Paleo Diet

sdoogal

What do people know about the Paleo diet? Is it a fad? Is it healthly to do? I have about 50 pounds I want to lose but need a serious kick-start!

Kat5343

bump for later..

pftjill

Not a fad, but pretty strict. I have contemplated it. The guy I work out with is a total advocate for it. He preaches it all the time to all his clients. He keeps cans of coconut and coconut flakes and nuts. He eats some other weird things. The other day I was giving him a hard time about the baby food in his garbage and he told me the sweet potato baby food is an amazing recovery after your workouts. Who knew!?!

OneTwentyFive

I'm reading the book right now, and it looks good. True, it's the latest fad, but nothing about it seems unhealthy. Starting next week I'll be blogging my journey about it over at http://one-twenty-five.tumblr.com. I've only heard good things, "I eat so much, and still lose weight," and I'm looking fwd to it, but it looks intense (no carbs. Sorry bread. I love you too, but it just won't work out) I know if you google/wiki paleo - lots of quick versions come up! Good luck!!

Azuleelan

Paleo is not "weird stuff" at all... It's mainly avoiding crap like fast foods, or doritos, or ice cream, and then it's about eating no grains and no dairy, taking into account evolutionary reasons.
Check http://www.marksdailyapple.com/ for info

Not many people are strict paleo, it seems many include some dairy on their diets but do avoid crap food and gluten grains. It's my second week grain-free (never really ate crap) and I do see a difference!

mynameisnotlisa

Try the vegetarian diet. I had tremendous success and lost over 60 pounds already. Now, I'm just trying to lose the rest.

larsoncd

I'm also on my second week of Paleo. I feel great and not too hungry. Hard to give up grains but it is well worth it, I feel great!

Here is a great site to start with -

http://everydaypaleo.com/

YogiGirlLucy

The Paleo Diet, also know as the "Caveman Diet" is big with Crossfitters. I think it's awesome. Only reason I don't do it is because I am a Vegetarian! But I think it's healthy if you eat meat. I agree it is intense if you love your carbs. Another good one is Tim Ferris' Four Hour Body -- he calls it a slow carb diet. You eat meat, but it's not as focused on meat as the Paleo. Plus you get one free day a week where you eat anything you want with this one!

amysj303

I am trying to eliminate refined flour and sugar but it is hard. I do find that if I can get enough protein and I am not hungry. I custom set my MFP setting for 30%/30%/40% for carbs/protein/fat and that puts my carbs and protein at 112 grams. I find it difficult to get that much protein regularly. I keep striving for 80% compliance but I like eating out and drinking...

AdAstra47

As with any other diet, this works for some people and not for others. It all depends on your particular metabolism. For example, vegetarianism, as one other person suggested you try, is extremely healthy for some people. But being a vegetarian would probably kill me, because my body can't process carbs and needs a lot of protein instead. It's all about finding out what works for you. Paleo diet is as healthy as any other diet out there, possibly more healthy because it emphasizes staying away from processed & convenience foods.

Azuleelan

But, but, but... being paleo doesn't necessarily mean eating that much extra meat. You can focus on the veggies and fat. I do.

looney9708

I do crossfit and got into paleO through the gym. It really is a great diet to feel gratuitous and get strong but I didn't lose weight bit I lost like 6 inches almost instantly mainly from abs. Many in my gym lost a ton of weight. I highly recommend trying it and do it with people. Try the website everydaypaleo.com!

girlonamission34

I am on day three and I already feel so much better, not bloated and sluggish anymore!!!!!!!

Chuckw40

I just started Paleo last week and what I think is it isnt really a diet at all. It's more about not eating things that are bad for your health. This will naturally cause you to lose weight and be healthier overall.

Teemo

What do people know about the Paleo diet? Is it a fad? Is it healthly to do? I have about 50 pounds I want to lose but need a serious kick-start!

It's a "fad" in the sense that people have accepted and jumped aboard despite the complete lack of scientific support for some of its more fanciful claims.

It's NOT a fad because, regardless of whether or not it's magically better than a plain-vanilla healthy diet, it's DEFINITELY healthier than the way the average out-of-shape unhealthy person eats.

