Anyone do Paleo, or have thoughts on it?

[The Sauce]

I have been paleo for a few years now. I enjoy it a lot. I think most people are healthier if they give up grains and sugars. I have also been intermittent fasting for about 3 months now to cut down as much as possible for summer. If you want to learn about Paleo read "The Primal Blueprint" by Mark Sisson. He is the Paleo guru and it's a nice, well thought-out, easy read on the subject.

Since starting paleo my weight has gone from 225 to 180 (the last 10# took intermittent fasting to kick off) and my blood lipids have all but sorted themselves out. Very healthy and easy lifestyle. Highly recommended.

PS - It just occurred to me - if my avatar doesn't say "paleo" I don't know what does.

 

[Ashenor]

I have been paleo for a few years now. I enjoy it a lot. I think most people are healthier if they give up grains and sugars. I have also been intermittent fasting for about 3 months now to cut down as much as possible for summer. If you want to learn about Paleo read "The Primal Blueprint" by Mark Sisson. He is the Paleo guru and it's a nice, well thought-out, easy read on the subject.

Since starting paleo my weight has gone from 225 to 180 (the last 10# took intermittent fasting to kick off) and my blood lipids have all but sorted themselves out. Very healthy and easy lifestyle. Highly recommended.

PS - It just occurred to me - if my avatar doesn't say "paleo" I don't know what does.

Nice i just finished Rob Wolfs book i will have to check this one out also. Still trying to get ready to commit to trying it fulling for a month.

 

[blackdogdeek]

Is there a definitive word on potatoes?

 

[surfsatwerk]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=BMOjVYgYaG8

Debunking the paleo diet: Christina Warinner at TEDxOU

 

[NAC]

A while back I did strict Paleo for a month. I didn't see or feel a distinct advantage for my body as others have. I didn't have more energy or anything like that. I have a fast metabolism in general; I don't think carbs affect me much. I did find it difficult to eat enough. I didn't crave carbs, or any particular food – well, not too much. But it was a pain to plan and prepare for every meal.

I've been back to a fairly regular diet recently, but starting today I plan to go low carb "paleo-ish". Lots of fruits, vegetables and meat. I'll still indulge in tortilla chips and taco shells (my weakness), and small servings of muesli, yogurt, milk, and occasional rice, potatoes and beer. But I'll avoid pasta, pizza, bread, and other concentrated carb meals. I'm off to a bad start - I didn't have breakfast prepared, so rather than spend $6 on an egg omelet or similiar, I got a $1.50 bagel.

My favorite book on the subject is The Deadly Harvest.

 

[billyevans]

I've been doing Paleo since November of last year. I've lost about 30 pounds. It's pretty great if you're fine with the whole no dairy thing. You get used to it after about a week.

 

[Ashenor]

Still have not made the start on this, i just suck at cooking and planning is my biggest holdback. I am ok with finding a few things i like and just eating those, just have to make the commitement and get started soon.

 

[Blackjack200]

I was reading blackdogdeek's log and thinking that that diet looks like about the most unhealthy thing I've ever seen.

But I wonder... if you keep yourself in caloric deficit, maybe it doesn't really matter a whole lot what you're eating (assuming sufficient protein and vitamins) since your body is just burning it all anyway.

 

[Cstefan]

Hell, Atkins should be the most unhealthy thing ever. Bacon, cheese, eggs, more bacon, super fatty meats. But all of my metrics respond extremely well to it. Cholesterol down from 280 to 120 in a few months and the associated fat loss.

And about debunking paleo, who give a crap what anyone thinks about any particular diet? Does it work for you? AWESOME. No? Try something else.

 

[surfsatwerk]

Hell, Atkins should be the most unhealthy thing ever. Bacon, cheese, eggs, more bacon, super fatty meats. But all of my metrics respond extremely well to it. Cholesterol down from 280 to 120 in a few months and the associated fat loss.

And about debunking paleo, who give a crap what anyone thinks about any particular diet? Does it work for you? AWESOME. No? Try something else.

