Tony Ferguson v paleo weight loss diet-min

Tony Ferguson Weight Loss Diet v Paleo

I was really surprised to see this poster advertising the popular Tony Ferguson weight loss diet. It advertises that with the joining fee you get a free lifetime membership.

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Surely a weight loss program should “work” within a finite period? For a program to be working, I'd expect a successful dieter to lose at least 0.1 kg a week (the smallest interval most scales will measure). If a dieter is doing such a weight loss program for 50 years of their life, losing 0.1 kg a week – they'll have lost 260kg. Given that this seems rather ridiculous, I can only conclude that the lifetime membership is offered because dieters on this plan fail to achieve their weight loss goals – or put it all back on?

What is the Tony Ferguson Diet?

The diet appears to be a very low calorie diet, where dieters select from a range of heavily processed “meal replacement” products, such as shakes, soups and bars. These seem to replace one to two meals a day, with the remaining meal being a “proper” meal from a restricted list of allowable foods. The plan also recommends a lot of supplements of vitamins and minerals. These are vitamins and minerals that appear to be difficult to obtain when cutting out the natural food sources.

Good Ingredients?

These are the ingredients for one of the products, the Mixed Vegetable Soup. I'm not sure how something with 3% vegetables (which is mainly legumes anyway) is called “vegetable” soup, but still…

Milk solids, soy protein, thickeners (1442, 412), flavours, inslin, dried vegetables (3%) (corn, pea, red capsicum, tomato), yeast extract, salt, sunflower oil, onion powder, minerals (sodium phosphate, magnesium oxide, ferric pyrophosphate, zinc oxide, manganese sulphate, copper sulphate, chronium chloride, sodium molybate, potassium iodine, sodium selenite), anti-caking agent (551), colours (160a, 141, 100), garlic powder, vitamins (C, E, B3, B5, B2, B6, B1, A, folate, K, biotin, D, B12), parsley, flavour enhancer (635), spice & herb.

A Better Way?

Surely instead of being on a lifelong diet and not being able to eat real food, Paleo is a far better way to lose weight? Learning to eat properly – then eating that way for the rest of your life is a far more sustainable – and healthy approach.

Have you ever tried a weight loss plan like this? I'd love to hear your experiences and thoughts on these types of weight loss plans.

Is a paleo pregnancy safe primal diet pregnant nutrition-min

Is a Paleo Pregnancy Safe?

Many of the emails I get concern pregnancy, babies and children. It seems Paleo is becoming increasingly popular amongst those trying to conceive and expectant mothers keen to give their baby the best possible start.

I'm commonly asked if Paleo is safe during pregnancy and for breastfeeding mothers. Whilst I don’t have children and am certainly no expert, I always find these types of questions surprising, given that pregnant women have only been eating the current western diet (SAD) for about 33 generations. Of that it’s probably only the last two or three generations that our diet has “progressed” to include the vastly altered wheat most foods contained today, industrial seed oils, HFCS, soy and many of the other horrors that pass for a “balance diet” today. Shouldn't the question be “Is it safe to eat a Western diet when pregnant”

Is a paleo pregnancy safe primal diet pregnant nutrition-min

There are so many drugs and products for pregnant women – are they really necessary given that women have been having babies for thousands of years without needing any of these? It also seems that infertility and other such problems have only increased in recent years.

It must be very difficult for a woman to take a Paleo approach to pregnancy and bringing up a Paleo baby – when so many medical professionals are resolute about conventional wisdom

I was really interested to see Chris Kresser has produced a Paleo “Healthy Baby Code” that will answer all of the questions Pregnant women – or women hoping to conceive. He’s pulled together all of the research into a complete guide with videos, MP3 recordings and PDF transcripts to explain everything about having a healthy baby

If you've got any tips, stories or advice about Paleo pregnancy or anything baby related, please share it here – you never know how much you might end up helping someone out!

Is all dairy bad Raw milk cheese health paleo primal diet-min

Is ALL Dairy Bad?

I have always viewed dairy as a collective dietary no-no. Since I initially went Paleo and my asthma vanished, I've been resolute that dairy is problematic – and something I should avoid.

