Where to start?

[seeking_spirals]

So I have to admit that I've neglected my diet and health for a long time. This forum seems to have exploded with information and it's a bit overwhelming. I'd like to think that I'm relatively in good health but I'm underweight and I cant seem to gain no matter what or how much I eat. I also have "brain fog" and am constantly tired and I think it's starting to negatively impact my work. Anyway, can anyone point me in the right direction of where I can begin?

 

[Tigersoap]

Hi Seeking_spirals,
Did you try to read the threads in the diet and health section or read "the vegetarian myth" or "primal body primal mind" for example ?
I think you should put a bit of effort in this has it will help you to make decisions that will be beneficial for you in the long run.

Maybe try to remove sugar, dairy and gluten from your diet, it would be better to try to cut them off directly but maybe you'll need to take it step by step, better to make slow progress than to rush into this and make matters worse.

It's important that you feel comfortable about making those changes osit.

 

[Joe]

So I have to admit that I've neglected my diet and health for a long time. This forum seems to have exploded with information and it's a bit overwhelming. I'd like to think that I'm relatively in good health but I'm underweight and I cant seem to gain no matter what or how much I eat. I also have "brain fog" and am constantly tired and I think it's starting to negatively impact my work. Anyway, can anyone point me in the right direction of where I can begin?

Hi, read the diet threads on the forum, but a very brief synopsis is that some forum members are following a modified version of the Atkins diet - that is to say, mainly animal fat and protein with very limited carbs containing no gluten or dairy. If you've been a high carb eater all your life and you try this diet, you'll be left in no doubt that carbs really are addictive.

 

[Laura]

I cut out gluten and dairy and most sugar first. That means you HAVE to read labels of anything you put in your mouth because this elimination MUST be total to receive the benefits. Then I started cutting back on carbs in general. Then we transitioned to mostly meat and fats this past year. It's a process and you will quickly regain your body's sensitivity to what is NOT good for you - your body will tell you! It takes time because, if you have brain fog, you probably have a leaky gut and that can take up to a year to heal following a protocol. But, once you are healed, you can begin to experiment a bit within a very narrow range. Don't worry, you won't suffer; once you get well on the way, your cravings WILL stop!

 

[seeking_spirals]

Thanks for the replies :)

I will order "The Vegetarian Myth" and "Primal Body, Primal Mind" right away and begin browsing through the threads. I don't eat any dairy except for the occasional piece of cheese so that shouldn't be too difficult to eliminate. Gluten and sugar will probably be harder, especiialy as an EMT its hard to resist fast food when you're on an ambulance 12 hours a day. I will take it step by step however and hopefully it will become easier.

 

[herondancer]

EMT is a tough job. But it will surprise you how much energy you will have and how long it lasts when you make the transition to a low-carb/meat and fat diet. Just take it slowly as outlined in the diet thread, and try to read the books. If you try to transition too fast, there can be a couple of weeks of tiredness while your body re-tools itself to burning fat for fuel. By gradually lowering your carbs you should be able to avoid most of that. You'll find other members have detailed their experiences on the different threads. Along with the books you've ordered, The Art and Science of Low-Carb Living will give plenty of info on how to make the switch as gently as possible.

 

[Graalsword]

I think this is a good thread to add to "Important threads for Diet and Health" list.