People should make educated decisions. Providing information about the science behind any "diet" can only be a good thing.

 

[Cstefan]

True, and for very bad article/study there are positive ones. At best, everything is pretty inconclusive. Do what works for you.

 

[finbarqs]

sorry to necro this thread, but I'm at the brink of completing my paleo challenge. Started 5/6, and ending 6/17. Strict Paleo. I cut out ALL sugars, be it refined or natural. I also cut out completely all starchy veggies. Only water as my source of hydration.

I can tell you, Paleo is NOT for me. it's hard to give up my condiments. Found out a lot about my eating habits/appetite. I realize things that I like food when it's mixed in with a bunch of crap. For example, a hot dog. Don't like it straight up. I have to have relish, onions, mustard, ketchup. Or a steak. I have to have A1, mash potatoes, etc. I just can't have things in it's natural form. Especially avocado. I thought I loved it. But nope. I that's the one thing I cannot have anymore, thanks to Paleo. Maybe Guac with onions, cilantro, tomatoes, etc. and of course, tortilla chips. Paleo sucks for me, big time.

First thing, the first 3 weeks were fairly easy. The last 3 weeks are a nightmare. I cannot ingest more than 300-500 calories of anything strict paleo. I will throw up. Literally. I actually feel weaker NOW during workouts, because I'm not eating as much. I just have no appetite eating anything, and I'm always on the brink of nausea for the past 3 weeks.

Everything Paleo tastes the same to me. I've tried varying it up, but it's like eating the same damn thing over and over again. But the thing is, I don't like it. To me, it's like eating a medicine for a meal, and trying to enjoy it. Not really gonna work that way. But I'm down 45 lbs since 5/6 t'il today.

Anyways, I also found out that before, I have a problem with portion control. I think I'll fix it this time around. Probably cheat on the weekends, and eat fruits for breakfast and dinner. Anyways, that's my thought on Paleo. Bleh!

 

[RagingBITCH]

Wanted to see if anyone else was still on the Paleo diet. I did the no grains thing last year for 2-3 months leading up to the wedding (still did dried fruits and dairy though) with great results. (So not Paleo obviously, but I can skip grains without any adverse side effects)

I have zero problems with cutting foods out - my diet is very regimented as it is. I skip more free lunches and happy hours at work than 99% of those out there. My diet tends to be pretty straight forward - bananas/protein shake for breakfast, steel cut oats/yogurt for 2nd breakfast, rice or whole wheat pasta, lean meats, and veggies for lunch/dinner.

Moreso than anything, just looking for morning meal ideas. There's only so many ways you can eat eggs. A few buddies recommended nuts, almond butter, apples, but just seeing what everyone else had to recommend. Thanks

 

[blackdogdeek]

I did strict paleo during January and lost about 12 pounds. Since then I haven't been as strict (occasional sushi rolls, pizza, breads). For the last two weeks I've been doing paleo + dairy, so basically just trying to avoid sugars and grains. I'll probably try to stick with this 6 days a week and then cheat on Sundays or something like that.

Unfortunately, my daughter is a girl scout and this is cookie season and my wife is the cookie mom for the troop so ALL the boxes that people ordered are sitting on our dining room table (about 300 boxes I think). They call to me. On monday, I ate about 10 samoas and on Tuesday I ate about 15 dulce de leches. SO. FVCKING. GOOD.

EDIT: for morning meals I will usually do eggs and bacon or cottage cheese and bacon or ham with some mayo (though the mayo isn't paleo since it uses canola oil; I'm looking into making my own).

EDIT2: for a little bit of variety, I will make the eggs over easy, or scrambled with butter or bacon grease and sometimes I'll add cheese.

 

[VoteQuimby]

My family has been doing Paleo/Primal for the past few years. We slowly, over the course of 6 months transitioned to strict Paleo. My son has had several food allergies since birth, my wife did an elimination diet while nursing and we found out he was allergic to corn. Corn is in everything so we took that out of our diets completely first. Then over time he started to react to oats. So we then went to SCD/GAPS/Paleo diet. All three of us have been on it now for 2 years. My wife and I cheat now and then but we try to stick to it. My wife sees a big change in her mood, brain fog, etc when she goes off the diet.