Recently however, I've been reading a lot about hard (i.e. cheese) and soft (i.e. milk) dairy. It seems that many people find they can tolerate hard dairy with no issues – yet need to strictly avoid soft dairy.

What’s Wrong With Dairy?

Milk has high levels of the sugar lactose, which appears to be at the root of many of the issues with dairy. Many people are lactose intolerant, so unable to produce the enzyme lactase to break down these milk sugars. The alpha- and beta-casein found in milk also appears to be problematic as do the components casomorphin and butyrophillin.

Raw dairy is significantly better. During Pasturisation the very enzyme – lactase – needed to digest lactose is killed. Conventional wisdom at it’s finest….

The most common issues I read about in relation to dairy are digestive issues. I'm fairly convinced however that dairy is the culprit behind the Asthma that I no longer have. However, it’s hard to be certain. And if it is the culprit, is it the lactose, the casein – or something else entirely?

Is all bad Raw milk cheese health paleo primal diet-min

It seems that the further away dairy is from milk, the lower the levels of lactose – and therefore the more tolerable it appears to be. Fermented dairy – such as a home fermented yoghurt is apparently almost dairy free, so perhaps that might be tolerable too? Even if it is almost lactose free, it still isn't without problems, since the high level of carbohydrates is very insulin promoting.

One of my main concerns with it is the growth factors it contains, like IGF-1. Raw dairy seems to have much lower levels, but it appears Pasteurised dairy could have very high levels. IGF-1 is great for helping a calf to grow quickly; but it’s perhaps not so great if it encourages our cells to grow faster (hence the concern about dairy and cancer cells).

Should I Avoid Dairy?

I think the only way to identify whether dairy is problematic issue is to go for 30 days without any type of dairy, then slowly introduce back in raw dairy only. I'm keen to further experiment by consuming only raw hard cheese to see if this has any effect, before trying raw soft cheese too.

I’d love to hear what you think about dairy and how it impacts you. Do you find you can tolerate different forms, or must you avoid all trace? Finally, if your asthma has also improved or vanished since you went Paleo, I’d be very interested to hear specifically what you think made this happen.

Paleo guide to Australia paleo network primal free pdf-min

All New Paleo Guide To Australia

Just a heads up that I've just updated the free Paleo Guide to Australia (and New Zealand) ebook. The current version now stands at 32 pages full of Paleo information – specific to where you are.

Following on from your suggestions, I've added more listings of Paleo suppliers in each state of Australia and New Zealand (farmers markets, grass-fed meat suppliers, fruit and vegetable suppliers, organic produce, fish mongers and fitness centres). I've also added a whole new section of Paleo Resources.

If you've already subscribed to my newsletter, just visit the same link to get your updated version. If you've not signed up yet, just subscribe using the link below to get your free copy!

I want to keep the Paleo Guide to Australia & New Zealand up to date with the best local Paleo places and stockists throughout Australia and New Zealand. If I've missed anywhere that you know about, please let me know and I'll make sure I add it to the next edition.

I'd also like to add in restaurants that do Paleo food – so let me know of any suggestions that you have in your local area.

Sausage, Red Wine & Almond Casserole paleo diet recipe-min

Sausage, Red Wine & Almond Casserole Recipe

After a barbecue at the weekend I had some left over cooked sausages that I wanted to make use of. There was also some red wine left over, so I came up with a recipe for a sausage almond & red wine casserole. I used ingredients I already had in the kitchen, so I am sure lots of tweaks could be made.

It made quite a few portions, so I was able to freeze quite a lot, to use for future meals.

Ingredients:

Barbequed Paleo Sausages
2 Red Onions
2 Brown Onions
1 clove garlic
1kg tomatoes
Tomato puree
2 handfuls of raw almonds
1 sprig fresh rosemary
1 glass red wine
Chicken stock
Coconut Oil
Salt & Pepper

Method:

  • I diced the onions and browned them in a pan of coconut oil.
  • I added the crushed garlic, then the chopped tomatoes, tomato purée and the stock. I let the mixture simmer for a few minutes whilst I chopped up the almonds.
  • I added the almonds and wine to the pan, and allowed it to continue simmering for a few minutes, before adding the cut up sausages.
  • I seasoned and added in the rosemary.
  • Once the sausages were thoroughly heated I served up the casserole and left the extra to cool ready for freezing.

