Help for someone who is Paleo and not AIP?

[3ladybugs]

I am not AIP but I am Paleo. I got weighed yesterday (don't have scale in the house) and I am now at my weight that I was at when I was dating (10 years ago) and dancing for several hours every Friday and Saturday. I was also working as a nanny so chasing around a kid during the week. I was on a low carb diet to get pregnant (which is odd because they wanted me to gain weight) and I always lost weight on that. I was eating what I should be (and working with a nutritionist) but I would constantly loose weight. So the fact that I am now under isn't a surprise. I gave birth last July and I am now 15-20 lbs under my pre pregnancy weight.

What sort of carbs should I be adding to my diet to help me. I really need to gain about 10-15 lbs and I am breastfeeding (don't want to wean anytime soon) my 10 month old and he wants to eat everything mommy does (that includes bacon though!) He has a milk protein allergy though so I am Paleo for him more then anything. He ONLY eats Paleo even if the rest of the family cheats every now and then. We cook with lard and other fats. However protein fills me up and then I don't want to eat more. I was always taught that if your not hungry don't eat. But now I think that was bad advice.

I should add that ironically my son is gaining weight better then he has his whole life. Mommy just has this issue.

Thanks for the help!

[EJ]

I would guess that breastfeeding doesn't help you to gain weight, either But it's great that your son is thriving and eats Paleo

So here's a list of dense carbs: balancedbites.com/2011/08/paleo-diet-carbs.html. The ones at the top of the list have lots of healthy starch-cassava/yuca (don't eat it raw-it's poisonous ), taro, & green plantains. But if you're not eating them currently, start small (1/2 cup servings) to adjust to them. A variety is best-there's always the chance that if you eat a sweet potato at every meal you might become sensitive to it So alternate between vegetables.

You're right in that even if you're not hungry, you need to keep eating. This ONLY applies to those of us who are underweight We're "special" It can be really tough, but if you don't eat enough calories, you won't gain.

I would use a food tracker (online or app or whatever works for you) for a few days-enter all your food in and see how many calories you're eating. Then adjust from there. You don't need to use the tracker daily forever-it's just a good tool to help you see how much you're eating and if you need to make any changes.

Also, read the other posts in this thread for some helpful websites. They don't only apply to people on AIP. In fact, you have more food options than some of us, so enjoy them Good luck!

[saragrambusch]

If you aren't AIP I'd also suggest looking into the Perfect Health Diet version of paleo which is more carb inclusive. You can find all the info you need on the website but the book is phenomenal.

[3ladybugs]

Well I downloaded a food tracker and it is making me not want to eat. :hide: I know that sounds silly but I am a big time conformer when it comes to certain things and I guess food is one of those things. I like to know that I did everything right at the end of the day. I need to get that out of my head and cheat if I want but it is hard.

I guess it doesn't help that I have strep throat at the moment.

I am not opposed to green plantains, they are certainly easier to peal then the ripe ones!

I looked at that Perfect Health Diet website but it has things that I don't consider Paleo and I am REALLY trying to limit those. I saw rice as one of the things they eat. I really don't want my baby to have rice and if he sees me eating it, he will want it.

Thank you everyone for your help! I will let you know how it goes.

[rach]

I use a food tracker mainly to make sure I am eating enough calories in a day. If I find myself low before dinner I will cook up a larger serving of safe starches like sweet potato, yams, carrots, parsnips, pumpkin etc, that you can mash with a fat for easily ingestible calories and nutrition. If I notice I am low in calories after dinner, I usually head for nuts, or an avocado. Avocado banana mousse makes a nice change from straight avocado. There are lots of paleo foods out there that will help you gain weight, the trick is to find something that works for you

[EJ]

The food tracker should allow you to put in a weight gain goal and therefore it will tell you how many calories you need to eat. We definitely don't want to foster disordered eating, here, so if it's not working for you, don't do it. But give yourself a minute to think about why you feel bad about eating Sometimes things are mental and those ideas might need to be changed first. Gaining weight can be hard, even if you're underweight. I personally was distressed when I finally started gaining weight again (even though I'm still underweight). But I'm focusing on the benefits-like having curves again! Being a woman instead of a cardboard cut-out So think about changing your thought process a bit. And just eat more. Rach gave some great ideas.

[3ladybugs]

Well I got weighed again today when I went to my oncologist (was at my PCP before) and I was up 2 lbs. Not sure why that was and it could have been differences in scales between the 2 places but I am happy. 2 lbs in 6 days. I don't need to go to another doctor though till September (thankfully this isn't the oncologist, she doesn't want to see me for a year!) though so I may not weigh myself till then.

I should make myself and my baby more avocado chocolate pudding. We both love that!