Paleo Diet and Paleolithic Diet Questions & Answers

Question

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Hello,

I discovered Paleo 4 weeks ago and tomorrow I start my 5th week of 100% Paleo eating. I jumped in feet first and haven't looked back. I've lost 15 lbs in this time, and although I have a long way to go in that department, I am doing it more for the other health benefits (but I won't turn down that elusive weight loss!)

Prior to Paleo I suffered lots of stomach aches with some being severe enough to give me cold sweats and make me almost delirious. Although the majority were of the uh-oh, run to the bathroom-take some-pepto-feel-better variety.

After NO stomach aches these 4 weeks, I suffered a bad one today. My colleagues at work got involved as they realized I was not well. I was slightly loopy and had cold sweats. Of course, they all blamed it on the way I am eating.

Actually, I remember that the night before last I ate some paleo pizza (100% paleo) and topped it off with lots of sun-dried tomatoes (something I had never indulged in before). The crust was almond flour and truthfully, very dry and unappetizing. So I made up with the toppings to compensate.

Not to be gross or anything, but I am familiar with how long things usually take to make it through our system and I am blaming my ailment on that meal. Awful pains and bowel movements twice. Took pepto and am feeling much better now.

How do you deal with well meaning folk who swear there are good carbs I should not be forsaking? They brought me some coke as they thought my blood sugar was low and I took two tiny sips and refused any more. I've been so good about cutting all of that out that I did not want any more.

I haven't suffered any cravings and have dropped my asthma medicine to half the previous dosage. I no longer fall asleep in the middle of the day. I am having nothing but benefits from paleo and don't plan on stopping.

flag	asked Jul 13 at 17:41 Maggie 21●2

	So, this was the first stomach ache in a month. Prior to paleo, how often did you get them? That would seem to be the response: "prior to paleo I got at least one stomach ache a week; this is the first one I've had in a month." – Talldog Jul 13 at 18:20
	Talldog, they were quite frequent. I would get them 3-4 times a week. I even left special events halfway due to them. I'm not missing them at all. You're right. Although I didn't have all my wits about me when responding, I made sure they knew the frequent stomach aches were gone and this speaks volumes in my book. – Maggie Jul 13 at 18:30

Kelly B · Answer 1 · 2012-07-13 17:56:03Z UTC

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How do you deal with well meaning folk who swear there are good carbs I should not be forsaking?

I say "No, thank you" and keep repeating it until they get bored and go away. They do mean well, but they live in a different universe and don't speak your language. All you can do is be polite and stick to your guns.

answered Jul 13 at 17:56

Kelly B
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Kelly, I'm good at being polite. =) And considering how great I've been feeling otherwise, they'll have a hard time getting dairy, carbs, sugars back on my plate. – Maggie Jul 13 at 18:33

depending on what they mean by "good carbs" they could be right – RaiseFitness Jul 13 at 21:02

A at Grain Free Diet · Answer 2 · 2012-07-13 17:44:56Z UTC

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Any possible chance you just have an intolerance/allergy to nightshades? (Tomatoes, eggplant, peppers, etc)

answered Jul 13 at 17:44

A at Grain Free Diet
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	This never occurred to me. I do love all three and never noticed an issue previously. I'll have to keep an eye on that. Thanks. – Maggie Jul 13 at 18:34
	Exactly what I was thinking - nightshade issues. I have them. They're no joke. Mine didn't surface until I was in my late 30's, either. – Cheryl Jul 13 at 18:44
	Not just nightshades...Nut flours can become rancid when heated like the seed oils... – PrimalSteve Jul 13 at 18:52
	This answer is definitely worth looking into. Nightshades in large amounts can do a number on me, too, which is terrible, because I love tomatoes and peppers. I also have problems with certain fats due to having had my gallbladder removed at 17 years old. I do find that taking Super Enzymes has helped a lot with those digestion problems, both with fats and nightshades. YMMV. – ambergarrett Jul 13 at 18:56
	Wow. Thanks for the feedback guys. I'll have to pay close attention to the nightshades then. Also the nut flours. The only thing I've used them for so far that I actually would miss if I gave it up is the paleo bread. I baked a loaf, sliced it up and stuck it in the freezer. I eat it very rarely but I love being able to have a sandwich again. – Maggie Jul 13 at 19:14

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Blossom1 · Answer 3 · 2012-07-13 18:00:41Z UTC

I usually just smile, thank people, nod, give a short answer at most, and keep doing what I've been doing.

