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Paleo diet? Your thought?

Posts: 3
edited December 2024 in Food and Nutrition
What do yall think about the paleo diet? Its based mostly on protein and veggies. No carbs, dairy, or sugar seems kinda strict. Any input would be great! <3

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  • Posts: 511 Member
    There are several paleo groups here on MFP that would be great to check out for resources.
    It tends to be a really polarizing issue here on the main boards ;-).

    I have tried it, and while it does seen restrictive at first, i never feltdeprived or had any trouble sticking to it for the time i set out to do it. I'm a hobbyist baker, among other vices, so it really wasn't for me in the long term, though.

    I think it can be a very healthy way of living/eating, and i know several people in my personal life and here who have made it a lifestyle and love it.




    *edited because grammar is hard. lol
  • Posts: 198
    The most popular 24 diets were ranked in 2011 and 2012 for quality, safety, and effectiveness. Paleo finished dead last both times.

    The science behind it is not only disputed, but never proven to begin with, and it's basically just a fad.

    That being said, if it makes someone happy and it helps them to lose weight, more power to them.
  • Posts: 12,589 Member
    I would miss grains and dairy too much. My opinion.
  • Posts: 812 Member
    In the sense that it keeps you from eating junk, it's a good thing. It's not a magic pill, and grains and fruit aren't the evil killer that some paleo purists make them out to be. In a sense, it's like IF. Not magic, just helps you eat healthier and to meet your nutritional goals.
  • Posts: 865 Member
    You do eat carbs and sugar with Paleo, but they come from veggies and fruit. Post your question in the paleo group and you'll get answers from people who are knowledgable about the lifestyle.
  • Posts: 66 Member
    I had a boyfriend who was fanatical about this diet, so I tried it. Gained a lot of weight fast and it was not muscle. I guess it works for some people, but not for me. I also am very skeptical about the science behind it.
  • The most popular 24 diets were ranked in 2011 and 2012 for quality, safety, and effectiveness. Paleo finished dead last both times.

    The science behind it is not only disputed, but never proven to begin with, and it's basically just a fad.

    That being said, if it makes someone happy and it helps them to lose weight, more power to them.

    Could you post a link to these rankings? What is your source?
  • Posts: 133 Member
    I'm personally on this fad diet. My weight has dropped, my energy is high, rashes that I had for 12 years are gone , i dont have cravings like i did before, and my hypertension is under control. So it may not be for every one but I'm a big fan. I guess it's a good thing I don't go off of USA today popularity polls.
  • Posts: 1,838 Member
    In the sense that it keeps you from eating junk, it's a good thing. It's not a magic pill, and grains and fruit aren't the evil killer that some paleo purists make them out to be. In a sense, it's like IF. Not magic, just helps you eat healthier and to meet your nutritional goals.

    This. I follow it off and on, mostly because I personally fee better when I eat that way. It also reduces my cravings as well. Its not for everyone, and its definitely not the only way to lose weight. Its actually very easy to gain on a paleo diet as well if you don't track carefully.
  • Posts: 865 Member

    Could you post a link to these rankings? What is your source?

    This was a US New and World Report ranking from last year. You can read Dr Cordain's rebuttal here:
    http://thepaleodiet.com/dr-cordains-rebuttal-to-u-s-news-and-world-report-top-20-diets/
  • Posts: 133 Member
    In the sense that it keeps you from eating junk, it's a good thing. It's not a magic pill, and grains and fruit aren't the evil killer that some paleo purists make them out to be. In a sense, it's like IF. Not magic, just helps you eat healthier and to meet your nutritional goals.
    What paleo purist thinks fruit is bad?
  • Posts: 37 Member
    My internal medicine Dr. suggests it. She is thin and just healthy so she doesn't diet but I think she eats very little grains. My newest Dr. since I moved swears that I should go vegan and eat lots of oats and grain, heck no, I am a meat lover!!!
  • Posts: 192 Member
    I can't do it. I looooove me some fancy cheese! But I do limit my dairy and grains. I tend to gain more weight eating a lot of starches ergo... I try to cut them out. The paleo diet will flat out not be sustainable for me, but it seems like a pretty good plan to me if you can swing it
  • Posts: 46 Member
    I don't like to think of Paleo as a diet, but more like a template. Start with the basics. Give it 30 days (to cleanse out food additives that can cause addiction), then if you want add back a few things at a time to see how you really feel eating them (quality dairy or sourdough bread, etc). Its a great way to start, but personalization is key. Some people find that an Oreo just doesn't taste the same after eating entirely real food, like a gorgeous juicy steak, sweet potato, and veggie dinner, with bowl of berries as more divine appealing dessert choice

    Now that there are more and more people thriving on the Paleo/Primal way of eating, there is more and more information out there to help troubleshoot diet. Some people do great with little fruit, some people with more fruit. Just like with anything else, its trial and error.

