Paleo Diet and Paleolithic Diet Questions & Answers

Question

12

I'm really not trying to be crude here, and I apologize if anyone is offended.

Over the past couple of weeks my diet (normally fairly strict paleo with some primal cheats once in a while) has become even more fat- and meat-centric, and I've upped my intake of saturated fats in particular. I've also worked in a couple of unintentional IF days. I've been paleo/primal for the entirety of 2011, so I'm fairly used to this lifestyle.

And...well, my boobs got enormous. I'm normally a C or thereabouts, and I'm estimating current size to be 34DD at least; I'm just going off of how they don't fit into any of my bras anymore. They used to be DDs years ago, but that was when I was a size 14. Now I'm a 6, and it is...no longer proportional.

What is up with this? Any other ladies notice similar effects? Also, let me say that yes, they normally grow and shrink slightly with my cycle, but this is completely out of sync with the normal (read: recognized over some years) pattern, as well as a more obvious change.

Thanks in advance for any helpful comments!

--EDIT-- So the general details of my diet are as follows. Note I'm not being uber-strict right now with the inclusion of dairy and bacon.

I eat when I feel hunger pangs or as soon thereafter as my schedule (I'm a student) will allow, and not before. My meals are based around eggs (chicken and duck, free-range), meat (mostly ground beef, chicken, pork or whatever looks tasty and cheap at the farmer's market, and all grass-fed or whey-fed in the case of the pork and/or free range) and some fish and shellfish. As noted above, I also have nitrite-free bacon, which I also buy at the farmer's market, a few times a week. It makes me happy.

To that base, I might add some leafy greens or onions, or sometimes make a tomato chili or oyster stew with seaweed. When I make bone broth, I'll add a lot of onions, carrots and celery and then eat the mash (bones removed or crunched up) that remains when I strain it. Other than that, veggies don't make up a big part of my diet.

I don't usually buy fruit because when I do it'll be gone within a few hours. When I do, it's fresh, local and with the knowledge that it is going to be demolished immediately.

I cook in olive oil, coconut oil, schmaltz (chicken fat that is rendered and flavored with onion; I just use what's in the roasting pan when I cook a bird), grass-fed butter and bacon grease for cooking. Usually more than one of those, and a lot of it.

In the mornings I have coffee or tea with powdered goat's milk.

edited Aug 30 2011 at 14:06

asked Aug 19 2011 at 3:35

Nelly
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12

On the plus side, you just indirectly caused a short term increase in testosterone production of males who visit this site. Kudos! – jared Aug 19 2011 at 13:04

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You ought to elucidate all of the details of your diet so that, uh, more people may, er, benefit from this discovery. – Travis Culp♦ Aug 19 2011 at 15:34

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I agree with Travis. Could you please email your diet to my GF for, er..., scientific analysis? – peter Aug 20 2011 at 14:14

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Pictures may be helpful in providing a specific diagnosis. – coldhandinmine Sep 25 2011 at 6:24

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Yeah, my boobs got way bigger too, and seem to change size a lot more in relation to my cycle (noticeable swelling/decreasing for fertile/nonfertile times). Hips got a bit bigger, waist got smaller. I think it's probably a hormone sorting-out thing? No saying, but have to say, it doesn't look too bad, haha! – JeJ Jan 29 2012 at 22:51

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The Quilt · Answer 1 · 2011-08-19 12:02:54Z UTC

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Once leptin sensitivity is regained you become very sensitive to your sex steroid hormones again. Breast tissue is loaded with receptors. If you're estrogen dominant you will experience breast growth and if youre not you wont

answered Aug 19 2011 at 12:02

The Quilt
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Really interesting, any links where we can read more on that? – esque Aug 19 2011 at 12:52

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Ditto what esque said, I'd love to hear more about this. – Nelly Aug 19 2011 at 13:30

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Glad I am not estrogen-dominant! – Dragonfly Aug 20 2011 at 2:22

women who have a higher insulin response to carbs and who have toward hyperthyroidism have higher estrogen levels. – The Quilt Sep 25 2011 at 17:40

So would balancing the copper/zinc levels help this if estrogen levels are too high? – Aughra Jan 29 2012 at 21:53

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BAMBAM · Answer 2 · 2011-08-19 03:45:56Z UTC

