Paleo Diet and Paleolithic Diet Questions & Answers

Question

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I'm very poor, very fat, and very paranoid. I will eat it if I have to, but I want to avoid industrial beef, chicken, and pork. Grass-fed counter-parts are off the table as a staple. I understand there exists cow pooling, but that isn't feasible either.

I'm up for eating lots of eggs, canned tuna, and other sea creatures. How's shrimp and anchovies?

What are some decently priced fat sources? I think I'm willing to spend $7-10 on a jar of coconut oil and eat it with a spoon.

My concern is I will be eating too much carbs from all the veggies (I love roasted vegetables) and not enough fat. I do love avocados, though.

I guess it would be important to know that I'm 27 and about 550 lbs. My goal is to shed off the weight without damaging my insides any further. Is there an appropriate approach to paleo for my weight?

EDIT: I'm not actually paranoid. It's the OCD talking. I'll probably get over the creepy feeling sooner than later. I think it's ground beef that's creeping me out for some reason. I need to eat a steak or roast or something.

edited Apr 29 2012 at 7:22

asked Apr 29 2012 at 6:24

Andy S
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Shrimp? WOOTAWESOME! Rather than anchovies, give a good Brisling Sardine in olive oil a try; better n3 to n6 ratio, and they don't taste like salt licks! – Blitherakt Apr 29 2012 at 6:54

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And... Dump the paranoia. It'll do you no good, no matter what plan you settle into. Try one for the recommended length, and if it doesn't work, try another! Given, of course, that you really follow each plan. – Blitherakt Apr 29 2012 at 6:57

Andy, congratulations on taking control of your health. I am so excited to hear about the amazing positive changes you will start to feel in your body. Please don't let money deter you from this diet. You CAN do it, just keep coming back here when you stumble into problems. Use the search feature to look up previous questions about paleo on a budget - there are a ton of great ideas. And I know you didn't ask about exercising, but walk. Walk as much as you can without harming yourself. It is phenomenal for mood, energy, and weight loss and is FREE. Add in the rest when you feel up to it. – Marcy Apr 29 2012 at 16:10

I didn't mean to have my "dump the paranoia" comment sound nasty... It's your health, your life and your decision. Make the best of it, whatever anybody says. – Blitherakt Apr 30 2012 at 4:59

Joshua · Accepted Answer · 2012-04-29 12:49:14Z UTC

You can get a 54oz tub of coconut oil for around $20 bucks. That seems to last my whole family (that and butter are the only cooking oils that we use) about a month.

You can switch to conventional beef if you have to (I know you don't want to), and pick leaner cuts (which in the case of steak tend to be a couple bucks cheaper per pound than your ribeyes and delmonicos).

I was approximately 430lbs when I started this way of life. I'm closing in on a nice, round number of 300lbs and I would say that until I discovered my local co-op about a year ago, I was eating everything CAFO/Commercial and still got significantly healthier.

So here is my advice.

Order your coconut oil online (vitacost, amazon, etc) and use it for your cooking oil.

Don't worry about grass/grain fed right now. Avoid pork and chicken, and go for the leaner cuts of beef such as steaks with "loin" in the name, and very lean roasts like tri-tips and bottom rounds. Supplement their scarce fat with your coconut oil.

Eat your eggs.

Pad your diet with veggies, but don't base your diet around them.

Extend your ground beef with diced turnips or rutabaga, these veggies go a long way in helping you fill up without being a carbo load (which is fine for someone who isn't 400+lbs, but not for you and I). Not only that, you can season this "hash" with any spice mix you want to give you a totally different flavor... add coconut milk and curry spice for curry, add chili powder and cumin for a Tex-Mex dish, add nutmeg and black pepper for a Scottish "mince and neeps"... it's quite versatile and it's what fed me when I lost the bulk of my weight. And your leftovers go great in scrambles the day after for breakfast.

Increase your leafy greens by sautéing kale, collards, turnips in coconut oil with garlic and onions and eating it with everything as well. Nutrient density goes a LONG way towards keeping binge urges away and helping you get lean.

When you get accustomed to eating higher fat without anything that cripples your insulin levels, you may find you won't feel like eating as often, and you may end up eating considerably less calories because you aren't binging at the first twinge of hunger.

You get to that point, the benefits are pretty awesome - from a financial and health standpoint. And I've also found personally, the healthier I am, the more successful I've been from a financial standpoint.

Michael · Answer 2 · 2012-04-29 12:30:53Z UTC

One thing y'all may not realize is that paranoia and OCD are not a decision that is made. It is a mental condition, of which I have learned that oftentimes can be drastically improved w/ losing weight on a healthy eating lifestyle. My personal paranoia comes from my weak adrenal glands for which I still have to take supplements to actually increase my cortisol levels. This person cam here with an open heart and mind and people that have never had to walk in his shoes just starting dumping on him. That's a really good way to further this lifestyle..... not.
Try being compassionate and understanding instead of looking down on someone asking you for help.

Blitherakt · Answer 3 · 2012-04-29 06:47:43Z UTC

Calm down and take a deep breath or three...

Grass fed beef is the pinnacle; local pork and chicken are desirable. But, if you can't afford it, then you can't. Strive to get better. Minimize the additives, look for the minimal ingredients and you're on your way.

