Thoughts on the Primal diet?

IceDragon72
IceDragon72 Posts: 48
in Food and Nutrition
So, a friend of mine has had great success on the Paleo diet.
I am thinking of trying the Primal diet--nuts, fruits, veggies, seeds, healthy fats (animal fat, coconut oil, olive oil, etc.), animal protein, and a little dairy (I mostly would use butter, a little whole fat cheese, and occasional Greek yogurt).
Per my readings, you can also occasionally have potatoes (sweet or otherwise) and white rice, so I might have those once a week or so.
Does anyone have any experience or thoughts on this diet?
I'll still be counting calories, as well as keeping my carbs under 100 grams per day.
I have about 140 pounds to lose, so it'll be a long journey, but I have a hunch cutting out grains will help me get there faster.

Thanks in advance for replies :drinker:

Replies

  • ipag
    ipag Posts: 137
    I like it, worked great for me but this way of eating isn't very popular around here. If you want to discuss paleo and primal more you can join the group here.

    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/forums/show/54-primal-paleo-support-group
  • msperkey3
    msperkey3 Posts: 93 Member
    I've been reading about it all weekend... Think it's a good idea..I want to do it!
  • RancidPolecat2
    RancidPolecat2 Posts: 46
    There's no need to go full primal, but we call could benefit from implementing a lot of their ideas. My policy is to eat simple most of the time, eat fancy once in a while. I lost a third of my body weight that way.
  • IceDragon72
    IceDragon72 Posts: 48
    Thanks for the thoughts, guys!! Anyone else out there?
  • Dragonwolf
    Dragonwolf Posts: 5,600 Member
    Thanks for the thoughts, guys!! Anyone else out there?

    I second the group Ipag linked. You can post your questions and whatnot there without it getting hijacked (like this one very likely will, unfortunately).

    That said, I've been doing it for a couple of months now, and have been more successful in that time than I was having in 6+ months of the standard "everything in moderation, just calorie deficit, no need to completely cut out anything" way of eating. Not only have I been losing weight, but I no longer have heartburn most nights, nor do I have headaches multiple times a week like I used to. I've also found it easier to eat at a deficit, because the lower carb, higher fat way of eating keeps me satiated longer and keeps my blood sugar levels stable, so I'm not gnawing my arm off after 2-3 hours of not eating (I used to have issues eating under 2000 with my activity level, now I'm generally satisfied on 1500-1700, even on intense workout days).
  • wftiger
    wftiger Posts: 1,283 Member
    I love it. Has worked incredible for me with over 110+ lbs lost in about 9 months. I never feel hungry, my blood pressure, blood sugar and lipids have all improved. I cannot think of one bad thing to say about it.

    Go here -- http://www.marksdailyapple.com and check his book out for more detailed information.
  • sweetpotatofry
    sweetpotatofry Posts: 209 Member
    Thanks for the thoughts, guys!! Anyone else out there?

    I second the group Ipag linked. You can post your questions and whatnot there without it getting hijacked (like this one very likely will, unfortunately).

    That said, I've been doing it for a couple of months now, and have been more successful in that time than I was having in 6+ months of the standard "everything in moderation, just calorie deficit, no need to completely cut out anything" way of eating. Not only have I been losing weight, but I no longer have heartburn most nights, nor do I have headaches multiple times a week like I used to. I've also found it easier to eat at a deficit, because the lower carb, higher fat way of eating keeps me satiated longer and keeps my blood sugar levels stable, so I'm not gnawing my arm off after 2-3 hours of not eating (I used to have issues eating under 2000 with my activity level, now I'm generally satisfied on 1500-1700, even on intense workout days).

    I agree with everything in this post. I've only just begun Primal (~2 weeks in) and without even sticking to it 100%, maybe closer to 70%, I've busted through a two-month plateau and now no longer even feel the need to log everything. Besides the weight loss, which is a definite plus, I love that it's helped me inch closer towards Intuitive Eating, which is really the endgoal for me - being able to maintain weight effortlessly, without having to track everything I eat.

    Primal does sound intimidating at first, because of the carb restriction, and I dreaded the notorious "carb flu" that people are said to experience when they first make the transition... but strangely, I never really got it. The first couple of days I might have been a little groggier than usual, but it went away pretty quickly. Cravings have been diminished incredibly. I don't feel as guilty now when I do indulge in some dessert. Feeling guilty about food is no way to live! And Primal is helping to free me from that mindset.

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