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...
Sally Fallon is founding president of the Weston A Price Foundation, a non-profit nutrition education foundation with over 400 local chapters and 9000 members. She is also the founder of A Campaign for Real Milk, which has as its goal universal access to clean raw milk from pasture-fed animals. Author of the best-selling cookbook Nourishing Traditions and also of Eat Fat Lose Fat (Penguin), both with Mary G. Enig, Phd, Sally has a encyclopedic knowledge of modern nutritional science as well as ancient food ways. Her grasp on the work of Weston Price is breath taking and her passion for health freedom, inspiring. In each edition of Nourished Magazine Sally answers your questions about nutrition, health, food and medical politics. Send us an email with your question and we'll put it to her.
Apr 2nd, 2008 at 2:24 am
I have a somewhat similar situation–I have been following the EFLF diet and am rarely hungry but have not lost any weight…at 150 and 5.4 nearing menopause at 47 I want to loose this before it become more difficult. This weight gain is a result of my pregnancy 5 years ago. So any further suggestions for a premenopausal??
Apr 2nd, 2008 at 9:53 am
I was in a somewhat situation….I too, tried following EFLF but my schedule did not allow time for so much preparation or time to eat regularly. On Jan. 1st I tried another approach. I eliminated all grains (except the occasional rice that was in the chicken and rice soup I prepared for my family - with coconut milk and broth) and all fruit except for 2 oz. of blueberries with cream once a day and all sweets - even maple syrup. My day starts with a cup of DandyBlend with cream. Then breakfast is usually 2 eggs and meat (bacon or sausage which I cook in the oven in batches and just have to reheat in the morning) and milk or kefir around 10:00 or later. If I am not going to be home to eat at that time I make a raw milk smoothie without molasses (sweet). When I get peckish around 2:00 or so I have some coconut oil, and/or a handful of crispy nuts and/or some cheese and/or a few slices of bologna. Sometimes I will add some sauerkraut. Dinner is a piece of meat and lacto-fermented veggies and milk or kombucha. Dessert is blueberries and cream. Sounds sparse to write about it, but I always make sure I get fat fat fat during the day (I will even eat butter off the spoon if I don’t feel I have had enough that day). I never feel hungry or deprived. The best news is I have no cravings, no sugar crashes, no mood swings and I feel great. The totally best news is I am losing about a pound a week. That’s 13 pounds since 1/1/08! I am 49, 5′6″ and currently weigh 161! Slow but sure wins the race. Hope this helps and works for others.
Apr 5th, 2008 at 3:07 am
(I wasn’t sure what mail meant for commenting on this article.) I am new to this type of eating and although my question is not about weight gain it is about milk. I live in West Virginia USA. I have not been able to find a source of raw milk. If you are someone who can not find raw milk what type of milk should you drink? My niece who is also interest in eating correctly says that if you can’t find raw milk or unpasturized you should drink skim. Any coments would be appreciated. Thank you.
Apr 5th, 2008 at 9:25 pm
Teresa, have you checked the Real Milk site: http://www.realmilk.com/where.html
Apr 11th, 2008 at 10:20 am
Just a little. I will spend some time there. Thanks
Apr 12th, 2008 at 3:11 pm
Hi Sally,
I have a few questions:
I am only able to buy raw organic butter sometimes - often it’s not available. When it’s not available is organic butter still a “health” food, or is it better to go easy on the butter until the raw organic butter is available again?
I have chooks - I have seen several comments you’ve made about what to give chooks - cod liver oil, egg whites, flax seed… but what would comprise a wholesome diet for them? They freerange all day and have plenty of greens and insects to pick through in the garden. Should we continue giving them layer pellets? My partner was feeding them white bread mash with bran in them, but I’ve convinced her this needs to change - but to what? Soaked oats with cod liver oil, flax seed and egg whites?
Where can I find personal stories from people who have converted to the way of eating you recommend in Nourishing Traditions? I searched the Weston Price site but couldn’t find personal stories. I want to know how it’s affected people, their health, moods etc. Did people lose weight while eating so much fat or not? I want both the good and the bad! Can you point me in the right direction?
Thanks!
Asphyxia
Apr 21st, 2008 at 4:21 pm
I have increased my child’s intake of raw whole milk and fresh, free range eggs.
My problem is that he is now gaining a ton of weight. I don’t think that anything else has changed. He is a constantly active boy…jumping, running and playing. He is six years old and also constantly growing and so I want him to have all the nutrition that he can have. I’m at a loss as to what to do.
Apr 21st, 2008 at 8:45 pm
Hi Laurie, the same thing has happened to my 7 year old. I am seriously considering cutting back on all the butter, eggs and milk. Anyone else have any suggestions or advice? Prehaps it is normal to be more chubby at this age on a nourishing diet? Any advice would be great. Thanks, M.J.
