Paleo Diet/Way of Life
Ravenous4Captain
Posts: 144 Member
So...my diet has been like a rollercoaster ride. It has had it's ups and it's downs...and now I am looking for a change in my eating habits. I have googled the Paleo Diet and this is something that I am interesting in doing.
If any of you MFPers have changed to the Paleo way of life, can you give me some pointers/advice? Any assistance would be greatly appreciated
If any of you MFPers have changed to the Paleo way of life, can you give me some pointers/advice? Any assistance would be greatly appreciated
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Bump.. I'd like some input on this too!!
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There are different versions everyone does something different. I did it for 6 weeks. The first two weeks were not that bad but then I started slipping up. You HAVE to plan your meals. I try to stick to it but here and there I do not. I noticed I felt better and my digestive system was rocking;) but I got to the point I was eating the same thing for lunch everyday.. grilled chicken, spices, eggs and spinach. It got old really fast.
Some people say no dairy but I drank regular milk because to me almond milk is gross. I also missed ice cream.0 -
There are different versions everyone does something different. I did it for 6 weeks. The first two weeks were not that bad but then I started slipping up. You HAVE to plan your meals. I try to stick to it but here and there I do not. I noticed I felt better and my digestive system was rocking;) but I got to the point I was eating the same thing for lunch everyday.. grilled chicken, spices, eggs and spinach. It got old really fast.
Some people say no dairy but I drank regular milk because to me almond milk is gross. I also missed ice cream.
ditto here, i got stuck in a cycle of eating the same food over and over.
dairy and grains are actually difficult to remove if you are accustomed to it as it is in so many foods and dishes so you have to learn how to substitute. i think the reason i could not sustain this diet was the elimination of two large food groups. Essentially i think paleo is a restrictive way of clean eating.
best of luck, some people love paleo and do well, but it was not for me0 -
I have been Paleo for about 9 months. I read a book called it starts with food and found it to have very good information about changing to what they call whole30. Which is a 30 day plan of removing all dairy grains processed food and sugars. For me it was hard at first but I would make big batches of food and freeze them so I could just take it out when I didnt feel like cooking.
The main thing I realized was how sensitive I was to different food once I tried to eat them here and there. For me I had so much more energy and just felt better overall when I'm eating paleo. If you end up trying it good luck hopefully you like it. And feel free to message me if you have any questions and ill try and answer best I can 0 -
Thank you all for your advice! I will definitely research it a little more during the week 0
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The Paleo Approach: Reverse Autoimmune Disease and Heal Your Body by Sarah Ballantyne, Phd. is an excellent book on the Paleo way.0
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I've just started two weeks ago and am doing pretty well. I've only lost 4 lbs, but plan to stick with as long as possible, but hope to make it a life-long lifestyle. Meal planning has been essential for me. I spend Saturday or Sunday morning, looking for recipes and planning meals for the week. Make a grocery list and get everything needed. It has been hard and I have allowed myself to not be perfect. I figure if I am following it 90 % of the time that is better than before. I listen to podcasts when I'm in the car instead of music. Mark's Daily Apple, PaleoHacks, Rob Wolf. I've watched documentaries like 'Hungry for Change' and 'The Perfect Human Diet'. The info they provide really motivates me to stick with this. Again I'm pretty new to this too. But my advice is plan, educate yourself and don't be hard on yourself if you slip up. Just keeping working at it. It's getting easier everyday for me and I though I've only lost 4 lbs, clothes fit better already. I can tell the bloat and inflammation have decreased alot. I took before pictures and will take pictures again at 4 weeks to see how my body has changed. Good luck!0
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why not just eat at a moderate calorie deficit and move/work out more? Paleo is not some magical diet that is going to cure all your problems...0
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Captaincove wrote: »The Paleo Approach: Reverse Autoimmune Disease and Heal Your Body by Sarah Ballantyne, Phd. is an excellent book on the Paleo way.