Also any diet/lifestyle change that encourages you to stay away from heavily processed food is to be recommended, regardless of how its labeled. Avoiding processed foods doesn't mean you're "eating paleo", but if calling it that makes it easier to stick to it then by all means.

mocha76

I am not doing Paleo, but I have cut my carbs to between 50-100g per day and I see a difference. I started this two weeks ago, and I have lost 3.4 lbs. My energy is up and I am not as hungry as I was when I was eating 150g+ carbs a day. With that being said, I have to really focus on getting my calories in now. Because if I do not eat at least 1400 cal a day, my weight lost slows down.

bcattoes

Not a fad, but pretty strict. I have contemplated it. The guy I work out with is a total advocate for it. He preaches it all the time to all his clients. He keeps cans of coconut and coconut flakes and nuts. He eats some other weird things. The other day I was giving him a hard time about the baby food in his garbage and he told me the sweet potato baby food is an amazing recovery after your workouts. Who knew!?!

That seems very odd. Why not just eat a sweet potato?? Why baby food?

freerange

What do people know about the Paleo diet? Is it a fad? Is it healthly to do? I have about 50 pounds I want to lose but need a serious kick-start!

It's a "fad" in the sense that people have accepted and jumped aboard despite the complete lack of scientific support for some of its more fanciful claims.

It's NOT a fad because, regardless of whether or not it's magically better than a plain-vanilla healthy diet, it's DEFINITELY healthier than the way the average out-of-shape unhealthy person eats.

Also any diet/lifestyle change that encourages you to stay away from heavily processed food is to be recommended, regardless of how its labeled. Avoiding processed foods doesn't mean you're "eating paleo", but if calling it that makes it easier to stick to it then by all means.

I like your definition except for the part about “complete lack of scientific support”. Actually there is a LOT of scientific support, it’s just the mantra of those that have an ax to grind against it. And like a lot of misleading claims if you say them enough times and loud enough people start to believe it. I would encourage you to do some research, and you will find indeed there is a ton of scientific support.

But yes it’s a “fad” in that it’s kind of new, and people are starting to jump on board. But it works, and the science behind it has been around for a long time, so in that way it’s not a “fad”.

How for the OP. I have been on it for about 6 months, have lost 40 pounds, and feel great, lots of energy, and other noticeable health benefits. I would encourage anyone to give it a try, read as much as you can about it, and make your own decision as to if it makes sense to you. Also feel free to come over to our little support group here on MFP at, http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/249784-palelo-support-group, lots of good info there and lots of support.

Teemo

That seems very odd. Why not just eat a sweet potato?? Why baby food?

Welcome to the world of paleo dieters, lol. Where they arbitrarily pick and choose which food groups they can and can't eat. I'm not even sure why this trainer is eating sweet potato baby food because:

(1) Sweet potatoes are foods that should be AVOIDED on the paleo diet. (See, for example, this list excerpted from The Paleo Diet by Cordain: http://altmed.creighton.edu/Paleodiet/Foodlist.html)

(2) Baby food was certainly not around or available for our paleolithic ancestors. :laugh:

I like your definition except for the part about “complete lack of scientific support”. Actually there is a LOT of scientific support, it’s just the mantra of those that have an ax to grind against it. And like a lot of misleading claims if you say them enough times and loud enough people start to believe it. I would encourage you to do some research, and you will find indeed there is a ton of scientific support.

There actually isn't, other than speculative orthorexia regarding how cavemen ate. I don't have a personal axe to grind against the diet itself, but I find the cult mentality a little ridiculous.

If you'd like to debate the merits of the paleo diet vs. an equivalent macronutrient diet containing grains/starches I'd be happy to do so via messages. Otherwise, I'll stick by my stance that the paleo diet's claims of being BETTER by virtue of their exhaustive but haphazard food exclusion list is unfounded.

See, for example, the person pointed out above who is "paleo" and recommends it to everyone and yet eats sweet potato baby food post-workout.

Chuckw40

That seems very odd. Why not just eat a sweet potato?? Why baby food?

Welcome to the world of paleo dieters, lol. Where they arbitrarily pick and choose which food groups they can and can't eat. I'm not even sure why this trainer is eating sweet potato baby food because:

(1) Sweet potatoes are foods that should be AVOIDED on the paleo diet. (See, for example, this list excerpted from The Paleo Diet by Cordain: http://altmed.creighton.edu/Paleodiet/Foodlist.html)

(2) Baby food was certainly not around or available for our paleolithic ancestors. :laugh:

I like your definition except for the part about “complete lack of scientific support”. Actually there is a LOT of scientific support, it’s just the mantra of those that have an ax to grind against it. And like a lot of misleading claims if you say them enough times and loud enough people start to believe it. I would encourage you to do some research, and you will find indeed there is a ton of scientific support.