Apr 22nd, 2008 at 9:10 am
I’m so glad to hear from someone who is having the same experience. So, many people are saying that when they added the raw milk, they lost weight. However, that has not been the case for either myself or my son. I know that children will gain a little just before a growth spurt. And he’s done that before. But, it’s never been like this. It was rapidly gained, and coincided exactly with the addition of more raw milk products, eggs, and butter. He also seems like his added weight is making it harder for him to be as active as he’s been.
I want him to have the healthier food, but without the weight gain. I don’t want him to be made fun of. He has always eaten the SAD american diet of cheeseburgers and spaghetti and or noodles. It’s hard to get him to eat anything else. So, I’ve always worried about him. I’ve always given him smoothies on the side with freshly squeezed fruit and veg. juices yogurts etc. I just changed from mainly rice milk or soy to adding more real raw milk products. Yet, I see kids now who are young and already their jaws are failing(alot of dental care), teeth are poorly structured and faces are thinning and not strong. I don’t want him to go through all of this.
I don’t know why our experience would be different than everyone else. Unless, they are doing something else as well. And I don’t think that my son would stop eating hamburgers or radically change his diet. Our raw milk is not skim or fat removed. Maybe, that would be a start to give the cream top to the cats or something. My son loves raw milk. Can a growing child drink to much milk? It doesn’t seem from the pictures that the indigenous people were overweight. They seemed very well built however. My son had a strong little six pack up until now. Any advice would be appreciated.
Apr 22nd, 2008 at 11:16 am
Laurie, im confused aswell. I suppose we could go by the saying one mans food is anothers posion. Im starting to think prehaps there is an intolerance to the dairy and gluten ( which can sometimes “puff” people up) components of my childs nourishing diet as she eats almost 100% nourishing foods, ie; raw dairy, homemade yogurt, soaked grains etc. Ive decided to elimanate dairy and gluten for a while and see what happens. I’ll let you know how it goes. Anyone else have any suggestions, please. M.J.
Apr 22nd, 2008 at 1:28 pm
I lost quite a bit of weight (approximately 6 kilograms or 11 pounds) when I started on WAPF diet, but have put some back on (2 or 3 kilograms) when I slipped a bit over Xmas and New Year and allowed sugar back in to my diet and began to eat regular bread again. Prior to starting WAP I had already lost about 14 kilos by healthy eating and exercise but was still feeling very unwell due to other health problems. One big thing that I believed helped me to knock off my last few kilos and feel so much better healthwise was sauerkraut - I found it so helpful in helping me digest and eliminating bloating and irritable bowel syndrome and other problems. I think the healthy fats and other aspects of the diet are important, but people seem to focus on only those things without focusing on the parts of the diet that include many fresh and fermented vegetables and healthy fermented grains. These are low GI if they are properly prepared and help you feel full for longer. If you don’t include these parts of the diet, you will not get the full benefits, and you probably will put on weight. I have kept up with the milk and healthy fats but slipped up with the other aspects of the diet, and bingo! Weight gain! So I am getting back into my lovely sauerkraut, vegies and some exercise. And sugar is absolute poison - trust me, it’s my struggle!
Apr 22nd, 2008 at 8:47 pm
Raw milk, any milk, is high in carbohydrates. Including it in your diet means you eat less of other carbohydrates like fruit, juices and bread. There is a balance of proteins and fats and many nutrients like B6, minerals and fat soluble vitamins which should heal any insulin resistance your child has developed from too much refined carbohydrates. Please read Sally Fallon’s Eat Fat Lose fat and Natasha Campbell McBride’s Gut and Psychology Syndrome. Lori Lipinski recently contributed a wonderful article called Taking the Fear out of Eating Fat. It may help. I’ve seen many people gain weight for a time while their bodies heal. Keep up the nutrient dense foods and your child will feel energised enough to exercise in amounts the body needs. Micro nutrients are key, not macro. High fat doesn’t mean getting fat.
Apr 23rd, 2008 at 6:20 am
How old is he-and how is your sons exercise level ?
In ancient time or just 50 years ago- People in Europe walked at least 10 000- 15 000 steps a´day-while most modern people only walk around 4-5000 - and we wonder why we put weight on.
Amish people stil maintain a high activity level women walkon average 12000-15000 steps pr day and many men reach 20 000
In Denmark the advice is pretty simple
- walk/run/ ride a bike: 30 min a day if your are an adult and do not need to loose weight
and at least 1 hour if you need to loose weight.
Children under 18-20 years need to be active at least 60 minutes and more if they put weight on.
I really wouldn´t worry about milk and fat - but watch your sons carbohydrates - especially sweet fruits, juice, sugar and starchy things.
