Paleo/Primal Dieters

egbrooks
egbrooks Posts: 8 Member
edited October 2 in Food and Nutrition
Are they any Paleo/Primal dieters out there? I've been Paleo for about 18 months now and have been more or less consistent in the application of the dietary and fitness principles in general. I've also lost ~20 lbs in the process and have cured my chronic sinus infections/allergy issues. I'm looking for some like-minded people to exchange ideas and knowledge with.
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Replies

  • Dee120hb
    Dee120hb Posts: 24
    I don't eat like that but I'm really curious about it. How long did it take you to get used to that kind of diet. It's pretty strict, isnt it?
  • trud72
    trud72 Posts: 1,912 Member
    hi there,it's weird you say about your sinus infections ect i had them probally 5 times a year before i started healthy eating and loosing weight i have not been ill now for nearly 2 yrs! since i started my journey! SNAP! lol

    as for the dieting i'm just healthy eating! soory about that one x
  • bluebird321
    bluebird321 Posts: 733 Member
    I've been doing it since April and it has worked out well for me. There are a lot of Paleo/Primal dieters on the forum. Before starting the diet, I had problems with my sinus infections, headaches/allergy, but those are now a bad memory. There have been lots of other benefits with almost eliminating sugar and excising processed food, grains, pasta from my diet. Weight loss is a lot easier on this type of diet.
  • SyreetaJayne1
    SyreetaJayne1 Posts: 170
    I eat very similar to Paleo/Primal, with some exceptions. Almost no grains, very limited amounts of sugar, no processed foods and high fat/protein content. I have lost 29 pounds and have cured a host of issues, including migraines and allergies, and hoping to cure PCOS, as well.
  • Strive2BLean
    Strive2BLean Posts: 300 Member
    I pretty much eat paleo. Lean protein like chicken and fish. I cut the red meat cause I had cholesterol issues but now that is gone and I'm sure this way of eating has helped. Also fresh fruits and veggies, nuts and legumes too. But I have to have my plain fat free Greek yogurt and I am pretty sure that is not considered paleo cause cavemen didn't milk cows. lol I don't eat processed foods either and have recently eliminated eating anything made with any kind of flour. I only eat whole grains occassionally like wheat berries, brown/wild rice, quinoa etc. It has helped me lose weight after a plateau. Is that paleo enough for ya. lol Feel free to friend me:smile:
  • capriciousmoon
    capriciousmoon Posts: 1,263 Member
    I don't eat paleo, though I probably could, considering I went to the store to buy oatmeal and left with steak. (breakfast of champions?) I'm much more likely to crave meat than carbs. The only problems would probably be my greek yogurts and coffee. :p
  • chyloet
    chyloet Posts: 196 Member
    I do something similar and I dont adhere to it strictly ... The Perfect 10 ... Have you heard of it?
  • julieinomaha
    julieinomaha Posts: 38
    I used to follow South Beach but plateaued. Several trainers at my gym insisted I needed to go Paleo and so I am converting. I have been doing it for about a month with some "allowances". Let's face it you have to make room for some beer and wine. And eating a single piece of pizza a week isn't going to kill you. Overall I am losing weight again and getting very close to my target weight. I think Paleo works and when you follow it true, you do feel so much better. I need to work at expanding my options working within the diet to get more favorites established to stay with it. If you want to friend and share ideas that would be great.

    Julie
  • XFitMojoMom
    XFitMojoMom Posts: 3,255 Member
    There is a group/thread here: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/313703-palelo-support-group

    I'm mostly Primal, although recently been adding *some* grains... but they are the devil as I've gained weight since adding them back.
  • Grokette
    Grokette Posts: 3,330 Member
    Add me in as another one gone Primal / Paleo................
  • egbrooks
    egbrooks Posts: 8 Member
    Great to hear that there are so many primal/paleo dieters on here. If anyone is curious about the diet here are some great resources:

    http://www.marksdailyapple.com/
    http://robbwolf.com/
    http://www.primalbody-primalmind.com/
    http://freetheanimal.com/

    @XFitMojoMom - thanks for the heads up on the support group.

    Also, to answer an above question, it took me about 2-4 weeks to get comfortable and make the transition with the diet. However, once I did, I noticed huge improvements in energy levels and an overall feeling of well-being.
  • sexygenius
    sexygenius Posts: 1,078 Member
    i eat pretty much paleo (except no fruit, well not including tomatos and zuchini and the like)for three days, then on the forth i eat some grains and fruit, then back to meat and veggies

    but i tend to cheat.. :(
  • luscadero
    luscadero Posts: 92 Member
    I'm basically primal, I still eat dairy. I cut all grains except for special occasions or rare cheat days, which usually happens if I go out to a restaurant with an awesome chef. I don't eat any processed foods (argh, hate the argument of what is processed vs. what is not - I'm talking about things that come prepared, packaged, in a box, etc!) or sugars except the very occasional honey, maple syrup, or agave nectar.