There actually isn't, other than speculative orthorexia regarding how cavemen ate. I don't have a personal axe to grind against the diet itself, but I find the cult mentality a little ridiculous.

If you'd like to debate the merits of the paleo diet vs. an equivalent macronutrient diet containing grains/starches I'd be happy to do so via messages. Otherwise, I'll stick by my stance that the paleo diet's claims of being BETTER by virtue of their exhaustive but haphazard food exclusion list is unfounded.

See, for example, the person pointed out above who is "paleo" and recommends it to everyone and yet eats sweet potato baby food post-workout.

I am by no means an expert but there does seem to be substantial evidence that grains are detrimental to your health. Paleo is about eating what our bodies have evolved to live on. I'm not sure what list you are looking at but the basis of the "diet" from my research is cutting grains, sugar, and legumes. That doesn't seem so exhaustive to me. Sure there are some people that also cut dairy but I would imagine that is probably what many non paleo dieters do as well.

Again, these are just my opinions formed from a few weeks of research so take it as you will.

freerange

That seems very odd. Why not just eat a sweet potato?? Why baby food?

Welcome to the world of paleo dieters, lol. Where they arbitrarily pick and choose which food groups they can and can't eat. I'm not even sure why this trainer is eating sweet potato baby food because:

(1) Sweet potatoes are foods that should be AVOIDED on the paleo diet. (See, for example, this list excerpted from The Paleo Diet by Cordain: http://altmed.creighton.edu/Paleodiet/Foodlist.html)

(2) Baby food was certainly not around or available for our paleolithic ancestors. :laugh:

I like your definition except for the part about “complete lack of scientific support”. Actually there is a LOT of scientific support, it’s just the mantra of those that have an ax to grind against it. And like a lot of misleading claims if you say them enough times and loud enough people start to believe it. I would encourage you to do some research, and you will find indeed there is a ton of scientific support.

There actually isn't, other than speculative orthorexia regarding how cavemen ate. I don't have a personal axe to grind against the diet itself, but I find the cult mentality a little ridiculous.

If you'd like to debate the merits of the paleo diet vs. an equivalent macronutrient diet containing grains/starches I'd be happy to do so via messages. Otherwise, I'll stick by my stance that the paleo diet's claims of being BETTER by virtue of their exhaustive but haphazard food exclusion list is unfounded.

See, for example, the person pointed out above who is "paleo" and recommends it to everyone and yet eats sweet potato baby food post-workout.

Or maybe it’s because like most thinking humans we know Paleo is a guideline not a Nazi like regime where you will get kicked out of the “cult” (in your words) if you go against recommendations? You think? The science behind grains not being optimal is there, the science that sat fats are bad is faulty, the science that trans fats are bad is there, the science that red meat causes cancer is faulty. The science that cholesterol in foods cause serum cholesterol is bunk.

What I find ridiculous is the cult like following of the food pyramid and government recommendations when ALL the credible evidence points to the opposite being true.

Teemo

Or maybe it’s because like most thinking humans we know Paleo is a guideline not a Nazi like regime where you will get kicked out of the “cult” (in your words) if you go against recommendations? You think?

Then you aren't really following the paleo diet, are you? The paleo diet DOES have a strict list of foods which should be avoided. I've posted the list before, and the paleo diet also attracts zealots like Robb Wolfe (of The Paleo Solution) which I'm sure you're familiar with.

""Find something that had a face and a soul, kill it, and bring its essence into your being."

As for you saying it's more a guideline than actual rules (Oh, hello Pirates of the Caribbean) then you can't ay you're following the paleo diet while eating sweet potatoes and grains when you feel like it, just like I couldn't say I was following Atkins except for when I have by Boston Creme donuts.

You're simply following a common sense diet based on , for example, generally-accepted principles like avoiding overly processed foods and trans fats. Nothing wrong with that.

The science behind grains not being optimal is there

But it isn't, though if you want to send me any studies that you think supports your position I'll be happy to look at it and exchange thoughts with you.

the science that sat fats are bad is faultyy, he science that trans fats are bad is there, the science that red meat causes cancer is faulty. The science that cholesterol in foods cause serum cholesterol is bunk.

Agreed on all counts.

What I find ridiculous is the cult like following of the food pyramid and government recommendations when ALL the credible evidence points to the opposite being true.

Also agreed.

