Question: I’m applying everything I can from Eat Fat Lose Fat and Nourishing Traditions into my daily menus, and ABSOLUTELY loving it. Only problem is, after 2 monthsI have gained weight and am not losing at all. I feel great and my skin, hair and nails are the best they have ever been. I am 55 and exercise about 3 hours weekly, am newly post-menopausal, 5 ft tall and now weigh 136, a weight I have never been, not even through both pregnancies.Should I lower my calories below 2000 daily? Help! - Lois
Answer: It is normal and healthy to gain some weight at menopause and it may be that this period of weight gain has coincided with you going on the diet. A couple of suggestions would be to cut out any grains for the time being; also to not use any coconut milk, only coconut oil. I have heard from one person who found out she was sensitive to coconut, and it made her gain weight. But the allergens would not be in the oil. A final suggestion would be to go to 2 meals per day–a good breakfast and then eat around 2 pm and nothing after.
Question:I appreciate the benefits of raw milk but in Sally’s book she writes that traditionally milk was always consumed in some form of fermented state and that it is only a modern practice to consume milk raw. Is it appropriate to drink raw milk or should it be fermented? Is the nutritional and health (assimilation) benefits applicable for both means?
Answer:I didn’t say “always” I said “often” Dairying cultures consumed raw milk both fresh and fermented.
Question: I am writing this on behalf of a friend who is 2 months pregnant. She has been scared off raw milk by her doctor (who also studied natural med). She is concerned about listeria. Her raw milk source was Aphrodite. I remember reading that Kefir raw milk is 100% safe from any nasty pathogens. Is this true? I myself feel completely safe and blessed consuming raw milk but I’m not qualified enough to reassure my friend. Any suggestions? Can I reassure her that kefired raw milk is completely safe? - Cathy.
Answer: The chance of getting listeria in raw milk is virtually nil. The only outbreaks of listeria in raw milk were in mexican style soft cheese. She is much more likely to get listeria from pasteurized milk. Last month 3 people died from listeria in pasteurized milk in Massachusetts. She should drink 1 quart whole milk per day and the milk should be raw!
About the Author...
A Super Hero and one of many who have realised their true calling as saviors of humanity, healers of our connection with Nature and creators of Heaven on Earth. The Nourisher's gift is the re-spiritualisation of the 'process of recreation' we call eating. Mother of three Super Heroes in training and wife to her God incarnate, The Nourisher hails from the place of feminine healing, Byron Bay, Australia. She gathers together Life Creators from all over the globe at NourishedMagazine.com.au
Jan 15th, 2009 at 7:57 pm
Hello! Absolutely! Coconut oil is predominantly medium chain fatty acids (MCFA) unlike almost all other dietary oils or fats out there that are mostly, if not entirely, long chain fatty acids (LCFA). MCFA-rich coconut oil go straight to your liver to power metabolism which can’t be said of LCFAs.
In a nutshell, MCFA-rich coconut oil is PRO-Energy, NOT PRO-Fat. Just my two cents.
Cheers,
CoconutOilGuy
http://www.coconut-oil-central.com
Your Drugstore in a Bottle
Feb 4th, 2009 at 7:47 am
Dear Sally,
It’s been a year since I wrote you about gaining weight. I am very happy to say that, in the past year, I’ve been following the traditional diet and not only have I been loving it, but I have lost the extra weight! I also lost the thyroid problems I was beginning to develop and the arthritis in my hands! I did lower my calories slightly, since the 2000 you recommend was a little too high for me, small-boned and short, but otherwise I’ve eaten my weight in butter, cream, red meat (organic!) , eggs, and all the foods I had avoided for years on my low-fat lifestyle! Thanks again for the wealth of knowledge in your books.
May 2nd, 2009 at 3:27 am
Just a word of thanks… I’ve been slowly changing diet to the traditional approach for the last three years, including raw milk. For the last 2 years my allergies have vanished, and last year I lost 16 pounds - without counting calories or “dieting.” I need to lose much more, but I learned long ago that dieting doesn’t work, and I’m happy to take it slow and easy as long as I’m headed in the right direction.
