AMA

[wambam]

I've done four Whole30s and have been living a paleo lifestyle for 2.5 years. AMA.

[Velar Fricative]

How did your first Whole 30 experience go? Did you lose weight? Did you discover any food sensitivities?

[megataco]

Hi there- thanks for starting this.
My husband and I (more so him) have been doing a paleo based diet for about 6 months. I say more him because he's decided in his research (Jason Sieb and Sarah Fergoso podcasts), that it's all cool to just eat pounds of ground beef at a time. I'm talking for lunch and dinner with either green beans or broccoli tossed in. This seems so wrong to me. I'm no ground beef angel, I eat it a lot too, but it just seems excessive and a little gross. 
Do you think I need to lay off or should I hammer my meals (spinach salads, sausage and peppers, etc.) into him? 

2nd question (sorry!) I'm eating a lot more doing paleo/whole 30. 
I know this is supported, but is it really? Thoughts? 
Thanks! 

[wambam]

Aug 7, 2014 6:34:33 GMT -5 Velar Fricative said:

How did your first Whole 30 experience go? Did you lose weight? Did you discover any food sensitivities?

I had been eating generally paleo for several months before my Whole30 so most of the weight I was going to lose I had lost already. I definitely leaned out during the first W30, but I don't have an exact poundage number. 

The reason I chose to do that first one was because I was still having health problems after starting paleo (chronic idiopathic hives). I needed a very strict elimination diet to determine if food was a factor. I followed the reintroduction protocol very strictly. I found that I am allergic to wheat. I saw that dairy doesn't really do my digestion any favors, but I'm not allergic or intolerant. 

Because I had been eating generally paleo the months leading up to W30, I did not have the low carb flu or any other "withdrawal" type symptoms. It was a pretty seamless transition where I was cranky for some chocolate.

[wambam]

Aug 7, 2014 6:46:47 GMT -5 megataco said:

Hi there- thanks for starting this.
My husband and I (more so him) have been doing a paleo based diet for about 6 months. I say more him because he's decided in his research (Jason Sieb and Sarah Fergoso podcasts), that it's all cool to just eat pounds of ground beef at a time. I'm talking for lunch and dinner with either green beans or broccoli tossed in. This seems so wrong to me. I'm no ground beef angel, I eat it a lot too, but it just seems excessive and a little gross. 
Do you think I need to lay off or should I hammer my meals (spinach salads, sausage and peppers, etc.) into him? 

2nd question (sorry!) I'm eating a lot more doing paleo/whole 30. 
I know this is supported, but is it really? Thoughts? 
Thanks! 

I'm not sure I understand your first question. Are you asking if it's okay to eat a pound of ground beef per meal? Follow the W30 meal template (http://whole30.com/downloads/whole30-meal-planning.pdf) which includes 1-2 palmfuls of protein per meal. You should eat enough protein that you can make it your next meal, but not overstuffing yourself. For me, this is about 4-5oz of ground meat. It may differ for you. 

I would absolutely say I eat more eating paleo than before. Part of that is because I'm not drinking calories (no pop or juice). Before, I was consuming HUGE amounts of calories via pop and juice. Now I fill those calories with protein, fat, and vegetables. Again, follow the meal template (protein + veggies + fat + sometimes fruit) and you should be on the right track.

[Velar Fricative]

Does it get easier each time you do it or is it always the suck?

[wambam]

Aug 7, 2014 16:08:22 GMT -5 namasteak said:

I know I have asked you this before but I can't remember the answer.

Do you know of any resources for nursing mama's doing Whole 30?

I do not personally have any knowledge about this. But there's a section of the forum dedicated to this: forum.whole9life.com/forum/15-whole30-while-pregnant-or-breastfeeding/

[wambam]

Aug 7, 2014 16:11:21 GMT -5 Velar Fricative said:

Does it get easier each time you do it or is it always the suck?

Again, I was eating paleo for a few months before my first one and obviously between the W30s. So the suck isn't as bad as someone who is coming from a completely different place. However, preparing and planning and eating out all get WAY easier with time. It becomes routine, part of your life, and you wonder what you did before.

[pinkeggs]

I know peanut butter is a no-go, but what about sunflower seed butter?

[wambam]

Aug 7, 2014 18:22:02 GMT -5 pinkeggs said:

I know peanut butter is a no-go, but what about sunflower seed butter?

Allowed as long it's sugar free and does not contain non-compliant oils. Check the label.

[noodleskooze]

I believe I recall you saying that food takes up a large part of your budget. Any tips for doing paleo/Whole30 on the cheap?

Even if I got up the courage to go for it, the cost dissuades me. I know eating out costs would be lowered, but high quality, fresh foods seem to negate those savings.

[wambam]

Aug 7, 2014 18:23:18 GMT -5 noodleskooze said:

I believe I recall you saying that food takes up a large part of your budget. Any tips for doing paleo/Whole30 on the cheap?

