Paleo Diet and Paleolithic Diet Questions & Answers

Question

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Hi,

I am still all new to this but I think I am getting the hang of it...I think. I am female, 26, 5ft 10in, 11 stone (154lbs) and would like to reduce body fat and get more toned. I have been eating paleo properly for a week now but have eliminated all common, starchy carbs (ie bread, rice, pasta etc incl potatoes and starchy tubers but not other veg). I think I am either still in carb-flu as I am very tired and have brain fog but I also realise that I am not sleeping well at the minute due to work stress. A couple of questions:

1) Can you have carb-flu if you didn't eat many carbs beforehand anyway? The only thing I really ate was cereal and on occasion, rice. Although I did consume lots of legumes and at the minute am in elimination stage so have eradicated dairy and nightshades too which I ate ALOT of.

2) I have found myself not being hungry and in the past couple of days eating one meal a day usually a few, rather thick, slices of pork loin I roasted on Sunday alongside either a spinach and kale salad with cucumber, avocado, olives, seeds and olive oil or broccoli, mushrooms and cauliflower cooked in the fat that I saved from when I roasted the meat. It's very filling, I would have that around 1-3pm and I usually can't manage to eat anything at all after that. However, because I am new and becuase I fear the lethargy is due to lack of calories (?), I still have the idea that I should eat more so on some occasions, before I go to bed, will eat some more meat or some carrots or veg or just something paleo. Whenever I eat meat I make sure it has fat on it or with it be it olive oil or coconut oil. I also take Centrum Advanced and O-3 fish oil everyday.

Is eating one meal a day ok?! Today was the largest so far: 2 very thick slices to finish the joint off, brocolli, mushrooms, cauliflower, olives stuffed with anchovies, kale and spinach all fried in the drained meat fat. After I was craving some more fat but I had none so I fried two eggs in the drained fat (couldn't have eaten it on its own). Felt better.

3) This is a bit of a continuation of 2) but I seem to have developed craving for coconut cream. I use Blue Dragon coconut milk from a can but I leave it outside overnight to the cream separates, I drain the water off (I assume that holds the added rubbish?) and then have the beautiful coconut cream. I tub it and use it for coffee. Now though I just ate half of a can and I won't lie, it was awesome and I want more. Should I give in?! I worry less about losing weight than about being one with my body (Grok) so should I relent and eat more as my body is asking me too or should I refrain because it's my mind?

I know I say I worry less about weight loss but I still want to be healthy which sure goes hand in hand with weight loss?

Sorry about this essay and life story guys!

flag	asked Oct 4 at 14:56 OmNomBacon 667●10

Satchmo · Accepted Answer · 2012-10-04 16:34:19Z UTC

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Eat when hungry, don't force it.

Also, the only thing you need to track in a low-carb gig is protein. You have body fat and dietary fat is really easy to eat massive amounts of. Carbs are taken care of just by not eating starches, you won't go above 50gm of carb with out starch or fruit.

That leaves protein. Keto can blunt hunger but isn't perfectly protein sparing. It will help, but if you aren't eating enough protein you will waste muscle. I personally think the .8gm/kg is too little. I'd go .8gm/lb and aim for that. If you miss you'll be fine, if you want to eat more do it.

answered Oct 4 at 16:34

Satchmo

I worry though that if I eat too much protein, it will cause glucogenesis and I won't lose weight. I don't think I do eat too little protein though, it's one of the staples of whatever meal I eat. Love it!! Always have done. Meat and vegetables have always been a necessity for me. Do you think I am in ketosis?! Is it bad to be there for a prolonged period of time? – OmNomBacon Oct 4 at 17:02

I am totally unimpressed with Ketosis. Low-cab =/= ketosis. BB'ers lean out to 4% on 100gm a day of carbs. For my part I've lost more weight eating 100gm of carb average then I ever lost in Ketosis. 150lbs in total... The Taubsian/Atkins idea that fat calories don't matter isn't true. The idea that fat is satiating, for me, is untrue I can blow thru 500kcal of cream in my coffee and still finish 6 eggs and 6 slices of bacon. Add a small potato and all of that is cut by 1/2 or more. – Satchmo Oct 4 at 21:33

How long were you in ketosis for and how did you know you were there? I have to admit, I am the opposite: if I were to add a spud to my dinner that'd be it, I'll be eating the rest of the night. Whereas with bacon rind, pork fat, coconut cream or butter I am a happy bunny. I am just still a novice so scared of eating too much!! – OmNomBacon Oct 5 at 14:14

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I think that's really interesting ~ that it's really easy to eat massive amounts of fat. I don't find that at all. After a point fat almost instantly makes me feel nauseous. I've heard that idea of adding a small potato before too. It doesn't seem to make much difference to me, but it's clear it works for others which is great. I think this is where the self-experimenting comes in. There is definitely not one solution that fits all, even if there are some principles which seem to apply to most people. – David McC Oct 6 at 14:04

Very true, I just have to be patient it seems and work out what's best for me. :s – OmNomBacon Oct 6 at 15:15

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joanna · Answer 2 · 2012-10-04 15:33:05Z UTC

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i've never believed in eating 3 square meals a day. i just eat when i'm hungry and that's usually 2 big meals a day plus a snack.

answered Oct 4 at 15:33

joanna
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BaconHealsChic · Answer 3 · 2012-10-04 19:25:54Z UTC

My only relief for this personally is to eat salty homemade broth. I keep the fat instead of skimming it off. If you don't have broth you can use some tea with butter and coconut cream in it and then add some salt.

The salt I use has a lot of potassium in it...Morton's Lite.

One meal a day and coconut cream

3 Answers