I am by no means an expert but there does seem to be substantial evidence that grains are detrimental to your health. Paleo is about eating what our bodies have evolved to live on. I'm not sure what list you are looking at but the basis of the "diet" from my research is cutting grains, sugar, and legumes. That doesn't seem so exhaustive to me. Sure there are some people that also cut dairy but I would imagine that is probably what many non paleo dieters do as well.

Again, these are just my opinions formed from a few weeks of research so take it as you will.

That's fine, but the rationale that by following what your paleolithic ancestors ate -- which seems counterintuitive in the first instance unless they were all chiseled 6'0" 220 lbs at 5% bodyfat -- is somehow better than following a balanced diet which DOES contain grains/starches/legumes is purely speculative.

And yes, plenty of people cut dairy -- especially a good idea if you're lactose intolerant! But there's no cool name or support group for that diet.

Azuleelan

Beyond the science, there's one simple principle, and it's what every paleo or primal book say; just try no grains for a month, see how you feel... I feel better, no inflamation, proper hunger, and more nutrients as more veggies and protein are substituting the wheat.
I think Teemo is basing his opinion on extremist views of paleo... I'm no extremist, so I won't follow every single rule, and I don't run around claiming a sweet potato is not paleo. Avoiding grains has been a good change for me, but I'm not about to avoid dairy, nor sweet potatoes, for the sake of being part of the paleo family...
There IS evidence that grains don't provide as much nutrition as other foods. There IS evidence that grains irritate the stomach. I don't need evidence of what exactly did paleolithic people ate, but I'm pretty sure they didn't eat grains like wheat NOR McDonalds, and that's enough evidence for me.

Teemo

Beyond the science, there's one simple principle, and it's what every paleo or primal book say; just try no grains for a month, see how you feel... I feel better, no inflamation, proper hunger, and more nutrients as more veggies and protein are substituting the wheat.

Plenty of people have grain intolerances or allergies. As well as lactose intolerances. Just because I'm -personally- allergic to peanuts however doesn't mean a no-peanut diet is superior to a diet containing peanuts. You do raise a good point though. If you have problems digesting grains then you should definitely consider limiting them. Just like if you're lactose intolerant you should probably be careful which dairy products you consume.

I think Teemo is basing his opinion on extremist views of paleo... I'm no extremist, so I won't follow every single rule, and I don't run around claiming a sweet potato is not paleo. Avoiding grains has been a good change for me, but I'm not about to avoid dairy, nor sweet potatoes, for the sake of being part of the paleo family...

I'm actually basing my opinion on what the paleo diet is SUPPOSED TO BE, as originally conceptualized. Many people have approached it the way you have: by picking and choosing which parts of it to follow. And that's, again, fine... but then you aren't part of the "paleo family" as you put it.

There IS evidence that grains don't provide as much nutrition as other foods.

Consider this. I will accept, for purposes of this argument, that an apple is better than slice of white bread ABSENT other foods and context. Let us then say you have eaten 100% of your daily requirements of the vitamins provided by apples. However, you have only eaten 500 calories for the day. Do you then consume another 1,500 calories of apples?

That is my problem with the paleo diet. An entire food group has been demonized for... what? I prefer my diet. I can eat white bread AND apples. :laugh:

There IS evidence that grains irritate the stomach. I don't need evidence of what exactly did paleolithic people ate, but I'm pretty sure they didn't eat grains like wheat NOR McDonalds, and that's enough evidence for me.

I have never understood that reasoning. Because paleolithic people didn't eat grains... that means grains are no good for you?

Teemo

To the threadstarter:

I'm in favor of keeping things simple.

1. Figure out what your calorie target is, and try to stay in that range.
2. Avoid overly-processed foods (e.g., fast foods, anything with a billion ingredients and preservatives.)
3. Exercise.

A serious kickstart is good. But being able to follow said healthy kickstart for the rest of your healthy and improved life is better! Over-complicating makes it difficult to do so...

freerange

Then you aren't really following the paleo diet, are you? The paleo diet DOES have a strict list of foods which should be avoided. I've posted the list before, and the paleo diet also attracts zealots like Robb Wolfe (of The Paleo Solution) which I'm sure you're familiar with.

Would you like to rephrase that? Because you just proved my point, “should” be avoided, they don’t say must be avoided. And if you read, the why behind it, you (if you are a thinking human) can decide if the why or science works for you. Let’s take dairy, the why behind dairy is that some, a lot, most (I don’t know) but some people have lactose intolerance, but some don’t. If you cut out all dairy for awhile and add it back you can decide for yourself if dairy is a good/bad food for you. Same with grain, but grain is a little more insidious because the affects on most people are not as pronounced as dairy, but they are there none the less.