Jul 14th, 2009 at 5:15 pm
I purchased Nourishing Traditions and think it’s FANTASTIC! I had hoped to use it to improve my digestive health (get rid of candida and the accompanying issues), lose weight and avoid dental surgery, but I’m overwhelmed in trying to “plan” meals and monitor my caloric intake, etc. Does “Eat Fat Lose Fat” apply a more regimented approach using some NT recipes? Are there nutritionists who utilize NT and provide analyses such as metabolic rate and body fat? I need the begin working NT recipes into my life in “bite-sized” doses so that I can LIVE this way, not just diet.
Thank you!
Jul 23rd, 2009 at 9:49 pm
Dear Sally,
I too purchased 10 copies of Nourishing Traditions, 1 for each of my family (mother-in-law etc). After a few months of adjustment, we are all LOVING it!!! Yes, our diets are high in saturated fats & apparently “bad” cholesterol, but as long as we’re following your advice, I have absolute confidence that we aren’t adversely affecting our health. My partner studied Nutrition at Queensland University of Technology, but I’ve convinced her that your encyclopedic knowledge is far more advanced than hers (and now she finally agrees!). We have even put our 2 year old on a high fat diet, now he’s loving it too!!! He used to be sickly & thin, now all he screams for is bacon & eggs! Thanks Sally, you’ve changed our life (and probably our life expectancy too!).
Thank you!
Aug 21st, 2009 at 12:58 pm
Hi!
I am reading the eat fat lose fat, and have order the coconut oil and cod liver oil and getting ready to start. I will be doing this with my mother and my 2 daughters. I was just wondering if you have a discussion group, a place to share reciepes that work other than just what is in the book, or just support from others who are in this.
Thanks so much for all you do, I have loved all your books.
Laurie
Aug 21st, 2009 at 10:07 pm
Hi Laurie,
There’s a lot on the net for recipes such as these-
hartkeonline.com, cheeseslave.com, kellythekitchenkop.com, ninaplanck.com
wildfermentation.com
http://www.cholesterol-and-health.com/
Hope this helps, Anita.
Aug 21st, 2009 at 11:32 pm
Thanks
Nov 11th, 2009 at 5:47 am
Dear Sally,
I have just started reading your book, Nourishing Traditions, and wanted to get your opinion on a few things. First, I am a hair stylist and concerned about all the chemicals I breath in all day. Is there anything you recommend to detoxify or remove anything harmful in my body from my work?
Also, we have been eating sprouted grain bread and cereal from Ezekiel 4:9, Food for life. Are these acceptable in your opinion?
Thank you so much for your time and we feel so blessed to have come across all of your wonderful information.
Carrie P
Jan 29th, 2010 at 12:54 pm
Sally is true if you ferment raw milk or raw colostrum with kiefer grains it eats the natural dairy sugars?
Thanks.
Feb 1st, 2010 at 8:56 am
What is the best way to store fermented foods long term? I made sauerkraut from my garden last summer in a croc. When the fermentation was complete, I packed it into mason jars, sealed the tops with wax and put them in my pantry. It worked well. Can that method be used for the fermented fruits and vegetables recipes in your book? Or do you have another suggestion? I have a huge garden and making one quart at a time and storing it in the refrigerator is not practical when trying to ‘put up’ the harvest.
Feb 28th, 2010 at 6:10 am
Sally,
I just got an email newsletter from Dr. John Cannell of the Vitamin D Council. He cited several studies, which showed the relationship of Vitamin D with reduced rates of breast, colon and certain other cancers. What bothered me was that these studies also showed that Vitamin A counterracted the positive effects of Vitamin D. He recommended avoiding cod liver oil and retinol. I was srprised. I thought that vitamins A & D worked together.
What do you think about this?
Mar 2nd, 2010 at 9:07 am
I have been drinking raw milk for about 2 months and loving it. However I have gained 10 lbs since using it! I just don’t understand why because since drinking the raw milk I have lost my food cravings. I am eating less than I used to. And I used to eat quite healthy already.
