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pennie_dreadful) wrote2014-10-02 09:48 pm
pennie_dreadful) wrote2014-10-02 09:48 pm
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In regards to this post; strike that, reverse it. When I drastically reduced my meat consumption and started to really pile on the grains (mostly brown rice, whole wheat pasta and bread), I stopped gaining weight, but I didn't really lose any, either. I cut back on junk food, but I still binged from time to time. I thought what the hell, I can treat myself sometimes, can't I? I thought I was mitigating some of the damage by choosing, say, Chex Mix or Wheat Thins instead of potato chips, or chocolate chip granola bars instead of candy. I thought the idea of grains actually being bad for people was just some nutty fad.
But, for the last month and a half I've been eating meat every day, have not touched any grain based food at all, and spent the first month eating absolutely no sugar, not even fruit. I didn't let myself have a last hurrah, I just cut it all out, cold turkey, completely purged my kitchen of everything I was giving up. I had just discovered sriracha a few months back, and fell in love, but the second ingredient in it is sugar so it had to go. The first week, it's weird, but, even though the cravings were super bad, they strengthened my resolve in a way. I'd intended to reintroduce bread and pasta (two things I swore I couldn't live without) after thirty days, but once the initial cravings went away and I noticed how much better I felt, I decided to just give it up permanently.
So yeah, I'm converted. By the end of the first week my clothes were already feeling looser. By the end of the third week I had to buy a size smaller jeans. I bought a shirt two sizes smaller than I usually wear. And digestive issues? Forget the yoghurt, just stop eating gluten.
My moods are better, too. Depression is still an issue for me, probably will be for a long time, but it's been a long damn while since I felt in a good mood for no particular reason. I have more energy, I just overall feel better than I have for a long time. I realize that even though I thought I was doing good things for my body, I was damaging it. I've had to learn to listen to my body, and (this is the hard part for me, creating a routine and sticking with it) plan my meals and keep track of what I eat so I can learn what works for me and what doesn't (raw spinach doesn't. Oh god it doesn't.)
Now that I'm over the grain hump, I'm giving up dairy too. At first I didn't plan on it, but now I figure why not just try? It's been a lot easier than I thought, actually. I never drank milk, and I only ever ate butter on toast. Cheese was a little harder, but it's not been that bad in the long run. Coconut milk is the best non dairy standin for things like smoothies and sauces, I've found. It's got a much creamier texture and tastes a hell of a lot better than soy milk or almond milk. And the more I read about soy, the more I figure I'm better off avoiding it, anyway. I just discovered coconut flour and I'm devising a gluten free dairy free pumpkin pie recipe for Thanksgiving. I even found a gluten/dairy free recipe for biscuits using coconut flour, though I'm suspicious of it.
Also on the agenda is to start eating organ meat. Gonna start with chicken livers, since my research suggests they're the least aweful tasting offal (pun totally intended). Fermented foods, idk when/if I'll work up the nerve to give them a try. My mom and I call saurkraut sour crap. Bleh.
But, for the last month and a half I've been eating meat every day, have not touched any grain based food at all, and spent the first month eating absolutely no sugar, not even fruit. I didn't let myself have a last hurrah, I just cut it all out, cold turkey, completely purged my kitchen of everything I was giving up. I had just discovered sriracha a few months back, and fell in love, but the second ingredient in it is sugar so it had to go. The first week, it's weird, but, even though the cravings were super bad, they strengthened my resolve in a way. I'd intended to reintroduce bread and pasta (two things I swore I couldn't live without) after thirty days, but once the initial cravings went away and I noticed how much better I felt, I decided to just give it up permanently.
So yeah, I'm converted. By the end of the first week my clothes were already feeling looser. By the end of the third week I had to buy a size smaller jeans. I bought a shirt two sizes smaller than I usually wear. And digestive issues? Forget the yoghurt, just stop eating gluten.
My moods are better, too. Depression is still an issue for me, probably will be for a long time, but it's been a long damn while since I felt in a good mood for no particular reason. I have more energy, I just overall feel better than I have for a long time. I realize that even though I thought I was doing good things for my body, I was damaging it. I've had to learn to listen to my body, and (this is the hard part for me, creating a routine and sticking with it) plan my meals and keep track of what I eat so I can learn what works for me and what doesn't (raw spinach doesn't. Oh god it doesn't.)
Now that I'm over the grain hump, I'm giving up dairy too. At first I didn't plan on it, but now I figure why not just try? It's been a lot easier than I thought, actually. I never drank milk, and I only ever ate butter on toast. Cheese was a little harder, but it's not been that bad in the long run. Coconut milk is the best non dairy standin for things like smoothies and sauces, I've found. It's got a much creamier texture and tastes a hell of a lot better than soy milk or almond milk. And the more I read about soy, the more I figure I'm better off avoiding it, anyway. I just discovered coconut flour and I'm devising a gluten free dairy free pumpkin pie recipe for Thanksgiving. I even found a gluten/dairy free recipe for biscuits using coconut flour, though I'm suspicious of it.
Also on the agenda is to start eating organ meat. Gonna start with chicken livers, since my research suggests they're the least aweful tasting offal (pun totally intended). Fermented foods, idk when/if I'll work up the nerve to give them a try. My mom and I call saurkraut sour crap. Bleh.