Day 30 - The Finish Line

Approximately one month ago I read a post by Robb Wolf (on Tim Ferriss's blog) about what is commonly referred to as the Paleo diet. While the full Paleo diet means cutting grains, legumes, dairy, and alcohol from one's diet, the article mostly centered on the assertion that grains (yes, all grains) are unfit for human digestion.

Though it seemed like a pretty revolutionary proposal, Robb was not unconvincing in his deployment of citations and references. Rather than stroke my chin and stare out the window as I normally do when pondering an interesting conjecture, something in me decided turn this article into an experiment.

And so Grain and Suffering was born. For 30 days I would completely give up grains. If grains are as harmful as Robb suggests, then by the end of this experiment I should notice some pretty stark changes. To be clear - this was not a test of the full-on Paleo diet. This was a test of changing one, single variable: grains.

It has been 30 days since I have eaten a meal containing any sort of grain. I would have never imagined how utterly unfulfilling dining could be. I have been hungry, tired, bored, frustrated, and disgusted; but I made it. And I have come to one inescapable conclusion:

GRAINS ARE FINE

I'll qualify that a bit: grains do not cause my digestive tract any noticeable harm. I feel exactly the same as I did one month ago. I do not have more energy. I do not have fewer aches and pains. I still get an upset stomach from time to time. I still have allergies. And so on...

In fact, after 30 days the only changes that I have noticed are negative. I am hungry far more often than before. I am completely unenthusiastic about dining. I crave bread, cookies, pasta, cakes, beer, etc.

Though I'm now convinced that grains are not inherently harmful, I will not go as far as to completely condemn the Paleo diet. As I already mentioned, doing Paleo involves dropping dairy, legumes, alcohol, and probably a few more things. It seems plausible to me that dropping all of those items could make you live longer. Or perhaps it would just feel that way. Regardless, with winter coming on, I've had enough self-deprivation for now. Some other intrepid blogger can take up that cross. As for me, I think I'm going to have pancakes tomorrow.

Day 29

Breakfast was a banana and a tub of fruit. The inability to eat a quick bowl of cereal is really annoying. Lunch was trail mix and dried fruit. And dinner was a potato wedges and broccoli.

Hmmm - it turns out paleo man loved grains. They couldn't have discovered this 29 days ago?!

Oh, and gym weight was 171.

Day 28

Two days left. Cannot wait.

Breakfast: Apples and bananas
Lunch: Fruit and Nut salad from McDonalds (which incidentally is about the most expensive way there is to buy apple slices and grapes)
Dinner: Roasted chicken and 3 helpings of asparagus. Ice cream dessert.

No evening glass of wine this time. I think I'm still a few days away from being even remotely interested in alcohol after Friday's camping trip.

Day 27

Due to the diet, breakfast was pretty limited. No toast or crackers and whatnot. Ended up having a double portion of bacon and eggs.

Lunch/dinner: Ham and beans soup and french fries. Ice cream.

Day 26

Breakfast: Eggs
Lunch: Trail mix, banana chips, V8
Dinner: Went on a hastily prepared camping trip. Dinner was beans, hot dogs, cheese, and red wine

Day 25

Ugh. I am ready for this to be over. Gym weight yesterday was 169. That's not remarkable in any way, I just forgot to report it. I'm actually surprised it's not lower, because I feel like I'm missing calories. Not by any particularly virtuous act, but simply because it's so damn inconvenient to not be able to snack on grains.

Every time I'm cruising through the kitchen looking for a snack, I see 15 grain based items I can't eat and I'm left standing in the middle of the room morosely palming a grapefruit and a jar of peanut butter trying to convince myself that it's a worthwhile snack.

Breakfast: An apple
Lunch: Grilled chicken and potatoes
Dinner: Fruit and nut salad and a bowl of chili from Wendy's. Actually pretty good.

Day 24

Breakfast: An orange
Lunch: About 6 tablespoons of all natural peanut butter. Yes - that was as tiresome as it sounds.
Dinner: Salad with pan seared chicken and sauteed potatoes.