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My boobs ballooned as well!

answered Aug 19 2011 at 3:45

BAMBAM
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Good to know I'm not alone in this! :) – Nelly Aug 19 2011 at 3:59

Somebody downrated this? Where is the sense of humor? – BAMBAM Aug 19 2011 at 13:35

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i'm here to support you. – Sunshine Aug 19 2011 at 18:39

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the person who down rated was probably jealous ;) – Laura Sep 24 2011 at 18:05

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I uprated just to cancel out the downrate. – edrice Sep 24 2011 at 18:50

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Dragonfly · Answer 3 · 2011-08-19 03:48:14Z UTC

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Over on MDA there was a thread with lots of women reporting similar results. I don't happen to be one of them, lol!

answered Aug 19 2011 at 3:48

Dragonfly
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Thanks Dragonfly! I'll definitely check it out. – Nelly Aug 19 2011 at 4:00

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so unfair :( I got shrinkage too – Bread-Eating Beelzebub Aug 19 2011 at 13:05

Yes over at MDA the women have reported this and a lot more. – The Quilt Aug 19 2011 at 19:40

Yeah, I'm with Melissa. Sigh. I get my waist back and lost my boobs. – syrahna Jan 30 2012 at 0:58

turkeytyme · Answer 4 · 2011-08-19 07:14:24Z UTC

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Am I missing something here? This weight loss is making mine look like two empty sacks with a rock in the bottom. I can't imagine you guys are eating a lot of meats full of hormones though so what gives?

answered Aug 19 2011 at 7:14

turkeytyme
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	This is how mine look too :( I'm 5'5" was 210 lbs at my heaviest, now am 148 lbs and still losing, and I am so sad that I no longer have nice shapely round boobs. Alas. But they have stayed proportional. They're the same size they were when I was this size before....just....saggy :( – Amanda Aug 25 2011 at 19:57
	This is exactly what happened when I lost 40 lbs. – VandyGear03 Aug 30 2011 at 19:12
	"Two empty sacks with a rock in the bottom," Oh lordy, that is visual :( – Julia May 1 2012 at 20:03
	I'm in the same boat – Julia Jul 31 at 19:52

Jessica · Answer 5 · 2011-08-19 04:01:54Z UTC

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I am not one of them, either. In fact, quite the opposite has happened. I've lost significantly everywhere but my midsection. Not only are my bra's gaping, but I'm now suffering from pancake-arse, too. Hopefully it won't look so flat once the rest of me catches up. :)

answered Aug 19 2011 at 4:01

Jessica
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Me, too! (all of the above) – Scrubjay Aug 19 2011 at 5:19

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One word: Squats. Srs business. – Katie Aug 19 2011 at 5:21

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That happened with me too.Actually always had quite a flat @ss and virtually no boobs,yet while having big fat tummy&lovehandles no matter how much I worked out! It's an hormonal imbalance,probably the adrenals. – Joey Aug 19 2011 at 11:37

Have boobs to spare but my butt is getting a bit flat :-( – esque Aug 19 2011 at 12:53

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Ditto on the squats, but the best move I found specifically for a nice round butt is kettlebell swings. Yeah, I know Tim Ferriss is a little bit insane, but for that at least he knows his stuff. Russian swings (only to face-height) are fine for just booty work; American ones (overhead) will get your upper body more involved. I actually haven't been able to do any swings (although I can squat) for the last month and a half because of shoulder surgery, and I'm definitely noticing a difference. – Nelly Aug 19 2011 at 13:19

Kaz · Answer 6 · 2011-08-19 06:42:17Z UTC

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Dude. Mine too. I'm glad you mentioned this because I thought I was going crazy. Yeah, I've gained a couple pounds...but it looks like it's all in my bra. >.<

answered Aug 19 2011 at 6:42

Kaz
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	I actually need to gain some bodyfat and I'd actually love for it to all go to my breasts!But it's my fear it will more go to my belly since all my fatcells used to be centered around the abdomen.:( – Joey Aug 19 2011 at 11:39
	I dunno, Joey. I have hips like whoa and the fat deposits to prove it, but it still seems like my boobs are accumulating all the weight this go around. :P – Kaz Aug 19 2011 at 17:40

jared · Answer 7 · 2011-08-19 13:02:41Z UTC

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Yet it has the opposite effect on moobs!

