gals over 50? page 66

[LindaW]

Some solutions I have found for constipation, providing your thyroid is in tact. (Hypothyroidism can bring on constipation)
If I have approx. 1-2 cups of cruciferous vegetables each day, example cauliflower, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, and a couple helpings of greens, I do ok. Plus I make this drink I learned from this forum. 8oz of almond milk (unsweetened), a Tlb of ground flax, Tlb of chia seed, and a Tlb of coconut flour. Blend well and drink, it's actually pretty decent tasting, and it works. You can also make it into a cereal by doubling the flax, chia and the coconut flour, sprinkle cinnamon and add a few raisins, warm slightly on stove. i had terrible constipation when I started Primal, and these things helped me a lot.

I sure appreciate all the help I get from these forums, thanks all!

Linda

[LindaW]

Oh and I forgot to add, lots of water!

[Silvergirl]

Meeme, sounds like you are doing really really well. I understand the balance situation too. Your coconut kefir sounds great as does your bone broth and kombucha. I really should get on to those things too. Sooo much cooking LOL. I even cook for my dogs.

[Silvergirl]

Silvergirl, You and I have a similar build, I'm 52, 5'2" and weigh 120. I don't calories or carbs either. I tried it for a little while but it's not for me. I think at our age being too thin can make us look older. I have to keep that in mind when I read some of these threads where some one has a similar build as us and is trying to loose weight and get down to a lower body fat percentage. I imagine they are younger and want to wear a bikini, I have no delusions about some day wearing a bikini. I'm okay with my age I don't need to pretend I'm younger than I am. I do feel much younger and stronger eating this way and that's good enough for me.



Have you looked into the GAPS diet? It sounds like you may be autoimmune, the GAPS diet works on restoring your immune system so that you can eat a wider range of foods.

Yes, I actually make it to 5' 1.5" so even closer 120 is right in the middle of my preferred weight range. When I went to 107 a few years back, everyone, including my kids and husband said I looked way too thin and older. I believe this is the sweet spot for me. Also have to take into account bone size. I would say I am a medium in that. My M-I-L has teeny bones and looks like a little bird. I am very happy with how I look right now. I too am just fine with my age. Feeling great buying new clothes for my new body When you look online you also see that age plays a big part in correct weight for height. I also feel so much better, although still have some tummy issues.

Yes I have looked at the GAPS but will look again. I was on the 'starts with food' whole 30. and realized that I should have also removed the nightshades. Although I was feeling pretty hard done by with my restrictions already. I will check it out again. If it will enable me to eat some of those foods again that would be ideal.

[Silvergirl]

LindaW Thanks for the suggestions. Thyroid needs checking. On Synthroid but not had T3 checked. May need to go to an alternative doc for that to get the Armour.

I just can't eat all those veg except in a soup. I have done that but it was no help. I really like the sound of your drink though. Not sure if my ulcer can handle the flax seeds though. I do like them. I have been avoiding them due to the omega 6. It is definitely worth a try and sounds tasty. I miss my oatmeal.

I also got the fiber menace book online and found that white rice really helps, but of course I don't want to do that much either. He doesn't advocate a lot of water. I am tending to agree for me. I may give a little rice a day a try. That would be nice with coconut milk for breakfast too. Ohhh! you have me thinking.

[meeme]

Silvergirl there was a time not long ago that chicken broth and white rice had to sustain me because everything, anything else set off a cascade that was uncontrollable without steroids so if a little white rice would make a difference for you then do it. Some times little steps get us where we're going, it's just a different kind of marathon

With that in mind...and I loved my oatmeal too...you might be able to add a little egg and make a rice pudding with some cinnamon if it didn't upset you. Speaking of my coconut kifer, I could see putting that on white rice with some blueberries. I like it on blueberries. It's easy to make overnight with the grains..a simple procedure really. I got my kefir grains and kombucha starter here and have been very pleased with their service and availability for questions.

My little dog has been enjoying his share of our primal meals too.

Linda I'm making a copy of your drink for when I need it. MC can manifest either as constipation or watery D. My body is still making adjustments and there are times I feel like I'm on the verge of constipation so this drink will come in handy. I have all the ingredients already, for a change. Thanks.

[vatuck]

RAW milk isn't allowed to be sold here. We used to be able to get it but not any longer. Odd but my reaction isn't stomach/digestion related, since I have been off it, the reaction has been more semi anaphylactic. It is a very scary feeling. I have found I have been able to have some goat cheese though.

I would ditch the dairy completely. Your symptoms indicate an allergic reaction. I am allergic to dairy (moderate allergy) and I have the same symptoms when I "accidentally" have some. My allergist did tell me I could try to reintroduce it and only have it every few days, but I still get the same reaction, so I just avoid it completely. Listen to your body. I have other food allergies and it's the same story......eggs, tea and white potato. The only one of those I can indulge in once in a while without the shortness of breath is the tea. The rest, I just have to avoid for my own health.

