Monday 100301

Ancestral Eating: Omega Fats

How many of you eat Almonds? Mixed nuts? Do you like unsalted, unroasted or do you prefer roasted? Do you measure them out or do you just eat them by the handfuls?

I ask the above questions because when I am eating at the top of my game and am feeling great because of it, I become very sensitive to certain foods. When I am eating whatever, I still have this sensitivity but I am more prone play it off as just being full. I am not able to do this when I am eating well and have been doing so for an extended period of time. I can definitely feel this gut irritation and it is an indicator to me that either gluten is present or I have a small food allergy which also causes gut irritation. I was listening to episode 2 of the paleolithic solution and listened to Robb talk about almonds and cashews and other types of tree nuts and how we may be overdoing them.

He talked about there not being any conclusive evidence of their danger but rather that many are suggesting that they are too high in Omega-6 content and contributing to the imbalance of Omega-3 to Omega-6 fatty acids within our bodies. Especially those of us that don't measure out our fat intake.

I am with him on the whole don't throw the baby out with the bathwater in saying that for most people changing their diets from a western diet to a more balanced, ancestral diet that tree nuts are fine and their benefits far outweigh the costs at this point. Now come down the road when you have become more used to this change in eating habits and, for the most part, have found what works for you, you may consider looking into other avenues of fat for variety. Please don't rid yourself of almonds and the like just because I mention danger. For all we know, there may not be anything wrong with excessive amounts of tree nuts. I guess, the name of the game is variety. Try more avocados, coconut oil, olive oil, olives, etc.

Some of you may find yourself in my predicament though where tree nuts cause a bit of grumbling in the belly. I definitely get this from peanuts and peanut butter. I love peanut butter so much but it really does cause me harm and I haven't felt better since dropping pb from the menu. The rest of the nuts are causing some irritation but no where near what peanuts cause. I just might have to be more careful with how many I eat. Some of the other sources of fat might be better too because they are better regulated. You are probably going to eat only half to one whole avocado, or a bit of olive oil but with nuts, you are prone to grabbing handfuls and handfuls and may keep picking at them until you finally put them away. I know I have caught myself doing that before.

In any case, you guys keep the fish oil coming and now that Mark has found you a place that sells it for cheaper, there is no reason not to indulge. One more thing, don't count your fish oil towards your fat consumption. Even if you are taking in lots of fat, don't count it. It is all by it's lonesome.

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It looks like Shelley has been doing some homework and calling around some different farms in the area. Hopefully, she finds something solid where we can place a huge order soon. Thanks a lot to you guys looking up different places for food. It helps us all out.

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In the meantime, remember that I want you guys to forget about the word paleo. Think only quality. I hate to see everyone get so worked up about having to eat only certain foods and being strict. Some of us can't afford to eat a certain way and there is nothing that says you can't create changes in the way you feel, look, and perform by eating what's at your local grocer. In fact, those that tend to read between the lines and make it work through Baker's or Hy-vee tend to see the most changes and stick with it the longest because it is real world for them. Some of us tend to get caught up in the whole, oh shit, I can't drink this milk because I only drink it straight from the teat. That isn't real world and if you aren't prepared for letdowns, you are going to be letdown.

Focus on the principles and getting your shit in order first before you decide you are going to spend a whole lot of money. Forget the fish oil for the moment, forget the grass fed beef for a moment. Are you eating protein at all? Enough of it? Are you eating vegetables? Enough of it (it doesn't have to be organic just eat vegetables)? Do you eat healthy fats?

If you have a diet pop every once in a while or eat let than 80% of the time at good quality, you have bigger fish to fry than what kind of fish oil you should be taking. Or maybe not, if you are eating bad, fish oil may be the only thing that saves you. Ha-ha. All I am saying is that you need to focus on changing the little things first, like eating enough protein as a female or if you don't like vegetables, trying to add them to at least one meal a day or Trying to go a month or two without a diet soda. It might just be as simple as eating a solid breakfast everyday.

Be realistic and take small steps. Eat real food as opposed to stuff that has shelf life. Try to focus on foods with the least amount of ingredients (like 4 or less). Hopefully those four ingredients are known to mankind and not something along the lines of "fjaskl;dfjsdl;fjadskl;jf #4." Produce is important. Meat (protein) is important. Don't worry suggesting agave nectar or stevia, or this, or that, just eat fruits and vegetables and you don't have anything to worry about. Make your own food in your own kitchen. Learn how to if you don't know how. Stuff like this.