Convince me (or not) that Paleo makes sense

chuisle

Hi All,

I have never really understood the 'paleo' basics. Besides the fact that semantically the diet makes little sense I want the reason why things like legumes, peanut butter, potatoes, dairy are off limits. I can go with the idea that gains aren't the purest form of what we should be eating (even if I don't adhere and eat whole grains) and even dairy to some extent but I struggle intuitively with the other stuff.

I also am not looking for "I eat paleo and feel great" but more concrete reasons why physically we as a species should not consume these items. If you tell me it has a certain effect on the body I would like a medical study I can look at to learn more.

Finally, I often get the impression Paleo is a bit 'all or nothing'. There are certain non-Paelo items I will never give up. Full stop. Is there benefit/room for a modified version?

Shizzman

I'm interested to hear what folks have to say...

rebeccap13

I recommend learning to use the search feature first. This topic has been beaten to death already.

IMO, if you have those intolerances that Paleo/Primal addresses then its great. I took away some helpful things from eating that way, like that I have a gluten sensitivity. Its personal preference and how it compares to a general whole foods, minimally processed diet, well good luck finding a study on that. No one defines paleo, primal or clean eating the same way.

Melbot1000

Got you covered with all the information that you need:

http://lmgtfy.com/?q=Paleo+diet+research

guardian419

www.marksdailyapple.com has a lot of good info for 'primal'
'The Paleo Solution' by Robb Wolfe is a good start for Paleo

Lyle McDonald is a great reference for a LOT of things.

If you're looking into things like this, make sure you can deal with not eating any grains (pasta, bread, oatmeal...) anything with a lot of sugar (yogurt, some bbq sauces) etc, and depending on carb goals, 1-2 pieces of fruit a day max.

Paleo is more strict than primal, so look at not eating dairy or starches (milk, potatoes, etc).

It's restrictive. I eat low carbs and use these resources as a good guideline... I've found that if I eat more carbs I have more joint pain. I look at it as a light intolerance, possibly caused by eating WAYYY too many grains over an extended period of time.

chuisle

Got you covered with all the information that you need:

http://lmgtfy.com/?q=Paleo+diet+research

Well I appreciate the sarcasm.

I wanted a CURATED list of resources. Seeing as the internet is a large place full of unfiltered content. I'm sure you're well aware of that.

amy1612

I recommend learning to use the search feature first. This topic has been beaten to death already.

This...I expect a slanging match to ensue pretty soon..... *waits for Wendy Terry and Paleopath4lyfe to arrive*

You could just read this

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/770824-paleo-diet-crazy-or-worth-it

chuisle

www.marksdailyapple.com has a lot of good info for 'primal'
'The Paleo Solution' by Robb Wolfe is a good start for Paleo

Lyle McDonald is a great reference for a LOT of things.

If you're looking into things like this, make sure you can deal with not eating any grains (pasta, bread, oatmeal...) anything with a lot of sugar (yogurt, some bbq sauces) etc, and depending on carb goals, 1-2 pieces of fruit a day max.

Paleo is more strict than primal, so look at not eating dairy or starches (milk, potatoes, etc).

It's restrictive. I eat low carbs and use these resources as a good guideline... I've found that if I eat more carbs I have more joint pain. I look at it as a light intolerance, possibly caused by eating WAYYY too many grains over an extended period of time.

Great, thanks. I appreciate the insight.

126siany

I am highly suspicious of any plan that advocates eliminating entire food groups. YMMMV.

chuisle

I recommend learning to use the search feature first. This topic has been beaten to death already.

IMO, if you have those intolerances that Paleo/Primal addresses then its great. I took away some helpful things from eating that way, like that I have a gluten sensitivity. Its personal preference and how it compares to a general whole foods, minimally processed diet, well good luck finding a study on that. No one defines paleo, primal or clean eating the same way.

I also understand how to use the search feature, thanks for the condescension though. I posted because I was hoping that given the way I phrased the question I would get some knowledgeable responses that would point me to good research. Reading through 20+ pages of people arguing back and forth with little information is not something I consider a good use of my time. So while there are posts on this, yes, I didn't think any of them met my needs. You're welcome not to post on topics you feel are redundant.

Makes sense on the intolerance point.