I have a raw milk smoothie for breakfast with 2 raw eggs, half a banana and a tablespoon of coconut oil. Lunch is raw milk yogurt with fruit or a Salad and Meat. Dinner is Meat and vegetables(avocado, tomato, cucumber, greens etc (no rice) and a glass of raw milk …and every second day I eat a slice of sprouted bread with butter and organic sultanas on it for dessert. The only off track thing I have occasionally is a one square of 70% dark choc but very seldom now as I just don’t crave it like I used to. I hardly snack at all since being on the raw milk. I drink RO2 filtered water.
I exercise about 4 times a week, cardio and weights. I was diagnosed with Polycystic ovaries several years back and use a little natural progesterone cream to keep that in balance. I may be slightly Hypothyroid also (but not confirmed) as I notice my basal body temperature tends to be slightly on the low side, though not dramatically so.
I am now doing my best to follow the nourishing traditions recommendations …but I have only just started reading the book so I am still working my way through all the information that I need to know and haven’t yet applied many of the recipes. Although my diet in the past has been pretty healthy for the most part (never ate junk food). And I was aware of a good deal of the info in Nour Traditions from other sources.
I really need to lose weight as I gained a lot after having my son and have found it virtually impossible to lose regardless of enormous effort. I am currently 220lbs ! but was 210lbs just before I started raw milk. I used to be 170lbs before having a baby. Which was a good size for me. I am 5 foot 8 inches. And even at 220lbs I actually don’t look really huge …I am a muscular build and have always weighed heavy even when I have looked very slim. I am 37 yrs old.
I would REALLY appreciate any help as to why I am gaining weight with the raw milk as it seems obvious this is what is causing the weight gain because the change to using it coincides perfectly with the gain, previously I couldn’t lose weight but at least I wasn’t gaining it. Lastly I do notice that the milk does give me a bit of phlegm in my throat but as far as I know I don’t have an intolerance to milk. I would really like to continue with the milk because I feel good on it but I am very concerned about the weight gain! Please Help.
Mar 5th, 2010 at 12:52 am
Hi Chrissie,
Sally actually answers through another site, the editor just posts the answers here.
I’m no expert, but it is possible that you may be having too much milk (carbs in milk), also the phlegm is a sign that you’re a bit sensitive. You may want to try fermenting it to reduce the lactose content (most likely cause of the sensitivity, the other likely cause is the milk protein, casein, which unfortunately can’t be fermented out I believe). Also, in regards to weight loss, you may find Jon Gabriel helpful. An article is posted on this site but you can also just google his name and he will come up. Best of luck.
Mar 5th, 2010 at 5:54 pm
Chrissie, I think I can offer some unprofessional advice. Take it for what you think it’s worth. Sounds like you are making good healthy changes to your diet; raw milk is a far superior choice than standard, pasteurized, homogenized milk. You will gain more nutrients from the raw milk products, but you do not need it every meal, in fact, since you are combining the dairy with your meal, you are less likely to absorb those nutrients. Look into food combining; there is a wealth of knowledge to be consumed about how to pair foods for optimal digestion. For instance, the fact that you ate your meat (protein) without rice (starch) is a good start. The protein is acidic, where the starch is alkaline, opposite foods that need different digestive juices to break down. Greens and other vegetables will help push the protein through where a starch will hold it up. Good to eat less, but even better to absorb as many vitamins and minerals from your food as possible. Hope this tidbit helps. Frans. ps. try getting a hold of raw chocolate. Like the milk debate, far superior in health.
Mar 13th, 2010 at 4:16 pm
would I seek nutrition advice from a journalist with a degree in english, be real
Apr 24th, 2010 at 9:11 am
Can anybody explain this whacky bio of the author? Is the author Sally? It is really off-putting to me, I don’t know about anyone else. I like this information because it is based on science, or so I thought it was. I sure hope some psychic channel isn’t providing it!