    I have PCOS, autoimmune pernicious anemia, heart valve disease, and I am extremely carb/sodium sensitive as far as blood pressure and blood sugar spiking. My heart palpitations and blood sugar problems are pretty much gone, and I'm hoping the PCOS and anemia will go the same route. I have no dietary intolerances or allergies in the digestive sense, but I feel a million times better and have way more energy.
  • asugar
    asugar Posts: 178 Member
    I know a little about this but would like to start doing it because I think it would really help my allergies, asthma and arthritis. I also have a question. The myfitnesspal says I should be on 1200 calories a day to lose weight (I want to lose 15-20 lbs) but I have read that is too low to support the body's nutritional needs? I have been doing this website for a month or so and I often come up a little over on my calories. Help?
  • EmilyAnn89
    EmilyAnn89 Posts: 564 Member
    bump
  • Grokette
    Grokette Posts: 3,330 Member
    I know a little about this but would like to start doing it because I think it would really help my allergies, asthma and arthritis. I also have a question. The myfitnesspal says I should be on 1200 calories a day to lose weight (I want to lose 15-20 lbs) but I have read that is too low to support the body's nutritional needs? I have been doing this website for a month or so and I often come up a little over on my calories. Help?

    With Paleo / Primal you don't count calories...............you stick to the allowed foods of fats, protein, vegetables, throw in some fruit and nuts on occasion and dairy if you are tolerant.............
  • carloP90X
    carloP90X Posts: 109
    Started Primal this past August and for me IT WORKS!!! If I am super strict with it, I can count on losing 3 lbs. a week. If I don't watch my carbs that are not vegetable based I can easily count on 1 lb. per week. I was at 219 lbs. when I first started and now I am at 205 lbs. I do my best to keep my daily carb intake no higher than 80. Many academics say this is wrong or a plan for failure but if this is so, why am I able to complete my Insanity and P90X workouts without feeling drained? I am not losing muscle mass as many people think because my strength has not diminished. The best part is that I used to have weekly migraines but they seem to be gone. The hardest part was the first 10 days but after that I can actually control my carb appetite and my energy returned.
  • Dee120hb
    Dee120hb Posts: 24
    I don't know if I could do it. I love cheese, dairy of any kind really, and bread. Maybe I'll try it for a week and see where it takes me.
  • RangerSteve
    RangerSteve Posts: 437

    With Paleo / Primal you don't count calories...............you stick to the allowed foods of fats, protein, vegetables, throw in some fruit and nuts on occasion and dairy if you are tolerant.............

    What?

    Why wouldn't you count calories on paleo or primal when you otherwise would?
  • Grokette
    Grokette Posts: 3,330 Member

    With Paleo / Primal you don't count calories...............you stick to the allowed foods of fats, protein, vegetables, throw in some fruit and nuts on occasion and dairy if you are tolerant.............

    What?

    Why wouldn't you count calories on paleo or primal when you otherwise would?

    just like with Atkins, there is no need.
  • singer201
    singer201 Posts: 563 Member
    I've been 80/20 Primal since early February, eating dairy, using MFP's calorie guidelines (1200 net calories/day to lose 2 lbs. per week), keeping carbs <100 g/day. I've lost 61 lbs. without feeling hungry or deprived, while eating mostly non-processed whole foods. GERD/heartburn is gone--whether due to weight loss or reduced gluten intake, I don't know. Since I'm now within 10 lbs. of my goal weight, I've recently reduced my weekly loss goal to 0.5 lb., and the weight is still coming off.

    Mark Sisson of marksdailyapple.com says you can reap the benefits eating 80%Primal/20%conventional.

    Supposedly, you can just eat primally and lose weight, but MFP guidelines + Primal worked wonders for me!
  • questionablemethods
    questionablemethods Posts: 2,174 Member

    With Paleo / Primal you don't count calories...............you stick to the allowed foods of fats, protein, vegetables, throw in some fruit and nuts on occasion and dairy if you are tolerant.............

    What?

    Why wouldn't you count calories on paleo or primal when you otherwise would?

    Calorie counting turns me into a bit of a Crazy Lady and I end up getting too obsessed with how I eat (not the case for everyone, but that's how I am). I've found that I'm so satisfied while eating paleo that I don't really need to count calories. I still typically count once a week or so, just to gauge how everything stacks up. When I have counted, I am right in the 1600-1800 range (at or slightly below maintenance for me) -- some days it has been hard for me to even hit 1200, though.
  • RangerSteve
    RangerSteve Posts: 437

    With Paleo / Primal you don't count calories...............you stick to the allowed foods of fats, protein, vegetables, throw in some fruit and nuts on occasion and dairy if you are tolerant.............

    What?

    Why wouldn't you count calories on paleo or primal when you otherwise would?

    just like with Atkins, there is no need.


    So you're telling me that it's impossible to get fat eating primal or paleo and that there is no need to count calories because you're not eating grains and dairy?

    In other words, the only way to get fat is by eating grains and dairy?