Go figure!

answered Aug 19 2011 at 13:02

jared
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And thank goodness for that! :) – Casey Aug 19 2011 at 13:09

Priscilla · Answer 8 · 2011-08-30 19:17:06Z UTC

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Uh, you can give me some if you don't want them...

answered Aug 30 2011 at 19:17

Priscilla
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Huey · Answer 9 · 2011-09-24 21:41:54Z UTC

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This is all very interesting, but we want pictures, please.

answered Sep 24 2011 at 21:41

Huey
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Anondson · Answer 10 · 2012-03-04 20:35:33Z UTC

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I think it is clear, this discussion can't go much further without photos.

You know, I'm just trying to keep this evidence-based! Bringing a little "Mat the Kraken" to the conversation, don't want any Paleowoo now. ;)

answered Mar 4 2012 at 20:35

Anondson
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OSUfanz · Answer 11 · 2011-08-19 10:43:59Z UTC

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I wish I could say the same.... Two kids and weight gain streched them out and now paleo has taken them back... The results...not so pretty.....

answered Aug 19 2011 at 10:43

OSUfanz
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AuH2Ogirl · Answer 12 · 2011-08-19 11:43:32Z UTC

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Lost 35 lbs, kept boobs.

answered Aug 19 2011 at 11:43

AuH2Ogirl
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Naomi · Answer 13 · 2011-09-24 16:46:06Z UTC

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I've been paleo for 4 months now and my boobs grew from a small B to a full C! I've also been taking a lot of plant protein supplements and fiber, which seemed to help.

answered Sep 24 2011 at 16:46

Naomi
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Amanda Jo · Answer 14 · 2012-03-04 19:30:46Z UTC

I have been paleo for one month now, and thought I was pregnant when my breast grew from a small A cup to a full B! At this point I know that I am not pregnant, and have gone from 5'4" 150lb to 143lb. For my workouts I go for long walks with my 3 year old. Nothing crazy, which is the fantastic part of this lifestyle.

JASmith · Answer 15 · 2012-05-01 12:21:18Z UTC

glad I found this thread- whenever I was on low-fat, even when low carb, diets my breasts would absolutely deflate to nothing which, with my very athletic/mesomorphic build can look mannish (i.e. I have a big back so cups would be mostly air). However, at a lower weight since adding fats back in (so actually doing low carb as opposed to psmf) I have found my breasts to be a great full size without gaining weight which is when they usually increase. I am looking to lean out still, but that is more vanity as I am happy where I am at now. I am also hoping that this is a sign that my hormones may be correcting and that I may actually get AF.

Joni · Answer 16 · 2012-05-01 16:04:36Z UTC

No change here, still 34DD. Wishing I could get rid of a couple cup sizes, actually. They are a pain in the *&^%$, can never wear a nice pretty bra, always a serious Title9 one. Would gladly give a cup size to those who want more...if only it were that easy!

Evelyn aka CarbSane · Answer 17 · 2012-05-01 17:10:19Z UTC

I was always your classic pear shaped gal. Up and down the scale forever got to 40C down to 32B(-), and always a size or two smaller on top than on bottom. After first LC weight loss, I did lose boobs, but to 34C which would normally have correlated with size 10 or 12 pants ... I was in 8's at the time. Gained a ton and up to 40D (full figure cut), lost a ton and down to 36D (regular cut) wearing size 12 pants. Gained that back and up to 40 perhaps 42D (again full figure). Lost about 100 lbs, boobs went nowhere and I think they got bigger as I was maintaining. Wear size 10 pants, 36D bra has to be full figure cut in only one or two brands. Regular cut bras don't even fit me, but if I could get them to at least "fit" I'd be 36DD or E?

I must say, this and the shift of excess weight to abdomen vs. thighs are two of my big concerns over the longterm healthfulness of low carb eating. Thankfully paleo/real food isn't synonymous with LC.

Amanda · Answer 18 · 2012-07-31 15:01:27Z UTC

I am considering this diet JUST because I am so flat chested and I have heard that this might be a good diet to give me better proportions. I am 5'11, 150 lbs, not exactly skinny, but I'm pretty happy with my figure - except for the part where I can still wear training bras. I'm not totally flat, a good push-up bra will usually do the trick, but I get really insecure when I'm naked.

