Paleo Eating- Who does it?

Melis25Fit

Reading up on this type. And it's very intriguing. I've been stuck in a food rut for several months now, and have about 25 lbs I'd still like to shed. Do you do this Paleo diet? Do you like it?

Please share your thoughts about it!

mcdonl

I sort of do it... well.. did it for many years and maintained just fine on it but the caloric intake was high enough that combined with my lack of exercise I never lost weight. But, having a desk job in my 40's and not putting on weight with a lack of exercise speaks volumes.

In addition to that, my wife went for her physical yesterday and the MD recommended it.

Drunkadelic

I do, and so far I love it. It has completely changed the way I think about food (in a good way). But I have a feeling this post is going to turn into another heated battle. They always do, so I'm sorry in advance!

If you want to know more, you can message me and add me! I'm a strong believer and I've only been at it for a month or so.

Iridivine

My most fit friend, (fitness instructor, Runner, health guru) Swears by the paleo diet.She loves it.

queenbcronen

I eat Primal and it has changed my life! blood sugars are normal and I'm down 30lbs as of today. I started mid June but didn't go full Primal until August.

CatMauro

Paleo is bunk!!! You're asking your body to devolve thousands and thousands of years and what? You think that the caveman didn't eat corn, or grind grain on a rock? Look at primitive natives, they definately did both. Paleo is just the new Atkins and the results are the same...eventual return of whatever weight you lost.

mmcperez

Been doing it for the past 2.5 months and have lost 20 lbs. I feel much better since making the change. I feel full after eating and don't have any sugar cravings. I wish I would have started doing it years ago.

queenbcronen

Paleo is bunk!!! You're asking your body to devolve thousands and thousands of years and what? You think that the caveman didn't eat corn, or grind grain on a rock? Look at primitive natives, they definately did both. Paleo is just the new Atkins and the results are the same...eventual return of whatever weight you lost.

So someone that is diabetic should continue to eat things that caused them to be diabetic in the first place? It is not the Atkins. Read the books and then voice your opinion.

Grokette

Reading up on this type. And it's very intriguing. I've been stuck in a food rut for several months now, and have about 25 lbs I'd still like to shed. Do you do this Paleo diet? Do you like it?

Please share your thoughts about it!

Yes, I do and I it. I have more energy, feel better, sleep better and love not being hungry. I also love that you eat high fat that your body is satisfied, your food is rich and tasty and I can go hours and hours without being hungry or needing to eat.

It is food freedom!!!

SimplyShanRunning

Its really not the new Atkins.....Its a lifestyle change and yes it does take getting used to. Start off slow and ease into it...Don't cut out everything all at once or you will give in to temptation.....

I feel much better myself....and have noticed the weight starting to slide off.....

But please remember it is a lifestyle change not a diet

jmeeej

Paleo is bunk!!! You're asking your body to devolve thousands and thousands of years and what? You think that the caveman didn't eat corn, or grind grain on a rock? Look at primitive natives, they definately did both. Paleo is just the new Atkins and the results are the same...eventual return of whatever weight you lost.

LOL. Evolution takes longer than 200 or 1000 years......

The reason it's called Paleo is because it's modeled around humans during PALEOLITHIC Era. If you don't want to try it or haven't tried it......that's certainly your choice. But before calling it complete garbage because you love eating your corn on the cob and your wheaties in the morning, you should probably do a little bit of reading as to the reasons why grains and legumes are removed from the diet. It might open your mind.


I changed the way I eat to a strict primal diet 7 weeks ago and I LOVE it. I have never felt better.

queenbcronen

Paleo is bunk!!! You're asking your body to devolve thousands and thousands of years and what? You think that the caveman didn't eat corn, or grind grain on a rock? Look at primitive natives, they definately did both. Paleo is just the new Atkins and the results are the same...eventual return of whatever weight you lost.

LOL. Evolution takes longer than 200 or 1000 years......

The reason it's called Paleo is because it's modeled around humans during PALEOLITHIC Era. If you don't want to try it or haven't tried it......that's certainly your choice. But before calling it complete garbage because you love eating your corn on the cob and your wheaties in the morning, you should probably do a little bit of reading as to the reasons why grains and legumes are removed from the diet. It might open your mind.


I changed the way I eat to a strict primal diet 7 weeks ago and I LOVE it. I have never felt better.