Ivy_leaves

As far as I understand, the main reason to go Paleo is to reconnect with the way that people lived before the agricultural revolution.
Go back to the basics of hunting and gathering.
You could not hunt and gather dairy, nor was the cultivation of potatoes available yet (for example).
I could be wrong, maybe there is more to it then what I currently understand - but it is a diet that revolves on trying to be like our native ancestors.
Sorry it's just a basic assessment / opinion, don't feel like digging up articles. :P

drmerc

I eat paleo but I also eat grains and refined suger

That way I get the best of both worlds

rebeccap13

marksdailyapple.com is a far cry from scientific studies...its a blog.

_stephanie0

i don't want to go too far in depth with this because i can tell the way this thread is going but....

i am paleo (i have cheat meals, whatever)

i have ever felt better than when i am following the paleo diet.

its not for everybody. it IS strict. but i personally feel great

Chief_Rocka

I agree with Paleo's focus on whole and minimally processed foods. My problem with it are:

(1) The exclude some foods that are perfectly healthy, such as potatoes, rice, corn, beans and dairy.
(2) If I'm eating 80-90% healthy and covering all my bases, there's no evidence that having some ice cream or cake once in a while is going to harm me in any measurable fashion.

VelociMama

I recommend learning to use the search feature first. This topic has been beaten to death already.

IMO, if you have those intolerances that Paleo/Primal addresses then its great. I took away some helpful things from eating that way, like that I have a gluten sensitivity. Its personal preference and how it compares to a general whole foods, minimally processed diet, well good luck finding a study on that. No one defines paleo, primal or clean eating the same way.

I also understand how to use the search feature, thanks for the condescension though. I posted because I was hoping that given the way I phrased the question I would get some knowledgeable responses that would point me to good research. Reading through 20+ pages of people arguing back and forth with little information is not something I consider a good use of my time. So while there are posts on this, yes, I didn't think any of them met my needs. You're welcome not to post on topics you feel are redundant.

Makes sense on the intolerance point.

I don't think this person meant to be condescending by asking you to review what has already been posted and discussed. This thread is going to turn into the EXACT same argument that you're referencing (20+ pages of no information), because it happens every single time the word "paleo" gets used in a thread title. It's worth reading the first few pages of those threads. Most of the answers to your questions can be found there.

MostlyWater

I think most diets need to be tweaked for the individual.

rebeccap13

I agree with Paleo's focus on whole and minimally processed foods. My problem with it are:

(1) The exclude some foods that are perfectly healthy, such as potatoes, rice, corn, beans and dairy.
(2) If I'm eating 80-90% healthy and covering all my bases, there's no evidence that having some ice cream or cake once in a while is going to harm me in any measurable fashion.

This. And I'm a former paleo-er and a glutard.

_VoV

I agree with Paleo's focus on whole and minimally processed foods. My problem with it are:

(1) The exclude some foods that are perfectly healthy, such as potatoes, rice, corn, beans and dairy.
(2) If I'm eating 80-90% healthy and covering all my bases, there's no evidence that having some ice cream or cake once in a while is going to harm me in any measurable fashion.

Well said. As a vegetarian (not health motivated), my diet already eliminates meat, fish and chicken. Eliminating protein from beans, grains, and legumes just makes no sense to me, but I agree with the paleo emphasis on eating fresh, whole foods which are minimally processed.

Chief_Rocka

I agree with Paleo's focus on whole and minimally processed foods. My problem with it are:

(1) The exclude some foods that are perfectly healthy, such as potatoes, rice, corn, beans and dairy.
(2) If I'm eating 80-90% healthy and covering all my bases, there's no evidence that having some ice cream or cake once in a while is going to harm me in any measurable fashion.

This. And I'm a former paleo-er and a glutard.

LOL, "glutard," I'm going to steal that one.

DaniJeanine

I don't know much, but I had a good friend who was Paleo that told me one at a bar night "Red wine and Guinness are Paleo!"

Hmmmmmm.

That lead me to believe that it was a contradiction--I can have wine but I can't have a piece of fruit? I'm going to assume the cavemen weren't enjoying a nice cold Guinness draft on their days off.

Also, do we realize how different we are from Paleolithic era cavemen? We are not the same as they were, in any way. So, it's a hard sell for me to believe that I should get in touch with my primal roots for optimum health.

That being said, feel free to prove me wrong with facts. These are just my general impressions from my exposure to the diet.