I enjoyed the casserole on it’s own, but it would also have gone very well with some cauliflower rice.

Sausage, Red Wine & Almond Casserole paleo diet recipe-min

Paleo Weight Loss primal diet slimming lose weight-min

Paleo Weight Loss

Many people start the Paleo Diet with one aim. Weight loss. Programs like the Truth About Abs are gaining more and more popularity, demonstrating just how many people out there are desperate to lose weight.

The more popular the Paleo movement becomes, the more frequently I see questions on Paleo and Primal forums like:

“Why am I not losing weight on the Paleo Diet?”
“Why have I stopped losing weight on the Paleo Diet?”
“Why has my weight loss reached a plateau on the Primal Diet?” and even
“Why have I gained weight on the Paleo Diet?”!

Why is it Not Working?

Unfortunately many people get the impression that you can eat as much Paleo food as you like – and the weight will fall off. Sometimes people seem to hear the message that the more Paleo food you can eat – the better! Whilst Paleo food is nourishing, if you're not hungry, you certainly shouldn't force yourself to keep eating. And one of the benefits of Paleo is that you are likely to feel a lot less hungry.

I seems that initially, a lot of weight can be lost very quickly – in a matter of weeks. This seems to have a lot to do with just removing grains from the diet and eating nutritionally dense Paleo food instead.

After the initial weight loss, it seems that it's necessary to constantly change things in order to keep the weight loss momentum. Methods like Intermittent Fasting (along with a Paleo feeding window) work really well for many people, as does restricting fruit and nuts. Some people also report a lot of success with a ketogentic low-carb Paleo diet. Ultimately, different methods work for different people – the key is experimenting to find out which method works best for you.

Decide on an approach, make the commitment to stick to it for a reasonable period – and don't be discouraged if the weight loss falters.

Sean Croxton's program the Dark Side of Fat Loss is a Paleo weight loss program (with free cookbook!) that gives underground, not conventional weight loss wisdom.

Have you lost weight on Paleo? What worked for you? I'd love to hear your Paleo weight loss tips.

Paleo Weight Loss primal diet slimming lose weight-min

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30 Day Intro to Paleo

Whenever I'm asked about Paleo, or if people comment that they doubt Paleo would help them with their health issues, my response is always “try it”. I think everyone should try Paleo for 30-days and then assess how it’s working for them. If it doesn't work, then nothing is lost (yet I've never heard of anyone not experiencing some positive benefits after a month of Paleo)

30 day intro to paleo ebook primal diet-min

30-days is a good length of time, as it’s long enough to see some changes and to get things like gluten out of your system. It’s also enough time to come out the other side of carb-flu, which a few people experience for the first week or two.

After the 30-days you’ll be in a good place to evaluate how it worked for you, and to slowly start re-introducing foods back to understand exactly what you should and shouldn't incorporate in your Paleo diet.

As well as using a 30-day Paleo plan as a way to get into Paleo for the first time, it’s also a great way to refocus once you've been following Paleo for a while. When you realise you’re stuck in a repetitive recipe rut, eating more and more “Paleo cookies”, or allowing more cheat meals than you ever would have before – it can be the perfect time to go strict Paleo for 30 days and get full back on board.

I think organisation is the most important factor in committing to a 30-day strict Paleo plan. If you plan, buy and prepare your food in advance it will be easy to follow and not get caught out. I also find it helps to set a date to start your 30-days and tell people about it (perhaps they’ll even join you)

I really like the Whole-30 program, as it focuses on why Paleo is so beneficial and covers all of the common pitfalls and questions; it’s a great guide to support you during the 30-days (particularly if it’s your first Whole30).