I posted this anecdote in the "Sh*t Nutritionists Say" thread:

I am finishing up a nutrition degree, and there was one week earlier this year I was feeling a little off - it's important to note that everyone around me (at the hospital I was rotating at, at school, at work) was coming down with a particularly nasty strain of influenza. One of my peers (who came down with it hard a couple days later):

"You know, you're probably feeling off because of that diet of yours. You should add whole grains back into it. I'm just saying...it's not healthy to avoid them!" [insert smug head shake here]

Needless to say, I did not start consuming "whole grains," nor did I come down with the flu.

I could have argued, and probably won (whatever that means when a friend is involved). I have a strong background in debate, and I know my "stuff" much better than this other student. But I just shrugged and said that I was tracking my nutrition and knew that I meeting all of my dietary needs. And then I changed the subject.

jen · Answer 4 · 2012-07-13 19:25:04Z UTC

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What do you say to your coworkers who tell you there are good carbs?

"You bet- and they grow on trees, bushes, in the ground... I know where to find fruit and veg, thanks for your concern"

:)

answered Jul 13 at 19:25

jen
31●2

	thats kind of funny! – RaiseFitness Jul 13 at 21:05
	I love that. LOL I mentioned that I was getting plenty of carbs in my fruits and occasional sweet potato. They kept insisting I wasn't. I think they meant enriched white Wonder bread. =) – Maggie Jul 15 at 3:02

Sleepyhouse22 · Answer 5 · 2012-07-13 18:43:45Z UTC

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Oh my god... their prescription for you was Coca-Cola?? lol!

answered Jul 13 at 18:43

Sleepyhouse22
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Sleepyhouse, yes. =) To their credit, one girl is a registered nurse and she thought my blood sugar had dropped. I asked for a piece of fruit instead but didn't get it. I drove my loopy self to Walgreens and got the pepto I knew I needed. I'm feeling almost myself again. – Maggie Jul 13 at 19:19

I was about to suggest fruit - seems like the body would utilize it more effectively than artificial sugars. Either way, that's scary. I feel for ya. Stomachaches can be something truly serious that I wouldn't fool around with. Last time I had one I found out it was a huge ovarian cyst. :/ – Sleepyhouse22 Jul 13 at 19:44

Ouch. I hope that turned out well for you. – Maggie Jul 15 at 3:02

CoachCanadan · Answer 6 · 2012-07-13 18:00:12Z UTC

There will always be haters. Just explain to them how much good has come of it so far. I've been eating this way for years, and I still get people who tell me that I'm going to be deficient in something or other. So I ask them what exactly I can find in grains that I can't find elsewhere? Ask them to get into specifics about what you're "missing" if you really want to go down that road. What magical properties do grains have?

Carl_Stawicki · Answer 7 · 2012-07-13 18:01:03Z UTC

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After your experience, you can honestly say that food doesn't agree with you, which anyone should respect.

answered Jul 13 at 18:01

Carl_Stawicki
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Carl, yep. I remember a similar incident decades ago, involving sardines. It took years before I would touch one again. So I am looking at those tomatoes with suspect eyes now. lol – Maggie Jul 13 at 18:42

tj · Answer 8 · 2012-07-13 19:16:15Z UTC

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u shouldnt have told them about your diet

answered Jul 13 at 19:16

tj
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	can I ask why you think this way? I am not for shouting it from the streets, but if people ask because they notice I eat differently, nothing wrong with talking about it. – RaiseFitness Jul 13 at 21:04
	TJ, I am not even thinking of it as a diet. I am thinking of it as a new way of life for me. I will be 50 years old in 2 months and had all the cards stacked against me. And it happened exactly as RaiseFitness said... they noticed me skipping the bagels, donuts, cupcakes, pizza and pastelitos that are presented at all the office meetings. They asked and I was honest about my new way of eating. In a year when I'm down to the weight I should be at and they're still trying the diet-of-the-week they may ask me again about this "crazy" thing I'm doing. – Maggie Jul 15 at 3:08
	just say ur gluten intolerant. – tj Jul 16 at 16:34

SCUBABry · Answer 9 · 2012-07-13 20:56:15Z UTC

In my office I am like the fourth person who has gone Paleo. It is really funny. We are converting people! Thankfully no one is bone headed in my office to try and argue with us. They are usually more curious and supportive. I have had more problems with my family who insists I am killing myself by denying myself the traditional four pieces of garlic toast with spaghetti at dinner time. This is the same group of people who have spent more time with cardiologists than I can even remember. LOL!

I just shrug my shoulders and ignore the well meaning, but completely wrong, people who are against being Paleo. I even had a family friend try and tell me that my diet was unhealthy as she was complaining about her inability to loose weight, her stomach problmes, joint problems, and being sick all the time. I wanted to point those things out to her, but she is my aunts neighbor and I did not want to hurt any feelings.

Newbie at odds with well meaning colleagues

9 Answers