Paleo Diet and Paleolithic Diet Questions & Answers

Question

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Simple one really. I recently had to work all night before a big meeting to prepare things. Ok I didn't have to, it wasn't my responsibility, but I didn't want our company to suffer for other people's mistakes. Anyway, I was well aware afterwards that what I needed was sleep not food, and I've no problem with that as the ideal response to some unexpected hormonal imbalance. However, while sleep may be the most important thing, it's not always practical for many people to sleep whenever and wherever they choose.

So my question is this. Is there an argument for shifting to carbs to maintain brain function in this 'critical' situation, which is what my body seems to suggest is necessary if I'm not allowing it to sleep? I had steak in the fridge but while I wanted to eat it, I felt like it would be too much hard work. Would I be better off fasting to conserve energy and maximise output - if you can't think of anything good to eat, don't eat anything at all? What do people find works best when the 'natural' (ie. sleep) solution isn't immediately available?

flag	asked Dec 13 2011 at 19:09 AndyM 1

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I alter my life all the time for my health. You need to decide what is most important for you. – The Quilt Dec 13 2011 at 20:12

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Quilt... thats easy for you since you have an established career (which pays very well) and a family... But for the college kids who have to prove themselves in an incredibly competitive and scarce environment... sometimes health has to take a back seat for the overtime, allnighter, etc. I definitely think you can be prepared overall to avoid and prevent these from being frequent... but you cannot completely avoid them when your young and ambitious depending on your industry. – Bill Dec 13 2011 at 21:46

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I did this before I had a career and made 1.74 cents an hour. Its a mindset that I have always had pre paleo now it has razor sharpness to it. – The Quilt Dec 14 2011 at 3:38

If I'd spent the night in bed things would have been considerably more stressful the next day. As would finding a new job, moving etc. And I don't believe that historically humans were always able to sleep soundly for 8 hours every night. I think one night in several years should be manageable without having it define my whole life. I'd be more concerned about how you'd respond to parents who recklessly sacrifice their health if they stay up to care for their children etc. – AndyM Dec 14 2011 at 10:36

Bill · Answer 1 · 2011-12-13 21:51:02Z UTC

MCT oil anyone? If your a low carber... coconut or MCT oil is your friend for a brain boost. And of course, there is always caffiene.

As I said to Dr. Kruse above... when your young and ambitious you really have to put your health on the back seat occassionally. And I mean like one or two nights every other month or so. Sometimes a full week! The world is competitive and, depending upon your industry, in order to get ahead and succeed you really have to sacrifice yourself at times.

But, you can always come prepared. MCT Oil, Coconut Oil and Caffiene for the low carbers and tubers, fruits, etc for the high carbers. Over all, keeping blood sugar steady will provide you with a boost as will keeping active. Stand up, jump around, keep the blood flowing!

And most of all, make sure you recovery is good. If you have a crazy week where you have to stay up late nights and sacrifice your sleep, then quit the working out and stick to walks/jogs/quick bodyweight stuff. Do not overwork your body anymore than you already are!

trentasaurus · Answer 2 · 2011-12-13 19:22:35Z UTC

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For me, I use carbs to my advantage as a fuel for when I need energy. Just make sure that they're good carbs.

I'm an actor, and if I have a performance after a long day and need some energy, rather than chugging a sugar-free RedBull, I will eat me some delicious carbs!

Remember, 80/20. Just stick strict Paleo for the rest of the week.

answered Dec 13 2011 at 19:22

trentasaurus
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Ah, but what is strict paleo? Does the body prefer carbs more when under duress? – AndyM Dec 13 2011 at 19:46

Strict paleo is whatever works toward archiving your goals. Are you're trying to lose, or gain? Are you just trying to remain healthy? The big thing is avoiding wheat, and most other grains, and also legumes. Beyond that, it depends on your goals. – raydawg Dec 13 2011 at 21:24

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My point was why was trent quoting 80/20 and dismissing good carbs as not 'strict' paleo. – AndyM Dec 14 2011 at 10:37

Precisely, Why not have a sweet potato, or banana? No need to grab something awful. Remember a paleo diet is just inherently low carb, however there is no need to not include healthy carbs, if your bodystyle permits, and your lifestyle would benefit. – Erik of Rockford Dec 14 2011 at 12:20

Lisa · Answer 3 · 2011-12-13 20:22:35Z UTC

what kind of carbs? sticky buns? you'll feel worse. if it is emotional eating, you'll feel worse, and your brain may not be more efficient. I sneak a small dunkin donuts hot chocolate, but always find it never tastes as good as i remember. try yogurt and hard cheese.

