PALEO: pros, cons and whatever else you may think?

Sabine_Stroehm

Any diet that has a name is silly.

So, say there is a way of eating that masses of people follow for generations. It's healthy and sustainable. Then, someone comes along and gives this way of eating a name, say for example, the Mediterranean Diet. Now this time proven healthy diet is suddenly silly? I don't see the logic there.

Because there is no logic. Of course folks like johnny think "iffym" is some how not a diet....

kymbirleigh

I couldnt go strictly Paleo and cut out everything! BUT, about 9 months ago I did a modified version of it, limiting dairy, sugar and carbs but not eliminating it all together and it was a good kick start for me. Am literally about to do the same thing. I don't like to say I am doing any particular "Diet" ... rather I am changing my diet up since I have been sitting at the same number for a while now!

I would ignore the Haters comments, focus on what you think will work for you. Best of luck in whatever you choose.

This is where I'm at with Paleo as well. I honestly just FEEL better when I'm not eating wheat, grains, and dairy. I'm not 100% Paleo, but I do try to stick fairly close to it because of how I feel when I'm eating within the Paleo lifestyle.

There are tons of good recipes out there that I've found taste pretty darn good. It can get expensive...but the only time I notice it's expensive is when I'm buying the almond flours, grass fed beef, and coconut stuff (oil, palm sugar, flour, and butter). I've even made cupcakes that were Paleo-friendly. My biggest frustration is making trips to multiple stores when shopping because it seems I can never get everything I want in one store. Darn smaller town life!

bcattoes

Any diet that has a name is silly.

So, say there is a way of eating that masses of people follow for generations. It's healthy and sustainable. Then, someone comes along and gives this way of eating a name, say for example, the Mediterranean Diet. Now this time proven healthy diet is suddenly silly? I don't see the logic there.

Yes, it's silly because "The Mediterranean Diet" doesn't accurately capture how any actual individual, let alone an entire culture, eats. It's a silly condensed list of "eat this not that" that doesn't allow for the flexibility and variation found in "the real thing."

If you took "The Mediterranean Diet" and applied it to how anyone living around the Mediterranean actually eats, you'd see that they don't actually follow "The Mediterranean Diet."

The Mediterranean Diet does not have a "don't eat this" this. It's more like eat plenty of this, and not too much of this guidelines. And it is based on how people in the Mediterranean region have historically eaten. Certainly not all of them, because we are talking about people here.

bcattoes

Any diet that has a name is silly.

So, say there is a way of eating that masses of people follow for generations. It's healthy and sustainable. Then, someone comes along and gives this way of eating a name, say for example, the Mediterranean Diet. Now this time proven healthy diet is suddenly silly? I don't see the logic there.

Because there is no logic. Of course folks like johnny think "iffym" is some how not a diet....

Very good point.

Akimajuktuq

It's really stupid and illogical to think that what one eats has anything to do with one's health.

(PS. Go to the Primal/Paleo support group forum and ask this question.)

Sabine_Stroehm

Any diet that has a name is silly.

So, say there is a way of eating that masses of people follow for generations. It's healthy and sustainable. Then, someone comes along and gives this way of eating a name, say for example, the Mediterranean Diet. Now this time proven healthy diet is suddenly silly? I don't see the logic there.

Because there is no logic. Of course folks like johnny think "iffym" is some how not a diet....

Very good point.

The same folks who say "eating clean" is vague, but don't fret over "lifting heavy".

Your point about mediterranean diet is fabulous. And funny thing, my eating most closely fits it or South Beach. It seems logical, til you label it, then folks get weird about it. (And I started eating this way before SB was published.)

jonnythan

It's really stupid and illogical to think that what one eats has anything to do with one's health.

(PS. Go to the Primal/Paleo support group forum and ask this question.)

Yes, be sure you only get your information about a fad diet plan from the people who follow it. Don't ever listen to anyone who decided not to follow the fad diet!

Akimajuktuq

It's really stupid and illogical to think that what one eats has anything to do with one's health.

(PS. Go to the Primal/Paleo support group forum and ask this question.)

Yes, be sure you only get your information about a fad diet plan from the people who follow it. Don't ever listen to anyone who decided not to follow the fad diet!

Yes, be sure you only get your information from people who have NO experience with the lifestyle.

bcattoes

It's really stupid and illogical to think that what one eats has anything to do with one's health.

Um .. what? Certainly food alone does not determine health, but what we eat can certainly have a significant impact on our health.

WendyTerry420

Hi!!! I have been doing the Paleo-Zone Challenge at my box too. I am at week 3 of week 4.

