Archive for year: 2014
Ask the Paleosphere: What’s the Deal with Dairy?
It’s all very well reading the Paleo theory about why we should and shouldn't consume certain foods, but what I find most valuable is finding out how people actually eat – and how different foods affect them.
With over 79,000 followers on the Paleo Network’s Facebook page, it’s become a great place to ask questions. A lot of the questions I've been asking seem to resonate with a lot of people, so I thought it would be useful to share some of the questions here.
Dairy seems to be a source of a lot of controversy in the Paleo-sphere. Whenever I post about dairy, I get equally large numbers of people condemning me for mentioning it, as I do people who comment that they enjoy it regularly in their diet. I don’t agree with taking a dogmatic approach to “Paleo” – surely it’s more important to learn how you tolerate things like dairy and eat accordingly?
So when I asked my Facebook followers for their thoughts on dairy – what did they say?
Out of 218 people who left a comment, I counted 48% of people avoid dairy – and 52% of people do consume it. However, in almost all cases those who consume dairy seem to do so with quite limited constraints.
Limiting dairy
Of those who eat dairy, almost everyone said that they do so “in moderation”, with most people only eating a certain type of dairy, and avoiding others. Some of the responses included:
- Fermented
- Only cheese
- Fermented
- Yoghurt only
- Raw & organic
- Kerrygold butter only
- Fermented full fat only
- Butter & cheese minimal
- Can’t do milk but eat cheese
- I use cheese as a condiment on occasion
- Only sour cream, aged cheese and buttah
- Only raw dairy from grass-fed Jersey cattle
- I can never give up fine cheese and ice cream!
- Yes but only pure grass fed! Bio dynamic etc!
- Only a bit in my Coffee, and only goat's milk
- I love my cheese so allow a little as a treat and kefir
- Butter and a very limited amount of special cheeses
- Only organic butter and a tiny smidge of occasional cheese
- Grassfed always – raw and local when possible. One serving a day.
- I'll only ever have a tiny bit of white cheese that hasn't been processed a lot.
Why avoid it?
It seems that most of the people who avoid dairy, do so being aware that their bodies do not tolerate it well. Here are some of the reasons people gave as to why they don’t consume dairy:
- No, it makes me sick
- Cannot handle the casein.
- My tummy doesn't tolerate it
- Gives me pimples but I love it.
- Gives me bloating & bad skin.
- I break out with eczema and asthma.
- It gives me Brain fog and belly aches!
- My heart says yay, but my tummy says nay
- Hot flashes stopped when dairy was eliminated!
- My body does not like and it causes inflammation
- Never did work well with me – since childhood.
- I may love dairy, but it definitely sets off my auto immune disorders.
- I dream of cheese but unfortunately the casein protein in it burns my GI tract
- In very small amounts. It causes acne for me. I'm 40 and just figured this out!
- Yay for me but nay for my 20 months old. Makes him as constipated as anything.
- Allowed it to creep back in last year, felt crap and body composition/weight plateued.
- Quitting dairy is the only thing that cured my skin condition I've had since childhood (keratosis pilarus)
- I've learned the hard way after a dose of post surgery pancreatitis. It's extremely alarming that people would suffer like I have at their own hand.
- I didn't worry about my normal no-dairy or no-grain for about ten days over Christmas and now my forehead and chin have lots of pimples. Yuck!
Alternatives?
Quite a few people commented on alternatives that they use instead of dairy, with the most common being:
- Almond milk
- Coconut milk/ cream
- Coconut Yoghurt
- Hazlenut milk
- And, er, Soy (I think this person maybe didn't realise they were on a Paleo page?)
It’s not dairy…
There were also quite a few comments from people who only have almond milk, or eggs – and others pointing out that eggs aren't dairy – and that almonds don’t have udders…
I’d love to hear your perspective on dairy. Do you consume it – and why? Please share in the comments below. Also, if you have a question that you’d like a broader perspective on, please let me know and I’ll post it on Facebook.
What to Expect from the Thyroid Summit
The more I've been looking into my own health (which all started with my inability to lose weight), the more thyroid issues seem to be involved. The standard tests show everything is “normal”, which clearly isn't the case. Which is why it’s great timing that the Thyroid Summit is about to start.
The Thyroid Summit is going to be more educational and more informative than any health event in the past decade. It’s fun, it’s life-changing and better yet, it’s ONLINE and FREE from 2nd to 9th June 2014*.
America’s Pharmacist Suzy Cohen and Dr. David Brownstein created The Thyroid Summit because they both had personal experiences with undiagnosed thyroid illness. The frustration of chronic illness and the lack of proper testing and treatment leaves people sick and tired for many years. They want to stop the madness and help people, so they’re on this mission to spread the word of good health! It’s a great feeling to pay it forward, and you can help!
WHY ATTEND?
