Paleo Diet and Paleolithic Diet Questions & Answers

Question

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Is it accessing the right foods? The incomplete and constantly changing guidance? Getting people to take you seriously? However you define your paleo lifestyle, what's the biggest difficulty in following it?

For me I think it's the office job. The work environment has a depressing effect, the computer strains my eyes, I can't get sunlight, I'm sat down far too long, I can't sleep when my body needs more rest than normal prolonging recovery, I get occasional fresh air and the only practical 'remedy' for when all these stressors add up and the headaches start is the illusion of concentration and alertness offered by sugary snacks (naturally the only foods readily available). The whole experience seems designed to be as detrimental a way to spend half my day as possible. However I handle it, it seems there always has to be a compromise which undermines my health ambitions.

So what makes it hard for you to do the right thing?

flag	asked Jan 6 2012 at 16:19 AndyM 1

	My office is the same way. – raney Jan 6 2012 at 20:47
	The fact that our towns/cities are planned so poorly, I have absolutely no incentive to be active. No, sidewalks are too close to cars, it's too loud and makes me anxious. There's no hills, everything is flat. There's no reason to walk to the library, it's too boring, I never see anyone I know (every one just drives, those who walk don't say Good Morning or strike a conversation). I can exercise regardless of this, however I am looking for the relaxing/social/everyday aspect. Where I grew up people exercised everyday all day long , except it wasn't called exercise. – a mesmerizing trickster Jan 7 2012 at 5:58
	It's difficult to explain unless you've experienced it yourself. I mean, if I went back home and went jogging outside like we do here, people would ask WTF I'm doing. – a mesmerizing trickster Jan 7 2012 at 5:59
	I agree with the office job. I prep all my food so thats fine; but for me its two things: (1) I can only train in the evening (I'd much rather my IF eating window was 10am -> 6pm with training round 1-3), and (2) I HATE SITTING IN STUPID CHEAP ASS OFFICE CHAIRS ALL DAY >< – heavyarms Jan 7 2012 at 14:32

Beth-WeightMaven · Accepted Answer · 2012-01-06 18:23:36Z UTC

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For me it's been my starting point. I really, really wish I had found paleo way before I got to be a nearly disabled, morbidly obese woman in her 50s paying for decades of SAD eating and crash, yo-yo dieting.

A journey of a thousand miles may begin with a single step, but it's even better when it's not such a long journey!

answered Jan 6 2012 at 18:23

Beth-WeightMaven
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I don't know...maybe a longer journey gathers more tips that help others? I certainly appreciate all of your comments. – BaconHealsChic Jan 6 2012 at 18:26

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Thanks!! There is certainly a "been there, done that" aspect to the journey ;). – Beth-WeightMaven Jan 6 2012 at 18:49

@Beth, I look for your comments and answers and I'm delighted when I see you've visited a question. Keep those wise thoughts coming! – Nance Jan 7 2012 at 3:00

Me too to both Beth and Nance Kamal FED and where is Aravind these days? As well as many others. – Doris Jan 7 2012 at 16:24

If I might add, it seems most everything we learn from a young age about food and eating has to be relearned as well, although the physical effects can be quite tragic also. – AndyM Jan 13 2012 at 16:53

Nance · Answer 2 · 2012-01-06 16:46:01Z UTC

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I am probably my only true obstacle, but since I've been cooperating and doing well I'd say it's my budget.

I'm living on Social Security so I can order grass-fed beef only occasionally. Much of my meat is from the supermarket and the checkbook groans when I load my fresh produce into the cart. I must say it would be easier if I weren't also feeding a 17-year-old young man. :-))

The 2 of us are doing fine but I wish sometimes I could afford to eat strictly pastured meat.

answered Jan 6 2012 at 16:46

Nance
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Seconded! My teens eat like I never remember eating, and the checkbook got tighter when my husband, who previously made fun of my decision to go paleo, saw the health effects and went paleo, too! – Trey Jan 6 2012 at 17:16

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@Nance - I really enjoyed your series on weight loss - especially the description of emotional versus physical hunger. Very helpful. – Dave S. Jan 6 2012 at 18:23

@Trey, LOL, never get between a teen and the fridge! @Dave S, thanks much. The series is making me learn by thinking, if that makes sense. – Nance Jan 6 2012 at 19:48

