I ate near-vegetarian for years. When I read Atkin's book and decided to try it, there was severe mental dissonance as I started to eat lots of meat. I also got a lot of flack from my wife and associates (who are now starting on the Atkin's plan). It took several days to begin to feel comfortable eating so much meat. I had lots of thoughts, such as "aren't I going to die from cholesterol", "Isn't it evil eating these poor helpless animals?", "surly I'll have a heart attack by the end of the week!". Still, when I started to loose a pound a day, while eating lots of bacon, eggs, beef, chicken, fish, etc. and especially when the mental fog, depression, ADD that I've had for forty years cleared, then the diet became easy. The carbohydrate cravings, "just ONE brownie pleeeeeeeease" last about 2 to 3 days as blood sugar is normalizing. Hang in there. I suggest taking vitamins and mineral supplements if on a very low carb. Atkin's style induction diet so deficiencies are avoided. When eating Paleo they are probably not necessary. (See the last few days of discussions on that topic.) I found the best way to avoid the social preasure is to not say a thing about the diet to any one, and then when they notive the slimmer, better you, then mention it. R. Keene >>> Larelle <[log in to unmask]> 02/14/99 12:57AM >>> Hi All, I am a newbie - have been lerking trying to read as many archives as I can. Now it is time to introduce myself. I have found my way to this site after attempting a 100% raw food vegan diet for 1 1/2 years + doing long water fasts. I became more and more ravenous on this diet and developed a severe bloating problem. I also became more depressed and emotionally moody. Previous to this diet I was mostly vegetarian for 20 or so years - first as a lacto vegetarian and then much later eliminated dairy, had experimented with many diets eg macrobiotic diet etc. After breaking out and going beserk (back to everything, including junk food) for a couple of months after all raw I am now attempting a paleo type diet for the last couple of weeks because I put on 30 lbs in such a short time - since my raw food diet!! Have any others on this list come from the raw food background? I also want to know if any of you have overcome candida, severe bloating/suspect gut permeability problem? (I had a stool test CDSA, which confirmed candida) I need to lose weight and fix this digestive problem. I have just ordered Neaderthin and Starch Madness. I am enjoying eating meat again after all this time, but I am still suffering from the bloating problem and seem to be more constipated. Would appreciate any suggestions. Regards, Larelle