Wcc Kamal Stabby fan · Answer 4 · 2011-12-14 04:10:53Z UTC

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Hard boiled eggs are always good for a quick meal (if you eat eggs). I had some hard boiled eggs tonight because I didn't really want to cook anything.

answered Dec 14 2011 at 4:10

Wcc Kamal Stabby fan
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Nance · Answer 5 · 2011-12-13 19:41:34Z UTC

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"Is there an argument for shifting to carbs to maintain brain function in this 'critical' situation, which is what my body seems to suggest is necessary if I'm not allowing it to sleep? I had steak in the fridge but while I wanted to eat it, I felt like it would be too much hard work."

I'm not anti-carbs at all; I'm one of those who eat moderate carbs every day. BUT, you are talking about extreme circumstances. What you really need is whatever will give you the most energy and help you stay alert, etc.

It might be black coffee if it won't give you the shakes. If fixing a steak is too much, what carb can you prepare more easily? Me, I'd fix the steak or eat it out of the fridge cold if it's a leftover. The only no-work carb I can think of is full-fat yogurt or a piece of fruit.

So what did you do, and how did it work? That's the real question.

answered Dec 13 2011 at 19:41

Nance
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	It wasn't preparing the steak so much as eating it that I felt would take too much energy. With what was available, my 'comfort binge' involved some of my pre-prepared beef liver pate, a clam I could steam, dark chocolate and avocado, nut butters (I dipped into all 3 types I currently have in stock), and a cracked open a coconut and ate half the flesh with some blueberries and a little honey. I may have also eaten more dark chocolate. I suspect I ate too much, but I'm not sure why, or if I'd've kept focused without eating. – AndyM Dec 13 2011 at 19:52
	That sounds like pretty darn good response to an exceptional situation. That would work for me (except I still might grab that steak.) – Nance Dec 13 2011 at 20:29
	I'm not seeing a problem here. Anywhere. How is this a "comfort binge?" I don't think Paleo is supposed to be like just eating steak all the time, is it? Avocado, clam, pate, coconut, dark chocolate, a little honey... if you'd hit the twinkies, you could be saying "whoa there, buddy" but this stuff? Chill. :) – gydle Dec 13 2011 at 20:54
	I was eating for comfort, rather than hunger or energy etc. I'm pretty happy with what I ate rationally, but it wasn't what my body seemed to want, so I'm wondering if I was being too clever for my own good. I've no doubt I can very quickly get back on an even keel. – AndyM Dec 13 2011 at 21:39
	Sometimes you just have to give your body what it wants. I'm in University for the second time, have my own business, an 8-months pregnant wife and produce two improv shows. Sometimes my body needs me to eat a bowl of Greek Yogurt. Sometimes it needs me to skip breakfast. If your body tells you it needs or wants it, I say give it to it. – trentasaurus Dec 14 2011 at 7:48

raydawg · Answer 6 · 2011-12-13 21:29:27Z UTC

Sounds like either an excuse to simulate finding that elusive bee hive and simulate being chased by bees all night :) (but is it paleo if you don't get stung?). Either that or accept an impromptu intermittent fast period.

Long as it's the "good" kind of carbs, it doesn't matter, and one day of lost sleep isn't going to kill you, it'll just feel like it.

Chickenosaurus Rex · Answer 7 · 2011-12-13 22:04:42Z UTC

If you feel that carbs are going to work for you in this moment, then go for it and go for good carbs. Humans can do well on carbs only, though of course we all know that isn't optimal. I'll bet prehistoric homo sapiens had to pull an all-night session now and then, say if under threat or on the move to flee a disaster. Go with your gut instinct when you're that tired and sleep is not an option yet. Life will interfere with your dietary plans, just roll with it and get back on the wagon tomorrow.

James · Answer 8 · 2011-12-13 23:23:42Z UTC

My recommendation is to test these things out on yourself when a lot ISN'T on the line.

As a matter of fact, I recommend everyone try and stay awake at least a couple days solid at least once, just to see how it affects you/feels. Many probably already have (MD's seem to have the sleep deprivation thing down).

What you'll probably find is that the carbs work great for a few hours, then you crash hard and have to feed again. So, fine for a short time (if you know how long it'll be), not so smart for longer or unknown times.

What do you do when life interferes?

8 Answers