Nance, I found that I spend much less money doing Paleo than before. See if you can find a food stand or farmers market within driving distance. Buy all your veggies/fruit there, its cheaper than Walmart and better. Ask them where you can get grass fed beef. I found a farm in FL that I can get grass fed ground beef for $2.50/lb if I purchase 25lbs(although Im almost out and the price might have gone up) but its a whole lot better than $6.99/lb at whole foods. – Bill1102inf Jan 7 2012 at 19:52

@Bill1102inf, I'm waiting with bated breath for a farmer's market that is currently being planned for my area. No opening date announcement yet, though. I'm in something of a dead zone so this will be a big deal for me even if the prices aren't decidedly cheaper. At least I'll know more about the source! – Nance Jan 7 2012 at 19:55

BaconHealsChic · Answer 3 · 2012-01-06 18:07:54Z UTC

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My biggest obstacle is still food cravings and temptations when I'm under stress. It helps to have an upset stomach after.

answered Jan 6 2012 at 18:07

BaconHealsChic
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dav · Answer 4 · 2012-01-07 06:58:58Z UTC

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I don't have a spouse to do all the chopping, cooking and washing up, yet.

answered Jan 7 2012 at 6:58

dav
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You should mention this often, and early with any potential mates ;) – Happy Now Jan 7 2012 at 18:44

AndyM · Answer 5 · 2012-01-13 16:56:24Z UTC

Let's see... My office job as a computer programmer. The 3+ hours a day commuting in a car. And more driving my daughters to and from activities. My family (wife and kids) that are SAD (refined carb and junk) food-aholics. My being old, fat, diabetic and out of shape. My love of cookies, BBQ Fritos, pizza, ice cream, peanut butter and the fact that all these things and more are readily available in my house.

Still not giving up, though. I'm eating a lunch of roast beef, shrimp and avocado right now.

Korion · Answer 6 · 2012-01-06 18:06:14Z UTC

My family. Apart from my mother, they are extremely lazy. They apparently hate me for eating a strict diet, because I don't drink beer, don't play computer games (I find those boring now), work really hard (12 hours daily) and am not excited all the time (because my mood is even all the time I'm very calm). Being excited apparently is a good thing, because it is "funny".

I thought a family is supposed to be helping, but apparently it's the opposite (except for my mother).

The amount of times I've heard "don't you want cake?", "that pizza is amazing!", "are you sure you don't want cake, it's really delicious". And they say it in a way, you know they're just trying to piss me off. I have a lot of stress already because of exams, they make it 10x worse.

On my birthday, they ate pie in front of me while they all knew damn well I wouldn't eat any. Yet they couldn't help but say "don't you want pie" multiple times.

The amount of times my brother called me gay last year, while being vegan (the funny thing is that his girlfriend looks like a dude, but I don't tell him that). I did look kinda girly back then, but I did never call him names... Never forgot that, I still just ignore him. I felt really sick at that time, and NOBODY helped me. They all treated me like crap. Of course it was my fault I was sick, but that doesn't mean you gotta make it worse.

The amount of times my father got mad because I told him he is wrong. Now, when he tries to tell me some bogus nutrition tips, I just nod and go away ("coconut oil is very bad for your health because it is a vegetable oil" really??? he said that 5 months ago. Now he said to my mother he will probably start to cook with it).

The more I work, the more I try to do good, the harder they make it for me.

Sorry for the rant. I'm leaving them monday and while I really look forward to that, I just wanted to get this out of my system.

Senneth · Answer 7 · 2012-01-06 19:46:21Z UTC

2

Liver. I need to. I can't -no matter the secret recipe, type, or method.

THIS IS MY PALEO VISION -as per the question. I am not debating overall agreed upon paleo requirements.

(Please no suggestions -I have tried them ALL. Seriously. Love you guys though!!).

edited Jan 6 2012 at 19:46

answered Jan 6 2012 at 17:05

Senneth
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Hahaha, have you tried forcing yourself multiple times? The first time was REALLY hard for me too, now I actually don't mind. – Korion Jan 6 2012 at 17:50

With plenty of garlic, and bacon lardons. I really like it! – I'm_with_Raquel Jan 6 2012 at 18:03

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Eating liver is not required to be paleo. – Dave S. Jan 6 2012 at 18:56

It's not required, but it is an obvious organ meat to eat, which in itself may not be classically required, I don't know, but you can bet our ancestors ate the organs of the animals they ate, so from an evolutionary perspective - we were eating that when we were at our best. – I'm_with_Raquel Jan 6 2012 at 19:16

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F liver!!!!!!!! – Bill1102inf Jan 7 2012 at 19:47

show 2 more comments

Lutfisk · Answer 8 · 2012-01-06 19:47:42Z UTC

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My boyfriend who makes paleo jokes all the time and lives off french fries and coke.

