Paleo Diet and Paleolithic Diet Questions & Answers

Question

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We had a thread of the biggest negative, so whats the biggest positive to being paleo? I know there are some obvious answers to this, but how has it been a positive thing specifically to you!

I have a couple things.....Of course eliminating my IBS was the biggest positive. It gave me my life back. IBS is a very debilitating condition!!

2nd is that I love eating meat, eggs and fat, so being able to eat as much as I want and not worrying to much about it is great. When I was bodybuilding I had to weigh everything out because I had to factor in the protein and calories I was consuming with the carbohydrates.

edited Dec 23 2010 at 19:59

Kikilula
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asked Dec 23 2010 at 19:47

hemanvt
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being · Answer 1 · 2010-12-24 15:09:40Z UTC

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my multiple sclerosis is in total and complete remission, and i have had two consecutive clean MRIs. even my symptoms that were supposedly permanent from previous flares of the disease and some intense demylinization in my cervical spine are totally resolved. i have no more MS-related fatigue or heat sensitivity, so i have been able to exercise for the first time in many years, and have been feeling great instead of half-dead. i stopped taking my daily MS injections, which has been risky, but the results have so far been sustainable. of course, i also like not feeling hungry, even blood sugar, the weight loss, the clear skin, the improved mood and the yummy food, but frankly nothing compares to the newly acquired ability to engage with my family and play with my kids, and the looming threat of disability seeming further and further away. im so thankful for that.

answered Dec 24 2010 at 15:09

being
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THAT IS AMAZING AND COMPLETELY AWESOME AKD! \o/ – sherpamelissa Dec 24 2010 at 15:42

thank, melissa! i sure think so, too. – being Dec 24 2010 at 16:49

Have you heard of others with MS trying a paleo diet, or other similar diets (celiac, specific carbohydrate, etc.)? What are their results, if so? This is amazing, though not entirely surprising. – wjones3044 Dec 25 2010 at 23:38

i actually learned of this diet from someone who has MS. it wors well for her, but i dont think she is in total complete remission. MS is such a weird disease, and its WAY too soon for me to say im cured. part of me thinks that maybe i dont have MS, but something that looks like it. but, my spinal fluid is VERY textbook for MS, so i dont know. like i said, its really early on- i may end up having a flare and needing to go back on medication, and im OK with that. all i know is i feel better now than i have since being diagnosed. – being Dec 29 2010 at 18:01

i should also say that from the MS message boards and others that i have met with the disease, diet changes are VERY popular and a lot of people do a sort of general "anti-inflammatory" diet that is similar to paleo principles and have great results. another friend with lupus has had good results from going just GF. – being Dec 29 2010 at 18:03

Chris · Answer 2 · 2010-12-23 20:34:45Z UTC

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Finally, I don't have to apologize for all the bacon I eat.

answered Dec 23 2010 at 20:34

Chris
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I instantly thought, "Bacon!" when I saw this question, too. :) – familygrokumentarian Dec 24 2010 at 0:04

stephthegeek · Answer 3 · 2010-12-23 21:05:52Z UTC

Being able to skip meals is a serious upside.. very convenient. I used to get twitchy after a few hours of not eating.

Finally getting over most cravings, or at least having an arsenal of sensible 'cheats' like sweet potato fries, dark chocolate, and a very occasional slice of GF pizza.

Eating really, really good tasting food and not feeling bad or unhealthy about it.

Seeing my weight go down and body shape improve without ever feeling like I'm suffering.

Feeling like I understand better what makes my body tick.

Feeling like I have this awesome secret key to being happy and healthy. Not that I keep it a secret, but it is like stumbling into some kind of promised land...

NOT crashing in mid-afternoons.

Being so energized most of the time that I feel really good about taking breaks and enjoying life, not like I have to make up for a lack of efficiency.

Ari · Answer 4 · 2010-12-23 20:14:41Z UTC

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Meat + No grains = No hippies!!

answered Dec 23 2010 at 20:14

Ari
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Andrew - Evolvify · Answer 5 · 2010-12-23 20:52:46Z UTC

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Scientifically smacking down those who call gluten-free a "fad".

answered Dec 23 2010 at 20:52

Andrew - Evolvify
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	Sometimes i wish it would be socially acceptable to literally smack those that refuse to think for themselves and follow orders from someone who doesn't give a crap about their health... – Flavio M. Dec 24 2010 at 11:56
	I went to a water park in Wisconsin this week (Kalahari), and they had just opened a new restaurant that day which offered gluten-free versions of anything on the menu for just $1 extra. I was so impressed! – David Csonka Dec 25 2010 at 0:39

Tim Rangitsch · Answer 6 · 2010-12-23 22:24:48Z UTC

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I am now a skeptic in all things. Religion, politics, the economy, etc all make me dig deeper. Just as I did in forming my fitness/nutritional education in regards to "paleo". Oh, also managed to bring a little boy into the world after 17 years!

answered Dec 23 2010 at 22:24

Tim Rangitsch
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	I am also! I believe it is up to each individual to research and not blindly follow mainstream media who are, for the most part, the ones telling the majority of the lies. – Aaron Curl Dec 24 2010 at 4:37
	Indeed, Aaron. And I've really learned to NOT get in debates (in person, over the web etc) that can't be "won" on any topic. I like discussions, I like to learn other viewpoints, but I don't like slamming my head against a wall. Not very "Paleo" to get worked up. – Tim Rangitsch Dec 24 2010 at 16:50

Flavio M. · Answer 7 · 2010-12-24 11:47:10Z UTC

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I think the biggest upside is this awareness that I and only I am responsible for my own health and that I am the only person who really cares about me and doesn't ask for my money.

Did that make any sense? Oh well, it does to me ;)

answered Dec 24 2010 at 11:47

Flavio M.
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Jared · Answer 8 · 2010-12-23 21:47:43Z UTC

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Not feeling hungry every two hours and regaining my high school track and football weight. All while eating the tastiest food in the world. Pretty damn sweet.

answered Dec 23 2010 at 21:47

Jared
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totally with you on the not-feeling-hungry thing. I can go many hours if needed without anything like the hardcore pangs for food that i used to get, even on a WAP style of eating. – ben61820 Dec 23 2010 at 23:55

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I second this! The appetite control with Paleo is AMAZING! I pity my poor cubemates who run to the breakroom for carby-crunchables every hour! – ricechek Dec 23 2010 at 23:56

Absofrigginlutely! Once I am able to really get my sleep and diet totally dialed in and get into a better groove with my training (I've been experimenting a bit) I'm going to try some IF. As per Robb Wolf, you only want to start peppering that in once you get all your other ducks in a row, so that's how I'm going to roll with that. I couldn't even IMAGINE trying I.F. if I was still on the carb roller coaster. It'd be next to impossible, I would think. – Jared Jan 12 2011 at 15:02

Karen · Answer 9 · 2010-12-24 01:52:31Z UTC

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Fewer mood swings associated with blood sugar swings. Ability to go for long periods between meals without serious hunger and irritability. Lower fatigue.

answered Dec 24 2010 at 1:52

Karen
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Kikilula · Answer 10 · 2010-12-23 20:02:22Z UTC

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less time spent with cooking

less items in my pantry

less need for sleep = more time for fun

less meals = more time for my work

answered Dec 23 2010 at 20:02

Kikilula
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	for me its more time cooking!! – Ivan Dec 23 2010 at 20:05
	I baked my own bread, muffins, cakes, made noodles from spelt flour ground in my own mill, cooked various kinds of jam... Now it's just steak and salads, fish and veggies... – Kikilula Dec 23 2010 at 21:32

Jamie Fellrath · Answer 11 · 2010-12-23 20:30:57Z UTC

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Keeping your weight under control nearly effortlessly is a big plus.

answered Dec 23 2010 at 20:30

Jamie Fellrath
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Ben · Answer 12 · 2010-12-23 20:47:33Z UTC

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Looking better than ever!

Being stronger than ever!

Feeling better than ever!

And meat tastes so good...

answered Dec 23 2010 at 20:47

Ben
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mari · Answer 13 · 2010-12-24 00:15:34Z UTC

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Being healthy.

But whipped cream with berries and being able to skip meals are pretty nice things too. And being able to eat butter.

edited Dec 24 2010 at 0:15

answered Dec 23 2010 at 20:03

mari
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Hikewithdog · Answer 14 · 2010-12-24 02:35:31Z UTC

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Fitting into my skinny jeans, and not having to munch snacks all day because my stomach is growling.

answered Dec 24 2010 at 2:35

Hikewithdog
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James · Answer 15 · 2010-12-24 04:12:26Z UTC

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For me, not starving a couple hours after my last meal. Also, my poop is more manageable. Got pretty messy on high carbs.

answered Dec 24 2010 at 4:12

James
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jpet · Answer 16 · 2010-12-23 21:02:45Z UTC

It's really hard to pick just one thing. But if I had to, I'd say the fact that eating paleo feels so natural and effortless. Maybe it's because we humans have been doing it for millions of years, until just lately? And the sheer pleasure that everything about eating holds for me now is such a bonus. From the preparation to the consumption, to the way the food makes me feel and all the positive effects on my health I've enjoyed since going paleo. IBS, migraines, excess weight issues are steadily being resolved the longer I eat this way, and my energy, strength, endurance, focus, positive outlook, libido (holla!) and self esteem continually improve.

Life is just more enjoyable now!

Cara · Answer 17 · 2010-12-23 22:00:12Z UTC

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clear skin and the road to optimal health illuminated :)

answered Dec 23 2010 at 22:00

Cara
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+1 for clear skin. – bsunde Dec 23 2010 at 22:16

hemanvt · Answer 18 · 2010-12-23 22:42:34Z UTC

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These are great.....A lot of this stuff I take for granted now, but reading them helps me remember all the progress I have made!

answered Dec 23 2010 at 22:42

hemanvt
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Kaz · Answer 19 · 2010-12-26 05:06:42Z UTC

I love eating paleo. The edema I was plagued with all summer long? Gone. (I'm talking 10 pound fluctuations here, where my thighs would retain so much water I was sure they were going to rupture. Yikes.)

Plus, this is going to sound weird, but I can eat apples again. Apples are arguably my favorite fruit, but on my CW diet (vegetarian) I couldn't eat anything without thinking I was starving to death ten minutes later. Apples were particularly bad. Now, I can eat an apple for dessert (after a high fat/protein delicious meal, of course) and not want to eat again for hours. Paleo has been such a gift to me! =)

What is the biggest upside to eating paleo?

19 Answers