I was already starting to eat more Paleo (90%) three weeks before the challenge so it wasn't as bad to begin with and I wasn't eating a lot of junk food and trying to make healthier choices.

Progress so far: I have lost 5 pounds, and 5 inches off my waist in three weeks. And I've been working out 5 times a week. (3-4 times at the box and another activity on the weekend) and yes, I did have the occasional cheat on the weekend that wasn't paleo-zone. (I'm only human!) But people are noticing my progress.

But seriously, I was still counting my calories so that I don't go overboard. Because you can't lose if you go over your calorie allowance even if you eat Paleo. Paleo will not be the reason you lose fat. A calorie deficit will. I have experienced that eating Paleo will help you feel fuller longer on foods that have less calories because you can really fill yourself up easily with vegetables which are low calorie. But if the reason of the challenge is to feel better and healthier overall, try it for three weeks! You will notice a difference!

But here are my Pros and Cons at week3 of my Paleo-Zone Challenge:

PROS:

- You feel amazing! Believe me, what you put in your mouth really does make a difference. I have so much energy and feel great!
- Get to try new recipes
- Feel less bloated and gassy....:blushing:
- Grain-fed meat is a lot tastier. (I never thought I would taste the difference)
- More regular
- Because I am eating more vegetables and fruits, I feel less hungry all the time and can actually control my portions better.
- You can't be Paleo all the time, it's socially restrictive. So when you do have something you have been missing, (icecream, nutella, bread), it is just that much satisfying!


CONS:
- It has lots of restrictions (pasta, bread, nutella, booze, beans, corn etc)
- Hard to access grain-fed meats (depending on where you live)
- Need to plan ahead
- Lots of contradicting information on what is considered Paleo.


For people saying that its more expensive going Paleo, I would say that I disagree. I track all my expenses and my grocery bill for me and my bf have been going down for the past two months since we started going Paleo. Of course, this might vary if you don't have access to grain-fed meat easily.

The secret is plan plan plan. Don't just come home to an empty fridge or else you will be tempted to eat that box of KD that's been in the cupboard for so long. Try to cook more portions at your supper for leftovers the next day at lunch!

Good luck :drinker:

You state Grain Fed beef / Meats.... I always thought it was supposed to be GRASS FED meats? Because Grain causes the same problem in animals as they do in humans. So I thought... not an expert by any means and not saying you are wrong, you seem to be way more experienced in this than me, just a question.

What problems? Are you suggesting that a lot of cows have celiac disease?

jonnythan

It's really stupid and illogical to think that what one eats has anything to do with one's health.

(PS. Go to the Primal/Paleo support group forum and ask this question.)

Yes, be sure you only get your information about a fad diet plan from the people who follow it. Don't ever listen to anyone who decided not to follow the fad diet!

Yes, be sure you only get your information from people who have NO experience with the lifestyle.

That doesn't make any sense. When deciding whether to adopt a fad diet, it makes sense to get the pros and cons and other information from both people who have adopted the diet and people who have not adopted the diet.

Would you base your decision on whether to become an evangelical Christian by only talking to people at the local evangelical Church?

Mr_Knight

Any diet that has a name is silly.

So, say there is a way of eating that masses of people follow for generations. It's healthy and sustainable. Then, someone comes along and gives this way of eating a name, say for example, the Mediterranean Diet. Now this time proven healthy diet is suddenly silly? I don't see the logic there.

But there is no such thing as the "Mediterranean Diet" in real life. It only exists as a marketing concept in books and diet programs.

Hell, there are at least three distinct "Italian Diets" alone, never mind all the other ethnic groups ringing the Med.

SnicciFit

woops! did i post in the wrong spot? ive been a member for about 18 months and never posted before...rookie mistake.

ive already cut out bread for the most part, my boyfriend is into powerlifting so we tend to go through phases of him eating 0 carbs for a few weeks and then transitioning, etc.

every time i've tried to cut out carbs entirely the first week is brutal. thats why i was thinking maybe paleo would be a bit easier and more sustainable.

Be sure to eat plenty of sweet potatoes, squash...etc. to keep your carbs up if you're doing intense exercise (like CF)

Mr_Knight

You state Grain Fed beef / Meats.... I always thought it was supposed to be GRASS FED meats? Because Grain causes the same problem in animals as they do in humans. So I thought... not an expert by any means and not saying you are wrong, you seem to be way more experienced in this than me, just a question.

The irony is that CAFO-raised animals more closely resemble those that our ancestors would have actually been able to catch than do grass-fed animals.

