Author Topic: Why is the caveman diet making me very tired? (Read 112713 times)

Il Capo · « **Reply #60 on:** January 09, 2010, 02:15:55 PM »

Quote from: Chris on January 09, 2010, 12:03:01 PM

This may seem like a very silly question, but what are some ways of obtaining animal fat for cooking? I'm a beginner when it comes to cooking and I'm teaching myself as I cook my Paleo meals. I was under the impression that olive oils, walnut oils and the like were Paleolithic after reading Dr. Cordain's book, but apparently not!

Welcome! About animal fat, the options are:

a) Find a farmer or similar vendor who sells either lard (pork fat) or tallow (beef fat), ideally from grass fed animals. Avoid commercially available lard or tallow as they are hydrogentated.

b) Obtain animal fat and make your own. Search this forum or the web for "how to make lard or tallow" and you will find the process involved.

Chris · « **Reply #61 on:** January 10, 2010, 04:28:37 AM »

Thanks Il Capo! I've had a look around the internet and I'm going to try making my own lard and tallow once I've used up the oils I have.

Do you still use any oils for cooking or do you stick to animal fats?

And on topic: wow, I definitely felt drained getting up this morning. My mum actually thought I wasn't eating enough and thought that was making me tired, though I've never felt so fully fed in my life! I'm definitely looking forward to the energy boost in the next week or two.

Il Capo · « **Reply #62 on:** January 11, 2010, 03:21:17 PM »

Quote from: Chris on January 10, 2010, 04:28:37 AM

Do you still use any oils for cooking or do you stick to animal fats?

I sometimes use extra virgin olive oil (not strictly paleo but not as bad as other vegetable oils) in salads. You can't cook with it, though. I may use butter (not paleo either), in a bind, but try to stick to animal fats as much as I can.

Jim · « **Reply #63 on:** January 20, 2010, 05:52:31 AM »

Hi! I've been lurking for a while now, but was wondering if anyone could give me some advice or spot where I'm going wrong

I've been eating Paleo for 7 months and went through the usual carb withdrawal at the start. I'd been eating Nourishing Traditions style, so whole grains, dairy, potatoes, but no sugar or refined food (or beans - never really got into them). The thing is the dizziness/fatigue/light headedness hasn't really worn off! In fact - it's begun to affect my work!!

I'm a 6ft2, 154lb guy. Do some moderate exercise (walking or cycling) and a light work out most days. I take in 2600 to 3400 calories a day (roughly 60% fat, 23% protein, 16% carbs). And a normal day for me would be:

7oz of cold meat (from a joint I boil up, usually pretty fatty)
3 pieces of fruit
9oz of cold meat, salad
lots of mixed nuts
9/10oz of meat or fish, vegetables, stock, some added lard/tallow

I'm a bit puzzled really! Physically I'm fine, but mentally - not so much

marika · « **Reply #64 on:** January 20, 2010, 06:51:59 AM »

You might not be getting enough animal fat. Also the fruit can produce a carb fog as well.

But more likely, too much nuts can be doing this. Nuts are high in manganese and magnesium and too much can cause dizziness, lethargy, etc. You might want to try cutting back on the nuts.

samjohn · « **Reply #65 on:** January 20, 2010, 07:08:17 AM »

Quote from: Jim on January 20, 2010, 05:52:31 AM

Hi! I've been lurking for a while now, but was wondering if anyone could give me some advice or spot where I'm going wrong

I've been eating Paleo for 7 months and went through the usual carb withdrawal at the start. I'd been eating Nourishing Traditions style, so whole grains, dairy, potatoes, but no sugar or refined food (or beans - never really got into them). The thing is the dizziness/fatigue/light headedness hasn't really worn off! In fact - it's begun to affect my work!!

I'm a 6ft2, 154lb guy. Do some moderate exercise (walking or cycling) and a light work out most days. I take in 2600 to 3400 calories a day (roughly 60% fat, 23% protein, 16% carbs). And a normal day for me would be:

7oz of cold meat (from a joint I boil up, usually pretty fatty)
3 pieces of fruit
9oz of cold meat, salad
lots of mixed nuts
9/10oz of meat or fish, vegetables, stock, some added lard/tallow

I'm a bit puzzled really! Physically I'm fine, but mentally - not so much

Start a detailed food diary. With that info everyone here will be able to help you.

Jim · « **Reply #66 on:** January 20, 2010, 11:54:00 PM »

OK, will do! Thanks guys. I'll try less fruit and more fat. You could be on to something with the nuts marika, turns out brazil nuts are very high in selenium! I've only been eating a handful, but that's enough to put me over the recommended upper limit.

marika · « **Reply #67 on:** January 21, 2010, 03:40:19 AM »

Yes, I've had that same problem myself, with brazil nuts, almonds and chestnuts, so I speak from experience!

It's too easy to OD on certain minerals when eating nuts!

genie4today · « **Reply #68 on:** January 29, 2010, 02:54:17 PM »

Today is day 3 paleo for me. I started 6 days ago with just breakfast and lunch paleo and normal dinners. I am sluggish at times and it may be due to carb detox, but I could also be eating too much. Today I am absent-minded and lack motivation as well as energy.

Here's what I ate today:

B-banana, two date balls rolled in coconut, and a handful of mixed almonds and pecans
S-nuts, 1/2 orange
L-salad w/homemade dressing - EVOO, balsamic vinegar, ground mustard + 4oz salmon

I feel like I'm eating way too much. My thing is I'm a personal trainer and I'm on my feet all day, so I'm scared to eat too little and not have nearly enough energy. I feel like I get too much fat. The rule - eat when you're hungry - goes to waste on me because I burn off so much that I'm hungry all the time, then I think I eat too much.

Can I be crude? Yesterday at this time I took the biggest poop of my life. That had to be a good thing, right?

confoundit · « **Reply #69 on:** January 29, 2010, 03:33:41 PM »

poop is good! it's always how the poop is that's important....s shaped, solid, medium brown colour and if it's really good you wouldn't "need" toilet paper. It should be a cast of your rectum (s shaped). frequency seems to go down with strict paleo as I am only having these every 2-3 days now...whereas before I varied from complete diarrhea to complete constipation sometimes all in one day or over weeks.

genie4today · « **Reply #70 on:** January 29, 2010, 04:16:58 PM »

thanks! It was a loooooooong S. I suspected it may happen less now.

rentawitch · « **Reply #71 on:** February 10, 2010, 09:22:15 AM »

I am tired and weak.
in the afternoons when an energy dip is usual, I am fighting to stay awake. I have eschewed caffeine.

I was wondering if I could have a sodium deficiency, iodine, potassium....

I need some more energy to get through the day. Help!

PaleoRainy · « **Reply #72 on:** February 10, 2010, 10:52:34 AM »

Quote from: rentawitch on February 10, 2010, 09:22:15 AM

I am tired and weak.
in the afternoons when an energy dip is usual, I am fighting to stay awake. I have eschewed caffeine.

I was wondering if I could have a sodium deficiency, iodine, potassium....

I need some more energy to get through the day. Help!

I think it's hard to have such a deficiency if you are eating enough meat. And fish too of course.

What I'm wondering about is how many meals per day do you have (snacks included)? I do intermittent fasting and I know if I eat anything at lunchtime I'll be helplessy tired all the day, instead if I do my fast as I am meant to do, I'll be awake and reactive all day. I found out that snacks were making me tired, even just when I passed to 3 meals per day it helped hugely (I used to have 6).

rentawitch · « **Reply #73 on:** February 10, 2010, 03:08:25 PM »

I'm so hungry by lunchtime though. Its not like I am having sweet stuff full of carbs that will give me an insulin spike.

Bit confused and would love a bit more energy.

Tarlach · « **Reply #74 on:** February 10, 2010, 04:17:42 PM »

You posted that you had a banana for breakfast.

Was this the same day (or a regular thing)?... because that will do it to you.

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Author Topic: Why is the caveman diet making me very tired? (Read 112713 times)

Il Capo

Re: Why is the caveman diet making me very tired?

Chris

Re: Why is the caveman diet making me very tired?

Il Capo

Re: Why is the caveman diet making me very tired?

Jim

Re: Why is the caveman diet making me very tired?

marika

Re: Why is the caveman diet making me very tired?

samjohn

Re: Why is the caveman diet making me very tired?

Jim

Re: Why is the caveman diet making me very tired?

marika

Re: Why is the caveman diet making me very tired?

genie4today

Re: Why is the caveman diet making me very tired?

confoundit

Re: Why is the caveman diet making me very tired?

genie4today

Re: Why is the caveman diet making me very tired?

rentawitch

Re: Why is the caveman diet making me very tired?

PaleoRainy

Re: Why is the caveman diet making me very tired?

rentawitch

Re: Why is the caveman diet making me very tired?

Tarlach

Re: Why is the caveman diet making me very tired?