Well said!

laurad1406

I find this SO intriguing! I definitely need to look more into it. (and i'm sorry for those of you on it who always have to defend yourselves because everyone argues constantly! But I do find your rebuttals quite informative )

lockef

Paleo is bunk!!! You're asking your body to devolve thousands and thousands of years and what? You think that the caveman didn't eat corn, or grind grain on a rock? Look at primitive natives, they definately did both. Paleo is just the new Atkins and the results are the same...eventual return of whatever weight you lost.

The history of man goes back a million years, yet you want to base your diet on a few thousand? That's not nearly enough time for our bodies to adapt to these foods.

Both Atkins and Paleo/Primal are lifestyles. If eating refined grains got you fat, going back to eating them after stopping for awhile will probably make you fat again.

Grokette

Paleo is bunk!!! You're asking your body to devolve thousands and thousands of years and what? You think that the caveman didn't eat corn, or grind grain on a rock? Look at primitive natives, they definately did both. Paleo is just the new Atkins and the results are the same...eventual return of whatever weight you lost.

So someone that is diabetic should continue to eat things that caused them to be diabetic in the first place? It is not the Atkins. Read the books and then voice your opinion.

As someone that was on Atkins and then transitioned over to Paleo there is not much difference in the plans.

They are both low carb, they both work. They are both lifestyle changes also.

The major differences between Atkins and Paleo is:

Atkins is an elimination plan in which starts out with Phase 1 and ends in Phase 4 Lifetime maintenance. With Atkins you slowly add back in foods according to the glycemic index and that is including dairy, beans, grains, etc.

Paleo you just eat fat, protein, vegetables and fruits for life. There is no dairy, grains and legumes on this plan; whereas with Atkins those foods are eventually allowed.

Personally I like both plans. Atkins taught me a lot about my body and how it responds to a lot of different foods, including some vegetables and fruits.

With Paleo, I was willing to give up those grains, legumes and most dairy that I had on Atkins because I am focusing more and more on good health.

jmeeej

I don't mind defending the lifestyle. I understand why everyone has such a hard time buying into it. It goes against everything you've learned up to this point. The fact of the matter is........that it just simply works. I can't even count how many success stories I've read about people with health problems who have change to a paleo lifestyle and their preexisting conditions seem to fade away and they can get back to enjoying their life again. Acid reflux, IBS, pre-diabetic, type II diabetic......just to name a few.

Grokette

Its really not the new Atkins.....Its a lifestyle change and yes it does take getting used to. Start off slow and ease into it...Don't cut out everything all at once or you will give in to temptation.....

I feel much better myself....and have noticed the weight starting to slide off.....

But please remember it is a lifestyle change not a diet

Atkins is not a Diet either..................It is a Nutritonal Approach and a Lifestyle Change.

Acg67

Reading up on this type. And it's very intriguing. I've been stuck in a food rut for several months now, and have about 25 lbs I'd still like to shed. Do you do this Paleo diet? Do you like it?

Please share your thoughts about it!

Yes, I do and I it. I have more energy, feel better, sleep better and love not being hungry. I also love that you eat high fat that your body is satisfied, your food is rich and tasty and I can go hours and hours without being hungry or needing to eat.

It is food freedom!!!

i beleive you said your diet is about 50-60% fat, Paleolithic man was about 50% cho

Eaton et al. Paleolithi­c nutrition revisited: A twelve-yea­r retrospect­ive on its nature and implicatio­ns. European Journal of Clinical Nutrition (1997) 51, 207±216

"The typical carbohydra­te intake of ancestral humans was similar in magnitude, 45±50% of daily energy, to that in
current affuent nations, but there was a marked qualitativ­e difference­."

Grokette

I don't mind defending the lifestyle. I understand why everyone has such a hard time buying into it. It goes against everything you've learned up to this point. The fact of the matter is........that it just simply works. I can't even count how many success stories I've read about people with health problems who have change to a paleo lifestyle and their preexisting conditions seem to fade away and they can get back to enjoying their life again.

Yes, the example you give is me. I am off all medications and my body is healing. Hormone levels are slowly getting back in line and the more my body heals, the more weight I lose!!

Grokette

Reading up on this type. And it's very intriguing. I've been stuck in a food rut for several months now, and have about 25 lbs I'd still like to shed. Do you do this Paleo diet? Do you like it?

Please share your thoughts about it!

Yes, I do and I it. I have more energy, feel better, sleep better and love not being hungry. I also love that you eat high fat that your body is satisfied, your food is rich and tasty and I can go hours and hours without being hungry or needing to eat.