Trying to convince my stubborn mother to feed herself something that doesn't come out of a box.

Spending half my time cooking huge meals for these people so they don't all just fall over dead.

Having none of the people in my life want to do outdoors-y fun things with me.

answered Jan 6 2012 at 19:47

Lutfisk
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Wow my answer sounds really depressing. Sorry guys. :P I'm just not having a good day.. – Lutfisk Jan 6 2012 at 19:52

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You're entitled! The question was asked, after all. Now that you've vented you can enjoy what you're doing and every time someone jokes or balks you can think of this thread and smile inside. : – Nance Jan 7 2012 at 3:02

thanks Nance :D – Lutfisk Jan 7 2012 at 18:52

You should get a new BF. Lifes too short to have "none of the people in my life want to do outdoors-y fun things with me." – Bill1102inf Jan 7 2012 at 19:48

sage_ · Answer 9 · 2012-01-06 20:07:55Z UTC

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rotating shift work

answered Jan 6 2012 at 20:07

sage_
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Been there! It's very tough. When I was in the Army I worked days for a month, 4-12 for a month and 12-8 for a month. For me, by far the hardest was the 4-12 shift. I couldn't seem to get a good night's sleep. I feel your pain. – Nance Jan 6 2012 at 20:13

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And no, it wasn't the Revolutionary or Civil War army as my grandson likes to ask. It was the Vietnam era. :-)) – Nance Jan 6 2012 at 20:14

lol Nance :) for the last two weeks i have been working 16:30-06:00 because we are down a body and it was all spent in a confined space sitting infront of a bank of phones and monitors. next week i get a change; 03:00-16:30. and i feel fortunate. – sage_ Jan 7 2012 at 20:33

Matthius · Answer 10 · 2012-01-07 14:22:41Z UTC

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Myself. I'll go a few days following a strictly Paleolithic diet, and then binge horribly and attempt to make up for it through fasting and exercise. This morning marks my worst binge ever:

~9500 calories:

500g rotisserie chicken, 3/4 cup white chocolate chips, 330g cream cheese, 112g chocolate, 56g cheddar cheese, 200g strawberry cream cheese, 4 wheat biscuits, 10 shortbread cookies, 4 small chocolates, 2 lindt truffles, 2 cups granola, can of evaporated milk, 200g grilled chicken strips, 1 crispy chicken strip, 2 tbsp nutella, 3 slices of bread, 3 cups of oats, 1 tbsp butter, couple of almond M&M's and reeses pieces, 3 oatmeal raisin cookies, 2 chocolate chip cookies, bite of multigrain breakfast bar, 2 tortilla wraps, 1 fun size milky way bar, 2/3 cup of pecans, and a bite of leftover noodles.

I'm so disgusted with myself :(

The worst part is that I'm being told it's reactive eating and not bingeing because I'm 5'9 and 127 lbs. I need help.

answered Jan 7 2012 at 14:22

Matthius
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You do need help. You should do searches on binge eating and reactive eating and consider the options available to you. Please begin by forgiving yourself, because wild swings of emotion and erratic cycles of gorging/punishment/atonement will work against breaking free of the volatility of your eating. Your goal is to accept that you have/had an unhealthy relationship with food and think about the ways you can seek comfort/relief in ways other than food. I had a very serious binge disorder. If I can finally break free, you can too. First tip: Eat more on your good days since you're not fat. – Nance Jan 7 2012 at 16:09

Learn to distinguish between true physical hunger--you should feed that and it may be your underlying trigger--and emotional hunger--you should distract that through errands, walking or other activities. Do/watch something that makes you laugh--you need it! – Nance Jan 7 2012 at 16:13

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I can't shake the feeling of deprivation that comes with following a real-foods diet. I feel like I'll always prefer chocolate chip cookies mixed with cream cheese, and that's upsetting. – Matthius Jan 7 2012 at 18:17

