This post makes me queasy. I eat low carb, but gnawing on steak fat, fatty chicken skin and wobbly bacon would make me puke -- sorry, but I find texture is important in enjoying your food and find these textures most revolting.

I don't think this post is going to convert many who might be re-thinking their low fat, high carb diet.

Missing the point, are we, Niki? Don't listen to your body.

I'm with Niki. Ain't no way. I'm definitely listening to my gag reflex on this one.

sj,
This is not the same argument. "listening to your body" means following a craving (like a large serving of pasta) not whether you find something disgusting. If those kinds of fat are gross you need to find ones that fit within your "not gross zone" like eating the grease by using it to make gravy. Telling people they should eat things certain ways will just turn them off when the author could have said "do not cook your bacon so it is so crispy" or "eat marbled meat" instead of the graphic "while the fat drips down your arms".

I think "listening to your body" is a valuable tool in judging addiction, or addicitive behavior. If you don't know what it feels like - you can do what's called "bouncing". Put down smoking, pick up a drink,- put down the drink pick up food...

When I listen to my body when I eat sugar, I continue to feel "hungry" in an entirely different area than when I actually need food (I feel this in my chest - the compulsion). You bet your sweet cookies I am going to make certain my daughter is going to know that feeling - So she can make a different choice. Whether it was smoking, drinking or carbs - it was the same "feeling". Had I known about "listening to my body" earlier in life- it may have really helped me out later in life.

Doing things (or not doing something) just because someone says not to doesnt work for everyone. Some people need to feel the difference. That's been my experience with my own recovery process.

So thanks but I find listening to what my own body says completely valuable - it means I'm not mindlessly following some herd.

And yes- I do low carb.

Two words: pork fat.

OM NOM NOM

Learn how to recognize the difference between hunger and a craving. If you are honestly hungry, salad, meat, vegetables, fish and full fat dairy will appeal to you, and taste good.
If you have a craving, the only food you will want is something carby. And the more carbs without fat you eat, the hungrier you will get. If you absolutely must have carbs, eat some chocolate, at least the fat in it will stop your craving quicker.

So what are the best food to start with for babies? I know the standard cereals should be avoided but what are safe protein and fat foods?

@ Katrina. That would be interesting to know. I am making my own food right now for my daughter -. But i was told to stay away from animal proteins and dairy for now. (she's only five months).

@Katrina and Feebie
The most common suggestion I've come across on paleo sites is eggs. Most doctors will tell you to avoid eggs until your child is over a year because of possible allergies, but my sons doc seemed to have no problem with bread as soon as he could swallow decently, which, since most breads, and even the baby specific cookies and whatnot are made with eggs, the allergy argument seems bunk. The recommendations I've seen are to start with yolks at around 5-6 months, and start with runny ones, similar to starting with runny cereal, its easier for baby to swallow.
Anecdotally, my son ate vegetables much better when they were mixed with plenty of fat, sometimes butter, sometimes bacon grease. I started him on veggies with the animal fat about 5 months, but I don't know what the recommended age is for either veggies or animal fat, that's just when he started needing more to eat than I could do with breast milk. YMMV

Thanks.

She's just going on 4 months so right now she doesn't need any solids. I wasn't planning on introducing until at least 6 months. Eggs sound like a good choice...we don't have any food allergies in our families so I am not overly worried about allergies.

gnawing on steak fat, fatty chicken skin and wobbly bacon would make me puke

That's your brain talking.

Your taste buds are likely to disagree. In fact, my taste buds have informed me that I should get a 14 oz prime rib this evening, and devour the entire thing, including the fatty tail.

Ummmm...wobbly bacon...ummmm...

To paraphrase the also-accurate line about steak, a well-trained veterinarian should be able to revive properly-cooked bacon.

-That's your brain talking.-

Okay, so I'm not supposed to listen to my brain either, it being part of my body?

But I can't listen to my taste buds, which are also a part of my body, and largely responsible for my problems, I figger.

My poor brain is usually trying to convince me to stop eating something, while the rest of me ignores it.

I've read that's because of leptin and grehlin, two hormones that I totally want to put in a story about a couple of elves. The Adventures of Leptin & Grehlin among the Evil Anti-bodies! Or something.

Anyway...somewhere mixed in with my taste buds and my teeth is a texture demon that simply will not accept gristle, oysters, soft chicken skin, or wobbly fat . If that stuff makes it past my tongue, my esophagus sends it back pronto.

For Katrina and Feebie,

The first thing I fed my daughter was avocado, then veggies, eggs, fruit, etc.

Although I had a friend whose daughter would just gnaw on sticks of butter :)

I know what you mean Pricklypear - some textures are just . . . . eugh, like nails on a chalkboard. For me it's lentils. I can get some down (I do like split pea soup and baked beans), but I cannot choke down lima beans without gagging. My husband is the same way about flaked coconut.

I have heard avocado being a good food to start with-nice fatty vegetable. My problem...I have no idea how to pick a good avocado. I did think if I do buy baby food it will be for the veggies.

And blech - I cannot stand flaked coconut either. Not a fan of coconut in general, though...coconut flavor in alcoholic drinks is ok-not sure why. My SIL makes a good coquito (hispanic eggnog).

Thank you to all.

Baby tried and loves soft boiled yokes (wish I could sous-vide them). Spinach and butter. I have avocado on the menu today.

Yum.