It is food freedom!!!

i beleive you said your diet is about 50-60% fat, Paleolithic man was about 50% cho

Eaton et al. Paleolithi­c nutrition revisited: A twelve-yea­r retrospect­ive on its nature and implicatio­ns. European Journal of Clinical Nutrition (1997) 51, 207±216

"The typical carbohydra­te intake of ancestral humans was similar in magnitude, 45±50% of daily energy, to that in
current affuent nations, but there was a marked qualitativ­e difference­."

Yes, my fat intake is anywhere from 50% to 70% of my daily intake. Protein stays between 20-25% and my carbs fluctuates depending on my fat intake for the day.

There is a marked difference when I have a lower fat day or a higher fat day. Lower fat day I get hungry more frequent and often jittery and feel down or off. High fat days I have energy, good moods and rarely have to eat more than once or twice.

I don't know where you got this, but every anthropological and archaeological article I have read or listened to interviews contradicts what you posted above.

Acg67

Reading up on this type. And it's very intriguing. I've been stuck in a food rut for several months now, and have about 25 lbs I'd still like to shed. Do you do this Paleo diet? Do you like it?

Please share your thoughts about it!

Yes, I do and I it. I have more energy, feel better, sleep better and love not being hungry. I also love that you eat high fat that your body is satisfied, your food is rich and tasty and I can go hours and hours without being hungry or needing to eat.

It is food freedom!!!

i beleive you said your diet is about 50-60% fat, Paleolithic man was about 50% cho

Eaton et al. Paleolithi­c nutrition revisited: A twelve-yea­r retrospect­ive on its nature and implicatio­ns. European Journal of Clinical Nutrition (1997) 51, 207±216

"The typical carbohydra­te intake of ancestral humans was similar in magnitude, 45±50% of daily energy, to that in
current affuent nations, but there was a marked qualitativ­e difference­."

Yes, my fat intake is anywhere from 50% to 70% of my daily intake. Protein stays between 20-25% and my carbs fluctuates depending on my fat intake for the day.

There is a marked difference when I have a lower fat day or a higher fat day. Lower fat day I get hungry more frequent and often jittery and feel down or off. High fat days I have energy, good moods and rarely have to eat more than once or twice.

I don't know where you got this, but every anthropological and archaeological article I have read or listened to interviews contradicts what you posted above.

here is another from 2010

Konner et al. Paleolithic Nutrition:Twenty-Five Years Later Nutr Clin Pract 2010 25: 594-602

"HG CHO consumption ranged widely, from about 35%-65%,10,13,47 with perhaps 2%-3% from honey."

HG = Hunter Gatherer

luscadero

Since people are always wondering about actual bloodwork changes from implementing this lifestyle... My husband just had his annual health assessment done today for his insurance through work, and compared it to his results from a year ago when he still ate grains/sugars (although we really had already cut most sugar). The only thing he has changed is cutting grains and sugars out of his diet at about 90% success (cheats sometimes). He still eats dairy, legumes, etc. He works out at the gym on his lunch break and runs a few times per week (he has for years), but has actually been slacking on the exercise this summer. He's 35, and 6'1". He doesn't track his calories AT ALL. And, I didn't think he was at all overweight at this time last year! He looks the same to me, just leaner and more defined. Here you go:

Total Cholesterol-226 to 226

Good cholesterol- 55 up to 59

Good to bad ratio- 4.1 to 3.8 (I guess it's supposed to be under 4.0?)

Glucose level- 95 to 84

Blood Pressure- 140/82 to 120/86

Body fat percent- 16.7 to 13.8 (!!!!!)

BMI- 24.7 to 22.4

Weight- 182 to 165 (!!!!)

He scored a 99% on the assessment for insurance purposes Whatever the hell that means.

lockef

Eaton et al. Paleolithi­c nutrition revisited: A twelve-yea­r retrospect­ive on its nature and implicatio­ns. European Journal of Clinical Nutrition (1997) 51, 207±216

Interesting read, thanks!

"Carbohydrate
The typical carbohydrate intake of ancestral humans was
similar in magnitude, 45±50% of daily energy, to that in
current af¯uent nations, but there was a marked qualitative
difference. Under most circumstances during the late
Paleolithic, the great majority of carbohydrate was derived
from vegetables and fruit, very little from cereal grains and
none from re®ned ¯ours (Eaton & Konner, 1985). This
practice extended the multimillion year experience of
primates generally (Milton, 1993). Current recommendations,
that individuals consume 55% or more of their
energy as carbohydrate, are slightly high compared with
our estimates of human evolutionary experience, but the
different makeup of the carbohydrate involved probably
has more important implications. Only 23% of American
carbohydrate consumption is derived from fruit or vegetable
sources (Committee on Diet and Health, 1989) while,
for Europeans, the proportion is lower still (James et al,
1988). The corollary is that preagricultural humans consumed
roughly three times the vegetables and fruit that
typical Westerners do today. Their intake would have
equaled or exceeded that of current vegans whose consumption
of vegetables, roots, fruit, and berries is 2.6 times
that of matched omnivores and whose antioxidant vitamin
intake is 247±313% greater (Rauma et al, 1995)."

