Paleo/primal vegetarian?

shivaslives

While the paleo/primal camp espouse that our genome has not evolved in the last 3 million years, I'd like to think that our intellect (and possibly, our morality) has. To try to satisfy both camps, I'm going to attempt to go primal ovo-vegetarian. I'm already lacto-ovo veg, but I'm going to eschew dairy, grains, and legumes for a while along with all animal flesh (except eggs, if you consider them).. So, lots of fresh fruit and veggies, eggs, nuts, and naturally occurring grains (sweet potatoes, yams, brown rice, etc) in limited quantities.
What are your thoughts?



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Dragonwolf

The fact that our genome hasn't evolved is basically the key point, because our basic processes haven't evolved (ie - without Darwinistic/evolutionary pressures, there's been no advantage to eating grains, so our bodies haven't really evolved to do so). So, while our morality may have evolved, all the morals in the world doesn't change the fact that the only way for our bodies to get certain nutrients is from certain sources (ie - B12 from animal protein, vitamin D manufacturing stimulated by being in the sun, etc).

I think you have a hard road ahead of you, since vegetarians usually complete their protein profile (get all 8 essential amino acids) from grains and legumes, but might be doable (worst case scenario, you modify your diet to something less primal or less vegetarian or whatever to suit your needs). Eating eggs would probably mitigate that, but I suspect you'll have to really plan your meals carefully to ensure that you're combining the incomplete protein sources in such a way throughout your days that you get enough complete protein. Also, you'll need to really make sure you get your fats in. Cooking stuff in butter or coconut oil should help with that (yay for veggie stir-fry with coconut oil!), as well.

On a side note, as far as I know, brown rice isn't considered a "kosher" thing in the primal/paleo books. However, wild rice and quinoa are "primal-approved" (paleo's more strict, from what I've seen, so if you're looking to go "full paleo", it would probably be worth double-checking), as they're not "real" grains, but should of course, be consumed in limited quantities due to their high carb load.

shivaslives

Thanks for additional information. i haven't done all the paleo research yet so I have a bit of knowledge to gain before starting. Most of the initial responses to criticism I've seen have as many holes as the critics points (especially re: the long term impact of higher fat consumption) so I'm looking forward to more in-depth study.

The primary reason that I'm interested in trying this hybrid approach is the one universal in all healthy diets is that the consumption of as much naturally occurring, minimally processed, fresh foods as possible. The question is can you actually survive on that type of diet. My biggest concern is actually getting enough calories with the limitations that both sides.

ItsMeRebekah

so you basically would just be a vegetarian who eats organic, correct?

jenfactor

maybe consider keeping beans in your diet? So the focus would be more on eliminating grains and sugar?