The Thyroid Summit brings together more than 30 of the world’s leading authorities on thyroid wellness. You don’t have to fly anywhere. You don’t have to wait in long lines. You don’t have to watch from the back of a room. You don’t have to spend another dime to hear what the experts have to say. It’s all free!
- Why conventional medicine has failed most thyroid patients
- What are the best lab tests to order
- Which blood test you don’t need
- Why you’re always the coldest one in the room
- What are the best ranges for certain blood tests (because your lab “normals” are not ideal)
It doesn't stop there! You’ll get the most up-to-date information about:
- Which natural remedies work for Graves’ disease, Hashimoto’s, hypothyroidism, and cancer
- The connection between thyroid hormones and pregnancy, PMS and post-partum depression
- How to finally lose those last few pounds or more!
- What supplements can make your hair and nails grow faster
- How to relieve anxiety, depression and other emotional problems related to low thyroid
- And much more!
Sounds amazing, right?
Here are a few of the incredible presenters:
David Brownstein, MD
Holistic Options for Thyroid Disease and Cancer
Suzy Cohen, RPh
Thyroid Healthy: Lose Weight, Look Beautiful and Live the Life You Imagine
Jacob Teitelbaum, MD
Shine Program: 5 Simple Steps to Overcome Fatigue and Thyroid Disorders
Kent Holtorf, MD
Don’t Fall Through the Cracks: Safely and Effectively Treat Your Thyroid Condition
Hyla Cass, MD
A Holistic Psychiatrist’s Approach to Thyroid Disorders
Jean Dodds, DVM
Our Pets: Could Your Dog or Cat Have Thyroid Disease?
Greg Emerson, MD
Stress, Anxiety, Anger and the Relationship to Thyroid Hormone
Jonathan Wright, MD
How to Optimize Thyroid Function
Ben Lynch, ND
Folic Acid, Methylation and the Connection to Low Thyroid
Aristo Vojdani, PhD, MSc, MT
The Most Important Lab Tests You Should Take and Multiple Chemical Sensitivity
With over 30 additional presenters sharing their wealth of knowledge. This invaluable (and FREE) resource is intended for men and women everywhere!
Better yet, if you register today, you’ll have access to the following FREE GIFT as soon as you register!
Mike Adams, Health Ranger from NaturalNews.com, is bold enough to tell the world the truth about “Everyday Pollutants that Poison Your Thyroid,” and what you can do to protect yourself.
- The impact of radiation from Fukushima on your thyroid
- Strange fibers and fragments in your food that make you sick
- The dangers of vaccinating your child and the flu vaccine
- How fluoride is hidden in your medicine, food, water and thyroid gland
Come listen to The Thyroid Summit ONLINE for FREE and be inspired from 2nd to 9th June, 2014
I’ll see you at the Summit!
*Note a different 4/ 5 presentations are shown each day, each available for 24 hours only – so I highly recommend you work out which ones you're most interested in (see the schedule here) to make sure you don't miss them!
After the Summit: What I Learnt and What I'm Doing Differently
Having attended every day of the Thyroid Summit, I’ve walked away with an entirely new level of understanding about how thyroid health impacts every aspect of wellbeing – from energy and metabolism to mood and even fertility. Hearing from over 30 leading practitioners gave me perspectives I hadn’t come across before, and for the first time, I feel genuinely empowered to take charge of my thyroid health.
Thyroid Red Flags You Shouldn't Ignore
One of the most practical takeaways from the Summit was how often thyroid symptoms are brushed off as “normal” ageing or stress-related. Yet subtle signs like thinning eyebrows, persistent brain fog, brittle nails, and fatigue – even after a full night's sleep – can all point to an underactive thyroid. I’ve now made it a point to track symptoms like these and bring them up assertively during health consultations.
Functional Testing Over Standard Thyroid Panels
Standard thyroid tests usually measure just TSH and maybe T4. But what I learnt at the Summit is that these markers alone don’t tell the full story. Functional medicine practitioners recommend a more comprehensive panel, including:
- TSH
- Free T4 and Free T3
- Reverse T3
- Thyroid antibodies (TPO and TgAb)
I’ve already asked my doctor to run these tests, and if they won't, I’ll consider a private lab route instead. It’s just too important.
Nutrition: A Game Changer for Thyroid Support
So many speakers reinforced the impact diet can have on thyroid function. While I already follow a Paleo lifestyle, I’ve now fine-tuned my diet even further to support thyroid health. This includes:
- Adding more selenium-rich foods like Brazil nuts and eggs
- Prioritising iodine sources from seaweed and seafood
- Cutting down even further on goitrogenic raw cruciferous vegetables like raw kale
- Ensuring I get enough zinc, magnesium, and B vitamins through real food and targeted supplementation
The Summit also highlighted how gluten can trigger autoimmune thyroid issues like Hashimoto’s, so my commitment to staying gluten-free has never felt more justified.