Is trying this diet a good idea, or is there really no way to know?

annamalia · Answer 19 · 2011-08-19 07:42:56Z UTC

every body is different. my experience is that I overall lowered body fat and put on more muscle, but at the same time I've been keeping my curves! since boobs are basically fat tissue, it seems logical that you gain weight in that section when you eat a lot ( and I mean, A LOT) more saturated fats.

Alex · Answer 20 · 2011-08-19 17:03:42Z UTC

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Alas, it was the opposite for me. I dropped four bra cup sizes in my first three paleo months.

answered Aug 19 2011 at 17:03

Alex
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Oh man, I am so hoping this is the case for me. I've been paleo for about 2 weeks and definitely don't need these things any bigger. – Eedlewee Aug 30 2011 at 14:21

animalcule · Answer 21 · 2011-08-30 18:22:25Z UTC

My breasts are always tiny but they got a little bigger as soon as I started eating paleo. I've lost most of the weight I gained eating paleo in the last 4 months due to emotional distress, but I didn't lose an ounce in my chest, which is both awesome and unprecedented.

I haven't been in ketosis for a long time though. I eat tons of saturated fat (lots of heavy cream).

VandyGear03 · Answer 22 · 2011-08-30 19:11:44Z UTC

I haven't noticed any particular effect from Paleo. I will say, however, that losing 40 lbs (before going Paleo) did have a very sad flattening effect. I decided to put 5 lbs back on, and I look better that way. Maybe quitting bc would help, but I'm not ready to take that step yet.

Laura · Answer 23 · 2011-09-24 18:15:00Z UTC

I haven't lost a lot of weight yet on paleo (5' 6" about 150 lbs ...but I try not to weight myself cause its too easy to get OBSESSED) but recently I started a weight training program and have tightened up A LOT and usually when I start any sort of exercise regimen, the boobs are the first to go. But not since I started Paleo,working out has only made everything else better, which is awesome. I don't want them to get any bigger though... They get in the way now as it is!

Wondering, although diet is a factor, what your exercise looks like. I wonder if eliminating the "chronic cardio", as it is referred to often on this site, keeps the boobs where they are at.

-edit- I also did switch to an IUD birth control so that really does augment my answer... It may be maintaining my breast tissue more than just diet. So many factors to boobs! Who knew?!

aoife · Answer 24 · 2011-09-24 20:32:42Z UTC

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I started on the pill and went paleo around the same time so it's hard to know which is responsible. I had assumed that it was the pill that was responsible but maybe not. I didn't experience growth as dramatic as yours though!

answered Sep 24 2011 at 20:32

aoife
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Allie · Answer 25 · 2012-01-29 20:58:13Z UTC

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Hi!! I'm sorry this is SO late, but I was wondering what kind of exercise you do.

answered Jan 29 2012 at 20:58

Allie
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Julia · Answer 26 · 2012-05-01 14:02:37Z UTC

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I've put on weight since starting paleo. I'll admit, I kind of needed to. It bypassed every section of my body except my butt and breasts. I'm uncomfortable with the gain, but pleased with the landing...?

answered May 1 2012 at 14:02

Julia
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monaLisa · Answer 27 · 2012-05-01 15:53:23Z UTC

I love how all the guys on the site want you to post pictures. Kinda creepy but I guess they can't control their primal instincts to spread their DNA.

For me it's hard to say because I was breast feeding when starting paleo. I was a 34 B before having kids, but grew to a DD while breast feeding and now down to a full C after I stopped. I have gotten comments my boobs look bigger, but I think it is an optical illusion because my waist got smaller so they look bigger.

jessica · Answer 28 · 2012-12-28 03:59:14Z UTC

keto totally made my boobs huge the first week but it also induced a period, which was the first one in almost three years they are definitely less swollen now that my moon has passed, but still huge and heavy

so, in my case, i feel as though it has to be somewhat hormonal. i feel like my body is coming back into balance hormonally since it isnt having to deal with blood sugar swings and insulin (i am super sensitive to carbs/sugars)....definitely feeling kinda awkward and puberty at almost 30

Paleo/keto effect on breast size

28 Answers