My morning breakfast is typically 4 x eggs(local) & 3 x bacon(applegate). At work I have coffee and a little heavy whipping cream (grass fed, non GMO). Lunch usually consists of a big salad with avocado, egg, some type of meat, and lots of greens/veggies(no dressing-or maybe a little olive oil). The avocados really help fill me up. Dinner usually consists of a meat & veggie. We like chicken fajitas with lots of onions & bell peppers. If I cheat, I’ll add a little cheese to my dish. My wife and son can’t handle dairy. We also make meatloaf or burgers, soups, stews, chili, etc in the crock pot for dinners. Leftover typically go to the adults the next day for lunch. On weekends we like to make something special for breakfast so we’ll make grain free waffles, pancakes, or french toast (Check out againstallgrains.com for recipes).

My wife and I both lost a decent amount of weight going paleo. I’d say the thing that helps motivate us though is that we don’t want to have food in the house we know our son can’t have. He’s 4 now and I hate it if I have to tell him he can’t have something that I’m eating. Any questions, just shoot me a PM.

 

[RagingBITCH]

I did strict paleo during January and lost about 12 pounds. Since then I haven't been as strict (occasional sushi rolls, pizza, breads). For the last two weeks I've been doing paleo + dairy, so basically just trying to avoid sugars and grains. I'll probably try to stick with this 6 days a week and then cheat on Sundays or something like that.

Unfortunately, my daughter is a girl scout and this is cookie season and my wife is the cookie mom for the troop so ALL the boxes that people ordered are sitting on our dining room table (about 300 boxes I think). They call to me. On monday, I ate about 10 samoas and on Tuesday I ate about 15 dulce de leches. SO. FVCKING. GOOD.

EDIT: for morning meals I will usually do eggs and bacon or cottage cheese and bacon or ham with some mayo (though the mayo isn't paleo since it uses canola oil; I'm looking into making my own).

EDIT2: for a little bit of variety, I will make the eggs over easy, or scrambled with butter or bacon grease and sometimes I'll add cheese.

LOL @ Girl Scout cookies. Sorry man, I can see how that is frustrating. Wife is expecting so she's buying all kinds of crap that's just tempting. I get your pain, or rather, indulgence

What are your goto options for mid morning or snacks at work? I used to do the cottage cheese and nuts, but with dairy being out, I feel a bit lost. Today I did apples + almond butter, but looking to see what else you'd recommend for an easy work snack.

 

[RagingBITCH]

My family has been doing Paleo/Primal for the past few years. We slowly, over the course of 6 months transitioned to strict Paleo. My son has had several food allergies since birth, my wife did an elimination diet while nursing and we found out he was allergic to corn. Corn is in everything so we took that out of our diets completely first. Then over time he started to react to oats. So we then went to SCD/GAPS/Paleo diet. All three of us have been on it now for 2 years. My wife and I cheat now and then but we try to stick to it. My wife sees a big change in her mood, brain fog, etc when she goes off the diet.

My morning breakfast is typically 4 x eggs(local) & 3 x bacon(applegate). At work I have coffee and a little heavy whipping cream (grass fed, non GMO). Lunch usually consists of a big salad with avocado, egg, some type of meat, and lots of greens/veggies(no dressing-or maybe a little olive oil). The avocados really help fill me up. Dinner usually consists of a meat & veggie. We like chicken fajitas with lots of onions & bell peppers. If I cheat, I’ll add a little cheese to my dish. My wife and son can’t handle dairy. We also make meatloaf or burgers, soups, stews, chili, etc in the crock pot for dinners. Leftover typically go to the adults the next day for lunch. On weekends we like to make something special for breakfast so we’ll make grain free waffles, pancakes, or french toast (Check out againstallgrains.com for recipes).