I'm really excited to see Bill and Hayley, the authors behind the beautiful “Make it Paleo” recipe book have just released their first ebook “The 30 Day Intro to Paleo”! I've found creating a month of beautiful, varied meals to be the key success factor in winning people over to a Paleo diet – and this book promises to do just that. As well as the impressive, yet simple Paleo recipes (over 90!) that you’d expect in a book from Bill & Hayley, their ebook also explains Paleo – and why we should eat this way. They include a 30 day complete menu planner and shopping lists – and even cooking videos!

I'm looking forward to trying out these recipes and will report back on my favourites!

Did you start your Paleo adventure with a Whole30? Do you occasionally challenge yourself to a month of following a strict Paleo diet – with no cheating?

7-Day Paleo Diet Menu Plan-min

7-Day Paleo Diet Menu Plan

I've got a friend coming to stay next week, so I've planned a 7-day Paleo Menu Plan to showcase my Paleo diet. It’s all too easy to eat similar meals over and over, so I'm looking forward to a week of lots of variety. I'm going to over-make everything, so I have lots of left-overs to freeze and enjoy again later.

I've just written my first recipe book on Paleo Breakfasts, so will be showcasing some fantastic, but also quick and easy breakfast recipes on my menu plan!

So this is my Menu Plan for my week of Paleo meals:

Monday

Breakfast: 

Paleo Salmon Burgers

Lunch:

Blanched veggies with guacamole and nut butter dips

Dinner:

Chicken and Vegetable Kebabs

Snack:

Macadamia Nuts

 

Tuesday

Breakfast:

NoOatmeal

Lunch:

Big Salad with tuna, eggs, nuts, leaves, tomatos, olives, avocado, capsicum and extra virgin olive oil

Dinner:

Lamb-chops, Roasted Parsnips, Onions and pumpkin

Wednesday

Breakfast:

Bacon, Eggs and Avocado

Lunch:

Turkey Nori-wraps

 

Dinner:

Porterhouse Steak, Egg, Mushrooms and greens

Dessert:

Paleo Ice Cream

Thursday

Breakfast:

Egg Muffins

Lunch:

Capsicum ham sandwiches (using flat-cut capsicum for the “bread”)

Dinner:

Tuna, Asparagus and Cauliflower Rice

Snack:

Jerky

7-Day Paleo Diet Menu Plan-min

Friday

Breakfast:

Red onion, ham and mushroom omelette

Lunch:

Paleo chilli with zucchini noodles

Dinner:

Paleo Pizza

Dessert:

Strawberries dipped in dark chocolate

Saturday

Breakfast:

Paleo Pancakes with Berry Sauce

Lunch:

Chicken Soup with side salad

Dinner:

Barbecue with selection of meats and salads

Drink:

Glass of red wine

Sunday

Brunch:

Full English Breakfast (eggs, bacon, tomatoes, mushrooms, sautéed sweet potato, home-made tomato relish, Paleo sausages)

Dinner:

Sunday Roast; Roast beef, sweet potatoes, home-made gravy, broccoli and carrots

Dessert:

Coconut Yoghurt

What do you think of my proposed Menu Plan? I’d love to hear your favourite Paleo dishes! Do you create a weekly Paleo meal Plan?

Atkins diet v paleo primal differences comparision-min

9 Reasons Why Paleo isn’t Atkins

Now that more people have heard of Paleo, I've notice it is often assumed to be a different name for the Atkins Diet. “Oh, so you’re doing Atkins…”. Well actually, no. I follow a Paleo Diet, which is completely different to Atkins.

1. Low-Carb?

The main difference between Paleo and Atkins is that Atkins IS low-carb. In the induction phase (the initial two weeks), less than 20g of carbs a day are consumed, rising to about 20g – 60g a day in the Ongoing Weight Loss Stage. This is designed to keep the body in a state of Ketosis, which seems to be very beneficial to achieving weight-loss. Whilst a great number of people do eat a low-carb Paleo diet (keeping carbs under 50g a day seems popular); Paleo is not a low-carb diet tweet this quote Indeed, a lot of people, particularly Paleo athletes and crossfitters, eat a far higher carb ratio (though obviously these carbohydrates come from foods like sweet potatoes and fruit – rather than refined carbs).