i just finished reading this book cover-to-cover. i had to re-check it from the library because i was still reading it when it was due! EXCELLENT book. i am going to buy it.0 -
Since joining MFP and hearing about the paleo diet I have been reading up on it. It's very restrictive, and not science based. But, if it helps keep you on track and you feel you can eat in this restrictive manner long term, then give it a try. Restriction works for some people.0
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Check out primal diet too.. a little less restrictive. But I totally agree.. you have to plan your meals and make time to actually make your meals. There are also some great paleo primal groups on mfp.0
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If any of you MFPers have changed to the Paleo way of life, can you give me some pointers/advice? Any assistance would be greatly appreciated
my daughter has to be gluten-free so in my research for her dietary needs, i came across paleo. i have to say, my life has not been the same since we started. first of all, i had insomnia my entire life and paleo has all but CURED it. i sleep like a rock!! it is truly amazing. i don't get foggy brain anymore - i am a smart woman, but there were times when i would literally trip over my words trying to think of what to say. there are alot of intangibles, too...things that i "know" i'm feeling better, but can't really put my finger on it. we have been doing it for about 2.5 years.
we don't get bored at all with food. there are TONS of choices. i wasn't "strict paleo" at first, and we still ate beans & rice, but i have since dropped those from my own personal diet (although my daughter does still eat them) simply because i found out i have an autoimmune disease and i am trying to correct some health issues.
if you are simply trying to lose weight, you must remember that you still have to eat within your calorie goal and exercise, etc. (yes, i'm sure someone will knock me and say exercise isn't necessary for weight loss...) paleo is not an end-all be-all for weight loss, BUT IT DOES HELP. right now, i am struggling to lose (actually i am gaining) due to some health issues, but i honestly feel that my weight gain would be far greater if i weren't paleo.
i tried to do keto for a while, but it did not agree with me. i lost alot of strength and darn it, i needed a banana! LOL
read read read. it is a wonderful WOL - not a diet in the traditional sense of the word. the only thing is - you really can't "cheat" on this diet (alot of people have cheat days, etc.) because it takes a while to get the gluten out of your body, and if you have some, you have to start all over again to get optimal results. GL :flowerforyou:
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I did Paleo for a couple months. Lost a lot of weight. Now I do it kinda half-*kitten*. Mostly count calories. With Paleo, I found if I wanted to cook things, I did better on it. Pinterest was my friend -- "paleo recipes". Also found a bunch of paleo recipe sites I like. It's an awesome diet. You don't have to count calories on it. Just do your research, be willing to cook, and you should do well. Good luck.
ETA: I also do a lot of my foods gluten-free even though I'm not 100% paleo.0 -
My brother and sister in law are primarily Paleo. It has done wonders for her tummy troubles -- cut down on running to the bathroom after meals, etc. He moved from Atkins to Paleo. They love it. There are several books they've recommended to me and the hubby:
http://www.amazon.com/Why-We-Get-Fat-About/dp/0307474259/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1413227505&sr=1-1&keywords=why+we+get+fat
http://www.amazon.com/Practical-Paleo-Customized-Whole-Foods-Lifestyle/dp/1936608758/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1413227519&sr=1-2&keywords=paleo0 -
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My brother and sister in law are primarily Paleo. It has done wonders for her tummy troubles -- cut down on running to the bathroom after meals, etc. He moved from Atkins to Paleo. They love it.
i totally agree with tummy issues. i had alot of problems, although i honestly just thought they were a normal part of growing older, but once i dropped gluten, those troubles were GONE!
also, i forgot to mention in my other post about "gluten-free products"
try to stay away from those for the most part. most are just a way to make money. eat whole foods and stay away from packaged foods for the majority of your food. if you want spaghetti, you could choose a GF pasta, or if you are wanting an occasional treat, you could do GF brownies/cookies (my daughter loves those) but on the whole, you want to just eat real whole food.
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GuitarJerry wrote: »La5Vega5Girl wrote: »
It is helpful because the reasons for eating paleo are important. Some people are not aware that it's just a different way of creating a deficit. It's not magic. And, this is really an important point, for the vast majority of people, it is NOT sustainable. And, every time I say that, 20 people come in and say they've been doing it for X years. Awesome. But, MOST people cannot keep it up. It's far too restrictive for normal everyday life.
Most people that are successful with it, have to do it due to dietary reasons. Like they can't eat diary or gluten, or something. But, people who can eat all that stuff have a really hard time with it.