Even if I got up the courage to go for it, the cost dissuades me. I know eating out costs would be lowered, but high quality, fresh foods seem to negate those savings.

I do spend a crazy amount of money on food. But I definitely choose to do that because I can as a childfree person living in a LCOL area. 

Here are a couple articles with some tips: 

whole9life.com/2011/01/paleo-poor-your-guide-to-the-grocery-store/

stupideasypaleo.com/2014/01/14/paleo-on-a-budget/

[mandiespharm]

Aug 7, 2014 17:57:53 GMT -5 wambam said:

Aug 7, 2014 16:11:21 GMT -5 Velar Fricative said:

Does it get easier each time you do it or is it always the suck?

Again, I was eating paleo for a few months before my first one and obviously between the W30s. So the suck isn't as bad as someone who is coming from a completely different place. However, preparing and planning and eating out all get WAY easier with time. It becomes routine, part of your life, and you wonder what you did before.

I can agree with this! Meal planning and prepping gets easier the more you do it. You really will wonder why you didn't do it sooner

[Velar Fricative]

Aug 7, 2014 18:23:18 GMT -5 noodleskooze said:

I believe I recall you saying that food takes up a large part of your budget. Any tips for doing paleo/Whole30 on the cheap?

Even if I got up the courage to go for it, the cost dissuades me. I know eating out costs would be lowered, but high quality, fresh foods seem to negate those savings.

I've noticed this too. I order groceries online and my cart so far is pretty $$$. I'm going to stick with organic stuff as much as I can for the 30 days but beyond that I'm just not sure.

[isabel]

Aug 7, 2014 18:23:18 GMT -5 noodleskooze said:

I believe I recall you saying that food takes up a large part of your budget. Any tips for doing paleo/Whole30 on the cheap?

Even if I got up the courage to go for it, the cost dissuades me. I know eating out costs would be lowered, but high quality, fresh foods seem to negate those savings.

One thing to keep in mind that you don't have to buy grass fed/wild/organic/pastured everything. The more of that you can do, all the better, because you are avoiding various chemicals, antibiotics, etc. That said, you are still going to reap the benefits of completing a whole30 even if you buy only conventional meats, vegetables, and fruits. I have found that Sprouts carries the cheapest produce in our area. Buying frozen is often less expensive when it comes to vegetables. Shop around a bit and see what you can find. There is absolutely nothing wrong with going canned/frozen. Also, buy what's in season as much as possible. Anything in season is going to be so much cheaper than items that have to be shipped in from other states and countries (bonus: you'll end up with some local produce more than likely). Lastly, eggs are inexpensive and a fantastic source of protein. Filling up on eggs, bulk packages of chicken, and ground beef is going to be much less expensive than varying your protein sources. So, consider using lots of spices and changing up your seasonings/sauces while focusing on inexpensive protein sources.

I don't work that hard at my grocery budget. We're not terribly limited and spend quite a bit on food. But, if I'm really working hard to pare down that budget and cut back, I spend about $120 a week for DH and myself (medium-plus COL). I'm 100% certain we could feed a child in there as well. We often have leftovers that don't get eaten and eat out about once a week. Just a very rough estimate for you.

[noodleskooze]

isabel all good tips. Unfortunately I don't like eggs. I so wish I did.

[pixy0stix]

wambam - nuun is ok on the whole30, right? Cause otherwise I might have to start taking straight up salt tabs.

[wambam]

Aug 8, 2014 15:09:46 GMT -5 pixy0stix said:

wambam - nuun is ok on the whole30, right? Cause otherwise I might have to start taking straight up salt tabs.

Unfortunately, not during W30 because it contains sugar alcohols. 

Full disclosure: I use it on the regular when not doing a W30.

[taratru]

Aug 8, 2014 15:09:46 GMT -5 pixy0stix said:

wambam - nuun is ok on the whole30, right? Cause otherwise I might have to start taking straight up salt tabs.

Well, then I'm definitely out until my running slows down a bit. I  live on Nuun right now.

[pixy0stix]

Yeah, my brain is sorta broken on how I'm going to replace what I'm losing during workout. Salt in general is out, too, right?

[wambam]

Aug 8, 2014 16:07:50 GMT -5 pixy0stix said:

Yeah, my brain is sorta broken on how I'm going to replace what I'm losing during workout. Salt in general is out, too, right?

Salt is totally fine

[wambam]

Aug 8, 2014 23:13:54 GMT -5 jenny1980 said:

Aug 8, 2014 16:07:50 GMT -5 pixy0stix said:

Yeah, my brain is sorta broken on how I'm going to replace what I'm losing during workout. Salt in general is out, too, right?

Fuck no! I would not be doing this without salt & caffeine!

Hahaha. For a second I thought you wanted salt in your coffee and I gagged.