Look for the basics of the lifestyle first: minimally processed, no gluten added, as little hormones and antibiotics as possible within your budget. Yeah, you might not get to the "Hey, I have di ner with the rancher three times a week!" status, but just reduce the middle-men and you'll get a great start!

Soul · Answer 4 · 2012-04-29 07:29:50Z UTC

At first I was like this too, but then realized it wasn't getting me anywhere and my health was deteriorating because of a raw vegan diet, so I had to add meat and the only grass-fed meat I ever had was a leg of lamb once. You can start by investing in a big jar of coconut oil because it is cheaper than getting smaller jars. Conventional butter is fine too if you are alright with dairy. Buy alot of sardines, tuna, mackerel in cans so if you dont think you got enough protein, you can just open a can and eat it, shrimp is good also, eggs are great, organ meats from young animals (calve's liver etc.), and I personally eat cheese also. You can go into your local healthfood store/ meat shop or where ever and ask for some fat that they got throughout the day, 98% of the time its free if they didn't throw it out. You can check out my post on how to ask them for the fat. The paleohackers here gave some great suggestions.You can also buy a whole duck and render alot of fat out of it compared to other meats. Honestly you should stop being paranoid. You can buy the leanest cuts of conventional meat and add back your good sources of fat like coconut oil, or just not care and eat the fatty cuts of conventional meat(take cod liver oil to help balance out omega 3 to 6 ratio).Make yourself familiar with international/ethnic grocery stores, because you might find some great things there you wont find in your regular stores or they are overpriced(like turmeric lol).Coconuts, avocados, Berries, Non-starchy vegetables are all great. Well I'll stop rambling now lol, I hope you find helpful answers here and don't be too hard on yourself.

Matt · Answer 5 · 2012-04-29 14:30:26Z UTC

You're worrying about details before you get the big picture right. No need to be so preoccupied with fats, and concerned about veggies having carbs. Grass-fed beef, local pork, free-range chicken, etc... All details that you needn't stress over, especially if you're on a budget.

At 550 pounds you could eat calorie-reduced standard American diet and do better than you are now. Paleo is often just icing on the cake.

Marcy · Answer 6 · 2012-04-29 16:24:36Z UTC

Andy, try these links:

http://paleohacks.com/questions/79807/paleo-on-a-budget-recommendations#axzz1tRQcIZ7F http://paleohacks.com/questions/101679/budget-friendly-meat#axzz1tRQcIZ7F http://paleohacks.com/questions/108591/feed-a-brown-bag-51-yo-male-for-one-week-on-tight-budget#axzz1tRQcIZ7F

and this:

http://www.marksdailyapple.com/healthy-budget/#axzz1tRm1PYeA http://www.marksdailyapple.com/depression-diet/#axzz1tRm1PYeA http://www.marksdailyapple.com/99-ways-to-save-money-on-food/#axzz1tRm1PYeA

As far as coming up with the money if you are still falling short, cancel your cable, sell belongings on eBay, get a second job.... you get the picture. Do what you have to do. Your quality of life / survivial is very important and worth any material sacrifice you can make. If you need extra motivation, start a blog with before pictures and give progress updates.

I am really interested in your progress, please keep active in this community so I can follow your journey!

Rob · Answer 7 · 2012-04-29 11:58:56Z UTC

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While you're being paranoid think about the mercury in tuna.

answered Apr 29 2012 at 11:58

Rob
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I thought about that. I could eat light tuna every so often. I could stick sardines and anchovies that, I believe, have no or very very little amount of mercury. – Andy S Apr 29 2012 at 12:24

Bobbie · Answer 8 · 2012-04-29 12:47:53Z UTC

This surprises me every time I read this - that eating low carb or paleo is "more expensive" than eating the SAD. Really? No seriously, really?!

I find I eat less meals in general on paleo than on the SAD. Well on the SAD I was eating CONSTANTLY, all hours of the day because I was always hungry. Additionally we went out to eat all of the time or ordered pizza quite a bit.

I've found we actually save money on paleo. And food no longer rules my mind or my life.

Sure you have a substantial amount of weight to lose, and it's going to be tough. But isn't living life in a body that you aren't meant to have even harder? My largest weight was 300 lbs, and I know what it's like to be addicted to sugar and carbs. You have to change what you are doing, and considering Paleo is a great step in the right direction.

Keep the process simple, don't over complicate things. You know what to stick with (whole foods). I would even recommend a whole30 to jump start things.

Best of luck, I know you can do it! :)

aseafish · Answer 9 · 2012-04-29 17:42:00Z UTC

Tuna, sardines, canned salmon, eggs are all fine sources of protein. Canned salmon is virtually always wild-caught, too. If grass-fed beef is on sale from time to time, try to get a little of that. Optimum isn't the issue right now, do-able is.

Coconut oil will be a good source of fats, and it is not always expensive. Granted, it can be, so just by-pass the expensive options and go for the more reasonable.

Adding coconut oil to your veggies will make you feel fuller as it helps your body absorb their nutrients.

Good luck and keep reading. There are lots of ways to do this without spending an arm and a leg and without eating scary foods, too.

Safe fat and protein on a budget?

9 Answers