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Add to that massive gastrointestinal distress in response to everything I eat (meat, fruit, veggies, whatever), and when I'm facedown in a bowl of raw oats I'm like, what's the point? Looking lean isn't worth shit if you feel terrible and in pain 99% of the time. – Matthius Jan 7 2012 at 18:19

Hang in there. Sending good thoughts your way. Whoosh...whoosh. – BaconHealsChic Jan 7 2012 at 18:44

Missi · Answer 11 · 2012-01-07 14:46:14Z UTC

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It has been my love for bread, seriously, it was my only issue but it was a big one... but on my last foray I discovered a correlation between bread and headaches, not to mention weight gain, but woohoo for that cuz now I'm finally not finding it so much of a problem anymore, I haven't had a single starch since. I much prefer to be headache & muffin-top free.

answered Jan 7 2012 at 14:46

Missi
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Isn't that a good feeling? I hit that point a few months ago and it's been SO nice not to be torn by nostalgia for stuff that was bad for me. You are literally a new woman now! – Nance Jan 7 2012 at 16:02

Yes thank you! Congrats to you too! I so badly wanted to be Paleo, it just seemed so right, but I was still so unsure, kept going on and off... now I'm really secure with it, it's great! – Missi Jan 7 2012 at 17:01

I'm_with_Raquel · Answer 12 · 2012-01-06 18:02:56Z UTC

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I drink too much, and then eat a kebab. Which would be paleo (I don't eat doner kebab), if only I didn't eat the pitta bread.

answered Jan 6 2012 at 18:02

I'm_with_Raquel
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kerri · Answer 13 · 2012-01-06 19:19:41Z UTC

Making the time to workout - i'm always tired after work and only can convince my self to work out a few times a week, if that... Also weekends - i oftenend up cheating because people want to go out to restaurants, and while restaurants are getting better with healthful options , it still is tough from time to time. As well as access to organic meats and raw food, they are expensive and hard to find. I also think people around me think this is a temporary diet and don't realize it's a lifestyle change, But i think as long as we do what we can we are on the right track...a far better track than before!

Momma3 · Answer 14 · 2012-01-06 19:29:27Z UTC

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For me it is really really simple:

Money and accessibility.

Where I live there is no food choices and when there is good food I cant afford it.

answered Jan 6 2012 at 19:29

Momma3
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I can relate; I am an hour or more from any paleo-friendly store. I'm lucky to find a few organic products and some grass-fed ground beef. – Nance Jan 7 2012 at 3:01

Run262 · Answer 15 · 2012-01-06 19:48:56Z UTC

My kid. She's a major SAD food-aholic as well - my fault. I'm slowing getting her to switch over, but I swear to God, she's the pickiest eater known to man-kind. It's having the stuff in the house that is tempting for me. My new year's resolution however has stuck and I haven't touched it, so far - in fact I moved all the crap to one shelf. Being a single mom - working full time and shuttling the kid to activities and doing homework, well, it's just stressful as hell and well, I love the red wind too. NOT COMPLAINING really by any means, it's just these are the cards I've been dealt and well, I think I'm doing a pretty good job. Love the kid, smart as hell - just gotta work on her addiction and mine to an extent. It's all going to come together soon, I'm pretty certain. Oh, and please don't think I blame her for my problems, by no means is that the case, I'm just saying...the stuff is there for her, it's tempting to me. I see the problem. Carry on.

Lauren · Answer 16 · 2012-01-06 23:14:36Z UTC

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My obstacle is I'm bored of this diet. Been 9 months Paleo, lost a little weight and I'm just really burned out on it, it's not even cravings for sugar or grains, I'm just truly bored with a diet of pretty much meat and vegetables with some fruit and fats in there as well.

It's especially hard being a "foodie" type, plus I cook for a living and I feel just like I'm missing out on so many interesting and delicious foods by being so limited. But now it's a point where if I cheat I feel mentally awful, so guilty like I'm doing something terrible to my body and I don't even know if I am.

answered Jan 6 2012 at 23:14

Lauren
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Well, is the problem with the food or life or something going on in your thoughts/desires? It's worth really thinking about. You can change what you're eating pretty drastically without going back to SAD and you have the cooking skills to do that. So, the week after next you should plan a week of paleo menus that are completely different than what you're eating this week. Look for foods you haven't tried, or mix foods differently. There are SO MANY whole foods out there. – Nance Jan 7 2012 at 3:07