    I'm a little on edge here with your post because it was short and didn't actually explain your position.
  • RangerSteve
    RangerSteve Posts: 437

    Calorie counting turns me into a bit of a Crazy Lady and I end up getting too obsessed with how I eat (not the case for everyone, but that's how I am). I've found that I'm so satisfied while eating paleo that I don't really need to count calories. I still typically count once a week or so, just to gauge how everything stacks up. When I have counted, I am right in the 1600-1800 range (at or slightly below maintenance for me) -- some days it has been hard for me to even hit 1200, though.

    If your eyeball estimates are close to when you actually count then it's not an issue. However, the idea that someone doesn't have to worry about the laws of the universe affecting the body because of X food being eaten completely violates all laws of common sense.
  • FitJ1210
    FitJ1210 Posts: 754
    Bump
  • dawnemjh
    dawnemjh Posts: 1,465 Member
    I have been trying to follow this for the past week, with the exception of adding cheese and plain non fat greek yogurt. I find that if I didnt add the cheese and yogurt I would have a very boring diet. I dont eat red meat or pork, so there is only so much chicken and eggs a person can eat. I am sooo tired of eggs for breakfast. Maybe I am doing something wrong, because with 1 fruit a day and the added veggies I struggle to keep my carbs below 100. I usually am right around 95-100. But I need the fruit to increase my fiber consumption.
    What do you all average for carb intake? Will it work if I eat cheese since the cheese is really low carb??
    I appreciate any advice!!
  • justamyagain
    justamyagain Posts: 154 Member
    I am beginning to eat this way. In the past I was successful w/ Atkins, but as soon as I returned to the SAD the weight (and heath problems) returned. I just feel better when I am eating a high protein and fat, low carb meal plan. I usually track my food so I am aware of how many calories I am eating, but I have noticed that if I keep my calories as low as this site is suggesing I feel deprived and have carb cravings.

    I have a question about the daily nutrition values on MFP. For those of you that eat paleo/primal what % do you keep your fat, carbs, and protein?
  • jellerose
    jellerose Posts: 74 Member
    Dawn, I'd rather add full fat yogurt or at least as close as possible. It seems as though every low fat product I pick up has more junk added, often in the form of some sort of carb/grain. Try aged cheeses and considering trying to add some meat. That part is hard for me as I got so out of the meat habit following "conventional wisdom".

    I don't really "count" calories on primal. I consider it that I'm "tracking" foods to see where I'm at with my preferred ratio of protein/fat/carbs. I find it's hard to go over, sometimes hard to get up to, the goal calories MFP sets for my weightloss goals. Hard because I'm just not hungry enough to overeat calories if I'm eating the other healthy primal stuff. When I have my sugar weakness days is when it comes close or can go slightly over. Otherwise it's not really that hard. The sugar weakness hits less and less as I continue on. I didn't stress over it in the beginning, just accepted it as part of what I needed to factor in and chose things that were less bad. (not pretending they were good, ha) For you fruit might be your sweet treat and if you enjoy it, well, that's in your 20%. Are you eating potatoes or corn as part of your "veggies"? Either of those could add carbs in a way you might try doing without for awhile.

    Losing the grains helps us reset our metabolisms so most don't need to count calories because we naturally start consuming a more normal amount and what we do consume is metabolized better rather than stored as fat.
  • LisaKyle11
    LisaKyle11 Posts: 662 Member
    bump
  • dawnemjh
    dawnemjh Posts: 1,465 Member
    Dawn, I'd rather add full fat yogurt or at least as close as possible. It seems as though every low fat product I pick up has more junk added, often in the form of some sort of carb/grain. Try aged cheeses and considering trying to add some meat. That part is hard for me as I got so out of the meat habit following "conventional wisdom".

    I don't really "count" calories on primal. I consider it that I'm "tracking" foods to see where I'm at with my preferred ratio of protein/fat/carbs. I find it's hard to go over, sometimes hard to get up to, the goal calories MFP sets for my weightloss goals. Hard because I'm just not hungry enough to overeat calories if I'm eating the other healthy primal stuff. When I have my sugar weakness days is when it comes close or can go slightly over. Otherwise it's not really that hard. The sugar weakness hits less and less as I continue on. I didn't stress over it in the beginning, just accepted it as part of what I needed to factor in and chose things that were less bad. (not pretending they were good, ha) For you fruit might be your sweet treat and if you enjoy it, well, that's in your 20%. Are you eating potatoes or corn as part of your "veggies"? Either of those could add carbs in a way you might try doing without for awhile.

    Losing the grains helps us reset our metabolisms so most don't need to count calories because we naturally start consuming a more normal amount and what we do consume is metabolized better rather than stored as fat.

    Thanks!!!
    i dont eat potatoes or corn. Usually for veggies I eat broccoli, cauliflower, salad with tomatoes, romaine and spinach leaves, eggplant, tomatoes, and green beans. occasionally I will have sweet potatoe or winter squash, but thats maybe once per week. I have one fruit serving per day. I seem to eat alot of cheese (2-3 ounces since starting this) and nuts! (almonds, walnuts, cashews). I also like the nut butters, peanut butter and almond butter and have at least 1-2 servings of nuts per day...
    Unfortunately I dont like seafood other than tuna, or red meat...
    I am going to try more coconut and limiting the cheese!
    thanks again for the reply!
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