Paleo Diet and Paleolithic Diet Questions & Answers

Question

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I just started Paleo 3 days ago. Today was the first time I got in any good amount of healthy fats, b/c I went grocery shopping for fatty meat and avocados today (my family eats small amounts of lean meat, lots of veggies, and lots of rice).

I'm 5'7" and 145lbs and I wanted to take off 15lbs to my original constant weight through switching to Paleo.

Today I had some beef and 1 avocado to attempt getting my 65% of caloric intake from fat.

I'm having severe issues with digesting all of this fat in my system (major gas, stomach cramps, and slight nausea when smelling fatty foods like oily meats and melted butter).

I don't know if this is normal and if I can continue eating even more fattier foods (today I had way too much protein and more carbs than necessary) not only because my stomach can't handle it, but because my palate can't.

Do you think it's too early to give up this routine and go back to my heavier-carb diet? (If I do go back, I think I will still keep out any other grains from my diet besides rice, and stay dairy-free as well. Does that seem "safe"?).

I'm in serious pain as I'm writing this D: Please help! Thank you so much for your input.

flag	asked Aug 12 at 1:51 Rin 19●4

Dragonfly · Answer 1 · 2012-08-12 01:55:53Z UTC

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Just too much fat too fast for your system, I imagine. Try ramping up the fat more slowly.

Also, Google FODMAPS. If you are FODMAPS-intolerant, it could be a factor. Avocados are on the list & I cannot digest them well.

answered Aug 12 at 1:55

Dragonfly
31.2k●1●8●41

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ahh so many foods on the list. hmm I think I might be a bit sensitive to fruit as well. and I know I just eat too much even on a normal standard. they taste so good! – Rin Aug 13 at 8:06

David · Answer 2 · 2012-08-12 03:42:15Z UTC

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If you aren't used to eating like this, you might want to break it in slowly. Take a common sense approach and let your body adapt...Cut your fat intake to tolerance level and slowly increase over a few weeks or longer. Going back to a heavier carb diet is probably not necessary.

answered Aug 12 at 3:42

David
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I decided to do the "cold turkey" method but today I put in a bit of rice back in and held off on some of the avocado fat and I feel a bit better. – Rin Aug 13 at 8:07

Zachary Taylor MA · Answer 3 · 2012-08-12 04:05:12Z UTC

Hi Rin,

First of all, listen to your body. It doesn't like what you are doing right now. Diarrhea is like your intestines throwing up -- they are not down with what you're eating.

Also, I wouldn't just assume it's "all this fat" that's causing the problems. It may just be one type of food or the way your are preparing it. It may also be the sheer speed with which you switched from (presumably) 10% fat to 65% fat. There are other possibilities including gall bladder issues, which pumps bile when you eat fat, or food sensitivities.

So, if it were me (I don't know your personal situation or history), I would rule out gall bladder issues and food sensitivities (as DragonFly said, avocados and other FODMAPS can cause issues for some).

Then I would consider more slowly increasing your fat and protein intake. In doing this be sure you have plenty of fiber on board, either through non-starchy vegetables or PGX Fiber capsules (these are the best I've seen) taken just before a meal. They can slow the amount of fat hitting your system. I think a lot of people miss that a good fiber can aid your intestines in handling the fat.

And if you do go back on grains, switch from breads, rice, and pasta, to black or red quinoa, mahogany rice, thai red cargo rice, or even barley (only heirloom varieties, such as from goldmine natural foods). Maybe even some gluten-free steel cut oats.

Take 'er easy, Tiger, and good luck!

Please help! Is it too early to quit? (crazy bloating, cramps, and slight nausea)

3 Answers