2. Counting, Counting, Couting…

As carbs rule on Atkins, counting is essential. An Atkins diet requires measuring, weighing and recording of the carbohydrate content of everything that’s eaten. Paleo is just about eating real food and avoiding grains, legumes and dairy – so no weighing, counting, measuring and journaling is required. So. Much. Easier.

3. Grass-Fed, Organic?

A Paleo diet is all about food quality. Meat in particular, is ideally grass-fed and organic. Processed, grain-fed, intensively farmed meat is to be avoided. On Atkins however, the source of the food isn't of such importance (though they do seem to be paying more attention to quality).

4. Processed?

A simple “is it Paleo” test can be resolved like this: if it’s in a packet, it probably Paleo tweet this quote . If it’s in a packet, it could well be Atkins. Atkins have a whole rage of processed convenience foods, that meet the Atkins low-carb rule; but would fail miserably to be classed as Paleo foods, with their long list of ingredients.
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5. Allowable Foods

Whilst a Paleo diet omits grains, legumes and (sometimes) dairy, on an Atkins diet, these are all permissible – providing they are low in Calories. You can consume sweeteners, diet soda, seed oils, soy, Atkins chocolate bars, Atkins crisps – and lots of other very un-Paleo foods on Atkins.

6. Purpose

I also think the purpose of the plans is very different. Atkins followers tend to be following the plan for weight-loss – once they get to their goal weight, they generally stop eating an Atkins Diet. Paleo however, attracts followers for many reasons. Weight loss is definitely a driver, but many people come to Paleo to improve their athletic performance too. Health is a key motivation for many looking to reverse/ improve health issues such as diabetes, allergies and auto-immune conditions.

7. For Life, Or Just For a Bikini?

Generally, Atkins seems to be followed until weight-loss goals are achieved. Paleo is more of a lifestyle; a way of eating and living that is easy to follow forever.

8. Not Just Eating

It’s also important to bear in mind that as well as nutrition, fitness, strength, stress-reduction, balance, sleep and sunshine are amongst the lifestyle factors that Paleo addresses. Atkins appears to be primarily focused on diet, rather than lifestyle factors.

9. Paleo-Atkins?

It is possible to be Paleo-Atkins; but many people are also Paleo-not-Atkins.

Have people told you “oh, Paleo – that’s like Atkins”, when you tell them how you eat? Have you ever tried Atkins? I’d love to hear your thoughts and experiences on Atkins and Atkins V Paleo in the comments below!

 

I quit sugar ebook Sarah Wilson give up sugar recipe book ebook paleo primal-min

Paleo Recipe Books

I used to buy so many cookbooks as it’s great to have lots of different sources when trying to put together a recipe. In the last year or two however, almost all of my cookbooks have been in ebook format.

I'm a bit of a messy cook, so in my cookbooks it’s easy to see which recipes are my favourites – those with the pages covered in ingredients! Ebooks are a great solution for me – I can find the specific recipe I want to make, print out a copy to take to the shop to refer to when I buy the ingredients – and another copy to use in the kitchen when I make the dish.

It’s so pleasing to see more Paleo friendly cook books coming out all the time.

I Quit Sugar Cook Book - Paleo Recipe Ebooks

Whilst not fully Paleo, Sarah Wilson's I Quit Sugar Cookbook is a great cookbook for those making the first step – giving up sugar. This book goes well with Sarah’s I Quit Sugar program, but is just as good as a cookbook in its own right. As well as Sarah Wilson contributors also include Mark Sisson and Gwyneth Paltrow. Definitely a recipe book worth trying.

Trying lots of new recipes is a great way to get used to your new way of eating, without feeling like you’re missing out on anything.

As well as Sarah Wilson’s cookbook, I also like the Simple Paleo Recipe book and the Paleo Cookbook.

Do you still prefer traditional cookbooks, or have you switched over to ebooks? Which is your favourite Paleo friendly cookbook?