Thread: Primal/ Paleolithic food

I have recently (4 weeks) began my Primal Journey and I must say I love it. Energy levels are more sustained, body composition improving, and sleep has been excellent. Has anyone else been living the Primal lifestyle, and if so - what are your thoughts and favorite dishes?

For those unfamiliar, the Primal diet consists of high fat, moderate protein, and low carbs. In essence, all grains are eliminated from the diet. ie: rice/flour/processed sugar/wheat/whole grains/ etc. For those interested, a good resource may be the Primal blueprint by Mark Sisson. (i have no affiliation with the above book or author)

I'm interested in learning more, I already maintain a low carb, high protein, moderate fat diet. I've read a lot of success stories about the paleo style of eating.

Do you do crossfit also?

I typically maintained clean and low carb diet prior to the 100% switch, so it was pretty easy for me, but i can see people who are grain obsessed (like many of us are) having a hard time with the diet. The principal is to limit glucose and resulting insulin spikes which then trains your body to not store fat, use carbs are they are ingested, and then use fats for energy vs craving carbs. Whats amazing is the duration you can go without NEEDING food, and the simple fact that fats taste way better than grains! it also doesnt hurt that cutting out grains should reduce and or eliminate much of the potential for heart disease and type II diabetes.

iIdo not do official crossfit ,although I've been told my workouts are much like crossfit as i do the primary lifts, flit heavy tires/ kettle bells/ hammer workouts. Once i get done doing the tough mudder in CO this weekend i may look into crossfit.

I do know that the primal diet is pretty common within the crossfit community.

Is this similar to the Keto diet?

Can you modify it into high protein?

I maintain a primal/paleo site Paleo and Primal Nutrition w/ a Healthy dose of wellness/fitness with some awesome recipes.
I've lost 90lbs with primal/paleo and P90X!
www.facebook.com/changedmyworld

Originally Posted by RoyalSchmuck

Is this similar to the Keto diet?

I am not very familiar with the Keto diet- however I am assuming that Keto is short for Ketosis- the method in which our bodies use fat for energy. I should first say I am not an expert in this and my words should only be taken with a grain of salt and or with adequate personal research. With that being said it could be considered similar in that at certain points during a primal diet/lifestyle the body will go into ketosis. I am not sure on Keto diets outlook on fruits and veggies, but the primal diet consists of many veggies and fruits in moderation - so depending on the amount consumed, one could easily go into ketosis.

Originally Posted by KrackerXL

Can you modify it into high protein?

yes easily - just eat more protein . the theory behind paleo/primal however is that you get your energy from fats vs carbs. your body adjusts in a couple weeks while it goes through carb withdrawel....during that time for me i could not get satisfied no matter the qty of food i ate....so i was eating an abundance of good fats. Now however my appetite has leveled off and i have been consuming still a good qty of healthy fats and have upped my protein as well.

Originally Posted by HotRodMonkey

I maintain a primal/paleo site Paleo and Primal Nutrition w/ a Healthy dose of wellness/fitness with some awesome recipes.
I've lost 90lbs with primal/paleo and P90X!
www.facebook.com/changedmyworld

thats amazing! congrats on the weight loss! the blog looked great i will have to read into it more when i have some time!

anything worth noting from the paleo/primal diet besides the weight loss? energy? mood? etc

I got about 45 I gotta shed, I tried paleo, it kinda worked....I didn't crossfit, I just hike-jogged, lifted weights, but i'm a bad example. I good buddy of mine did crossfit and paleo, and in 6 months dropped about 40 pounds, and he's freakin' cut now!

When we hang, he's always chowing down on spinach leaves, raspberries, etc.

I wear my socks high, lift for speed with horrible form and look like I am having a seizure on the pull up bar. I hope to slip every disc in my back before I am 40

I also eat nuts and cats that I hunt in the neighborhood and poo in my backyard.

I live a well rounded primal lifestyle