I’m not sure who said it, it might have been Wolff, or Sisson, but it goes something like this. “The Primal diet is not a reenactment, it’s taking what we know about the health inducing diet of our ancestors and applying it to our modern world”. This means there will certainly be things that “cavemen” didn’t have that we do, that are good for us (baby food sweet potatoes) it also means there may be things they did that were not the healthiest, like,,,,,,, well can’t think of anything off the top of my head,,,,, maybe going days without food,,,,, if they ever really did. Well today we can control that, we can assure we have food tomorrow, and control our portions today knowing it won’t be days before we might eat again.

So the argument that cavemen didn’t have this or do that is a strawman at best and ignorance at worst.

bcattoes

Geez, grains are not bad for "you" when "you" is used to mean "everyone". Neither is the Paleo Diet bad for "you" when "you" is used to mean "everyone". Dieting does seem to make some people SO cranky!!

(the baby food still seems odd to me, but whatever works for "you" is cool with me)

freerange

I have never understood that reasoning. Because paleolithic people didn't eat grains... that means grains are no good for you?

No, it's the reason they didn't eat them. Really, you needed to be told that?

Teemo

Would you like to rephrase that? Because you just proved my point, “should” be avoided, they don’t say must be avoided.

/sigh. Are we really going down this route?

"Forbidden foods"
http://lowcarbdiets.about.com/od/paleodietcavemandiet/a/paleoforbidden.htm
http://www.livestrong.com/article/71220-paleo-diet/

If the only point of contention you have with what I posted is the difference between "should" be avoided, and "must" be avoided, I'll accept that.

I’m not sure who said it, it might have been Wolff, or Sisson, but it goes something like this. “The Primal diet is not a reenactment, it’s taking what we know about the health inducing diet of our ancestors and applying it to our modern world”. This means there will certainly be things that “cavemen” didn’t have that we do, that are good for us (baby food sweet potatoes) it also means there may be things they did that were not the healthiest, like,,,,,,, well can’t think of anything off the top of my head,,,,, maybe going days without food,,,,, if they ever really did. Well today we can control that, we can assure we have food tomorrow, and control our portions today knowing it won’t be days before we might eat again.

So the argument that cavemen didn’t have this or do that is a strawman at best and ignorance at worst.

I don't really care what our cavemen ancestors had or didn't have. Or what they ate, or didn't eat. But building a diet around the principle that what they DID have or what they DID eat, and expecting that diet to be better, is bizarrely speculative. I can't imagine in what logical world you would say to yourself, "Hey... I'm going to try and eat the way people ate 100,000 years ago. That MUST be a good idea."

That sounded more insulting than I probably mean. I rewrote it a couple of times but... I'll stand by it as it is now.

No, it's the reason they didn't eat them. Really, you needed to be told that?

Yes. Please tell me WHY our paleolithic ancestors did not consume grains. (I will also direct you to this study, which caused some drama when it was brought to the paleo community's attention, which indicates that our paleolithic ancestors DID consume grains. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15210984)

Azuleelan

Teemo:

1. Yeah, I would say I'm paleo because the foods that I am avoiding, I'm avoiding following a few paleo principles. Many catholics have sex while using condoms, that doesn't make them less catholic. They're just catholics that don't agree with stup*d *kitten*.

2. You're right, just because paleolithic people didn't eat grains, that doesn't mean grains are bad for us. What is bad for us is to consume a relatively poor source of nutrients in such massive quantities as the food pyramid recommends.

3. I wouldn't be in the situation to have eaten only 500 calories because I procure a lot of protein and veggies. I don't need bread to close that caloric gap simply because good quality food such as veggies and meat have enough calories to reach my recommended caloric intake if scheduled properly. I also wouldn't be inclined to eat 10 slices of bread only to reach my daily intake... using your reasoning I should be drinking a cup of oil instead, much faster to gulp down and calories galore...

4. I used to be like that too: people wanting to fit into a group made me roll my eyes. I've outgrown that though. We're social beings, and identifying with certain groups make us feel better, more at ease. We're born this way... you should try it sometime

Teemo

Benefits of whole-grains:

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20820038
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/7811380

And yes, I am cherry-picking studies and yes, there are problems with those studies. That is, unfortunately, a real issue of concern anytime it comes to nutrition. Long-term studies that aren't flawed are simply not available. Even short-term studies aren't, in most cases, properly controlled.

Can't have human guinea pigs and all that good stuff. :laugh: