Diets: the whole30, paleo, …!

[jacoavlu]

oh no of course not, but probably the most significant. for me, surely

[mclaincausey]

Yeah.  My blood is in great shape today, but it wasn't always like that for me.  I grew up in the deep South of the US, and we eat fucking terribly unhealthily down there.  Delicious food that will kill you.  A lifetime of trans-fats, starches, fatty, nitrate-laden meats….  It's no wonder why diabetes, hypertension, morbid obesity, and heart disease reign supreme in that region.  And I have a history of heart disease on both sides of the family.

So my blood was in awful shape a few years ago, but since I've started working out and watching what I eat my triglycerides, glucose, HDL, and LDL are really good now.  Watching what I eat has mainly been portion sizes and a sort of modified paleo.  I think the biggest difference-maker for me has been the removal of grains, particularly wheat, and refined sugars from my diet.  I believe eating fish and skinless poultry and other lean proteins such as pastured steak has worked for me, but I definitely respect vegan and vegetarian diets as healthful alternatives, as long as they don't lean too heavily on grains and carbohydrates.

There's a cardiologist named Dr William Davis who has two blogs and some associated books that has some interesting things to say about wheat and heart disease.
http://www.trackyourplaque.com is about atherosclerosis and not just halting its advance, but reversing it.
http://www.wheatbellyblog.com is about the perils of wheat

Another interesting article that sums up some recent research on the perils of sugar and its putative link to a host of maladies, including cancer, was published by the Times a while back.
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/04/17/magazine/mag-17Sugar-t.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0

I'm not a doctor or a nutritionist, but nixing sugar and wheat has been a part of lifestyle changes (it's hard to know how much credit lives there and how much with exercise) that have had dramatic results for my blood and blood pressure.

[jacoavlu]

obesity, etc is pretty much everywhere, red state blue state matters little. wheat, sugar, agree, with little exception anything that is highly processed and/or has more than 5 ingredients is probably not good for you

which is why paleo has a lot of great features, but I think the debate about animal products and health is still unsettled, and bottom line is there is never a free lunch in nature; everything choice is likely to have some downside

for me lately it's been
1. way more raw green vegetables (thanks vitamix)
2. more whole foods, less processed foods (pretty much anything that comes in a box)
3. less animal products

trying to get off blood pressure meds, I think I'll get there. ran my first half marathon last weekend

[mclaincausey]

Vitamix is great eh?  I am careful about green smoothies due to oxalic acid and stones, but I use Spirulina and some greens in everything.

I do think there's an argument for at least some animals in a heart healthy diet, that being fish, the more omega 3 fats the better (unless one is a vegetarian for ideological/ethical reasons). I supplement Dr Sinatra's capsules, which have a sustainable, squid-derived non-fishy tasting "fish" oil with a good EPA/DHA profile and CoQ10. It is targeted at statin-taking heart patients, the idea being to hopefully obviate the need for statins.  I forgot to mention this component of the strategy that I've been using to get my blood in better shape. It's a late addition, but I have been supplementing fish oil for a long time in one form or another and suspect it has a significant role to play among all the other factors I added. I also read good things about cod liver oil.

[mclaincausey]

Oh and congrats on the half marathon!

[derivative666]

Paleo/excercise has helped me lose 65lbs so far. This life change has been nothing short of spectacular for me. Getting so heavy was very difficult for me. It was demoralizing and debilitating. I played div 2 college basketball, was semi-pro snowboarder and was always in outstanding shape. I let myself go and was out of control. My life change has got me back in control and given me a second chance. I need to be a positive roll model for Jake.

"Obstacles are stepping-stones That guide us to our goals"

[seanocono]

Congratulations, d666. It's amazing what you've done for yourself and your family. You've demonstrated the power of hard work, perseverance, and discipline. I think you're a role model to people outside of your family, as well.

[Giles]

Amazing D666…

[mclaincausey]

Seanoco couldn't have said it better, kudos. We only get one vehicle for this crazy ride and there's nothing more rewarding than making some improvements.

[Finn666]

@seanocono:

Congratulations, d666… I think you're a role model to people outside of your family, as well.

this is f_cking on point! couldn't have said it better mate…
thanks to Jeff, I started with the whole paleo "thing" and tbh. I couldn't be happier atm. as I am now today!

paleo was and still is a life changer for me! lost the few pounds I had too much (still going!) and I'm really feeling great I have to say! so far not a single downside for me...I really hope I can keep up with it when starting my life in the working class, so let's hope for that!

no matter what,congratulations d666!...super well done mate. I'm really looking up to you and have nothing but respect for you bro! looking forward meeting up with you in 2014 buddy (and the rest of the US bunch!)

[derivative666]

Is it possible to have built up a gluten intolerance?  I inadvertently ate something that had soy sauce in it (wheat, soy) and now for the last 2 days have been sick as a dog headaches, horrible gas, can't stop going to the bathroom.  Need some help really in a bad place right now.

"Obstacles are stepping-stones That guide us to our goals"

[Bob]

One should eat as little as one possibly can, in my experience.

[derivative666]

Not on Paleo you need to eat and eat a lot especially If you are very active.

[mclaincausey]

I'd move into tamari where possible D… You can definitely develop an intolerance for wheat proteins and other toxins when you train your body to eat real food!

[Maynard Friedman]

Is anyone on here still following the paleo diet?

[Bob]

They have probably run out of money–aren't the components of that diet relatively high on the food chain?

I have tried several ways of eating, and what has worked best for me is a very high percentage carbohydrate diet--mostly bread, pasta, and rice, which I know is well out of style. I'm old now, and this way of eating has kept me with (healthfully) low blood pressure, low body fat, and excellent cholesterol ratios.

A bonus is it very inexpensive to eat this way. Also, I travel a lot and must eat what's available. Every culture has this type of food readily available. Eat anything, sleep anywhere, and travel is a breeze. I'm an easy guest.

(I know this isn't for everybody, and heaven forfend the gluten.)

@Maynard:

Is anyone on here still following the paleo diet?

[derivative666]

I have been paleo over 2 years now

[Maynard Friedman]

I assume you're happy with it then!

[derivative666]

It works for me and when I don't eat Paleo I feel like shit.

[Finn666]

@derivative666:

…I feel like shit.

that's where i am right now…need to get my ass back on track