Sep 2nd, 2010 at 3:57 pm
Hi Carrie P,
where do you buy Ezekiel bread here in Australia?
Regards,
Morellis
Nov 19th, 2010 at 11:12 pm
I’ve been reading the book, The Schwarzbein Principle. It’s a very interesting read stating that the most important thing we should worry about is to let the body heal itself. The author gives many examples of people gaining weight when they first modify their diet because the body is using the fat stores to heal itself. Within a few short months the body then uses the fat reserves for energy and the people lost the fat weight.
Allowing the body to heal it’s many operating systems is the goal to living healthy, energetic, happy lives.
Apr 20th, 2011 at 6:02 am
@Frans, Protein and Starches are BOTH Acidic. Fruits and Veggies are alkalizing. “Alkalize or Die” book is simple and helpful
Apr 20th, 2011 at 6:04 am
Wouldn’t Raw Goat Cheese be easier to digest since it’s from goat and fermented? Whole Foods and our local Healthier Grocery store (Sprouts) here in AZ sell it
Jun 10th, 2011 at 4:40 am
Sally, I am eager to promote the teachings in NT about grain preparations, and I have been sprouting my flour, soaking it, and then I find some people saying that when you soak your flour with a dairy acid medium that it inhibits the breakdown of phytic acid and the iron levels you are able to absorb. Also, they said that using milk in a recipe you soak overnight with sourdough starter, negates the health benefits of sourdough. HELP! I am desperately wanting to know what you think of this ‘new’ news out there, and I want to be able to share with others about proper grain preparation, but now I am left confused. Any advice would be appreciated-thanks!!
Sep 5th, 2011 at 4:46 am
Hello Sally,
I’ve applied your recommendation for healing from multiple allergies. Have included raw milk and coconut oil but have gained 4 pounds instead of losing any!!!
I’m totally depressed at how much weight I have to loose now and feel stuck. Can’t eat meat at night because I’m afraid I’ll put on more weight. But if I don’t eat anything after 2pm I feel frustrated and hungry.
I seem to be allergic to egg whites and coconut oil has contributed to the weight gain.
What do you think I need to do? I was optimistic about your diet thinking it will resolve the allergies and help me loose weight. So I don’t know what diet to follow now…
Thanks for your help
Sep 10th, 2011 at 8:08 am
Sarah
I had the same problem when starting to drink raw milk. I use the coconut oil too. But I found for me it was the raw milk that caused the weight gain. Most especially if you have too much of the milk part and less of the cream. I have taken to drinking just a small glass of mostly the creamy portion per day and I have cut down on the coconut oil too, although I don’t think that affected my weight. It really is the carbohydrate levels in your diet that causes the weight gain and there is a lot of carb in the milk.
If you try a mix of a diet based on Atkins (very low carb) but with the better nutrition principals of Nourishing Traditions you should be successful. Atkins is good for the most part but he gets quite a few things wrong like, he thinks soy is ok and artificial sweetener and doesn’t mention avoiding nitrates etc, but you can spot these flaws and avoid them if you already know about NT. However the basic principals of eating very low carb when you need to lose weight is the key to losing weight.
And if that doesn’t make you lose weight then you need to see if you have a metabolic problem like hypothyroidism. which I found out I had and even low carb didn’t work for me with this issue. But previous to my hypothyroid issue I didn’t lose 30lbs on atkins. If you are hypothyroid, which btw can be missed with blood tests as the normal range for FT4 and FT3 is too broad and then doc’s usually diagnose by the TSH anyway which is not always helpful.
Anyway if you think it might be something like hypothyroid then you may be deficient in iodine. Taking iodine is controversial. However, if you go to the yahoo groups http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/iodine/ you will find that there are a lot of people using it very effectively and safely for many health problems. I use 12.5mg as a maintenance dose as I am currently pregnant and can’t use higher amounts until after breast feeding is finished as the higher amounts detoxify the body of things like mercury, bromide, flouride, chlorine etc.
When you take iodine you need to take it with companion nutrients, 200mcg organic selenium, 400mg magnesium, 2000mg vitamin c and half tspn celtic salt.
