I looked at it years ago and it seemed too extreme to manage.

For the last half year I've followed a food plan that falls under the general guidelines of what Hooshmand suggests.

I've given up processed food, farm raised fish (ick!), and simple carbs.

I cook from scratch, use organic and free range, fresh caught fish, and use a cheat day once a week to not feel deprived.

Without adding exercise into the mix I've dropped 30 lbs, and no longer have the double whammy effect of being tired from meds and carb shock. Swelling also seems to have decreased in my RSD effected limb.

This website was what helped me formulate a plan. There is an optional book, but you can figure out everything by just utilizing the website which is free.

http://www.marksdailyapple.com/

I too follow this diet and it has helped greatly with my nerve pain especially be not have caffine, white potatoes, sharp cheese and sugar, if I want sweetness I have fruit.
I too lost 60lbs with this diet.

Niki

I printed off his diet recommendations about 2 weeks ago and decided I would give it a try after Labor Day weekend since we had company coming to visit. Now that I have heard that individuals have had some success I'm in with both feet! I only need to loose between 10-15 pounds otherwise I would be getting too light but just that extra weight off of my legs would make a difference I am sure.

I'm reposting here what I wrote in the Paleo thread in the Weight Loss forum.

"You do have to make a commitment to a radical change from the standard American diet. You no longer eat processed foods--95% of what's available in a regular grocery store. But, after the withdrawals...I did notice a decrease in swelling and some pain, I no longer have ANY stomach pain or random episodes of being sick to my stomach (which I thought was meds related and happened a few times a month) and I've lost around 30 lbs.

You can have a "cheat day" once a week. And things like whole fat yogurt and ice cream are considered fine.

Where as most people can eat gigantic portions of junk food (popcorn, chips, bread) if you eat high fat/high nutrition foods, satiety is quickly reached.

The idea goes against the established food pyramid. Several small snacks a day diets are giving you little blood sugar rushes all day. The paleo idea is to stop those spikes all together."

http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/thread143615.html

Holy Hannah....I can think of a million excuses why I can't or do not want to do this diet. Ok, at least I am being honest. But...I am going to do it anyway. My hubby is taking me grocery shopping today and I was wondering, is there a way to start this diet slowly?? Do I need to dive in head first to get the benefits or can I go at a slower pace so I can get the hubby on board too? I know I can do it on my own, but my hubby and I eat together and he is from Chicago and eats all the food that goes along with growing up there. And yes, I am well aware that I am making excuses still, I will do ANYTHING to help with my pain level. So, Lit Love, what foods do you suggest as starters to buy to get this going? Karen (by the way, when can I expect my "Team Lit Love" t-shirt, 'cause sister, YOU are awesome.)

Karen,
Your hubby's from Chicago! So is my wife and I. I grew up in the uptown area and my wife and I went around the same places but we never ran into each other till many years later in California. Now that we're here we can never find a good pizza..,lol.......

I need sleep and first I have to do your grocery list?

Man. you're high maintenance, sigh...

This is not strictly Hooshmand, but this is a fairly indulgent still Primal grocery list with some meal ideas, might be too California Cuisinish on some meals for you and the truckmaster?

Try to buy organic/antibiotic and hormone free.


Whole Chicken, carrots, onions, chicken broth.

Veggies to stirfry with your half cow.

Wild caught fish (fresh or frozen), fresh beets (greens on if possible), goat cheese

Raw peeled shrimp, garlic, butter, cream, broccoli

Bell peppers for stuffing, tomato paste, any veggies you'd like to substitute for rice for flavor and texture, quality cheese & you have the ground beef.

homemade beef jerky, soy and worchestire sauces

sweet poatoes, zucchini, mushrooms, salad fixings, lemons, apples, in season local fruit

steaks for breakfast, omletes, bacon, quality cheese, salsa, sour cream, advocados, etc.

whole milk, full fat yogurt with no corn syrup, cream, butter, eggs

peanut butter, and "sugar in the raw" (for the flourless cookies)

raw honey, maple syrup (the real stuff), coconut oil, EVOO, nuts, tea, herbal tea, sparkling water

hagaan dazs five vanilla ice cream or similar simple ingredient full fat premium ice cream, fresh berries or peaches to top.

Epson Salts for a lukewarm bath trial

You can always use this for recipes which allows you to put in the ingredients you AND those you don't want (like flour and corn oil):
http://allrecipes.com/Search/Ingredients.aspx

Start looking at carb and sugar content on labels. I try to stick to arount 50-60 grams of carbs per day. Read this!:http://www.marksdailyapple.com/defin...l-eating-plan/

I kept typing and drifting off so excuse anything that makes me sound like a whackadoodle in this post!

Karen--pizza or whatever carb bombs you want 1 day per week. Eventually it'll stop being very appetizing when you start to feel the stress it puts on you body! And if hubby eats lunch out, he can eat all the junk he chooses... you probably will have to clear it out of the house if you want to get through the withdrawals.