Questions from Newbie

[CuredMeat]

Hi all!  I'm new and I've tried a lot of low carb diets before... not for weight but for other health issues (which I believe are all related to insulin resistance problems).  I find it hard to stick to low carb for several reasons (hard socially as all outings seem to include food and I never really kicked my cravings). 

I think primal diet might be good for me because from what I've read, the raw meat will really satisfy me and help with the cravings. 

I do have some questions....

-I'm worried about finding a good source for my raw meat.  I've read that some people freeze meat and then eat it raw.  The only grass-fed organic meat I can find would have to be shipped to me frozen so I couldn't really eat it fresh anyway.  Is there a consensus that it's ok to eat the meat after being frozen?  I live in a big city so you'd think there would be a grass-fed organic butcher around... but I can't seem to find any as of yet... I think my best bet may be Whole Foods and I would think they definitely get their meat frozen.

-Anyone have problems with parasites?  I've ordered AV's book but haven't read it yet.  From what I gather, he thinks parasites are good for you.  What is everyone's take on this?  For some reason parasites worry me more than bacteria... do I need to do parasite cleanses on this diet (an acupuncturist told me that my blood type is susceptible to parasites- don't know if blood type is really a factor or not). 

-Any other tips for getting started and taking the first plunge into eating raw meat?  I've always eaten my meat well done, so it's hard getting used to the idea of raw (the texture in particular seems like it would take some getting used to)... any tips would be appreciated.

Thanks! 

[Raw Kyle]

I think fresh meat is better than frozen, but frozen raw grassfed is better than cooked.

I've never had a problem with parasites; at least not that I've noticed. I've never heard of another raw paleo eater having a problem either. The only stories I hear about food poisoning and parasites are from SAD eaters.

You could try pan searing meat to start with. Also if you could thinly slice it that might help. I was looking at home meat slicers and found one for about $40 that I was thinking of picking up to slice roasts really thin and then eat them that way. Not lunch meat thin, more like a couple of slices of cheese put together in width is what I'm after.

Anyway good luck and I'll try and help with any other questions you have.

[xylothrill]

CuredMeat,

Hi all!  I'm new and I've tried a lot of low carb diets before... not for weight but for other health issues (which I believe are all related to insulin resistance problems).  I find it hard to stick to low carb for several reasons (hard socially as all outings seem to include food and I never really kicked my cravings).

I think primal diet might be good for me because from what I've read, the raw meat will really satisfy me and help with the cravings.

About ten years or more ago, I could eat just about anything I wanted, including rice with gravy, high-carb Italian, Mexican, and Chinese foods and not gain any weight at all. But I had anxiety, high blood pressure, insomnia, and high triglycerides. My cholesterol was "normal" ie below 200 total. I never did get the results in hand but I was put on antidepressants, anxiolititcs, and diuretic BP medicine. I never did take the BP meds but I did take the Paxil and Xanax. It was hell being on them and especially getting off of them.

I have a history of diabetes and cancer. My father was born at home weighing 13lbs. His mother, my grandmother was diabetic. My non-diabetic sister's third child was over 10lbs. My second to oldest sister had gestational diabetes with her second child. She was induced three weeks early and she still weighed almost nine pounds. That's how we found out that my father was diabetic. My second to oldest sister had to test her blood and she tested my father's as well as the rest of ours. His was over 300!

It is hard to get off carbs. I'll read the recipe section and think, "that'd be nice" but I know that if I had any of the high-carb, even RAW, high-carb dishes, It'd be the beginning of the end for me!

As I was leaving work tonight, I realized I'd left my meat and fat behind. I wasn't hungry and didn't think about it until after I'd left.

I do have some frozen but I'm still not that hungry. A little maybe and I may have to chew on some suet.

-I'm worried about finding a good source for my raw meat.  I've read that some people freeze meat and then eat it raw.  The only grass-fed organic meat I can find would have to be shipped to me frozen so I couldn't really eat it fresh anyway.  Is there a consensus that it's ok to eat the meat after being frozen?  I live in a big city so you'd think there would be a grass-fed organic butcher around... but I can't seem to find any as of yet... I think my best bet may be Whole Foods and I would think they definitely get their meat frozen.

Like Kyle says and most people agree, fresh, grass-fed, organic is best but fresh, frozen, grass-fed, and organic is better than fresh, grain-fed meat.

-Anyone have problems with parasites?  I've ordered AV's book but haven't read it yet.  From what I gather, he thinks parasites are good for you.  What is everyone's take on this?  For some reason parasites worry me more than bacteria... do I need to do parasite cleanses on this diet (an acupuncturist told me that my blood type is susceptible to parasites- don't know if blood type is really a factor or not).

I haven't had a single incidence of parasites or food-borne illness at all. I don't believe in the blood type diet. My blood type is A+ but I find I do better as a carnivore that a vegan.

-Any other tips for getting started and taking the first plunge into eating raw meat?  I've always eaten my meat well done, so it's hard getting used to the idea of raw (the texture in particular seems like it would take some getting used to)... any tips would be appreciated.

I had the same problem with organ meats and still do with raw chicken. I've found that the texture and taste of raw organs become quite palatable. At first they might have a strange sickening taste and aftertaste but after a little while, it's just... welll... really good!

Craig

[akaikumo]

Slanker's seems to be the consensus as a great place to get grass-fed meat: http://slankersgrassfedmeats.com/index.htm. Yeah, it's frozen, but as has been said--MUCH better frozen then cooked.