    But you dont tell someone recovering from crack addiction that a little crack is ok. And grain and sugar can be like crack. (the reason fruit can be seen as demonized is mostly by those who suffer severe sugar addiction and use fruit as their addiction, causing them them to binge on other sugars eventually, same goes for grain)
  • Posts: 726 Member
    I've never done it myself...but I have MFP friends who do it and love it. Try it....there's nothing that says you have to stick with it!
  • Posts: 865 Member
    I can't do it. I looooove me some fancy cheese! But I do limit my dairy and grains. I tend to gain more weight eating a lot of starches ergo... I try to cut them out. The paleo diet will flat out not be sustainable for me, but it seems like a pretty good plan to me if you can swing it

    Strict Paleo eliminates dairy. Primal Blueprint does not. I love cheese, butter, and cream so I eat it.
  • Posts: 11,118 Member
    I think people can do whatever works for them, but personally, anything that restrictive that bans entire food groups is not going to work for me long term. If I can't do it or am not willing to do it forever, I won't waste my time on it at all. I eat all kinds of foods, I just choose the healthiest, freshest and least processed versions I can find.
  • Posts: 2,412 Member
    Anything that minimises food that is potentially harmful to the body and replaces it with nutrient-dense, natural fodder is OK by me.

    I will happily minimise grains, legumes and sugar (and processed foods) but I like my cheese (I can live without milk so no worries there) so that is my main deviation from the Paleo Gospel. ;)

    Less hunger, less compulsion to shovel stuff in my gob every few hours, better mood compared to the 'balanced' calorie restriction of the past ... works for me.

    I also treat it like a framework, I have ice cream daily, not Paleo but very tasty after a day of generally avoiding artificially sweet things :) Having said that our bell peppers are lovely and sweet now I am not swimming in sugar.

    We can argue the toss about what our ancestors ate all we like but in the end the results count so it's a "try it and see" :)
  • Posts: 192 Member


    Strict Paleo eliminates dairy. Primal Blueprint does not. I love cheese, butter, and cream so I eat it.

    You are officially my best friend. I get cheese?! may have to try this.
  • Posts: 2,412 Member
    What do yall think about the paleo diet? Its based mostly on protein and veggies. No carbs, dairy, or sugar seems kinda strict. Any input would be great! <3

    Protein, veggies and FAT.

    Fat intake is both necessary and desirable.

    There are carbs involved too, just not the kind that come in a box :)
  • one of my friends have changed his diet and lifestyle to paleo for to months now. He just wanted to be healthy, but ended up losing ~10lb. His rule is to eat anything (non paleo too) during the weekend in social settings (since he goes out to eat a lot during the weekends). One time he ate non paleo for more than a weekend.. like two extra days and he gained about 8 lbs in 2 days. So..... unless you can stick with it it's not an effective weight loss plan... and this goes for any other diet as well, i guess.
  • Posts: 57 Member
    I don't like to think of Paleo as a diet, but more like a template. Start with the basics. Give it 30 days (to cleanse out food additives that can cause addiction), then if you want add back a few things at a time to see how you really feel eating them (quality dairy or sourdough bread, etc). Its a great way to start, but personalization is key. Some people find that an Oreo just doesn't taste the same after eating entirely real food, like a gorgeous juicy steak, sweet potato, and veggie dinner, with bowl of berries as more divine appealing dessert choice

    Now that there are more and more people thriving on the Paleo/Primal way of eating, there is more and more information out there to help troubleshoot diet. Some people do great with little fruit, some people with more fruit. Just like with anything else, its trial and error.

    But you dont tell someone recovering from crack addiction that a little crack is ok. And grain and sugar can be like crack. (the reason fruit can be seen as demonized is mostly by those who suffer severe sugar addiction and use fruit as their addiction, causing them them to binge on other sugars eventually, same goes for grain)

    My dietitian would kill me if i ate a steak, sweet potato, veggies, berries and dessert! Too much. Whatever works for you though. We all have to do our own thing. I keep my carbs in a range she set for me just for energy and health reasons. I do the myplate recommendations. Being on a "diet" is different then living a healthful lifestyle. That's my goal. Plus no dairy? I hear the breaking bones and osteoporosis diagnosis in all the people on this diets future! Lol. But really there ate calcium supplements but food is still by far best way. Dairy being key.
    Just remember: total health instead of what a scale and tag on your pants read. Happiness!
  • Posts: 865 Member
    A 4 oz grilled grass-fed steak, half a sweet potato with pastured butter, maybe a dash of cinnamon, some zucchini sauteed in butter or coconut oil...Yum. Berries for dessert. Yes, please.

