Author Topic: Portesa's Paleo Project  (Read 3019 times)

Offline portesa

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Portesa's Paleo Project
« on: July 15, 2010, 07:34:22 AM »
Since I'm relatively new to eating Paleo, I thought I'd post what I eat for a while so some of you veterans can help me tweak things if necessary.  :)

Since July 1, I've lost about 4 lbs. I'm not overweight (anymore), but I'd like to lose a bit more just so my clothes are a little less snug. My energy level is moderate, a little low sometimes - maybe my body is still adjusting? I may not be eating enough, but sometimes my appetite is non-existant since eating this way.

Yesterday's menu:

Breakfast: salmon mixed with homemade mayo on celery, almond butter on celery, pat of Kerrygold butter, small cup of coffee.

Lunch: 2 eggs cooked in butter, small bowl of blueberries, small cup of coffee

Dinner: sunflower and pumpkin seeds toasted in coconut oil and seasonings, blueberries, pat of butter

(Usually I eat green veggies sometime during the day, but wasn't in the mood for that yesterday.)

Offline samjohn

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Re: Portesa's Paleo Project
« Reply #1 on: July 15, 2010, 08:26:29 PM »
I'd ditch the dairy and get a little more fatty meat.

However you are still very new to Paleo so stick with what you are comfortable with and tweak it if your results are not what you would like.

If weight loss stalls, the first thing to go should be the dairy, and maybe more meat and fewer blueberries.
« Last Edit: July 15, 2010, 08:28:27 PM by samjohn »
The answer to your question is 'eat more fat'.

Stop counting calories. If you are eating Paleo, there is usually no need.

If you are having weight loss issues, it'd be a good idea to start posting a detailed food journal, then everyone can help.

'Anecdotal Evidence' is an oxymoron.

Offline portesa

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Re: Portesa's Paleo Project
« Reply #2 on: July 16, 2010, 06:43:36 AM »
I love fatty meat, but the only grass-fed meat i can find is bison, which seems to be very lean. Would more eggs be better? Are they considered fatty?

Blew it yesterday by having a beer after work. It was only one, but it made me feel like absolute crap.

My diet yesterday was nearly identical to the day before. Yes, I tend to get in ruts sometimes.

My digestions is very, um.... sluggish. Will this improve, I hope???

Feeling headachy today. Maybe because of the beer, or perhaps the digestive issues. Hope I feel better soon, I have a loooong travel day tomorrow.

Offline DTSMA68

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Re: Portesa's Paleo Project
« Reply #3 on: July 16, 2010, 07:32:02 AM »
You might want to try "NOW Foods Super Enzymes" for digestive issues. I found out about them in Robb Wolf's podcast episiode 29 at www.RobbWolf.com. You can get it on iTunes as well by searching his name or Paleolithic Solutions. He's also coming out with a book too. Jimmie at Livin la vida locarb interviewed him on one of his podcasts last May.

He suggests taking one half-way through each meal. I bought some on my way to work today because the veggies look the same going out (sorry to be graphic). I think he said try 3-6 a day and work back towards one a day. The label says one with each meal.
5'11", 43 y/o, male, 30-32 waist
5K Personal Record on Paleo: Oct. 9, 2010 - 21:00
Old Stats at my heaviest: 42" waist and about 225 lbs.

Offline Warren Dew

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Re: Portesa's Paleo Project
« Reply #4 on: July 16, 2010, 09:21:11 AM »
I love fatty meat, but the only grass-fed meat i can find is bison, which seems to be very lean. Would more eggs be better? Are they considered fatty?

Eggs have a good amount of fat.  Commercial eggs may not have the best omega 3:6 ratios, but pastured or omega 3 eggs are fine, and if you can find bison, you should be able to get them.

You might also consider uncured bacon or other forms of pork.  You could also mail order grass fed beef.

I agree with Samjohn that may eventually want to ditch all dairy, though it's not urgent.

Offline portesa

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Re: Portesa's Paleo Project
« Reply #5 on: July 16, 2010, 09:30:15 AM »
Thanks for the advice, guys. I'll be in the city for a week and will look for the enzymes and more paleo things to eat - there will definately be lots of seafood!

Weighed myself this morning - down another pound for a total loss of 5 lbs. so far.

Had a green smoothie for breakfast: baby spinach, cantalope and blueberries. It looked like sludge but, fortunately, tasted much better.

I need to pack some food for the trip tomorrow. Nuts and seeds are easy. Wish I could find jerky without sugar added. Any other suggestions are appreciated.

Offline Il Capo

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Re: Portesa's Paleo Project
« Reply #6 on: July 16, 2010, 10:38:26 AM »
I'd also ditch the sunflower seeds. They have a bad lipid profile and are likely to contain some toxins.
Any idiot can get on a treadmill and watch TV and then take great pride in the fact they've exercised.
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Rolfdevinci

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Re: Portesa's Paleo Project
« Reply #7 on: July 16, 2010, 01:20:44 PM »
The good folk hereabouts got me hooked on fresh coconut, coconut milk and coconut oil. I purchase cocnuts, drain them and snack on the fresh meat....delicious. To be honest I pretty much gave up my nuts and seeds as a result. My research seems to indicate that the saturated fat in coconuts is very beneficial, the body uses it as a fuel supply and it helps expedite weight loss. Once you get accustomed to the "real" thing that sweetened stuff sold in packages will never grace your shopping bag. ;)

Coconut milk in coffee is wonderful(instead of cream) and imparts a nice tropical flavor to the brew...if you are so inclined.

All my cooking is now done with coconut oil.

Offline gnujoshua

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Re: Portesa's Paleo Project
« Reply #8 on: July 16, 2010, 01:50:03 PM »
My research seems to indicate that the saturated fat in coconuts is very beneficial, the body uses it as a fuel supply and it helps expedite weight loss.

Here's some light reading on that particular subject.. Apparently, being Paleos we are a bit more apt to get the weightloss effect of coconut fat (MCT's) than a SAD dieter that switches to coconut fat instead of whatever crap being used these days - because we eat much more fat than your average dieter.
Diets fail because society as a whole believes body image is more important than health. The problem is that obesity is simply one of many symptoms of an illness, not the illness itself.

And I'm being cured.

Offline portesa

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Re: Portesa's Paleo Project
« Reply #9 on: July 16, 2010, 04:45:54 PM »
I love coconut oil and coconut milk, but honestly never thought about just buying a coconut! That might also be something I can carry with me on my trip.

I've tried coconut milk in my coffee, and it's not bad at all. But nothing compares to heavy cream for me. I can easily do without cheese and milk, but it's hard to imaging life without cream and butter. (especially Kerrygold - I seriously cut off hunks of that stuff to eat!)

I found a local beef jerky company that makes it without sugar, so I'll stock up tonight.

Another question for you veterans: over the last 6 months, I've had several of what I believe to be gall bladder attacks. Each time, there was pizza and/or ice cream involved. Some people said to stay away from fat (yeah, right...), but I eat a TON of fat on paleo (see butter comment above) and haven't had even a twinge from the gall bladder. Any ideas on this??

Offline portesa

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Re: Portesa's Paleo Project
« Reply #10 on: July 16, 2010, 04:47:50 PM »
Haven't had any migraines either, now that I think about it... ;D  Hallelujah!

Rolfdevinci

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Re: Portesa's Paleo Project
« Reply #11 on: July 16, 2010, 05:16:15 PM »
"But nothing compares to heavy cream for me.`

Agreed. That was the hardest part of paleo for me.....stopping the use of 18% coffee cream in my java. Not only in terms of taste but also the visual...that lovely mocha color.

That said it took a month or so but now I enjoy black coffee...you certainly taste the flavors of the particular bean moreso.

Offline portesa

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Re: Portesa's Paleo Project
« Reply #12 on: July 16, 2010, 10:15:57 PM »
Todays menu:

Green smoothie (mentioned above)
seed mixture (are pumpkin seeds ok?)
large portion of chicken salad (chicken, mayo, celery, pickles with lettuce and tomato - not totally paleo, but a friend brought it in)
peaches - from the local orchard
coconut - I got a fresh one and it's wonderful!

It doesn't seem like much food, and I don't know if I'm getting enough protein. I'm just not very hungry.

For my trip to WA tomorrow I'm packing beef jerky, fresh coconut (not sure how well it will keep though), and pumpkin seeds. I'm hoping strawberries or cherries will be in season. There's a really nice farmers' market in Olympia - can't wait to browse!

I hurt my back a couple weeks back and am just starting to get in some exercise. Did some core strengthening work, push-ups and squats, and my back fared pretty well. A new cross-fit gym just opened in my small town here, and I'm excited to check it out when I get back home.

Offline Warren Dew

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Re: Portesa's Paleo Project
« Reply #13 on: July 16, 2010, 11:41:19 PM »
Another question for you veterans: over the last 6 months, I've had several of what I believe to be gall bladder attacks. Each time, there was pizza and/or ice cream involved. Some people said to stay away from fat (yeah, right...), but I eat a TON of fat on paleo (see butter comment above) and haven't had even a twinge from the gall bladder. Any ideas on this??

The formation of gallstones is highly dependent on intestinal system pH - note, not the same thing as blood pH.  Acidic conditions prevent them.

My theory is that the stomach and small intestine stay more acidic on the paleo diet either because the fruit helps maintain the acidity or because grains and other nonpaleo carbs interfere with the acidity produced by stomach acids.  That's just a theory, though.

Offline portesa

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Re: Portesa's Paleo Project
« Reply #14 on: July 19, 2010, 06:36:28 PM »
Olympia is paleo heaven!! Farmer's market & Trader Joe's makes it easy to find delicious food. I'm probably eating too much fruit, but I knew that would be the case when i came up here. I feel great and my digestion seems better.

Yesterday's menu: (yeah, I know...)

coffee
blueberries
cherries
peaches
pork steak
salad
1 mojito
2 glasses red wine
dark chocolate
almond butter

Today's menu:

coffee
leftover pork steak (found farm-raised pork at the farmers' market!)
peaches
rainier cherries
slow-cooked pork shoulder roast (fatty, tender, amazing)
brocolli
Kerrygold butter (soooo much cheaper at Trader)
will probably have more fruit before the day's over!

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Re: Portesa's Paleo Project
« Reply #14 on: July 19, 2010, 06:36:28 PM »