Mind-Body Connection: The Thyroid-Stress Link
Another huge takeaway was the impact of emotional health on thyroid function. Several speakers emphasised that chronic stress can disrupt hormone balance, worsen adrenal fatigue, and trigger autoimmune responses. Since then, I’ve been making conscious changes like:
- Building in more daily downtime and rest
- Using guided meditation apps for stress reduction
- Blocking out my calendar to avoid overcommitting
- Spending more time in nature (especially barefoot on the grass – hello, grounding!)
Supplements I’m Exploring
I’m very cautious about supplements, but after the Summit, I now understand the value of personalised supplementation – especially for nutrients difficult to obtain from food alone. Based on common recommendations shared by speakers, I’ve started researching (and where appropriate, introducing) the following:
- Selenium (but not more than 200mcg daily)
- L-Tyrosine to support T4 to T3 conversion
- Adaptogens like Ashwagandha to help manage stress
- High-quality Omega-3s to reduce inflammation
Of course, always consult with a qualified practitioner before starting anything new!
The Summit's Impact on My Long-Term Health Goals
Before the Thyroid Summit, I honestly felt stuck. My weight loss had plateaued, I had unexplained fatigue, and “normal” test results left me without answers. Now, I’ve got a new plan of action, more tools in my kit, and a renewed sense of control over my health.
If you’re reading this after the Summit has ended, don’t worry – some of the presentations might still be available for purchase. But even if they aren’t, I’d highly recommend exploring the presenters' websites, books, and social media channels. Many of them offer free resources that continue the learning.
As I continue my thyroid healing journey, I’ll be sharing what works and what doesn’t here on the blog. I know I’m not the only one navigating this – so if any of this resonates with you, please do comment or get in touch. Let’s keep the conversation going.
What’s Next?
I'm considering joining a small group program that several of the Summit speakers offer, focused on thyroid health and healing. It’s reassuring to know that there are communities out there dealing with the same challenges. There’s something incredibly empowering about not doing it alone.
If you’ve been told your thyroid is “normal” but you still feel anything but – please, dig deeper. Don’t settle. Your energy, mood, weight, and wellbeing are too important. The information is out there. You just have to know where to look.
Cardamom Coconut Roasted Vegetables
I love filling my plate with a big pile of roasted veggies for dinner. Make them the star of the show, with a side of animal protein and whatever greens I have lying around. We eat roasted vegetables at least four times per week, so I have to keep coming up with ways to make them interesting. This recipe is definitely one of my favourites – I love the delicate warmth of the cardamom and how it works so well with the crispy, slightly sweet coconut.
Recipe: Cardamom and Coconut Roasted Vegetables
These Cardamom and Coconut Roasted Vegetables are a delightful side dish, combining the warmth of cardamom with the sweetness of coconut. Perfect for a nutritious and flavourful Paleo-friendly meal.
Servings: 4
Calories: 150kcal
Cost: 12
Equipment
- Roasting tin
- Large Bowl
Ingredients
Instructions
- First, preheat the oven to 180°C / 350°F. Peel and dice the vegetables before scattering them in a large roasting tin.
- Next, combine the melted coconut oil and honey. Drizzle half of this mixture over the vegetables, setting the other half to one side. Season the vegetables with the cardamom and a generous amount of salt and pepper. Place the tin on the top shelf of the oven and roast for 30 minutes, tossing at least once during this time.
- Remove the vegetables from the oven and turn the temperature up to 200°C / 400°F. Coat the vegetables in the remaining coconut oil and honey mixture. Then, scatter the desiccated coconut over the vegetables, ensuring they are evenly coated.
- Return the tin to the oven and roast for a further 10 minutes, until the vegetables are golden and crisp.
Using some of my favourite veggies for roasting, such as parsnips, swede, and Jerusalem artichokes, this dish is versatile and can be adapted to whatever vegetables you have available. The combination of cardamom and coconut provides a unique and delightful flavour profile that elevates simple roasted vegetables to a new level.
Roasted vegetables are not only nutritious but also incredibly satisfying. This recipe is perfect for those looking to add a delicious and healthy side dish to their meals. The cardamom adds a subtle warmth, while the coconut brings a hint of sweetness and a delightful crispiness.
Creating these roasted vegetables allows you to enjoy a rich and satisfying side dish that aligns with your Paleo lifestyle. The combination of cardamom and coconut provides a delightful texture and flavour that will make your meals special. These roasted vegetables are perfect for those looking to maintain a grain-free and dairy-free diet while still enjoying a delicious side dish.
Moreover, these Cardamom and Coconut Roasted Vegetables are not only delicious but also versatile. You can use any combination of vegetables to suit your taste or what you have available. They make an excellent side dish for both kids and adults, ensuring everyone can enjoy a nutritious addition to their meal.
For more delicious Paleo recipes, don't forget to subscribe to our newsletter and follow us on social media! Let us know how you enjoyed these Cardamom and Coconut Roasted Vegetables in the comments below. Happy cooking!