But that info is all on the iodine group. You don’t have to be hypothyroid to use iodine either. A lot of people find they will lose weight after using iodine for a while as it balances out their thyroid and other hormones and detoxifies.
You can buy the right form of iodine from iherb, it is called Iodoral and the 12.5mg would be the best to start with. You could try to get your iodine through foods of course except there is the concern about clean sources of iodine rich foods. I am weary of any Nori (seaweed) coming from Japan at the moment. So I just stick with the iodoral tablets, iosol drops or lugol’s drops.
Anyway I hope something here helped, these are some of the answers I have found in my search for good health.
Sep 10th, 2011 at 9:29 am
I meant to say in my last post ….I DID lose 30lbs on Atkins. I accidentally said didn’t : /
Sep 29th, 2011 at 5:27 am
Hello Chrissie,
Thanks for your answer. I’m aware of type II hypothyroidism and am actually taking desiccated thyroid hormones and iodine and many other supplements to support my thyroid and adrenals.
After my weight gain with a diet rich in fat, I’ve been experimenting with Paleo diet which also concentrates on eating proteins and eliminating grains.
The problem is that I gained ever more weight! 6 pounds since I’ve started the original diet of Eat fat to lose fat. In my case, it’s been eat fat to put on fat:(
I don’t resonate with Atkins that much but the Paleo stuff is pretty much like the modified Atkins diet you’ve mentioned in your previous message. There’s no soy in it either.
So apparently high protein/fat diets don’t seem to work for me! I’m very disappointed because before starting this diet I was much fitter and my goal was to lose the last 10 pounds I need to lose to be at my ideal weight.
I’m currently testing a diet based on the dominant endocrine gland. According to them if your dominant gland is the thyroid or the pituitary, you’ll benefit from a high protein diet. If not, you’d better limit your protein intake as it can cause weight gain. And they don’t recommend eating that much fat.
So I’m kind of in the middle of that all, not knowing what to do…
Oct 14th, 2011 at 6:50 am
Sarah,
I totally agree that everyone is different.
If you really get stuck I suggest looking at the hCG diet. Yes it is controversial and you’ll hear a lot of opposing opinions but I did it in desperation when absolutely nothing else worked (due to my hypothyroid, even though I use desiccated thyroid & iodine too). I did a lot of research first and read every available study on it before deciding to do it. There is another yahoo group http://groups.yahoo.com/group/hcg2/ who are very helpful and understand exactly how to do this diet successfully. I lost 17kg (37.5 lbs) in 2 months and have kept it off easily…. and for the first time in a long time using high protein high fat diet started working for me in maintaining my new weight….or whatever foods suits your body to maintain, each persons needs to find out what’s right for them after finishing the hcg protocol. You can find all the info you need about this diet on the yahoo group. Personally it was a miracle for me, I really mean that it has been life changing, my metabolism seems to be working properly again and responding to what I do instead of just being insanely resistant to everything I tried previous to hcg. If you are at the end of your rope with doing everything you can, like I was, then this is definitely worth finding out about. I would do it again in a heartbeat if I needed to.
Oct 31st, 2011 at 5:18 am
Thanks for your message Chrissie. It’s funny but a while ago I was looking for more information about the HCG diet and watched several videos of people who had good results and those who got really sick.
They interviewed the doctor who prescibes HCG hormones and she said you need to restrict yourself to 500 calories/day to lose the weight as quick as possible. When you get the hormones by a physician they are stronger than what you find on internet which is the homeopathic version.
I don’t have any physician in my area who would prescribe HCG and honestly the shots are pretty expensive! I know myself enough to be sure that limiting myself to 500 calories is not going to work!
And I prefer not to try HCG packs available on internet because one of the people who got bad results said it caused hair loss…
My hair has already been affected by the Eat fat diet so I’m not taking any risk. I’ve been looking into traditional chinese medicine and the diet they suggest for my body type. I plan to practice yoga again after a long pause and will see how things evolve.