My wife and I both lost a decent amount of weight going paleo. I’d say the thing that helps motivate us though is that we don’t want to have food in the house we know our son can’t have. He’s 4 now and I hate it if I have to tell him he can’t have something that I’m eating. Any questions, just shoot me a PM.

VQ - appreciate the input. Recommendations on snacks at work? That's my hang-up right now is figuring that out. I can do veggies and meat all day long, but short of doing that for a 9AM meal, just trying to figure that one out. I'm typically up at 4AM, so even a few eggs/meat in the breakfast and I'm hungry by 8-9. And thanks for that link!

 

[VoteQuimby]

So you're eating breakfast at 4am?

You'd almost need to treat your 8-9am thing as a meal since its 4 hours between. I try to bring a shake with me to work if I've worked out that morning. Maybe you could do that? I throw an avocado, banana, almond butter, raw honey, and a little coconut milk in mine. It doesn't taste the best, but you could google "Paleo Shakes" for better tasting options I'm just too lazy/in a routine to try something new at the moment.

a quick snacks that you can buy
-Lara Bar
-Apples & Almond Butter (as you mentioned)

You could also make some grain free granola or banana bread etc to bring with in the mornings. Or make your own jerky.

 

[blackdogdeek]

What are your goto options for mid morning or snacks at work? I used to do the cottage cheese and nuts, but with dairy being out, I feel a bit lost. Today I did apples + almond butter, but looking to see what else you'd recommend for an easy work snack.

My schedule looks like this:

0540
- 1 scrambled egg in butter or bacon grease
- 8 oz coffee with approx. 4 oz whole lactaid milk

0800
- a couple of strips of bacon (ie - whatever the kids don't eat)
- 1 baby bell cheese

1030
- 3 eggs over easy
- 3-4 strips of bacon

1430
- some kind of protein
- some kind of veggie
This meal isn't very strict since it's cafeteria food so the items probably have assorted non-paleo ingredients. Sometimes, I go to a local place and get a salad with tuna salad, shrimp, avocado, tomatoes, onions, roasted peppers and oil and vinegar.

Sometime during the work day I have another 8 oz coffee with probably 4 oz of fat-free lactaid milk

2030
- some kind of protein
- some kind of veggie

This last meal is usually 1-2 cups of steamed broccoli and grass-fed ground beef, grilled ribeye or baked chicken thighs. Our local Elevation Burger re-opened recently so when we do that I'll usually get a 3-patty vertigo burger with cheese and assorted veggies but I'll also get ketchup and mustard but get a lettuce wrap instead of a bun. Sometimes, if my daughter doesn't finish her fries I will eat the remainder.

If at any point at work I get hungry (which isn't very often) I keep a bag of cashews at my desk. If I ever get desperate (which only happens if I've missed the 1030 or the 1430 meals or I have to work late) I might run down and get a hot dog or Italian sausage and discard the bun.

 

[RagingBITCH]

So you're eating breakfast at 4am?

You'd almost need to treat your 8-9am thing as a meal since its 4 hours between. I try to bring a shake with me to work if I've worked out that morning. Maybe you could do that? I throw an avocado, banana, almond butter, raw honey, and a little coconut milk in mine. It doesn't taste the best, but you could google "Paleo Shakes" for better tasting options I'm just too lazy/in a routine to try something new at the moment.

a quick snacks that you can buy
-Lara Bar
-Apples & Almond Butter (as you mentioned)

You could also make some grain free granola or banana bread etc to bring with in the mornings. Or make your own jerky.

