Paleo diet, great or another fad?

MxcnMrcnZrr

I'm about to rail on Paleo so I should say something positive about it first. The whole paleo avoid processed foods and chemicals you can't pronounce thing is WONDERFUL, ABSOLUTELY WONDERFUL.
However, I have several problems with paleo.
First it's kind of like a religion. It's the only right way to eat. Everyone else is doing it incorrectly. There is special knowledge like a religion. No one else knows this. They are all deceived, because whole grains are EVIL. I'm thinking, "Whole grains are evil???" What the heck? So all these studies are just bunk?
It just smacks of pseudoscience. "Reprogram your body to burn fats instead of carbohydrates"????? Where are the studies for this? Robb Wolf has a refutation on his site. Says there are studies. http://robbwolf.com/what-is-the-paleo-diet/science-research/
U.S. News said they looked at the studies Robb cites. Quote "U.S. News reviewed the five cited studies and referenced four of them in this profile. The studies were small and short, making strong conclusions difficult. The “one tiny study” related only to weight loss, not to the Paleo diet broadly." http://health.usnews.com/best-diet/paleo-diet
They are reinventing the wheel. Lots of studies have shown that eating LOTS of meat can be harmful. I will never give up red meat. PLEASE don't get me wrong. I just bought a 1/4 of beef. I use a little lard in my refried beans. Shoot, I just made bbq'd pork ribs on Saturday, but to just eat all that all the time as much of it as you want with no repercussions? If it sounds to good to be true, than it probably is.
Oatmeal is bad for you??????? Sorry you lost me at Oatmeal is bad for you, and you are going to reprogram your body to blah, blah, blah. Oatmeal is bad for you?? That's absurd.
One other thing that really turns me off is that their body just FLIPS out when they eat like a couple of cookies or whatever. I mean they gain a couple of pounds and their stomachs are all upset and they feel just horrendous. Sorry, but your diet is messed up if you can't handle drinking one beer. Something just has to be wrong. Doesn't that mean your body is weak?
Here is another nice review on the paleo diet. http://www.webmd.com/diet/features/diet-review-the-caveman-paleo-diet I'm very negative on it. Both reviews I cited here are not really. There is plenty of good in it. The bad turns me off enough to not want to touch it. Oh, okay that I'm of Mexican decent and would never give up tortillas (real tortillas btw, not paleo "tortillas" has something to do with it also.

ascends831

I've been on a modified Paleo since I lost my weight. I would say the important take away from Paleo is learning about your reaction to sugar in the body. Like sugar from foods other than fresh fruit or veggies - those are ok (exclude starchy foods like potatoes, corn, beans, corn, grains, rice, dairy, of course anything processed) eat starchy tubers like butternut squash, yams in moderation (like 1 serving a day or less). If you eliminate the "dirty" groups for 5 days and don't feel much much better on an energetic level - this is not a lifestyle shift for you. #1 FOR PALEO people, you gotta feel good and better than before very early on or the changes will not be permanent and you will be in the "fad"

However, if you do cut out the "no no foods" and feel better you should probably start experimenting to see what your system wants and work for a mental perspective of health and vitality and the mirror will soon reflect that. Why should you wait until you have a major issue to stop eating something. Also, some foods in a more clean and pure form would be fine, but packaged foods has so many toxins it affects a body's functioning on some level and is bad. If you need to wait until the all big study signs point to yes to give stuff up you will likely end up with an aliment before that happens as a lot of money and resources go into the food industry and making it lucrative.

You can learn from the Paleo community and not be 100% with every rule... I can eat cheese as my body processes it well. However I no longer buy soft cheeses, milk, yogurt etc... Because I can find better things to take up my calories that's gonna build on that feeling of vitality and give more nutrition. And those products are expensive and I'd rather spend it on organic and hormone free meat, veggies, fruit, and eggs. But still I do probably get 20% of my calories from "no no foods" and this satisfies my needs to have some of everything while feeling optimal and mostly very healthy meals choices help me lose weight fast.

gmallan

Definitely a fad. Like most diets, it works IF you can stick with it. Most of the people I know who eat paleo seem to divert from it quite a bit, especially when eating out and socialising. It makes it very difficult to eat anything that is not home-prepared (which is where I think most of our food should come from but I still like to eat out from time to time). The main problem I have with it is that it cuts out grains and dairy when most people can eat these as part of a healthy balanced diet without any issues.

chelseascounter

I've been on paleo for 3 weeks. I feel its too restrictive, now I'm probably going to introduce grains in my diet again. Since going paleo I have more calories to spare and I can eat more food (in my daily calorie limit.) I haven't had an upset stomach since going paleo, something I used to to get daily.

happieharpie

I became interested in paleo about 3 years ago, lost about 15 pounds then stopped losing weight. A few months ago, I omitted salt, sugar, grains, and dairy from my eating plan, and since then I've lost a consistent 1 3/4 pounds/week.

I did not set out to do Paleo in this round, and my main sources of protein are eggs, egg whites, and nuts. I feel MUCH better than I did before starting. No cravings, no binges. I also eat within a 21/3 IF scedule.

I agree with many of the Paleo criticisms already mentioned. For myself, my current eating plan is monotonous and repetitive, and I'm very happy with that.

I feel strongly that we must each find our own path to successful weight management.

WendyTerry420

You can learn from the Paleo community and not be 100% with every rule...

Well then I'm paleo, except I also add-in dairy, peanuts, corn, and whole grains.

ellew70

I've just heard about the Paleo and was curious if it is any good or just another fad? Why should I choose this diet instead of the many others out there?

It seems very restrictive me and for no good reason. For example, most legumes aren't on the paleo diet, as I understand it. I would think it would be better to be on a less restrictive but still healthy diet, as you would be more likely to stay with it in the long run. But that doesn't sell cookbooks and such so /shrug.

fastfoodv

It’s a fad. It’s primarily a high protein/low carb diet. Among other things it cuts out all grains, which I don’t recommend. Balance is best.

Visit Lisa Tillinger Johansen at www.consultthedietician.com at www.fastfoodvindication.com, on Facebook at Lisa Tillinger Johansen and on Twitter