Mixed signals on appropriate foods

FitToBeFab

So I've been doing some research - mostly for a class project - on the caveman and/or paleo diet and I've run in to a few mixed signals. The biggest one being bacon! Some people say that bacon should be avoided because it's salty, other say it's okay in moderation, other say to embrace it whole heartedly. Where do you stand?

Also, cheese. Some say it's a good source of protien, others say it's off limits because it's a dairy.

I'm currently experimenting with the paleo diet (gradually incorperating it into my life over the next two weeks, then maintaining it for four), and want to go about it the best way. Bacon and cheese are my two favorite foods, so I'm wondering, can I eat them?

Any thoughts, opinions, views, are welcome and accepted.

ahjenny

Primal and Paleo are slightly different. I believe Primal says no diary, while Paleo says it's ok. According to Mark's Daily Apple, milk affects insulin, which can stall weight loss (http://www.marksdailyapple.com/dairy-insulin/). I think dairy is more of a person choice, especially on how it affects your body. For me, dairy just doesn't work and it does stall my progress.

MDA also writes about bacon. His stance seems to be in favor of moderation (http://www.marksdailyapple.com/a-quick-guide-to-bacon/). I love bacon, but I can't cook it to my liking at home, so my intake is limited. When I do eat bacon (or sausage, my weakness), I'm sure to drink a ton of water and make sure my urine is not too dark/smelly. And I definitely drink when thirsty. I think the deciding factor for bacon depends on your health issues and how much salt you take in for other meals.

I highly recommend looking at Mark's Daily Apple (http://www.marksdailyapple.com/) as there's a lot of information on there, and you can get a lot of knowledge whether you're Primal or Paleo. Something else you may want to look into is the Leptin Reset (http://jackkruse.com/my-leptin-prescription/) as you're getting into the Paleo lifestyle... I think it may help, especially if you rely heavily on carbs. It's difficult, but it may make the changes to Paleo a little easier overall.

jeepifer

Actually, Paleo is no dairy, Primal includes some dairy. It's all semantics. ;-)

Most of it comes down to a YMMV kind of thing (Your Mileage May Vary). Some people can tolerate dairy, some can't. Some folks can't eat nightshade vegetables, or eggs, or nuts, or... fill in the allergy/sensitivity blank. So you incorporate or delete according to your personal situation, and proceed from there.

So glad to have found some like-minded peeps on here!

ahjenny

Actually, Paleo is no dairy, Primal includes some dairy. It's all semantics. ;-)

You are correct. It took me forever to find this post to correct my mistake.

OP, here's another thread you may find interesting: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/423769-difference-between-primal-and-paleo

FitToBeFab

Thanks for the reading material! It's given me a lot to think about. I guess you could say I'm a mixture of both?

godslilgerl

i say if the thought of not being able to have bacon (also one of my favorites) is making u crave bad things then definately have it...i do and it makes everything better

KMAMinx13

Books & websites to check out:

Mark Sisson - Primal Blueprint
Gary Taubes - Good Calories, Bad Calories
Gary Taubes - Why we get fat and what to do about it (Highly recommend)
Ray Audette - Neanderthin (Highly recommend)
Rob Wolf - The Paleo Solution
Loren Cordain - The Paleo Answer
Loren Cordain - The Paleo Diet
Christian B. Allan, Wolfgang Lutz - Life Without Bread: How a Low-Carbohydrate Diet Can Save Your Life
Dr. Atkins and the Drs. Eades (Atkins & Protein Power) - These books are not Paleo but started me on this path - the Drs. Eades are coming around to a more Paleo approach.

Websites:

http://paleodiet.com/
marksdailyapple.com
http://garytaubes.com/
http://www.robbwolf.com/
http://www.fathead-movie.com/
http://www.hulu.com/watch/196879/fat-head

Great stuff!

PS. I enjoy bacon and cheese. Don't always eat cheese but always lovin' the bacon.

jonski1968

And if anyone would like an of the above books (except neanderthin) in Mobi or PDF Format, let me know and i`ll email you them.

Kymmu

Wow, thanks Minx and Jonski!

acs4162

I had always thought that the only reason bacon may not be ok on a Paleo diet is because of the nitrates? As far as cheese, you will miss it at first, then after about a month you'll wonder why you liked it so much in the first place. I sometimes use avacado in place of cheese on salad, sandwichs, etc. The texture is similar.

TS65

I eat uncured smoked (nitrate free) bacon. I didn't think there would be a difference, but after eating it for awhile, I tried some with nitrates and felt REALLY sick (thought I would puke). As for the salt factor - if the rest of your diet is strictly whole foods, the excess sodium in the bacon isn't going to do much. I eat bacon every weekend and rarely go over my sodium allowance (usually, I'm over only if I eat out).

I'm mostly primal because I refuse to give up my creamer in the morning. And since I allow dairy, I will on occasion eat some cheese (but it's got to be good cheese - so it's a rare gift. I'm not wasting a splurge on something "meh" :laugh: )

Akimajuktuq

Here's my take:

Bacon comes in many forms. The most common forms are processed and from grain fed animals. Not ideal. But then there is unprocessed bacon. Ideally, unprocessed bacon from ethically treated grass fed pigs is ideal. However, I have zero access to those animals but I still choose to eat a low sugar bacon. I don't fool myself that it's healthy, but I love it.

Same thing goes for cheese. It is a processed food usually from grain fed animals. I have it in limited amounts because I love it. Fortunately, in Canada, cheese is usually unpasteurized.

I do my best to eat healthy food for the most part. I make my own condiments in order to avoid soy, canola, etc. I eat wild meat when I can get it. I'm always looking for the best options but where I live there are few choices (isolated community in the Arctic). I was ordering lots of healthy foods in as well but now the company stopped shipping to remote communities.

So, do the best you can and do what works for you. It's up to you how you choose to interpret Paleo/Primal. Just make sure that you are complying enough to reap the most health benefits. Paying more for higher quality food, when I can access it, is something I am always willing to do because my health is priceless.

Edit: I don't really understand going Paleo "gradually" or only planning to maintain it for four weeks. The health benefits will only start after you stop eating grains etc, and you will return to the way you were before (VERY quickly) as soon as you stop. This really isn't a "diet" and it's only successful (as with any eating plan) when it's a permanent change. Personally, if I had any intention of going back to eating grain, I wouldn't even bother with this lifestyle.