The Stages of Fuelling ourselves in the most natural way…
Moving from our unnatural way of carb burning to our natural way of fat burning is hugely beneficial for health, however if it’s done too quickly or if we don’t understand what’s going on we can end up feeling worse before we feel better. So, here’s some tips…
Cut carbohydrates – This includes things like potatoes (all types including sweet potatoes), rice (all types), flour (pasta/pastry/bread/crackers/cakes etc), couscous, quinoa, buckwheat, processed sugars, ‘natural’ fruit sugars (dried fruits/mango/papaya/pineapple/grapes and fruit and vegetable juices).
Add in more fats & proteins – Start aiming for at least half your plate to be fats and proteins. Aim for ghee/tallow/butter/lard/coconut oil/good quality olive oil/good quality avocado oil (in this order) and avoid other oils/fats, especially any seed oils. Also consider sheep/cow/goat/pig/oily fish/seafood/eggs. Some beans/legumes and seed/nuts are OK at this stage but should not be forming large parts of your meals or snacks.
Add in MCT oil – Having some MCT (100% pure C8) oil before meals helps the body preference fats over carbs and moves the body towards ketosis. This is a temporary thing and does not need to be long term.
Add in organ meats – Kidney/liver/heart/sweetbreads are all super nutrient dense, so they help with transitioning and refuelling the body after many years of potential near starvation. If you don’t like the taste, then make frozen organ meat pills to swallow or hide them in other foods. Aim for a few times a week.
Reduce high oxalates foods – Chocolate, green tea, spinach, almonds, peanuts, many beans, seeds & nuts, celery, kiwi and rhubarb. For the only full and accurate (because everything has been lab tested) list check out Sally K Nortons Data Companion here: https://sallyknorton.com/toxic_superfoods/data_companion/
Eating Seasonal & Local – If you are keeping vegetables in your diet then eat seasonal and local one’s where possible. We are not ‘designed’ to eat foods our of season or from other parts of the world. They will have higher rates of plant toxins in and cause more inflammatory issues etc. And remember, the fruits we eat now are not the fruits we were eating even a few decades ago, they have all been modified to be more appealing, this includes MUCH higher sugar content.
Increase minerals – As you shift from carb burning to fat burning and reduce oxalates you may find you need for more minerals increases for a short while. Add salt and lemon to water &/or add in Fulvic Minerals to your daily routine.
Full carnivore – You may wish to stay at this stage permanently or go a step further and cut out all plants. If you want to try full carnivore, remember to do it’s slowly, following the steps above over at least a few weeks but preferably a few months to allow your body to adapt.
Full lion – Again a slow adaption is key, but for many doing lion (beef, lamb, goat, salt and water) for a few months helps the body reset at a very deep level and repair many things. Many people with serious auto-immune conditions find this very valuable.
Things don’t feel right?
Carbs calling? If you are having cravings, mood swings, dreaming of sweet treats etc you might think a little low carb treat might be helpful and maybe they are for you. However, for many of us they just keep the carb addictions/cycle going and going cold turkey with this ends up being much gentler/easier on ourselves.
Bored with meals? Your body as it breaks its addiction will try to give you loads of reasons to reach for carbs again, it’s easier to not feed the carby monster and instead fill up on fats. If you really feel bored with your food then remember you can add more salt, herbs and spices to meals to liven things up.
Feeling weak/hungry all the time? Eat more! When your body is adapting you might want/need to eat tons, do this, it will pass.
Constipated? Consume more fats! You don’t need to have a bowel movement every day (as you are now absorbing/using more of your food), but when you do it should be easy to go.
Liquid stools? That’s either too much fat or having issues adapting to fat. If you also find yourself feeling nausea, having reflux type symptoms or running to the toilet within an hour of eating, it’s likely the later. Ox-bile, Tudca &/or HCL supplementation for a short while could be beneficial whilst your body adapts again.
Hungry all the time and wanting to snack? Consumer more fats!
Headaches? Add more minerals, or better still eat organ meats regularly.
Feeling bloated/intolerant still? If you are doing keto instead this could be why, try removing all the nut and seed flours/butters/milks, they are definitely not natural for us to consume in these qualities. Are you eating a lot of egg whites or dairy, maybe reduce these for a while as they can be a problem for many.
Gritty eyes/tartar on teeth, kidney discomfort/old aches or pains returning? You are probably dumping oxalates, either add a few back in and see if it’s improving and/or try potassium citrate.
Feeling like you have a cold/flu/allergies? If it only lasts a few days or max a couple of weeks, it’s probably keto-flu. If it lasts longer then it could be histamine issues, so reduce these to see and eat regular amounts of kidney.
REMEMBER: It may feel like eating this way does not suit you, but that’s not the case, it’s just sometimes because of the years of being fuelling in an inadequate way the body takes time and support to adapt back to its nature fuel source. Problems will pass and full health will follow.
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