I’ve been working at going fully Paleo for a bit, but I’m always craving grains. Anybody else run into this or have some foods you eat as a serviceable substitute? Any input is welcome…
Cut them out COMPLETELY…suck it up. The cravings will go away only if you don’t give in to them.
I was afraid of that…
I think the Paleo way of eating as described by Dr. Cordain has some merit. However, even he has aknowledged that endurance athletes have fueling needs that are tough to meet following the most strict “grain-free” protocol. I think that’s what led to he and Joe Friel writing the new book on Paleo for athletes, you might want to check it out if that’s the route you’re choosing to go. You also might want to spend some time on Gordo’s forum, there seems to be a lot more Paleoites on there.
I personally played with a Paleo type approach a few years back and decided that processed foods (enriched bleached flours, High Fructose corn syrup, etc) are much more of a problem than whole grains.
Thanks for the response. I’ve actually read Paleo for Athletes, and the basic premise is that you can cheat right before/during/after exercise on the carbs/grains/etc. Just curious if anyone’s had luck with a substitute food (not even sure what I’m asking here, 20 apples a day maybe) or as the previous respondant suggested - tough it out awhile and the cravings go away. I’d agree with the processed foods thing, grains aren’t bad in moderation at all, but many of the grains you’ll get are heavily processed/etc.
I describe my own diet as “influenced” by the paleo diet - mainly lean meats, fish, poultry, lots of vegetables and fruit as my main carbohydrate source. I do, however, add 1-3 servings a day of grains; just try to avoid the processed sugars. I like Kashi cereal and Brownberry whole grain bread. Oh, and the occasional beer.
Life’s too short to “suck it up.”
I’ll be struck down by lightning if I have a bowl of cereal! That’s pretty much my diet now too, good dry carbs when I need them.
It took me a while, but I too got over my cravings for grains, breads, etc. No one was more suprised than I was because I used to crave breads all the time. Now, nothing tastes better to me than fresh strawberries, pineapple, and flank steak.
Thanks,
Maybe I just needed some encouragement. I think mornings are just tough because breads are fast and filling meals, much easier than making steak & eggs…
Actually, one of the fastest breakfasts I can make is an egg white omelett with a few veggies thrown in. Get the egg whites in a carton, a non-stick pan, and some spray-on oiive oil, and you’re good to go.
Actually I make that too, probably more laziness than time constraints…