If you simply, instead, prioritize protein and minimize carbs, without calling it anything but healthful eating, it's easier. Much easier. And, if you eat carbs, or corn, who cares. I love corn, and I think the reasoning is stupid. And, I dislike the name. There are no paleo foods in todays world. So, it's not the same thing.
Also, the idea of it is lame. Paleo people ate what was available to them. They didn't eat a specific diet, and the people from different regions had different diets, due to the food that was available.
Are you also going to eat grubs? Because Paleo people ate a lot of grubs.
you took the words right out of my mouth...
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La5Vega5Girl wrote: »
so you are saying it is not helpful to tell the OP to just create a calorie deficit and get a moderate amount of exercise????
what is more reasonable; 1) create a calorie deficit, restrict nothing, and work out/move more; 2) try to replicate a way of eating that has been extinct for over 10,000 years...?0 -
GuitarJerry wrote: »La5Vega5Girl wrote: »
It is helpful because the reasons for eating paleo are important. Some people are not aware that it's just a different way of creating a deficit. It's not magic. And, this is really an important point, for the vast majority of people, it is NOT sustainable. And, every time I say that, 20 people come in and say they've been doing it for X years. Awesome. But, MOST people cannot keep it up. It's far too restrictive for normal everyday life.
Most people that are successful with it, have to do it due to dietary reasons. Like they can't eat diary or gluten, or something. But, people who can eat all that stuff have a really hard time with it.
If you simply, instead, prioritize protein and minimize carbs, without calling it anything but healthful eating, it's easier. Much easier. And, if you eat carbs, or corn, who cares. I love corn, and I think the reasoning is stupid. And, I dislike the name. There are no paleo foods in todays world. So, it's not the same thing.
Also, the idea of it is lame. Paleo people ate what was available to them. They didn't eat a specific diet, and the people from different regions had different diets, due to the food that was available.
Are you also going to eat grubs? Because Paleo people ate a lot of grubs.
I agree with this.0 -
Just because someone is eating "paleo" (whatever that means), doesn't automatically create a calorie deficit. It's possible to gain weight eating any sort of "diet". Paleo or primal or whatever or low carb was a binge fest for me. I even binged on almond butter because that was primal.
Paleo is not magic, it is restrictive, and reading any book by Gary Taubes is a waste of time. You're better off creating a modest calorie deficit and getting more exercise, as stated above.0 -
Join the Primal/Paleo support group if you really want answers to your questions without the "everything in the universe is only calories in/calories out" bs. Because the food actually does matter for many, many people. Especially if one is fat/sick.0
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If one is fat/sick, they should probably be getting their medical/diet advice from their doctor or an RD, not on the internet.
Guess what? You don't have to cut out entire food groups in order to eat more fresh veg and fruit.0 -
In one of my many attempts at weight loss I did the Primal Blueprint diet. It's a similar diet to Paleo, just allows a few more things to eat (like dairy). I have to admit that my belly felt better (I suspect I have a wheat intolerance to some degree and I know dairy doesn't sit well). However, it was just not feasible to maintain for long. I did it for a couple of months, I lost some weight, but it is so hard to keep up. Taking your lunch to work doesn't always work...and most of the lunches found in this non-primal society have some kind of bun or shell associated with it. Unless you want to drop a lot of money on lunch. It is not impossible, it just isn't altogether sustainable either. IMHO, balancing your foods is better unless you need this type of diet to regulate health issues.0
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We eat mostly Paleo. Some people here are correct. It is not a magic "diet" to lose weight. You can still eat too much of something (calories) and gain or not lose weight.
What you need to do is see it as a lifestyle not a "diet". Choose to eat Paleo because it is nutritious and healthy. You can eat a calorie modest diet and lose weight/maintain. But just because it is NON-fat yogurt for example vs. Full fat yogurt doesn't make it HEALTHY. It is well known that foods that say "low-calorie, non-fat" are not good for you. Hard to explain but I think it depends on your actual reason for wanting to go Paleo.0 -
GuitarJerry wrote: »La5Vega5Girl wrote: »There are no paleo foods in todays world. So, it's not the same thing.
Also, the idea of it is lame. Paleo people ate what was available to them. They didn't eat a specific diet, and the people from different regions had different diets, due to the food that was available.
Are you also going to eat grubs? Because Paleo people ate a lot of grubs.
no, there aren't paleo FOODS in our current world today but if you read about (and you obviously haven't) then you know it's not about eating what our ancestors ate. there is alot of science behind it, and it's not just a fad diet. the reason i asked how that comment was helpful is because the OP asked if anyone did paleo and if they had advice. if someone doesn't have advice for her, then why reply?
as for corn, glad you can eat it, but some of us can't and that is part of paleo - discovering which foods you can tolerate and which you can't. it doesn't say YOU CAN'T EVER EAT CORN AGAIN. it is about finding what works for you and avoiding foods which can cause reactions. most people can't tolerate corn but they don't realize it until it's gone from their diet.
no, there aren't paleo FOODS in our current world today but if you read about (and you obviously haven't) then you know it's not about eating what our ancestors ate. there is alot of science behind it, and it's not just a fad diet. the reason i asked how that comment was helpful is because the OP asked if anyone did paleo and if they had advice. if someone doesn't have advice for her, then why reply?
as for corn, glad you can eat it, but some of us can't and that is part of paleo - discovering which foods you can tolerate and which you can't. it doesn't say YOU CAN'T EVER EAT CORN AGAIN. it is about finding what works for you and avoiding foods which can cause reactions. most people can't tolerate corn but they don't realize it until it's gone from their diet.0 -
La5Vega5Girl wrote: »
so you are saying it is not helpful to tell the OP to just create a calorie deficit and get a moderate amount of exercise????
what is more reasonable; 1) create a calorie deficit, restrict nothing, and work out/move more; 2) try to replicate a way of eating that has been extinct for over 10,000 years...?
i would say try to replicate a way of eating that has been around for over 10,000 years, not extinct. it is only in the very recent history of people that we have started eating overly processed foods, grains, etc. and have gotten extremely obese as an american culture.
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Deena_Bean wrote: »In one of my many attempts at weight loss I did the Primal Blueprint diet. It's a similar diet to Paleo, just allows a few more things to eat (like dairy). I have to admit that my belly felt better (I suspect I have a wheat intolerance to some degree and I know dairy doesn't sit well). However, it was just not feasible to maintain for long. I did it for a couple of months, I lost some weight, but it is so hard to keep up. Taking your lunch to work doesn't always work...and most of the lunches found in this non-primal society have some kind of bun or shell associated with it. Unless you want to drop a lot of money on lunch. It is not impossible, it just isn't altogether sustainable either. IMHO, balancing your foods is better unless you need this type of diet to regulate health issues.
this is very solid advice, and i do agree. it is very difficult to manage and i have to cook lunch on sunday for my husband (for the entire week) - and i have to cook dinner every night. it is time-consuming and can be expensive at first (until you learn more about it) for most people, i agree that it is difficult to keep up with. i don't work, so i have alot of time to create recipes, etc. i do eat some dairy, such as aged cheeses and some yogurts for the live cultures, and goat cheese, but for some people, they can't tolerate any dairy at all.
since i do have some health issues and my daughter does as well, we find this way of life very helpful and far superior to the chicken mcNugget world we used to live in.
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If one is fat/sick, they should probably be getting their medical/diet advice from their doctor or an RD, not on the internet.
we aren't here to get/give medical advice, we are here to support each other. the OP wanted support in finding out about paleo, so we are here to give it to her, not bash the entire ideology of paleo.
i think the post to which you replied is just saying that for many people, the types of foods we eat really do affect us more than we realize, and for most people, it's not just about calories-in/calories-out, especially if they have health issues. and sometimes, you dont' realize you have these food sensitivities until you cut-out foods and then try to re-introduce them.0 -
La5Vega5Girl wrote: »La5Vega5Girl wrote: »
so you are saying it is not helpful to tell the OP to just create a calorie deficit and get a moderate amount of exercise????
what is more reasonable; 1) create a calorie deficit, restrict nothing, and work out/move more; 2) try to replicate a way of eating that has been extinct for over 10,000 years...?
i would say try to replicate a way of eating that has been around for over 10,000 years, not extinct. it is only in the very recent history of people that we have started eating overly processed foods, grains, etc. and have gotten extremely obese as an american culture.
In for when @neandermagnon shows up to school everyone of what the paleolithic diet actually consisted.0
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