    Of course, don't look at my diary tonight. Damned you, Five Spice Chinese restaurant and your crab rangoons that are making my belly gurgle! Why didn't I just order shrimp with veggies!
  • Posts: 3,161 Member

    My dietitian would kill me if i ate a steak, sweet potato, veggies, berries and dessert! Too much. Whatever works for you though. We all have to do our own thing. I keep my carbs in a range she set for me just for energy and health reasons. I do the myplate recommendations. Being on a "diet" is different then living a healthful lifestyle. That's my goal. Plus no dairy? I hear the breaking bones and osteoporosis diagnosis in all the people on this diets future! Lol. But really there ate calcium supplements but food is still by far best way. Dairy being key.
    Just remember: total health instead of what a scale and tag on your pants read. Happiness!

    She said she ate berries FOR dessert, not and dessert.

    Paleo is a healthful lifestyle.

    Calcium is not all that necessary for strong bones as they preach. However, if you are eating enough dark green leafy vegetables, there is sufficient calcium intake and a much higher rate of absorption. Vitamin D is the most important factor and if you spend 20-30 minutes getting some sun each day, you have reached that goal.

    Dairy is not necessary by any shape, form or fashion.

    Question everything that the government says you need as they don't know what they are talking about in the least.
  • I've been paleo for three years. I have lost 150 pounds on the paleo diet, my cholesterol is very low, my blood sugar is always stable, I have gone off all prescription medications, my asthma has disappeared, and my mainstream doctor wholeheartedly supports the diet. I will live very happily like this for a long time.
  • Posts: 865 Member
    I've been paleo for three years. I have lost 150 pounds on the paleo diet, my cholesterol is very low, my blood sugar is always stable, I have gone off all prescription medications, my asthma has disappeared, and my mainstream doctor wholeheartedly supports the diet. I will live very happily like this for a long time.

    WTG!!!
  • Posts: 812 Member
    What paleo purist thinks fruit is bad?

    A while back there was a discussion here where one of the paleo folks said "fruit is nothing more than sacks of sugar". None of the other paleo people disagreed with him, so I assumed that was there stance.
  • Posts: 22
    I would supplement with a multivitamin and speak to a dietician or your doctor about the paleo diet before you make it a lifestyle change. Just off of the top of my head, I would expect calcium to be a difficult nutrient to get and therefor, you would need to supplement for it.
  • Posts: 137

    A while back there was a discussion here where one of the paleo folks said "fruit is nothing more than sacks of sugar". None of the other paleo people disagreed with him, so I assumed that was there stance.

    As a paleo, fruit is awesome. I disagree, vehemently. I try to have one piece a day.
  • Posts: 57 Member

    She said she ate berries FOR dessert, not and dessert.
    i
    Paleo is a healthful lifestyle.

    Calcium is not all that necessary for strong bones as they preach. However, if you are eating enough dark green leafy vegetables, there is sufficient calcium intake and a much higher rate of absorption. Vitamin D is the most important factor and if you spend 20-30 minutes getting some sun each day, you have reached that goal.

    Dairy is not necessary by any shape, form or fashion.

    Question everything that the government says you need as they don't know what they are talking about in the least.

    I have a very limited area of veggies and fruits I like, of course I wouldn't included that in my post, tmi for topic at hand. I actually have to take a multi vitamin, which isn't always recommended because most of us get it from our food. I am one of the few who does not. And yea you're right about dairy. But i love it! Like I said, whatever works for everyone. Personally, I'd be setting myself up for failure if i did it.

    And lady above my bad I thought she said and dessert! I don't use butter personally, dieting or not, I like my food plain. I also don't like red meat, not cuz all the unhealthy jabber out there, just don't care for it. My dietitian is a vegetarian, part of what i meant in my post, also I am supposed to try for 300 to 400 max meals 100-200 max snacks. That meal I assume would be way over.

    Don't over read into my comments, they are just that! I actually said people can do what they want, but people still picked me apart. What i posted about my likes is true to me alone, as all of us have a right to post in this community, no? As long as were nice :-)
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