: 396 Member
    After losing over 100 pounds and keeping it off for several years, I recently gained 25 back very quickly over the course of about a year although I was eating right and working out. I went to several doctors, and of course none of them could tell me what was going on. One even gave the impression that he didn't believe I was eating the way I said I was eating and exercising the way I said I was exercising. I was biking no less than 100 miles a week, sometimes a lot more, and lifting weights 3 times a week. I was finally diagnosed this week with Hashimoto's. The doctor put me on meds and suggested that I limit my carbs to less than 50grams net per day for a while. So I gave up grains and am getting them from vegetables because I can eat more that way. I'll be interested to see how I feel in a few weeks after the meds have had time to do their thing and with out the grains.

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