[vatuck]

Challenges are, so many restrictions on my food... I can't eat salads, they make my ulcer worse, can't now eat dairy or eggs, seems to give me a strong chest tightness with some breathing difficulty. I can make yummy food here, but eating out is a real challenge, and I am going to Toronto for a wk on Wednesday. That won't be easy.

Also having been period absent for the previous 8 months, and having major hot flashes, that all changed on the diet, weird. All my hot flashes just about vanished and heavy periods returned, very heavy...... grrr. twice now. The doc. says it shouldn't happen according to my earlier blood results. I feel like the clock has been turned back. I too have been reading a lot about using progesterone. I am very tempted to talk to the doctor about the clinical recommendations for that. I know there is a specialist here that does that very thing, but I think she has now changed to pure research and old patients.

Also fighting constipation all the time. Never feel comfortable that way. I used to have yogurt everyday but since stopping can't have it anymore. It seemed to work really well. But maybe it just irritated my gut ;

Some thoughts here.....I am 47, but I have been on the hormonal rollercoaster too. I use BHRT. If I don't, my symptoms are just intolerable. Get your levels tested, though. I tried to just use progesterone, but that was a big flop and once my doctor tested my levels, we found out why. I am deficient in everything, so I am now on DHEA, progesterone, estrogen and testosterone. I feel like a different person now.

Something that helps me with the constipation is taking magnesium. I am with you, I HATE that bloated feeling. It's miserable.

As for the food issues, the chest tightness and shortness of breath are allergic reactions and I would avoid anything that makes you feel that way. A lot of people can mistake this for lactose intolerance, but an allergy is something entirely different. Unfortunately, insurance companies usually wont cover testing or treatment for food allergies. I was tested and given the option of shots for them, but I elected only to get shots for my environmental allergies, due to the insurance issue. My insurance wont pay for the shots for food allergies, so I just avoid the foods.

Hope this helps. Take care!

[Classic]

Well, a nice flurry of action on this thread again is nice gals. I will add a bit of my past experience here to the conversation. I was undiagnosed hypothyroid for years and finally found a Dr. who picked it up. Before embarking on Primal eating over two 1/2 years ago I was always constipated, taking fiber pills etc.. I also have been an extremely light sleeper my entire life until now.

When I started this WOE I quickly found I was no longer constipated even though I did not ingest nearly the amount of fiber I used to. I attribute that to the added fat, maybe particularly coconut oil. Coconut oil will loosen the stool too much if you are not careful with the amount on intake for some of us though. I started taking a T 1/2 hour before meals in the beginning.

I was on Armour for nearly 5 years until recently. I have been weening myself off because I don't seem to need it any longer. I think my stress level has gone down since retiring in June so my cortisol levels are evening out some, which directly affects the thyroid function. I was always told once you are on thyroid meds you will always need them. That may not be totally true. It depends on the reason why the thyroid was out of wack.
I do believe the clean eating has contributed to my improving cortisol as well. These past few years I have been taking a tablespoon of cod liver oil a day also which really helps with stress and cortisol.

The sleep thing totally amazed me. I sleep like a rock now and feel this has helped cortisol levels improve. We live in a very stress filled world and are not really coached on how to deal with this nutritionally.

Since embarking on this WOE for quite a long while now I have found that my nutrient needs are changing. I think there is a healing time when you start this WOE.

I think GAPS can help those with allergy issues but you might want to wait a bit to see how clean primal eating works for you first unless you really are having severe issues now. GAPS is really intensive and takes a lot of work to get everything prepared etc..

Be patient and loving with yourself. Give this lifestyle 6 months or so to see where you are. Changing to Primal lifestyle felt very daunting to me in the beginning until I got the hang of it. Now it seems easier on a lot of fronts. The hardest thing to figure out is going out to eat since PUFA's are so prevalent in the SAD WOE. At least people are recognizing the issue with gluten now in the mainstream but it seems they are just replacing it with more processed foods so that is another battle.

[meeme]

I'm really glad to see you're still here along with several others. I've been reading this thread from the beginning and totally enjoying it. Thanks for the heads up on coconut oil, it explains some things I've experienced. I'm managing to get enough fat now and controlling by carbs better and my energy is better as well as lessening the 'bloated' feeling. Often it is just a feeling in my bowels...it comes and goes depending on diet. I can't express how wonderful it is that it's just 'a feeling'...and doesn't go any further!

Good suggestions from experience are greatly appreciated. I'm tracking until I get the hang of it and can eyeball things better.