Problems with Primal / Paleo . . and Beer

[David Frascone]

I eat mostly Primal / Paleo. (I prefer primal, because I like cheese, even though I'm lactose intolerant)

By mostly, I mean that I don't spit out a chicken wing when I find out there is some sugar in the hot sauce. And, when I get something that I didn't expect . . . I deal.

So, I probably hover at around 50 ish carbs a day . . . . or 100 on a fruit'y day.

With one amazingly huge exception: I love beer.

I have recently moved to Utah, and, surprisingly, they have some really good beer here. And, it seems that all the people I've met are also fans of beer . . and heavy drinkers.

I'm currently on the Whole 30 plan. And, I've completed it once before with no cheats. I'm 100% confident that I'll complete it this time too (on Day 8). But, while I don't miss sweets *that* much, I do worry about life after Whole30 when it comes to beer.

I do really enjoy an adult beverage from time to time, and, I'd prefer it to be a beer. However, since I did move to Utah, I've gained 40lbs, so, beer is not my friend.

Ideas? Suggestions? etc?

-Dave

[befabdaily]

I've always been a beer fan too, but it does make you fat.

And getting rid of grains has made a big difference in how I feel, so I am not going to be drinking a lot of it even when I'm done with this.

Fortunately, the world of artisanal distilled spirits is booming now like microbrews did in the 90s. Cultivate a passion for vintage cocktails or fine sippin' bourbons.

[Edward]

I love beer. I am willing to give up beer for 30 days and I will manage my beer drinking going forward after Whole 30. But I love a ice cold beer.

[Meridith Wolnick]

I love beer too (though not as much as my partner!). Our strategy with anything we realllly love that isn't primal is to look at it from the best possible scenario and work from there. For example: my hands-down favorite way to drink beer is in a sports bar, with pro football on, with friends, in October when there are wings and the beer is icy and crisp. I break it down in degrees from there. If none of those things are happening (it's august, it's hot, the beer is in a can, there is no food), then I skip it. Eventually enough factors come into alignment that it's worth it. That probably won't happen everyday! I'm doing the same thing with my other true love in life doughnuts. Unfortunately, the ideal doughnut situation is so far from reality that I'll probably only have one/some of one every few years!

I also second the bourbon suggestion - spend a little bit on a small bottle of well-aged stuff and cultivate a sippin' habit!

[Colleen Roy]

I bought two four-packs of my favorite craft beer (Allagash White Ale) and keep them up on a shelf in my basement, behind heavy things. When I am going to indulge, I bring up ONE and only ONE to chill. I pour it into a super chilled glass and enjoy every sip of it. And then I'm done. Haven't had more than one, except for when we were in Maine and it was on tap...oops. It's so yummy!

Aside from that bloated beer feeling, I haven't noticed any real negative effects from beer, but it's still empty calories, so I'll keep limiting it to special occasions!