The grass fed mantra provides no nutritional benefits to the meat - and I make that statement as someone who free-ranges his own heritage breed pigs and chickens.

And sweet potatoes have no place at all in any diet with the word "Paleo" in the title, as they are an extremely recent, post-agrarian addition to the human diet. If they are allowed, there is no rational basis to keep *anything* out.

booyainyoface

looooove me some paleo. ive been primal/paleo for a year and a half. i love how the food tastes and how great i feel. check the primal/paleo group on here.

SnicciFit

Whole30 approved foods

That phrase makes my skin crawl.

Also: Oh, look, you can buy things right on the Whole30 (TM) website! Yeesh.

Shudder. It couldn't appear more cult-like if it tried...

The whole idea though is to cut out foods that cause problems for many people to see what happens. Once you've gotten them out of your system, you are encouraged to re-introduce whatever foods you miss and see how you feel eating them. So if you want your legumes, try them after 30 days of not having them and see if you still feel as good. If you do - eat them. If you don't, it's up to you. Would you rather not eat them and feel better or feel worse and eat them? Do what works for you. Same with dairy or anything else.

I've not heard of a lot of cults that are all about figuring out what's the absolute best thing for you as an individual...

The whole idea is to sell books.

Right from the Whole30 (registered trademark) home page:

"LET US CHANGE YOUR LIFE. $14.95. SIGN UP NOW."

Except that the information on their website was (and still is) free for years before they ever published a book.

jonnythan

Any diet that has a name is silly.

So, say there is a way of eating that masses of people follow for generations. It's healthy and sustainable. Then, someone comes along and gives this way of eating a name, say for example, the Mediterranean Diet. Now this time proven healthy diet is suddenly silly? I don't see the logic there.

But there is no such thing as the "Mediterranean Diet" in real life. It only exists as a marketing concept in books and diet programs.

Hell, there are at least three distinct "Italian Diets" alone, never mind all the other ethnic groups ringing the Med.

Exactly. The "Mediterranean Diet" just doesn't exist as a natural thing anywhere. It's a fad diet.

IIFYM is not a diet. It's a general nutrient intake strategy. Just like "counting calories" is not a diet with "good" and "bad" foods. IIFYM is literally "make sure you consume nutrients in the quantities supported by science."

jonnythan

Whole30 approved foods

That phrase makes my skin crawl.

Also: Oh, look, you can buy things right on the Whole30 (TM) website! Yeesh.

Shudder. It couldn't appear more cult-like if it tried...

The whole idea though is to cut out foods that cause problems for many people to see what happens. Once you've gotten them out of your system, you are encouraged to re-introduce whatever foods you miss and see how you feel eating them. So if you want your legumes, try them after 30 days of not having them and see if you still feel as good. If you do - eat them. If you don't, it's up to you. Would you rather not eat them and feel better or feel worse and eat them? Do what works for you. Same with dairy or anything else.

I've not heard of a lot of cults that are all about figuring out what's the absolute best thing for you as an individual...

The whole idea is to sell books.

Right from the Whole30 (registered trademark) home page:

"LET US CHANGE YOUR LIFE. $14.95. SIGN UP NOW."

Except that the information on their website was (and still is) free for years before they ever published a book.

Again, doesn't matter.

Endomondo is free for use. However, the site doesn't exist for your personal benefit. It's a business designed to get you to purchase Pro subscriptions.

Whole30 is a business. Their business is selling books and website subscriptions. That's their reason for existence. That's their business model.

ash8184

Having a diet similar to Atkins/Paleo/Primal has literally changed my life. I think I have a sensitivity to foods with yeast, sugar and/or gluten in them, so obviously this is the diet for me. I have done a lean protein/veggie diet on and off for about 15 years. In college, it was hard (and I really didn't stick with it), so that's when I was at my highest weight - too much beer & pizza. As soon as I got serious about it, I started to lose, and then my WLS kept me from consuming such massive quantities of food.

Try it for a month (you really need to do a whole month for all of the benefits). If you feel good, go with it. If you don't, then change it up. But I know that for me, I feel and look my best when I do protein (especially beef) and veggies. Fruit to a lesser extent, but it's great in smoothies.

Caution: you may become cranky when you cut out soda and sugar. I was awful to be around for about days 2-5, but after that... felt SO much better. I think once you get with it, you really won't crave anything sugary.

Good luck!

sriley7682

I don't consider myself Paleo, but I like a lot of the Paleo recipes and the general concepts. I still eat some cheese and I do eat legumes.