Regarding Wheat and Diets

[Peyem]

I've heard this in the past but ignored it, but thought about it more after reading in this thread: The Perfect Diet? It's the idea that wheat is bad for humans. So I looked into it a little bit. I understand the basis of it, and it makes sense. I started this post because I'm considering taking a trial run and removing wheat from my diet.

I have my concerns though. I'm 6'6", weigh 185lbs, and I exercise a lot (not huge amounts of cardio, but more than most people). I have always been skinny, and everyone I have ever known says I eat more than anyone they've ever met. I can put down a pound of pasta (weighed dry) no problem. Eat a whole chicken? Sure, why not. Once I ate a 2.73 pound tri-tip, by myself. For about 8 months I tried to gain weight by going to the gym, eating absurd amounts of food, doing the protein shake thing, etc. I put on about 20lbs at my highest (205lbs) and then my circumstances changed, and without my constant effort to keep weight on, I lost all the weight in about 3 months. That was about 2 years ago.

Now, most people would probably want my "problem". The big concern I have with dropping wheat from my diet, is everywhere I look to see the benefits of it, it includes losing weight. I don't want to lose weight. I'm already on the low end of where I should be. Currently wheat makes up a large part of my diet, and I don't know where I'd be getting a lot of my calories if I take that out of my diet. For a reference point, at my height and activity level, I should be eating about 3,400 calories a day. That's a lot and it's expensive and harder than it sounds when you do it the "healthy" way.

If the calories aren't from wheat, then where? I'd love to hear any advice. I'll post a follow-up with a sample diet of what I eat.

[Peyem]

Here's what a typical day might look like for me:

Wake up
7:30 -- Coffee with milk (I trade off between soy/regular)
8:00 -- Cup of oatmeal, or several eggs w/toast, or bagel (whole wheat) with honey or non-fat cream cheese, or shake with peanut butter, milk, bananas, oats
11:00 -- Break time, usually eat a Clif bar
1:00 -- Burrito (rice/bean/chicken/lettuce/tomato) from taco truck, or chili (turkey/bean), or two sandwiches (4 pieces wheat bread/turkey/pork, no mayo/cheese), some whole vegetable
4:00 -- Rice or beans (typically a huge pile of either) with rolls (wheat), or turkey burgers (on wheat buns)
7:00 -- Chicken/pork, some sort of vegetable, rice or bread (wheat) or lots of pasta (wheat)
10:00 -- finish whatever leftovers I have from dinner

I didn't include fruit because I eat it throughout the day. Pretty much every time I leave my house I leave with an apple. I eat about 2 a day, same with bananas. I also eat trail mix in the same way. I get the kind that usually has walnuts/almonds/cranberry or raisins/etc. No chocolate or candy.

Also, I don't really pay too much attention of what time of day it is for my food. I've been known to switch around meals a lot. Like I'll eat pasta or chili for breakfast, eggs for dinner, etc. But that list more or less sums up what I usually buy at the store. I really only buy burritos if I don't eat what I make.

[Peyem]

Got no responses, so I'll answer my own question. I spent some time researching this afternoon. This is my tentative plan, suggestions are welcomed. The amount of carbs worries me a bit, but we'll see.

I'm going to be basing my diet off of this website and theory: Definitive Guide: The Primal Blueprint | Mark's Daily Apple

It's essentially what a lot of people here call the paleo diet, but extended into exercise and general rules for daily living.

My calorie ratios will be this:
Prot: 220g -- 880 cal ~28%
Carb: 120g -- 480 cal ~15%
Fats: 200g -- 1800 cal ~57%
Total: 3160 cal

That is radically different from what I eat now. The majority of the fats will come from sources such as nuts, seeds, avocados, and other vegetable sources. I will not be worrying too much about saturated fats in meat, but I will trim any meat before I cook it. Protein will come from dairy, fish, meats, eggs, vegetables.

Other rules:
1. Exercise most days (Yoga Mon/Wed/Fri, Gym Tues/Thur/Sat, Sunday rest)
2. Ride my bike or walk to get around as much as possible
3. Plenty of sleep (Using Steve's method of alarm in morning, sleep when you're tired)
4. No wheat/processed carbs whatsoever, no exceptions.
5. Lots of vegetables at every meal
6. All other foods are fair game (coffee/dairy are staying in)

Overall, the diet is the only big thing that is different. I typically do the other things anyway. I think I will be starting this on Saturday or Sunday. I need some time to prepare and buy food, etc. Plus I'm curious to see what people here think.

I will also be keeping a journal of both the physical and mental effects of this. I can post the highlights of my journal here if people are interested