a few questions from a paleo newbie
juliebeannn
Posts: 428 Member
Helloooo -- I'm a Paleo/Primal newbie, with only about 3 weeks under my belt. Now that I've done it for a few weeks, I have a few questions.
1) Since I've started this new way of eating, I'm never super hungry but I also noticed, I'm never FULL. Is that normal? I still roughly count my calories and I've been reaching an average of about 1600-1800 cals a day (macro breakdown of 20C/30P/50F). How am I never full? Is it just that paleo-full is just a different feeling from grain-full?
2) I find that light-headed a lot. When I get up from sitting, I have to take a second for the light-headedness to go away to start moving. Sometimes, when I stand up from sitting for a while, my eyes completely black out for a second, which is a bit scary. I'm not sure if this is part of the carb flu, but other than the light-headedness, I feel fine. I'm not lethargic or tired. I slowly weened off of grains before starting Paleo, so I think overall, my body wasn't as shocked as going cold turkey from conventional American (or Asian) diet. Am I not getting enough carbs?
Any input on either of my above questions/issues, would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks!
1) Since I've started this new way of eating, I'm never super hungry but I also noticed, I'm never FULL. Is that normal? I still roughly count my calories and I've been reaching an average of about 1600-1800 cals a day (macro breakdown of 20C/30P/50F). How am I never full? Is it just that paleo-full is just a different feeling from grain-full?
2) I find that light-headed a lot. When I get up from sitting, I have to take a second for the light-headedness to go away to start moving. Sometimes, when I stand up from sitting for a while, my eyes completely black out for a second, which is a bit scary. I'm not sure if this is part of the carb flu, but other than the light-headedness, I feel fine. I'm not lethargic or tired. I slowly weened off of grains before starting Paleo, so I think overall, my body wasn't as shocked as going cold turkey from conventional American (or Asian) diet. Am I not getting enough carbs?
Any input on either of my above questions/issues, would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks!
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Replies
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I found for myself there were 1-2 months of experimenting to find the right combination of macros for me to get that full feeling. For me I find I have to get a lot more fat in to feel satisfied. I'd give what you're currently doing another week and then try adjusting your macros if you still don't find yourself feeling full. Give yourself 2-4 weeks of eating on those macros and adjust as necessary. Every person is different so no one will be able to tell you what macros will work for you, but generally the higher you go with your protein and fats, the more full you will feel. These are the two things that help send signals to your brain that you are sated and satiated.
Good luck!0 -
I would say that Paleo (of fat/protien) full is different from grain full. After eating a ton of rice or spaghetti, I used to feel uncomfortable full. With Paleo, I feel satisfied, but never uncomfortable. Could also be a reduction in portion size for me.
As far as light-headedness, make sure you're drinking enough water! I don't find that I'm thirsty as often on Paleo, but I know I have to drink water.0 -
^^^ I have to agree with both of them. The fullness is different with Primal/Paleo then it is with the SAD diet. I can also speak to being lightheaded. I actually didn't work out the first few months with primal because I was SO fatigued- but it was an odd sort of fatigue, which I later learned to be carb flu. As far as macros go, I have adjusedt mine quite a bit, and I think right now, mine sit about where yours do....except I have a 30% protein 60% fat target.0
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yes, both things I noticed, but you get used to the fullness ...but its a different more satisfying full I find...., I noticed I am never starving, but I never eat so much that I super full....the light headedness lasted about 2 weeks....about the 3rd week I came around, its the lower carbs your body getting used to, I am in my 4th week now, and feel great. ONce I adjusted my carbs, fat and protein , that seemed to help too0
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I agree with the different kind of full. I feel full, but not stuffed or bloated. I notice this most when I eat at restaurants. I used to walk out uncomfortably full. Now I walk out satisfied. As long as your not hungry.0
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The lightheaded feeling you describe is called orthostatic hypotension. It's related to low blood pressure and people often experience it when shifting quickly from sitting to standing. Generally nothing to worry about but could be related to dehydration. Can't hurt to have your blood pressure checked.0
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As noted by the others, the fullness with paleo/primal is different. I no longer eat to fill a "void" like I did when I was eating grains. No amount of garbage food could ever fill that void. When dieting on Weight Watchers years ago I bought into their notion of low fat and filling up on low calorie foods. That NEVER worked for me and I think it actually harmed my health. What makes the difference in my hunger level now is eating lots of fat. Lots. It's healthy, really. I'm never uncontrollably hungry and I never overeat; as long as I'm eating properly (I have to keep my carbs really low, but not everyone needs to).
I just returned from holidays and though I avoided grains carefully, I have still had some symptoms while transitioning back to my healthy way of eating; most notably I am grumpy as hell. However, extreme light-headedness is something to be concerned with and I don't think it's a "normal" side effect of paleo/primal eating, especially after the first few days. It may be dehydration, as others have mentioned, or perhaps you are not eating enough (eat fat!).
I hope you stick with it and find that your health improves. I've had a long list of serious health problems resolved by only changing the kinds of food that I eat, and the weight loss is a wonderful side effect.0 -
Hi, I had the lightheaded thing too, my blood pressure has always been on the low side of normal. After lots of googling the subject I added more sea salt to my diet, that sorted the problem out.0