I also haven't heard of anyone getting parasites on this diet. So I wouldn't worry about it. If you really feel you need a cleanse, you could do one after being on it for a while. But, personally, I don't think it's necessary--I'd be more likely to cleanse before going on the diet, honestly.

Anyway, I'm trying to make the transition as well.

I'm starting out by eliminating dairy, legumes, grains, and other non-paleo foods. I'm limiting the number of vegetables and fruits I eat, because I support a mainly-carnivorous or low/zero carb diet. I'm craving carbs like mad, and I've already had the social thing bite me in the ass, which ruined my good record for a few days. But, I will prevail!

I haven't had a chance to go grocery shopping or order anything since deciding to finally go on this diet. I've been eating the hamburger and chicken we have, just so I can eat meat of some kind. I'm still cooking it.

But when I do finally go shopping, I plan on stocking up on fish--it's the easiest to get used to eating raw. I already know I like raw salmon. I figure getting used to eating raw fish on a regular basis, along with occasional raw vegetables, like spinach, will help in the transition. The problem with that, is it's expensive in comparison to beef or other meats, so the transition period is going to have to be quick. Just enough time to smack the idea that raw meat is bad out of my programming.

I plan on ordering from Slanker's. I haven't decided how much or what--I'm considering trying the mix that Lex is on since he's having good success with it (his journal is brilliant, if you don't read it): Image/Description, but I'm unsure whether I could handle that immediately or not.

I'm also trying to think up a sauce to use if the raw meat is that hard to get down. I'm considering just a ton of black pepper and ketchup.

EDIT: Alternatively, you could lower the temperature you cook the meat at over days/weeks/months. I've heard some people go through a sort of "detox" when they switch to raw cold-turkey, which isn't that pleasant. Others don't have that issue. I was originally going to switch slowly and lower the temperature over time, but I've decided I'll probably go cold-turkey.

[TylerDurden]

This is the link on this forum re how to go about a raw, palaeolithic diet(similiar to a primal diet, but just follow the primal diet guidelines, instead):-

http://www.rawpaleoforum.com/general-discussion/sticky-advice-for-newbies-wishing-to-slowly-ease-into-a-raw-animal-food-diet/

For good grassfed/organic meat farms  just search online under your local State(or neighbouring State), use organic-food or grassfed-meat directories like www.eatwild.com/

Check out the rawpaleodiet yahoo group - on the rawpaleodiet links page, you'll find folders at the top with more advice on how to buy food cheaply, where to buy it etc.(You have to join rawpaleodiet to become a member, I'm afraid - I'll get around, sometime, to transferring the various links over here.

Wholefoods is very expensive, and very poor in quality, IMO - at least my experience of it in the UK was dismal. Some farms like NorthStar Bison will send the meat chilled instead of frozen, if you specifically ask.

Prefrozen meats are not the end of the world - in my own case, I prefer buying raw or chilled meats and only eat some prefrozen things like suet or marrow. I prefer eating the suet/marrow within 10 weeks or so, though, as frozen food does slowly deteriorate enzyme-wise etc. over time.

Re parasites:- forget about it, it's not an issue. Maybe if you visit the tropics and go out of your way to eat contaminated meats, but in the west , farmers use so many deworming medicines etc., that it virtually never occurs. Mind you, I've been eating raw meats/organ-meats from wild animals with no issues, so even that scare is something I no longer believe in.

Most people in the US find it easiest to order straight from a grassfed/organic meat farm  - here in the UK, I find it easiest to visit the local organic farmers' market(they're very successful here in London).

[CuredMeat]

Thanks for the help everyone!  Looking forward to getting started... I'm sure I'll be back with more questions. 

[sanborn]

Regarding buying good quality food which is up to Aajonus' standards, there is a report (costs $15) on the http://www.wewant2live.com/site/811618/product/RPD-01 site which Aajonus keeps up and verifies.  This covers not only sources of meat (unfrozen) but many other hard-to-find items.   Otherwise you are limited to shopping where you live (availability varies enormously across the USA) or sorting through the various smoke-screen ads on the internet which Aajonus has already done for you in his report.

[TylerDurden]

I heard from one Primal Dieter that Aajonus' list is not too extensive and most of the food-sources are far too expensive. Better to look for local sources using grassfed/organic food directories like www.eatwild.com to find contact details of nearby farms.

[Squall]

I heard from one Primal Dieter that Aajonus' list is not too extensive and most of the food-sources are far too expensive. Better to look for local sources using grassfed/organic food directories like www.eatwild.com to find contact details of nearby farms.

Second that. I actually got my list not too long ago. My biggest surprise is that most of the sources that were supposed to be near me were pretty far away. Only a few things were actually in Arizona (where I live). Took two months or more from time of payment too.

[RawZi]

I haven't had a single incidence of parasites or food-borne illness at all. I don't believe in the blood type diet. My blood type is A+ but I find I do better as a carnivore that a vegan.

    I'm like you Craig, when it comes to raw foods.  Parasites have not given me any problem, even though that was my one concern that might happen before I started the diet.  As far as blood type and The Primal Diet, if you read the books (by AV), blood type according to him, it's either you're better with red meat, white meat, or an even mix.  It's not the ABO sanguinal system.  I think it has to do with ph.  This is raw food we're talking about, right?  With raw, we can kind of throw the ER4YT book out the window.  It's all wrong.  According to AV, which meats are good for each person changes possibly frequently.  And it has with me.  I was better with fish before, now I'm better with other meats instead and no fish.  Maybe next week I'll be back to fish.  I really don't know if my chemistry will take another turn then.