Paleo Diet and Paleolithic Diet Questions & Answers

Question

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Ordinarily I'd ask "how far will you go to stay paleo?" but in my case, I probably went a bit too far.

Yesterday, I flew from the East Coast, where full-fat coconut milk is abundant, to one of those middle-of-nowhere states that never seem to have anything vaguely ethnic or organic or pastured on grocer shelves. I took only a carry-on with me. In my infinite wisdom, I decided to include a can of full-fat coconut milk, figuring that it would be exempt from the 100-ml requirement because well, it was an unopened can and it wasn't really a liquid.

It was flagged immediately when my bag went through the scanner, and the TSA agent who pulled me aside explained about the 100-ml liquid requirement. I explained that it was full fat and didn't resemble a liquid at that temperature. I even told him to shake the can, saing he would hear no sloshing and therefore it wasn't a liquid.

He told me it was remarkably similar in consistency to C-4.

And this was after a few minutes of back-and-forth. The agent was actually quite nice about it. I can only imagine what could have happened if he had been in a bad mood. He could have pulled me aside until the can had been ascertained to contain no C-4.

Yeah, I went too far in my quest to stay paleo. I drink a can of coconut milk a day and it's become a habit.

So have you gone too far in trying to stay paleo? How so?

Note: Seven hours later, I found full-fat Thai Kitchen coconut milk at a Wal-mart close to my destination for $1.44 a can.

flag	asked May 8 2011 at 23:56 barefeet 2,277●1●5●15

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So I assume you had to abandon the can of coconut milk? – Casey May 9 2011 at 0:16

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A TSA agent actually said "C-4" while talking to you? That's hilarious, what a d-bag. (him, not you). I bring stuff with me all the time when I travel. Gotta have my Trader Joe's macadamia nuts. – Fred B May 9 2011 at 3:46

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When I go on 2-4 day business trips, I always pack some food like nuts, little cans of tuna (they wan't to see them at security, but they're okay), a zip-lock bag of baby carrots etc. just in case I don't spot a grocery store or a deli right at the airport or when I get to the hotel. Planning is good and preparation prevents "forced" (read hunger-driven) bad decisions. – Antti May 9 2011 at 7:17

Kent, yep, someone who works at Dulles may have enjoyed my coconut milk last night. – barefeet May 10 2011 at 1:20

Ah, the theatre of TSA. – January Mar 10 at 2:50

lunabelle · Answer 1 · 2011-05-09 00:11:40Z UTC

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On the contrary, I'd say that looking out for yourself and planning ahead so that you have access to nutritionally superior food in a region of presumed scarcity was neither stupid nor going too far. If anyone in this scenario had taken things too far, it's the TSA.

answered May 9 2011 at 0:11

lunabelle
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Amen to that. The TSA have a special place prepared for them. – Forrest May 9 2011 at 1:53

Kamal · Answer 2 · 2011-05-09 00:16:05Z UTC

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Coconut milk is a liquid. If I recall fifth grade science class, the states of matter are divided into solid, liquid, gas, and plasma. Coconut flakes are solid, coconut milk is liquid. Butter is solid, olive oil is liquid, both are full fat.

But taking coconut milk in your luggage is pretty cool nonetheless!

I've never gone stupid with paleo, but I've gone stupid with cheating plenty of times.

answered May 9 2011 at 0:16

Kamal♦
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	The good coconut milk is semisolid. Found a good brand from Thailand that contains no guar gum, no additives. On top it's all solid, with a little liquid in the bottom. Shaking re-liquefies it. – wjones3044 May 9 2011 at 18:27
	Is that an emulsion? Or a solution? Oh, basic chemistry knowledge, where did you go... – Kamal♦ May 9 2011 at 18:52

sherpamelissa · Answer 3 · 2011-05-09 02:36:56Z UTC

It depends who you ask, I guess! I plan and cook my food for the week on the weekends. Typically, I do this on Sunday mornings. When I have other plans I will stay up late on Saturday or get up super early Sunday. Not cooking is not an option.

For my daughters sporting event days I will pack a Cooler and bring all my own food for the day. So when other people are lined up at the concession stand waiting for pizza and walking tacos, I am on the sideline eating my coconut flakes and nuts or lunchmeat roll ups. My husband is actually embarassed that. I can't just be "normal".

Forrest · Answer 4 · 2011-05-09 01:52:56Z UTC

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I wouldn't say it's stupid, but I am more than willing to do some on-the-fly IF if for some reason I don't have a paleo option to eat when I thought I would. The painful consequences of cheating have left a strong and lasting impression on me.

answered May 9 2011 at 1:52

Forrest
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I am weirdly jealous of those of you that have wicked reactions to non-paleo foods. I wish my body reacted more strongly to the neolethal foods. It would certainly make it easier to stay on plan. – sherpamelissa May 9 2011 at 2:29

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On the flipside, cheating may not irritate your digestive system as much as some of us...I'd count yourself lucky. My reactions are much more severe now that I've been keeping "clean" for a while. It's not fun. – Forrest May 9 2011 at 2:42

I have thought about doing this, but I haven't been forced to do this yet. I did skip a free breakfast buffet at a hotel on the last day of my last business trip, just to get back on my regular IF-"routine". I thought that was pretty crazy, a FREE HOTEL BREAKFAST BUFFET :) – Antti May 9 2011 at 7:24

CraftyCrofts · Answer 5 · 2011-06-29 01:28:03Z UTC

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LOL,

"one of those middle-of-nowhere states that never seem to have anything vaguely ethnic or organic or pastured on grocer shelves."

that's exactly where I live!!! Seriously, were you in Nebraska? I know this thread is old but it cracked me up.

answered Jun 29 2011 at 1:28

CraftyCrofts
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No - that was Utah, and not near a city. Sorry if there are any Utahans out there offended by my description of your state :-) I;ve been to Nebraska, though, and I feel for you. – barefeet Jun 29 2011 at 17:18

soladeo · Answer 6 · 2013-03-10 01:49:16Z UTC

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Nebraska is grass-finished beef heaven, however.

answered Mar 10 at 1:49

soladeo
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	Really? When I think Nebraska, I think grain-fed cattle as far as the eye can see. Well, except for Omaha, which is a pretty hip city. Then again, Omaha Steaks are some of the shittiest-yet-dressed-up-steaks money can buy. – greymouser Mar 10 at 3:27
	I'm under the impression that Nebraska=grain-fed as well. I googled Nebraska grass fed beef and got this directory. It has all of three listings- grassfedbeefdirectory.com/nebraska-grass-fed-beef Eatwild.com shows more, though. – barefeet Mar 10 at 21:37
	We have the highest amount of grass-fed/finished producers in the country. I know of at least 5. They don't always list on directories. I know of at least 8, through word of mouth, directories, and co-ops/CSAs. – soladeo Mar 28 at 23:31
	Sorry- I put that I know 5 and then 8-- I started to count as I was typing, and realized I knew more. I know of 5 in my area, 8 total. – soladeo Mar 28 at 23:34

How stupid will you go to stay paleo?

6 Answers