Eating breakfast post WO, normally around 545-6AM. Out of the house by 7. And yes, I have been doing mini-meals throughout the day. (I'm known as the guy who eats 6 times a day at work) Looking more for a secondish breakfast than a first lunch at that point if that makes sense Good recommendations though - thanks

 

[RagingBITCH]

My schedule looks like this:

0540
- 1 scrambled egg in butter or bacon grease
- 8 oz coffee with approx. 4 oz whole lactaid milk

0800
- a couple of strips of bacon (ie - whatever the kids don't eat)
- 1 baby bell cheese

1030
- 3 eggs over easy
- 3-4 strips of bacon

1430
- some kind of protein
- some kind of veggie
This meal isn't very strict since it's cafeteria food so the items probably have assorted non-paleo ingredients. Sometimes, I go to a local place and get a salad with tuna salad, shrimp, avocado, tomatoes, onions, roasted peppers and oil and vinegar.

Sometime during the work day I have another 8 oz coffee with probably 4 oz of fat-free lactaid milk

2030
- some kind of protein
- some kind of veggie

This last meal is usually 1-2 cups of steamed broccoli and grass-fed ground beef, grilled ribeye or baked chicken thighs. Our local Elevation Burger re-opened recently so when we do that I'll usually get a 3-patty vertigo burger with cheese and assorted veggies but I'll also get ketchup and mustard but get a lettuce wrap instead of a bun. Sometimes, if my daughter doesn't finish her fries I will eat the remainder.

If at any point at work I get hungry (which isn't very often) I keep a bag of cashews at my desk. If I ever get desperate (which only happens if I've missed the 1030 or the 1430 meals or I have to work late) I might run down and get a hot dog or Italian sausage and discard the bun.

Yikes! More meat than I was thinking, but not going to complain Might have to hard boil some eggs at work then for a snack. Or just bite the bullet and eat a first lunch at 9. Thx bdd

 

[finbarqs]

yeah i've actually been keeping my weight off now. down 85 lbs., but I've been watching my calories. Calories in, is calories out! 3500 = 1 lbs.!

 

[Kaido]

yeah i've actually been keeping my weight off now. down 85 lbs., but I've been watching my calories. Calories in, is calories out! 3500 = 1 lbs.!

Congrats man, that's awesome!!

 

[Kaido]

Thinking about doing it at least for a month, have a Crossift Competition on April 13th. Living alone i just hate cooking/planning so not sure how well i can fit it into my lifestyle. Anyone tried it or have thoughts on it?

I'm basically Paleo, due to food allergies (dairy & grains). Although I do eat legumes & starches. I have a LOT of friends who do it. It does pair well with Crossfit, which I think is a great thing - I've had a lot of friends switch from being overweight & not active at all to being pretty dang healthy because they found something that worked for me. I think it's a lot better of a diet than a lot of other eating styles too, because it encourages you to make healthy decisions & gives you some structure to base your meal plans off of.

If you hate cooking, then you should definitely look into make-ahead meals (sometimes called "freezer cooking" or the "once-a-month" system). Basically you do all of the cooking once a week or once a month & then just eat throughout the week. I use disposable plastic TV dinner trays that I buy in bulk online, shovel the food in them, and then either put in the fridge or freezer. I have a thread on that project over here:

http://forums.anandtech.com/showthread.php?t=2336038

Basically, you can find ways to both hit your dietary targets & make it easy on yourself. There's tons of great Paleo resources out there; here's a few to get you started:

http://paleomg.com/

http://www.pinterest.com/search/pins/?q=paleo

http://nomnompaleo.com/

 

[Kaido]

I guess i am just fussy, easier to list the veggies i don't like. Peppers, Onions, Tomatoes raw/cooked (love everything they make though), Mushrooms.

That's actually not too bad of a list. Plus, as you learn to cook more, you may find you actually like some of them. But even if you don't, there's plenty of other veggies to keep you healthy. I'd highly recommend a Spiralizer to make them more fun to eat:

http://www.amazon.com/Tri-blade-Vege...dp/B00GRIR87M/

This is the go-to website for spiralized recipes:

http://www.inspiralized.com/

I do spiralized zucchini pretty much weekly now, it's awesome - a much healthier noodle base for lunches & desserts. It also makes salads more interesting, especially with unique stuff like beets that are swirled in. For me, a large part of making food appealing is making it look good, so if it looks fun-to-eat, then I'm more likely to eat it, haha.