FrenchMob

Back in those days, men use to beat women on the head with clubs, drag them to the cave, and rape them. Should we go back to that also?

Is there any evidence that cavemen lived healthy passed 100 years old? I highly doubt it.

Nuff' said.

WendyTerry420

Hi All,

I have never really understood the 'paleo' basics. Besides the fact that semantically the diet makes little sense I want the reason why things like legumes, peanut butter, potatoes, dairy are off limits. I can go with the idea that gains aren't the purest form of what we should be eating (even if I don't adhere and eat whole grains) and even dairy to some extent but I struggle intuitively with the other stuff.

I also am not looking for "I eat paleo and feel great" but more concrete reasons why physically we as a species should not consume these items. If you tell me it has a certain effect on the body I would like a medical study I can look at to learn more.

Finally, I often get the impression Paleo is a bit 'all or nothing'. There are certain non-Paelo items I will never give up. Full stop. Is there benefit/room for a modified version?

If you can't give up peanuts, beans, any kind of dairy, sugar, grains of any type, then you may as well forget trying paleo. Maybe try to just eat as much whole foods as you can and limit your pre-processed/packaged stuff and your sugar intake to less than 20% of your diet.

Then be happy that you feel so healthy after about 30 days of it! :flowerforyou:

Dave198lbs

I wanted a CURATED list of resources. Seeing as the internet is a large place full of unfiltered content. I'm sure you're well aware of that.

and so you ask this group? I call B S !!!!

DaniJeanine

Back in those days, men use to beat women on the head with clubs, drag them to the cave, and rape them. Should we go back to that also?

Is there any evidence that cavemen lived healthy passed 100 years old? I highly doubt it.

Nuff' said.

Yep. I'm with you. lol

amy1612

See, took all of 40 mins :laugh:

chuisle

I wanted a CURATED list of resources. Seeing as the internet is a large place full of unfiltered content. I'm sure you're well aware of that.

and so you ask this group? I call B S !!!!

Yeahhhhh...When I've been off the forums for a while I forget how they get. Guilty as charged for a stupid attempt.

glonigan

I agree with some of the other posters in this thread in their responses. I do stick to a mostly Paleo diet and have had some great results with the amount of energy I have and less bloat/weight loss.

A couple of issues I have:
1. From what I recall in world history, man/woman has been cultivating and eating grains for at least the last 2500 years without being obese. So based on history, I do not understand how whole grains are not Paleo.
2. Whey protein is generally acceptable to intake even though it is a product that is a result of dairy production, but no cheese is allowed?

Now for the overall premise of eating more natural/less processed foods I 100% agree. I think if you can take one thing away from my Paleo experience, it would be that I have seen amazing results in energy, mood, weight loss, and overall fitness by moving to a less processed more natural diet that some may call "Paleo". Also the recipes in the book are amazing and have opened up our food selection/variety.

Best of luck to you.

WendyTerry420

I also am not looking for "I eat paleo and feel great" but more concrete reasons why physically we as a species should not consume these items. If you tell me it has a certain effect on the body I would like a medical study I can look at to learn more.

Such studies do not exist.

Akimajuktuq

These kinds of posts just invite attacks. I tire of having my personal experience discredited and ridiculed. Perhaps you should join a paleo/primal group and ask questions there? We are happy to help if the interest is genuine. Also, there is lots of research out there and lots of books (with valid sources) that you could read.

I have resolved many health issues, some of them life-threatening, by changing my diet. A wonderful side effect is the steady weight loss while never, ever being hungry (unless it's real hunger). I LOVE how I eat.

Edit: eat how you want, but if you really want to know how it feels on this lifestyle, a "modified" version is NOT effective. If you have foods that you will never give up, no matter what, this way of eating is likely not sustainable for you.

Dave198lbs

These kinds of posts just invite attacks. I tire of having my personal experience discredited and ridiculed. Perhaps you should join a paleo/primal group and ask questions there? We are happy to help if the interest is genuine. Also, there is lots of research out there and lots of books (with valid sources) that you could read.

I have resolved many health issues, some of them life-threatening, by changing my diet. A wonderful side effect is the steady weight loss while never, ever being hungry (unless it's real hunger). I LOVE how I eat.

CHEERS!

Now go fry us up a big mess of real bacon!

CHOP CHOP!