Paleo diet, anyone?

stormynytes4ever

I was informed about an eating lifestyle called the Paleo diet. After some research, my husband and I decided to try of out. We started on the 1st of December and have had great success so far. The weight loss is mearly an added bonus for me, what I truly love about it is all the energy I have now and the high quality of sleep I'm getting since we started.

Is anyone else out there walking this same dietary path? If so, I'd love to trade recipies and tips.

caribougal

Glad you had success. There's a group on MFP called Paleo/Primal Support Group. You'll get support there, but not usually on the general forums, since the word Paleo gets the dander up for many MFPers who don't like the idea of eliminating certain foods.

stormynytes4ever

Thanks, I'll look them up. Though I don't see why people would get so huffy over it. I didn't think I'd be able to do it because I use to LOVE cheese and pasta, but I'm loving how I feel now more.

busywaterbending

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/groups/home/439-paleo-as-f-k-low-carb-paleo-enthusiasts

Firefox7275

Thanks, I'll look them up. Though I don't see why people would get so huffy over it. I didn't think I'd be able to do it because I use to LOVE cheese and pasta, but I'm loving how I feel now more.

I think a large part of the problem is that many will follow half a diet, combining a programme that is inately restrictive with their family's personal tastes, also they bastardise it. If you are truly willing to eat a wide variety of different wholefoods including plenty of oily fish and seafood, nuts, seeds, bright/ dark coloured vegetables and fruits in the full rainbow of colours you likely will be healthier than eating a standard processed US/ UK diet. But many don't, they actually want to eat commercial processed meats, 'paleo' muffins, bananas and apples and barely branch out at all. Be sure you understand ALL the nutrients you are eliminating with dairy or grains and replace them in full with paleo-friendly foods, protein and carbs are far from the whole story.

stormynytes4ever

Well, because it's new to me, I am taking a multi-vitamin supplement. I'm also eating more fruits and vegetables. Apples and bananas get eaten, but so do berries, oranges, grapes, and lately fresh coconut as well as other tree nuts. The only drawback to the fish is its cost in my area. I love sardines too, but the canned ones always have sneaky ingredient lables. I've also developed a liking for almond milk. I've recently had some bloodwork done and the only thingthat showed up as abnormal was my vitamin D, but that was really no surprise. It's always low in the winter. I'm on a weekly supplement for it now, but I'm trying to find ways to increase that level naturally.

nc805397

I started reading the 'Paleo Diet' book today

stormynytes4ever

I hope you decide to give it a try. At least give it a week or two, you'll be amazed by how you feel.

terracotti

is the diet expensive?

stormynytes4ever

Actually, no. We thought it would be because everything is fresh, but it will surprise you. Grant it, you should still strive to be savvy when shopping, but we've been able to fill almost two weeks worth of food needs for $50-70.

Firefox7275

Well, because it's new to me, I am taking a multi-vitamin supplement. I'm also eating more fruits and vegetables. Apples and bananas get eaten, but so do berries, oranges, grapes, and lately fresh coconut as well as other tree nuts. The only drawback to the fish is its cost in my area. I love sardines too, but the canned ones always have sneaky ingredient lables. I've also developed a liking for almond milk. I've recently had some bloodwork done and the only thingthat showed up as abnormal was my vitamin D, but that was really no surprise. It's always low in the winter. I'm on a weekly supplement for it now, but I'm trying to find ways to increase that level naturally.

Canned oily fish is usually reasonably priced and is an excellent source of vitamin D - in tomato sauce is generally better than in brine, some of the healthy fats leach into the liquid so you don't want to have to discard it. If by "sneaky ingredients" you are referring to a little starch thickener the amounts are generally tiny, IMO massively outweighed by the proven health benefits of the omega-3s - these are essential fats we evolved to eat, check out the 'Out of Africa' maps and see how humans are believed to have hugged the coastlines as they populated the world. You will find sneaky ingredients like starch binders in many multivitamin/ mineral pills BTW.

Berries are amazing, aim for more dark and brightly coloured veggies including leafy greens, if you have grapes have black ones not green. Coconut is a superb source of fibre and healthy fats but is not classed as a tree nut, it doesn't contain the minerals of seeds, true nuts and peanuts (a legume). I don't really understand almond milk, it's not a natural food and is a useless source of minerals unless fortified.

HTH.

stormynytes4ever

Actually, no. We thought it would be because everything is fresh, but it will surprise you. Grant it, you should still strive to be savvy when shopping, but we've been able to fill almost two weeks worth of food needs for $50-70.

And that's with buying black Angus beef and 90% lean ground black Angus. Once your body gets rid of all the toxins it's carrying, the tastes of the clean foods are amazing! Home made beanless chilli will make your tongue turn around and slap your brain.

stormynytes4ever

Canned oily fish is usually reasonably priced and is an excellent source of vitamin D - in tomato sauce is generally better than in brine, some of the healthy fats leach into the liquid so you don't want to have to discard it. If by "sneaky ingredients" you are referring to a little starch thickener the amounts are generally tiny, IMO massively outweighed by the proven health benefits of the omega-3s - these are essential fats we evolved to eat, check out the 'Out of Africa' maps and see how humans are believed to have hugged the coastlines as they populated the world. You will find sneaky ingredients like starch binders in many multivitamin/ mineral pills BTW.

Berries are amazing, aim for more dark and brightly coloured veggies including leafy greens, if you have grapes have black ones not green. Coconut is a superb source of fibre and healthy fats but is not classed as a tree nut, it doesn't contain the minerals of seeds, true nuts and peanuts (a legume). I don't really understand almond milk, it's not a natural food and is a useless source of minerals unless fortified.

HTH.

Update:
We actually found a place that sells canned herring fillets and sardines with a brand name of Atlantic Premium. They only have two ingredients listed: Naturally smoked herring/sardines, and salt. It sounds good, and I LOVE herring, but I know we're suppose to watch our salt intake on this diet. Is 230mg of sodium per serving too much? Or is it just enough to keep it canned safely?