Edit: I don't think I could eat a 3000 calorie diet consisting of 50% of carbs coming from fruits and vegetables.

Editing my edit: I'd also assume that intakes would be strongly determined by where these people lived. You can't eat vegetables and fruit where they can't grow.

jmeeej

Isn't it funny how you can take things out of context to support your side of the debate?

Drunkadelic

Eaton et al. Paleolithi­c nutrition revisited: A twelve-yea­r retrospect­ive on its nature and implicatio­ns. European Journal of Clinical Nutrition (1997) 51, 207±216

Interesting read, thanks!

"Carbohydrate
The typical carbohydrate intake of ancestral humans was
similar in magnitude, 45±50% of daily energy, to that in
current af¯uent nations, but there was a marked qualitative
difference. Under most circumstances during the late
Paleolithic, the great majority of carbohydrate was derived
from vegetables and fruit, very little from cereal grains and
none from re®ned ¯ours (Eaton & Konner, 1985). This
practice extended the multimillion year experience of
primates generally (Milton, 1993). Current recommendations,
that individuals consume 55% or more of their
energy as carbohydrate, are slightly high compared with
our estimates of human evolutionary experience, but the
different makeup of the carbohydrate involved probably
has more important implications. Only 23% of American
carbohydrate consumption is derived from fruit or vegetable
sources (Committee on Diet and Health, 1989) while,
for Europeans, the proportion is lower still (James et al,
1988). The corollary is that preagricultural humans consumed
roughly three times the vegetables and fruit that
typical Westerners do today. Their intake would have
equaled or exceeded that of current vegans whose consumption
of vegetables, roots, fruit, and berries is 2.6 times
that of matched omnivores and whose antioxidant vitamin
intake is 247±313% greater (Rauma et al, 1995)."

Edit: I don't think I could eat a 3000 calorie diet consisting of 50% of carbs coming from fruits and vegetables.

I love you for this

jmeeej

lol I couldn't eat 1500 calories with of fruit and veggies either. On a 2-day carb refuel day I did on an 1800 cal max diet I was so sick of fruit by day two I was happy to be going back to low-carb/high-fat

Acg67

Isn't it funny how you can take things out of context to support your side of the debate?

isn't one of the arguments for a paleo diet and it's health benefits, is that refined carbs and grains are evil and cause a myriad fo problems. but could it not be the case that paleo man didn't die of disease (as proponents like to point out) not because of the lack of grains and refined carbs but high phytonutrient intake? also Paleo man took in about 20% total fat, while Paleo proponents ingest a much higher % of fat. while i don't think fat is evil, possibly the low to medium intake combined with high veggie/fruit lead to the supposed health of Paleo man and it was not the lack of grains?

lockef

Paleo doesn't have to mean a low carb.

luscadero

could it not be the case that paleo man didn't die of disease (as proponents like to point out) not because of the lack of grains and refined carbs but high phytonutrient intake?

I definitely think this is a distinct possibility, but I have also recently seen studies showing a lack of absorption of nutrients when comparing non-grain eaters to grain eaters. Unfortunately, I cannot remember for the life of me where I read it. Anyone else see this? This interests me because I have pernicious anemia, and do not absorb B12 through digestion.

lockef

also Paleo man took in about 20% total fat, while Paleo proponents ingest a much higher % of fat.

I just want to add that man used to hunt game such as buffalo, which is a lot leaner than the meat we eat today.

jmeeej

I'm going out on a limb here and saying that most people new to the lifestyle are attracted because of the many benefits......one of which seems to be the almost effort-less weightloss.

Not everyone starts off with 10% body fat and a high metabolism. For the first while on this diet my goal is to keep my carbs very low on my non-workout/non-mountainbiking/non-snowboarding days in order to maximize my leaning results.

Once I get to the point where I'm happier with how I look I will certainly be adding more carbs back into my diet in the form of fruits and veggies, maybe even some honey now and again. This will bring my percentages more inline with the numbers that have been showing up in the research people have pointed out.