Taking it all in but don't know where to start

[missmariah]

As I've said before, been low carbing since July, stalled in October. I would love to lose more weight, in the worlds eye I should lose at least another 30-40 but I'd be happy with 10-15 BUT I'm also trying to just be a healthier me. As I'm reading all the info, I can't figure out where to start. Should I do a detox? What kind of detox? Juicing? There's obviously something that I'm consuming that my body doesn't like because I'm constantly tired (which I have been forever), my guts hurt, foggy...I've cut out dairy, sweeteners (except added honey/maple syrup in some things)...added probiotics and coconut oil...all in the last month...I've had a full blood panel done and food allergy test all neg.  

[frecs]

Well, if you are constantly tired, that is a good sign you are not getting enough carbs. Up them carbs! Other than not being tired, you will likely find that you lose weight!

Are you trying to just do Paleo or Paleo AIP? is weight loss your only issue or do you have an AI to address?

Just because testing did not show any food intolerances/sensitivities...doesn't mean you don't have them! It might be good to do AIP or Whole30 for a month and then begin reintroducing foods one at a time and see if you discover a previously hidden intolerance.

[EJ]

Definitely give yourself a big pat on the back for making so many tough changes within a month! Everyone has to start somewhere!

Detoxes aren't necessary. Just continue to cut out foods and see how you feel. If you're not 100% Paleo, give that a solid try first. You mentioned cutting out dairy-are you already grain and gluten free? What about processed foods?

I agree with Frecs-it could be the low carb that is making you feel terrible. Try eating more vegetable carbs and starches and see how you feel then. And like she said, just because you're not allergic doesn't mean you're not sensitive. An elimination diet will help you figure out which foods bother you the most.

If you need help, check out The Paleo Mom Consulting. Sometimes it helps to have a guide while figuring all this stuff out.

And make sure you're taking care of yourself, too! Get lots of sleep and try to reduce stress where you can (meditation, yoga, doing less, etc.).

Hope you feel better soon!

[salixisme]

I agree with the others - it could well be the low carb that is making you feel like that. Women don't do as well on a very low carb diet because it messes with their hormones. I find that I need to have between 100 and 150g of carbs a day or I feel awful.

I would up the carbs a little (more starchy veg?) and try doing something like a whole 30 or even AIP, and then when you start adding stuff back in, you will know if it is that that is making you feel ill

[missmariah]

Wow, ladies! I never considered to low carbs making me tired...I feel like I eat lots of veggies but not enough. 100-150 as stated from salixisme...I'm lucky if I hit 30 on a heavy day...yes I'm grain free too, have been for a long time...no I'm not 100% paleo! I'm just dabbling, learning cutting and adding foods in...pretty much processed free too other than like the canned tomatoes for recipes or canned coconut milk...I'm learning...

[frecs]

You are going to need to eat starchy veggies -- plantains, sweet potatoes...stuff like that to get some carbs...white potatoes too if you aren't doing AIP....it's all a learning process...lots of trial and error. :0)

[salixisme]

I inadvertently gave myself adrenal gland issues by trying to be too lowcarb (wanted to loose weight and was attempting to support my Hubby on the ketogenic diet that he eats for his epilepsy)... net result, chronic fatigue and a hormonal S##t-storm that was not pretty! Think massive mood swings, lots of shouty, screamy episodes that I am very embarrassed about..... I am working to fix it, but according to my naturopath friend, it could take a LONG time.

I find that I need to eat a small amount of starchy veg at each meal - rutabaga, carrots, parsnips, beets, sweet potatoes, plantains, cassava..... I also have found that I tolerate white rice well, so I occasionally indulge in some sushi, which also provides some resistant starch to feed my gut flora as well.. (only cold cooked rice will do this, hot rice won't, but there are also other starches that are resistant starch and feed the gut flora - lots of beneficial effects from that if you tolerate them)

I eat mostly AIP (have reintroduced eggs and rice and have discovered that I can tolerate very small amounts of nightshade spices - a tsp of chilli in a meal to feed 6 people will not affect me but I cannot eat loads of bell peppers, tomatoes, eggplants etc - it seems to be dose dependent...  I cannot reintro dairy due to an anaphalactic allergy to casein (am too scared to tbh!), potatoes do not work well with me either..

[missmariah]

Ok so my MIL bought us a nurtibullet...after reading all this I have decided that I am going to give this gem a shot...I'm cringing at the amount of fruit ! I know it need to figure out what works for me....my list so far has kale, spinach, peaches, avocado, pear, oranges, apples, banana...blueberries and raspberries...the recipes call for the whole fruit and up to 5 of each...eeeekkkk! I'll start with just a half and only a few...any thoughts on this would be great...I figure doing this will give me the extra dose of carbs that I miss...

Thoughts? Ideas?

[EJ]

missmariah, check out this info on how many carbs you should eat-there's a sweet spot between losing weight and gaining weight. And learn about dense sources of carbs.

Make sure you add vegetables to your fruit smoothies-and fats like coconut oil or milk. And drink them WITH a meal that contains protein. You always want to balance out your meals. And drinking smoothies (or eating fruit, for that matter) separately could spike your blood sugar.

[missmariah]

Yes thank you....

[laurenrdn]

Agree with the carbs! Also consider moving your focus on the healthy changes you are making and try making 1-2 changes at a time...rather than focusing on weight loss, specifically.

[salixisme]

With eating fruit, be careful - too much fruit can put your fructose consumption too high, and fructose can be very inflammatory and is pretty hard on your liver. I would go with starchy veg rather than loads of fruit.

That doesn't mean that a couple of pieces of fruit a day is a bad thing, just don't eat it to excess...

I do eat fruits, but I keep it to no more than 2 a day, and I don't do juice (which is not much more than vitamin enriched sugar water)

[missmariah]

Day 2 of smoothies...still freaked out by the fruit intake. Over a cup of greens, half zucchini, 1/4 Apple, about 2 bites of banana, 4 strawberries and almond milk oh and 4 chunks of pineapple....couple tablespoons of Chia seeds too

Tomorrow I will try avocado instead of banana....

My goal is too use more veg than fruit. I did buy a green smoothie book.

[frecs]

Apr 29, 2014 10:27:48 GMT -5 missmariah said:

Day 2 of smoothies...still freaked out by the fruit intake. Over a cup of greens, half zucchini, 1/4 Apple, about 2 bites of banana, 4 strawberries and almond milk oh and 4 chunks of pineapple....couple tablespoons of Chia seeds too

Tomorrow I will try avocado instead of banana....

My goal is too use more veg than fruit. I did buy a green smoothie book.

Did you eat some protein with that smoothie?

[EJ]

frecs is right-I hope you're not just eating smoothies for meals. You should focus on eating balanced meals every time-protein, fat, carbs. Hmm...didn't I say that earlier?