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I eat far more variety, and more foodiely, now than I did before. What is so limiting about meat, vegetables, fruit, fat? Or is it the effort of not being able to use society's chosen 'convenience' foods? I know that can be tiresome. – AndyM Jan 7 2012 at 10:54

Lauren, your answer rings very true for me. I, too, am a "foodie" - I love cooking, reading about the latest food news, and collecting cook books. I do well enough at the moment by setting aside one day per week in which I get to eat whatever I want (but not to the point of discomfort; it's a "treat" rather than a self-punitive "binge"), but I feel regret afterwards because I know I am not getting the maximum benefits that comes with leading a 100% Paleo lifestyle. Still, I reason that I only get to live once. I just cannot bring myself to refuse a scoop of homemade vanilla bean ice cream. – LQ Jan 8 2012 at 0:57

kate m. · Answer 17 · 2012-01-07 16:21:41Z UTC

Obstacles for me include money... I'm a college student paying for everything on my own off of waitressing twice a week...... you do the math. Also, socializing and drinking. I love going out with friends and love having drinks with them. It's absolutely crucial for my mental health to go out 1-2-3 X per week but I just can't seem to do it without drinking. I by no means go overboard (1-2 drinks per night) but let's just say I'm not ordering dry red wine while I'm out at a bar. Living in a house with roommates- the food constantly around and tempting me, although really my roommates are fairly healthy in the grand scheme. And also not necessarily wanting to come off as that uptight girl who can't let loose and have some fun. Trying to find a balance is tough, especially when you're young and trying to find yourself.

netmork · Answer 18 · 2012-01-07 17:13:18Z UTC

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That I adore pasta.

answered Jan 7 2012 at 17:13

netmork
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I KNOW! It's been almost long enough, and I'm almost desperate enough, to try one of the recipes for quasi-noodles and quasi-sauce. It could happen. :O – Nance Jan 7 2012 at 17:35

@Nance- put your hands up and step away from the frankenfood! maybe you could get one of those gadgets that spiral zucchini? – sage_ Jan 7 2012 at 20:43

August · Answer 19 · 2012-01-06 20:04:43Z UTC

I feel extremely unproductive. Thanks, in part to the paleo diet, I know this isn't totally my fault. I learned about this and implemented as best I could- and I did extremely well. An evolutionary approach to life doesn't end with diet though, and I keep noticing society is now set up to redirect us from normal human pursuits into what increasingly appears to be meaningless charades designed to keep the fairy tale castles in the air.

But then, babies are my favorite form of human, and when I sign my name I put a IV at the end, so I might be operating under a bias here...

Caveman formally known as Dan · Answer 20 · 2012-01-07 04:33:43Z UTC

Well I was laid off yesterday, so I money is my biggest obstacle. My paleo vision would be a life similar to some of the owners of my crossfit box. Multiple sources of income, paleo environment full of people who share an interest in this life style and access to one tricked out gym. My second obstacle would be a lack of paleo friends. My third obstacle is lack of interpretation. My wife and mother in law do all my cooking for me (I burn water) and do well to keep it paleo but I can't guarantee cross contamination as they are not paleo. Fourth would be boredom as my wife and I aren't skilled enough to experiment much with new paleo food. Finally there's the MAN and HIS SYSTEM who tries to tell me that my fat intake isn't healthy, that my cholesterol is too healthy and if I dare step outside their definition of healthy then I need to pay heavily for it. I got 2 special letters for you and your system.

Happy Now · Answer 21 · 2012-01-07 10:51:50Z UTC

Complacency.

I like to think that positive reinforcement works better than negative, but damn if it isn't just the fear of gastrointestinal pain that keeps me on track most of the time. The problem is, once I start to feel better, and feel my mistakes less severely, the less vigilant I become, and slide on back down that slide to start the gut healing all over again.

I'm not in this for a quick fix, I'm pretty sure I'll be life-timer (unless something far superior is discovered).

I keep telling myself the old saying, "Pain comes late, and leaves early" in regards to health problems, but somehow I've yet to fully make the leap to full application via intellectual understanding, and still have to rely on visceral and blatant lessons.

I want to say sleep too, but with young children in the mix, I'm guessing our ancestors also went many years without more than 4-5 consecutive hours of sleep either. So, I can whine about it, but not on the grounds that it is incongruent with a paleo lifestyle.

What is the biggest obstacle to fulfilling your paleo vision?

21 Answers