Apr 24th, 2008 at 10:56 pm
ok, so I’m doing everything I am supposed to — good fats, exercise, little/no sugar, white flour products, homecooked everything, kefir, cultured foods–I’m rarely hungry, eat moderately–but for some reason my body is holding on to this excess weight–I heard/read somewhere that if you have toxins–your body creates fat/holds onto fat as a form of protection…any thoughts out there on this? about 10 years ago I had all my dental fillings out–metal–and replaced with the composite-
but by a regular dentist not the ‘good’ kind that takes the proper procedures to protect the patient from the metals.
Apr 25th, 2008 at 3:37 pm
What kind of exercise are you doing? Mostly cardio? Strength training? How many days a week for how long? How many meals a day are you consuming? I know that every body takes different time to change, and that as you said, it may be related to toxins. However, there is a delicate formula for losing weight, and it must be tailored to each person depending on age, weight, health and background. Eating traditionally is a huge beginning and you’ve made bigger progress than most to protect and preserve your body, but perhaps we can figure out more. I’m a personal trainer and have helped several people ‘unlock’ their formula. Let me know if I can help.
Apr 25th, 2008 at 8:15 pm
Response to Laurie Thayne & m.j. from SALLY FALLON:
“I wouldn’t cut out the raw milk and eggs, but would certainly reduce the carbs (bread, sweets, rice, potatoes, etc.) Don’t worry too much if he is chubby, as with a good diet he will turn this fat into muscle as he grows. Sally”
(Posted by Filippa, sub-editor of Nourished)
Apr 27th, 2008 at 6:14 pm
Thanks Filippa for asking Sally. I will continue on with a nourishing diet but cut down on the carbs, im just not sure how! Heres what my daughter would typically eat in a day;
Breaky: soaked porridge or eggs, raw milk, CLO
snack: fruit
Lunch: sourdough salad sandwhich with cheese or left over meat sandwhich
snack: fruit and yogurt or cheese and fruit
Tea: meat and 3 veg type of meals, sometimes a rice based dish, casserole or soup,raw milk.
dessert: twice a week, usually apple crumble or other fruit based dessert.
Im not sure where im going wrong so any suggestions would be great! Thanks for your help, M.J.
Jul 19th, 2008 at 4:23 am
Hello, general question for all and then one for Lacey:
I have had a healthy lifestyle for a while and have been transitioning to Nourishing Traditions type of lifestyle for a few months. I never drink soda, 6-months ago I stopped eating cane sugar and most sweet things (even if maple syrup or honey-sweetened), I never eat processed, prepared foods, refined, and so on. I started the Quick&Easy weight loss diet 2 weeks ago when I weighed 140 lbs. I am 27 and not particularly over weight, my healthy weight is about 135 lbs but I feel the best at 130 lbs. In the last 2 weeks I gained 5 lbs! It sounds like these things might take a bit to settle in so I will keep trying… even though I have a wedding in September that I would like to be able to fit into my clothes for!!! and I am now 15 lbs away from my goal!
My main question is regarding the tbsp of coconut oil before meals. If my palate is getting tired of eating coconut oil so concentrated can I just make sure to include that same quantity of oil into my diet through my cooking throughout the day? or can I replace that tablespoon and have a cup of milk (or cheese or butter) instead? ie. is the tbsp of oil before a meal just for satiation purposes? I recognize that the oil does an amazing trick for satiation… never before have I been able to stick to 3 meals a day! however, can I take care of that with other ingredients since I am starting to feel that I am going to gag next time I drink a cup of tea with coconut oil! =)
Any advice would be great!
Lacey, I want to “unlock my formula” and your comment in #15 above interested me. Could you let me know more?
Thanks,
Teresa
Sep 15th, 2008 at 5:40 am
Hi! I am very interested but scared to follow “Eat Fat, Lose Fat”. I have traditionally lost weight via reduced calories (1200 calories/day). I am 36 and 5′3″. I only want/need to lose 5-10 lbs. Weight I gained after going off of the pill 5 months ago. My partner and I following the principles of Nourishing Traditions, although he is better that I because I am afraid to add all of that fat! I am really interested in responses who have had the experience of using “Eat Fat, Lose Fat” to lose a small amount of weight.
Thanks so much!
Sep 16th, 2008 at 9:37 am
Hello Anandah,
Its amazing how fat helps cleanse the body, getting rid of toxins stored in the body. The idea here though is not weight but inches. Fat is one of the most utilized nutrients in the body, and when you deprive the body of fat, you get fatter. Personally I weigh more than I ever have but when people hear about how much I weigh they are in complete disbelief. The same is true for my wife, she is always getting complements on how skinny she looks after having 2 kids and ask her what she has been doing to lose it. The funny thing is its the oposite of what you would believe, our diet is 40-50% raw fat, together we eat at least a 1/2 pound of raw butter per day in our meals without exercise other than an leisurely walk with the kids, and we both look and feel healthier and better than we did 10 years ago, and get lots of complements. I really suggest you find out about Aajonus Vonderplanitz, he is a guru when it comes to fat.