Kenosha says...: My Paleo Whole30 Experience

I started with Paleo in May 2013. Yes, I did the whole30 version, the entire month. I had a few mistakes and I did cheat once with a cake icing but overall, I did manage the ups and downs of my very first whole30. Overall, I did 4 rounds of whole30. The second one was very strict for 30 days (my best whole30 ever), and the third one ran for only 24 days because I lost my kitchen to scheduled renovations –tough decision right there but I did not want to get stressed. Now I just finished another round.

What made me go into this whole Paleo thing? I became very sickly in 2012, having tonsillitis more frequently. In 2013, 2 doctors already told me I need to have my tonsils removed immediately. Now for a person like me who used to be an active runner and a very health-conscious person, this made me go crazy. I mean surely there are lots of other people who have far worse habits yet they never had to undergo surgery. So a friend told me that there were a lot of successes in fighting off tonsillitis with the Paleo eating habits. There you go, anything to keep me away from surgery.

Turns out, this is the best eating lifestyle I can ever have! Not only does it allow me to drink coffee and red wine (disclaimer: As of my 5th&6th Paleo whole 30 in June and August 2014 respectively, I have taken out wine completely. This was a mistake. Wine and any form of alcohol were never ever allowed on Whole30. But if you are following a lighter shade of Paleo, I believe wine in moderation is Paleo), it also allows me to eat lot of meat. To top it all off, there’s no portion control. I can have a pile of meat and veggies and there’s no judgment. Hell yeah!

I did notice these challenges during my first whole30:

1. Insomnia on days 3 to 5

2. Dizziness due to low sodium –I tried adding a bit more sea salt to my recipes

3. I lost weight because I stayed completely away from nuts in order to avoid confusing myself between legumes and nuts (hey first timers always get confused!)

4. I started craving sweets like crazy (rich chocolate cake in particular) when I am not even a person who loved sweets to begin with

Towards the end of the whole 30:

1. My waistline reduced by 2 inches

2. I lost my chubby cheeks

3. I lost my cravings

Like any strict follower, I introduced grains and carbs one by one, one day at a time. Pasta made me sick the first time I tried it, and made me suffer a bit of tummy ache and discomfort. I never had any milk since then as I am not really a fan of milk, but I did try on cheese (of course, I love cheese!) without any problems. Funny thing is suddenly, as you do the re-introduction, you realize that pizza doesn’t taste as good as you thought it did, or even that pasta recipe I was dying to try. I did start to love chocolate like I never used to. I would particularly pick rich chocolate cakes now over my ever-favorite mocha cakes. For some reason, chocolate appeals to me more now. And oh, coffee? I no longer need sugar and cream. Paleo or off-paleo, I drink my coffee black now.

I take it that Paleo has made me appreciate flavors, rich ones, probably due to the herbs and spices I would add to my paleo recipes. And in case you are wondering, I do cook. So if you cook too, then Paleo wouldn’t be a hassle for you. It actually gave me a lot of excitement making my own recipe every week. So far, here are the ones I love making in paleo-approved versions:

- Pancakes (however, the whole30 approach advises against making these treats because having these will not cure your sugar cravings)

- Fruit and Nut Ice cream (also not approved by the whole30)

- Pumpkin soup

- Guacamole

- Sweet Potato Roshti (Hash)

- Marinated tomatoes

- Lamb steak

- Salmon sashimi in coconut vinegar and mustard wasabi

- Fruit juice mixed with all the greens I can think of

- Fluffy omelets

- Trail mix (nuts and raisins)

I am a believer of this eating habit because it has improved my health. I have never had tonsillitis since I started observing the whole 30 once a quarter. I completely lost both my hyperacidity and allergies to chicken and eggs. It also does not allow processed food which is really impressive and sensible. So I really do not try those Paleo-approved recipes that use processed ingredients. I make them as fresh and as natural as possible.

I have learned to disqualify the weighing scale as a way to gauge my fitness, and rather opt for the tape measure to examine myself.

During my very strict second try of whole30, I had a blood chemistry test on the 31st day, and indeed, I got really great results! My bad cholesterol levels were below the normal range, and my good cholesterol levels were above normal range. Every other factor was in the middle part of the healthy range. Even the doctor envied my results.

A tip on cook days or cook nights: I make 2 standard recipes that would be good enough to last for 3-4 days. I need two because I cannot eat the same food every day. I call it rotation food. Then I cook on the 3rd day again for another batch that will be enough to last 2-3 days until my next weekend trip to the grocery store.

I tried doing the 80-20 or 90-10 or 70-30 Paleo shades but they do not work for me. So I went on a strict Paleo eating lifestyle unless I need to celebrate something: A family dinner, a send-off for a friend, meeting people after a loooong time, or corporate events. These things do not happen every day or every night with me, so I thought it is applicable for me. Wrong. I just cannot handle the gray areas. Hey, for you, whatever works! All I am saying is, the other shades never worked with me. Except for this militant Paleo, everything else make me go a little dingding on the cravings! And it tends to get harder to go back to the 80% once I crossed the 20% line.

There is not a lot in Manila who offer Paleo-approved menu (I did hear Hatch 22 by Rob Pengson and Erwan Heusaff at Rockwell offers some Paleo meals), so when in doubt, I go for Filipino restaurants which serve pork or beef without the soy and order some blanched greens, usually kangkong. I also pick restaurants who serve white (steamed) chicken, Singapore-style. Quite recently, I was delighted to be able to find Paleo Manila on facebook. Paleo food delivered to you? In Manila? Really? Paleo food? Hurrahhhhh!!!!! Beginning mid-March 2014, you may check them out:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PaleoManila

(0917) 841-0825 or email paleomnl@gmail.com.

What are my pains? I had to eat the Filipino adobo with soy sauce only once or twice a year now as I have vowed to stay away from soy as much as I can. Here are the things I really try to enjoy when I am off-paleo:

1. Cheese

2. Barbecue

3. Kare Kare (Beef stew in Peanut Sauce )

4. Freshly baked bread

And here are the things I make a conscious effort not to purchase anymore:

1. Milk – never been a fan anyways

2. Taho – I have to admit letting this go was a tough decision

3. Tofu – pretty much anything related to soy

4. Legumes – all because my family is predisposed to old-age sicknesses connected with legume intake
5. Pasta - no indigestion but really makes my tummy ache

Here are the things I surprisingly do not miss:

1. Rice

2. Sugar and cream on my coffee

3. Mocha cake – this used to be my one and only sweet monster craving

4. Ice Cream – who doesn’t love ice cream? Especially Ben and Jerry’s

5. Peanut Butter – because there are other safer, non-legume alternatives

So there, I hope I gave you some pointers on Paleo eating habits. If you have questions, please feel free to post a comment. I would be delighted to share my personal experience.

Credits to the whole30 website which helped me a lot: http://whole30.com/whole30-program-rules/

Here are some of the food I prepare while on Whole30: