Paleo Eating Program

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Replies

  • corneredbycorn
    corneredbycorn Posts: 267 Member
    I also considered it a few months ago, but realized quickly that it wasnt sustainable for me. At the very least, pasta is one of my favorite foods and it was one of the biggest no-nos. I did, however, like how I felt, so I've set my macros to 50/25/25 f/p/c and it's been working out well.
  • NeverGivesUp
    NeverGivesUp Posts: 960 Member
    I eat healthy, why not make up your own diet instead of telling people you eat like a caveman. It sounds so ridiculously stupid.

    A very good point, however, the average person doesn't know about Macros, Micros, blood sugar spikes, glycemic index etc.
    So it is hard to produce the right nutrition if you know little about it.
    Its opening up the hood of a car, getting someone who doesn't know mechanics, pointing to everything and naming it. Engine,carberetta etc and telling them to fix it!
    I have not read into Paleo, but from what people are suggesting is that is pushing them in the right direction to eat the correct foods at the correct time of day.

    I still think cutting legumes out and quinoa is completely ridiculous. Especially when you sprout them, they are so very good for you and easily digestible. Also dairy if you have no problems with that, why cut it out, same with peanuts, I can go on and on. There is something wrong when you have to bring a list or get an app on your phone with you to see what is acceptable to eat and what isn't based on someone elses unfounded opinion as to what you should be eating. Sure cut out almost everything from anyones diet and they will lose weight, that is obvious especially coke and processed foods. There are far better ways to figure out how to eat healthily than this. Seriously, eat like a caveman? It sounds so stupid. Why not say I have taken the processed food out of my diet, or I don't eat white bread, or I am gluten free because gluten irritates my system, or I am allergic to peanuts, or I am a vegetarian etc etc....
    And eating at correct times of day that is a myth. You can eat your calories whenever you see fit.

    Again i half agree with you.
    Dairy obviously has benefits of Calcium and other micro nutrients. And Legumes are a good source of protein for vegetarians.
    However eating at correct times of day does help.
    I know there is intermittent fasting etc, but again whos to say that your home made nutrition plan is better then IF?
    Eating at period through the day regulates blood sugar and doesn't allow it to spike, insulin kicks in takes the glucose you get a blood sugar low, you get hungry. Thats the cycle if you eat the wrong things at the wrong times!
    One reason for obesity.
    Regulating what and when you eat is good for staying full, without stuffing your face.
    The body can only take a certain amount of Macros at at time so no point using lots of your calories each meal. Its better to break them up into smaller meals every 2-3 hours to keep your metabolism going and to regulate blood sugar


    this is a myth and there is no scientific basis for consuming a meal every 2-3 hours. That is definitely not proven. It is personal preference. For example I am a quantity eater and do really well with IF. It works amazingly for me. I eat in the later evening predominately. Your metabolism doesn't need to keep going, that is also a myth as well as regulating blood sugar.
  • 1223345
    1223345 Posts: 1,386 Member
    I eat healthy, why not make up your own diet instead of telling people you eat like a caveman. It sounds so ridiculously stupid.

    A very good point, however, the average person doesn't know about Macros, Micros, blood sugar spikes, glycemic index etc.
    So it is hard to produce the right nutrition if you know little about it.
    Its opening up the hood of a car, getting someone who doesn't know mechanics, pointing to everything and naming it. Engine,carberetta etc and telling them to fix it!
    I have not read into Paleo, but from what people are suggesting is that is pushing them in the right direction to eat the correct foods at the correct time of day.

    I still think cutting legumes out and quinoa is completely ridiculous. Especially when you sprout them, they are so very good for you and easily digestible. Also dairy if you have no problems with that, why cut it out, same with peanuts, I can go on and on. There is something wrong when you have to bring a list or get an app on your phone with you to see what is acceptable to eat and what isn't based on someone elses unfounded opinion as to what you should be eating. Sure cut out almost everything from anyones diet and they will lose weight, that is obvious especially coke and processed foods. There are far better ways to figure out how to eat healthily than this. Seriously, eat like a caveman? It sounds so stupid. Why not say I have taken the processed food out of my diet, or I don't eat white bread, or I am gluten free because gluten irritates my system, or I am allergic to peanuts, or I am a vegetarian etc etc....
    And eating at correct times of day that is a myth. You can eat your calories whenever you see fit.

    Again i half agree with you.
    Dairy obviously has benefits of Calcium and other micro nutrients. And Legumes are a good source of protein for vegetarians.
    However eating at correct times of day does help.
    I know there is intermittent fasting etc, but again whos to say that your home made nutrition plan is better then IF?
    Eating at period through the day regulates blood sugar and doesn't allow it to spike, insulin kicks in takes the glucose you get a blood sugar low, you get hungry. Thats the cycle if you eat the wrong things at the wrong times!
    One reason for obesity.
    Regulating what and when you eat is good for staying full, without stuffing your face.
    The body can only take a certain amount of Macros at at time so no point using lots of your calories each meal. Its better to break them up into smaller meals every 2-3 hours to keep your metabolism going and to regulate blood sugar


    this is a myth and there is no scientific basis for consuming a meal every 2-3 hours. That is definitely not proven. It is personal preference. For example I am a quantity eater and do really well with IF. It works amazingly for me. I eat in the later evening predominately. Your metabolism doesn't need to keep going, that is also a myth as well as regulating blood sugar.

    IF has been a blessing to me. It has been the one thing that has helped me above everything else. And if I eat several small meals, I tend to really just stay hungry. The more I eat, the more I want to eat. The myth also about going into starvation mode. The body does not enter starvation mode after only a few hours, it takes a few days, maybe even weeks for that to happen.
  • NeverGivesUp
    NeverGivesUp Posts: 960 Member
    I eat healthy, why not make up your own diet instead of telling people you eat like a caveman. It sounds so ridiculously stupid.

    A very good point, however, the average person doesn't know about Macros, Micros, blood sugar spikes, glycemic index etc.
    So it is hard to produce the right nutrition if you know little about it.
    Its opening up the hood of a car, getting someone who doesn't know mechanics, pointing to everything and naming it. Engine,carberetta etc and telling them to fix it!
    I have not read into Paleo, but from what people are suggesting is that is pushing them in the right direction to eat the correct foods at the correct time of day.

    I still think cutting legumes out and quinoa is completely ridiculous. Especially when you sprout them, they are so very good for you and easily digestible. Also dairy if you have no problems with that, why cut it out, same with peanuts, I can go on and on. There is something wrong when you have to bring a list or get an app on your phone with you to see what is acceptable to eat and what isn't based on someone elses unfounded opinion as to what you should be eating. Sure cut out almost everything from anyones diet and they will lose weight, that is obvious especially coke and processed foods. There are far better ways to figure out how to eat healthily than this. Seriously, eat like a caveman? It sounds so stupid. Why not say I have taken the processed food out of my diet, or I don't eat white bread, or I am gluten free because gluten irritates my system, or I am allergic to peanuts, or I am a vegetarian etc etc....
    And eating at correct times of day that is a myth. You can eat your calories whenever you see fit.

    Again i half agree with you.
    Dairy obviously has benefits of Calcium and other micro nutrients. And Legumes are a good source of protein for vegetarians.
    However eating at correct times of day does help.
    I know there is intermittent fasting etc, but again whos to say that your home made nutrition plan is better then IF?
    Eating at period through the day regulates blood sugar and doesn't allow it to spike, insulin kicks in takes the glucose you get a blood sugar low, you get hungry. Thats the cycle if you eat the wrong things at the wrong times!
    One reason for obesity.
    Regulating what and when you eat is good for staying full, without stuffing your face.
    The body can only take a certain amount of Macros at at time so no point using lots of your calories each meal. Its better to break them up into smaller meals every 2-3 hours to keep your metabolism going and to regulate blood sugar


    this is a myth and there is no scientific basis for consuming a meal every 2-3 hours. That is definitely not proven. It is personal preference. For example I am a quantity eater and do really well with IF. It works amazingly for me. I eat in the later evening predominately. Your metabolism doesn't need to keep going, that is also a myth as well as regulating blood sugar.

    IF has been a blessing to me. It has been the one thing that has helped me above everything else. And if I eat several small meals, I tend to really just stay hungry. The more I eat, the more I want to eat. The myth also about going into starvation mode. The body does not enter starvation mode after only a few hours, it takes a few days, maybe even weeks for that to happen.

    Thank you, the same goes for me. I do not deny that some people do better eating more frequently just like I do not like being questioned for eating one meal a day. It works for me and that is ALL that matters. It took a long time for me to figure that out. Everyone has their own journey after all. IF is a blessing for me too. I felt so unsatisfied eating a little bit frequently. I like to eat and feel good and full just as much as I like to feel empty. I am lucky to have both of those feelings every single day, kind of like having my cake and eating it too ;)
  • green_owl
    green_owl Posts: 62 Member
    I don’t really care about all these theories, but I have experimented a lot what sort of eating suits me the best. So for the last two years I have been partly following paleo principles. Definitely no processed stuff, no grains and no sugar. I eat a little bit dairy if it’s sugar free, like cheese, cottage cheese, natural yogurt, cream, milk and butter. I eat a little bit legumes. Even if paleo allows them I’m cutting out potatoes.
    Eating like this makes me feel great! And I don’t have to count how much I eat.
  • AMBlass
    AMBlass Posts: 161
    I highly recommend doing some investigation into the Paleo diet before making any judgments. Even people within the Paleo community eat differently, but there are certain overarching guidelines. However, the "caveman" term is not really used anymore, because as people point out, there was not one caveman. Some populations primarily ate carbohydrates from fruits and vegetables, some ate primarily protein from seafood (like the Eskimos). The main thing to keep in mind with the Paleo diet are: foods that were available to someone (not necessarily everyone) during the Paleolithic era.

    Most things that you find in a Paleo cookbook weren't around back then either, because I'm sure most ancient populations simply didn't cook ingredients together the way we have grown accustomed to. It's definitely a hybrid, but it's a hybrid based on the historical information we have. So let's not get too carried away with being "perfect cavemen." That's certainly not going to happen, nor is it expected!

    As for information on grains, dairy, legumes, etc. I definitely recommend reading It Starts With Food or Robb Wolf's The Paleo Solution. They will have much more information into the theories and explanations for why those foods should be eliminated or at least minimized. I would try to explain but I couldn't do it justice.

    Last point: nowhere will you find someone saying "You can't EVER eat XYZ" Yes, the Paleo diet recommends not eating certain things, but they also realize that we live in a society where this isn't the norm. As long as it doesn't derail your health (like having celiac or being lactose-intolerant) then there's no reason not to have it for special occasions.
  • NeverGivesUp
    NeverGivesUp Posts: 960 Member
    I highly recommend doing some investigation into the Paleo diet before making any judgments. Even people within the Paleo community eat differently, but there are certain overarching guidelines. However, the "caveman" term is not really used anymore, because as people point out, there was not one caveman. Some populations primarily ate carbohydrates from fruits and vegetables, some ate primarily protein from seafood (like the Eskimos). The main thing to keep in mind with the Paleo diet are: foods that were available to someone (not necessarily everyone) during the Paleolithic era.

    Most things that you find in a Paleo cookbook weren't around back then either, because I'm sure most ancient populations simply didn't cook ingredients together the way we have grown accustomed to. It's definitely a hybrid, but it's a hybrid based on the historical information we have. So let's not get too carried away with being "perfect cavemen." That's certainly not going to happen, nor is it expected!

    As for information on grains, dairy, legumes, etc. I definitely recommend reading It Starts With Food or Robb Wolf's The Paleo Solution. They will have much more information into the theories and explanations for why those foods should be eliminated or at least minimized. I would try to explain but I couldn't do it justice.

    Last point: nowhere will you find someone saying "You can't EVER eat XYZ" Yes, the Paleo diet recommends not eating certain things, but they also realize that we live in a society where this isn't the norm. As long as it doesn't derail your health (like having celiac or being lactose-intolerant) then there's no reason not to have it for special occasions.

    Why not decide for yourself on what you can tolerate?. Why call it Paleo or Primal or eating like a caveman? Seriously the terminology is so irritating to me. Everyone should listen to their own bodies plain and simple. Putting a stupid name to it just takes your power away. I decide what works for me and what food makes me feel good or bad or which foods make me tired or give me energy. We are all different that way. If you eat the foods not recommended then you are not following that diet or lifestyle as some call it. Similarly if you eat meat occassionally, you are not a real vegetarian. Or if you eat bread occasionally, then you are not gluten free. People call this a lifestyle so why would you allow those foods in your life part time? That makes no sense. But if you choose it for yourself, you have all the power to decide what works for you and what doesn't. Simple.
  • neverstray
    neverstray Posts: 3,845 Member
    I used to argue that Paleo was dumb. I had reasons for that. But, I'm the type that will try it so I understand why it's dumb and I can argue from an insider point of view. I started a couple weeks ago, and wow. My energy is amazing. I am never hungry. I struggle to get up to my calories. I only need 1700 or 1800. I find it easy, cheap, and super intuitive and I love the food. I love having a pork chop and 3 eggs for breakfast. It definitely holds me until lunch. I love nuts to death.

    My body fat is coming off already. I've been stuck for a long time. I feel great and love this diet. I feel healthy and awesome. I never eat out anymore and I have no urges to snack.

    All I can say is to try it. It's really easy. I do not eat dairy, grains, or any processed food. Yesterday, I cheated by eating some home made cookies. Meh? I'm not completely hard core. But, 99% of the time I am. I love it so far. Processed carbs suck the life out of you.
  • AMBlass
    AMBlass Posts: 161
    Why not decide for yourself on what you can tolerate?. Why call it Paleo or Primal or eating like a caveman? Seriously the terminology is so irritating to me. Everyone should listen to their own bodies plain and simple. Putting a stupid name to it just takes your power away. I decide what works for me and what food makes me feel good or bad or which foods make me tired or give me energy. We are all different that way. If you eat the foods not recommended then you are not following that diet or lifestyle as some call it. Similarly if you eat meat occassionally, you are not a real vegetarian. Or if you eat bread occasionally, then you are not gluten free. People call this a lifestyle so why would you allow those foods in your life part time? That makes no sense. But if you choose it for yourself, you have all the power to decide what works for you and what doesn't. Simple.

    I'm sorry, did I miss the part where someone is forcing you to become Paleo? Of course no one needs to follow anything they don't like or don't believe in. I've done my own research and I believe based on my reading and my practice of the diet that it works very well for me. If you don't like it then don't do it. Simple.
  • ukgirly01
    ukgirly01 Posts: 523 Member
    Paleo/primal isnt exactly restrictive its v v easy- and whilst you may think it "sucks balls" I'll be sticking with it as I've lost over 60lbs and feel great! Can't argue with that!
  • neverstray
    neverstray Posts: 3,845 Member
    Why not decide for yourself on what you can tolerate?. Why call it Paleo or Primal or eating like a caveman? Seriously the terminology is so irritating to me. Everyone should listen to their own bodies plain and simple. Putting a stupid name to it just takes your power away. I decide what works for me and what food makes me feel good or bad or which foods make me tired or give me energy. We are all different that way. If you eat the foods not recommended then you are not following that diet or lifestyle as some call it. Similarly if you eat meat occassionally, you are not a real vegetarian. Or if you eat bread occasionally, then you are not gluten free. People call this a lifestyle so why would you allow those foods in your life part time? That makes no sense. But if you choose it for yourself, you have all the power to decide what works for you and what doesn't. Simple.

    I agree that I can't stand the terminology. If you think back though, it's really a mucusless diet, which was written about in 1963, long before the trend names started. It's a very old concept. Don't get hung up on the terminology.
  • NeverGivesUp
    NeverGivesUp Posts: 960 Member
    I don't eat processed foods but I eat legumes and drink milk in my tea. I am the healthiest I have ever been, exercise a lot and feel fantastic because I base my diet mostly on fruits and veggies. I don't need guidelines of a diet like this to dictate what I should or shouldn't eat. I decide that for myself because I listen to my body. If you just listen. it is amazing what it will tell you. I sprout my own beans and seeds now and it makes them a million times more digestible and I feel so much energy. If you take processed food out of anyone's diet, then they will lose weight. I eat that way but I don't put a name to it. I do what works for me. Why not cut and paste what works for you instead of cutting out so many good foods that may or may not be harmful to you specifically.
  • scrapscot
    scrapscot Posts: 123 Member
    There are some other great blogs on Paleo, including www.alternefit.wordpress.com Make up your own mind about it.
  • NicoWoodruff
    NicoWoodruff Posts: 369 Member
    I agree don't get hung up on terminology and find what works for you. Mucus-less diet, Anti-asthma diet, The Zone, Atkins, Paleo, Primal, Candida Free.. they're all very similar in many ways.

    I do lots of fresh veggies raw and cooked. (salads and buttered cooked veggies of all sorts.)

    With an almost equal amount of lean meats (pork, beef, chicken, fish, shrimp, eggs, etc with less of a focus on red meats and no more than 4 eggs per week).

    No dairy except for butter. I use Blue Diamond unsweet almond milk in place of milk.

    Only whole grains, no refined grains. Ezekial bread, brown rice, etc and small portions, no grains for as much as 2 weeks at a time especially if I'm trying to lose.

    Only my own home made bean soups or hummus as far as legumes and in small portions, no beans for as much as 2 weeks at a time if I'm trying to lose.

    Only one fruit meal a day of low glycemic fruit most of the time (Apples and berries) and no fruit for as much as 2 weeks at a time if I'm trying to lose. Almost no refined sugar, but I do sometimes use turbinado sugar or honey in small doses. If I have any refined sugar or source of sugar like vinegar, soy sauce, condiments, or wine.. I consider it an almost illegal treat and I monitor the portion very carefully if I indulge. I use lemon juice liberally as the only exception to the rule.

    Nuts (except no pistachios and no peanuts much) raw almonds, raw pecans, raw sesame seeds, toasted pumpkin seeds etc.

    I cook with safflower oil and flavor things with olive oil and toasted sesame oil.

    Yes I cheat from this on occasion but I find the more I stick with this the better I feel.. (mood, creaky joints, weight and all) otherwise I wouldn't stick to it. Mostly I avoid refined stuff but occasionally allow myself a treat out if I've earned it.
  • SteveJWatson
    SteveJWatson Posts: 1,225 Member
    Diet aside, I find the grasp of anthropology here quite saddening.
  • neverstray
    neverstray Posts: 3,845 Member
    Diet aside, I find the grasp of anthropology here quite saddening.

    What should the grasp be?
  • mara232
    mara232 Posts: 93 Member
    Sorry to jump in, a few people mentioned IF. What is that?
  • SteveJWatson
    SteveJWatson Posts: 1,225 Member
    Diet aside, I find the grasp of anthropology here quite saddening.

    What should the grasp be?

    I was thinking about making a lengthy post about it - but I realised that most people have access to libraries.

    Suffice to say that the dawn of an agrarian society did not 'lead to osteoperosis and cancer' and the history of human evolution is about the 'stuff that happened' way after we 'descended from the canopy' see: The great plains of Africa.
  • Akimajuktuq
    Akimajuktuq Posts: 3,037 Member
    The primary basis of the Paleo diet is that you only eat foods that were available to man in the paleolithic period. That way all of the foods that came about after the advent of agriculture (grains, dairy, legumes, and processed foods) are out.

    Seems strange...didn't agriculture evolve because it lead to healthier humans?

    NO. Do some basic research into anthropology. The health of humans declines drastically as soon as they change to an agrarian society. This is widely observed by anthropologists looking not only at ancient societies, but also on more contemporary hunter/gatherer societies. The diseases (diabetes, cancer, autoimmune disorders, bone deformity, tooth decay, depression etc, etc) that most of us deal with now are referred to as "the diseases of civilization" because they did not exist in hunters/gatherers. Look into the work of Dr. Weston Price (and there are many others).

    And, no, 10,000 years is not adequate for humans to have evolved to eat biologically inappropriate food. Plants may not be able to run away from us, but they use CHEMICALS for defence. And, no again, grain agriculture is NOT saving the planet and preventing famine. Monoculture of grains is destroying topsoil, water, self-sufficiency, cultures, and when fossil fuels run out (which are subsidized for machines, pesticides, and fertilizers) the famine that results may be like nothing ever before experienced by human kind.

    I live in a community in the Arctic where the majority of people are Inuit. They lived for many generations on almost 100% animal foods. I am witnessing first-hand what happens to people who are changing from an animal-based diet to a grain based diet. It's heart-breaking. But it's situation normal compared to other grain based societies such as southern Canada and the US.
  • Akimajuktuq
    Akimajuktuq Posts: 3,037 Member
    Ive you want some real advice on the paleo diet, rather than an argument whether it's good or not, join the Paleo/Primal group! First topic is difference between primal and paleo which will explain the dairy conflict you have :)

    Great advice. We cannot talk openly in the general forums. The ridicule and disrespect that often occurs is unacceptable.
  • SteveJWatson
    SteveJWatson Posts: 1,225 Member


    NO. Do some basic research into anthropology. The health of humans declines drastically as soon as they change to an agrarian society. This is widely observed by anthropologists looking not only at ancient societies, but also on more contemporary hunter/gatherer societies. The diseases (diabetes, cancer, autoimmune disorders, bone deformity, tooth decay, depression etc, etc) that most of us deal with now are referred to as "the diseases of civilization" because they did not exist in hunters/gatherers. Look into the work of Dr. Weston Price (and there are many others).

    Poppycock - as previously mentioned, they are diseases of old age, and/or would have resulted in death until fairly recently so of course they wouldn't be present in the population at large, with the possible exception of tooth decay. How you can say that paleolithic man did or did not suffer depression with any level of conviction is perplexing to say the least.

    In fact, even if you go back two genrations - my ex-bosses father was professor of medicine at Belfast University and once said that when he was practicing, less people died from cancer, but lots of people died with cancer.


    Again, nothing against the diet - seems a lot healthier than most, just have an issue with some of the "anthropology" involved.
  • Paleo/primal isnt exactly restrictive its v v easy

    It is.
  • Akimajuktuq
    Akimajuktuq Posts: 3,037 Member

    We enjoy all the foods that we eat, and really haven't had any issues not eating grains. Especially when you realize how unnatural and potentially bad for you they are, it's pretty easy to say no thanks and focus on eating foods that won't cause you problems.

    How are grains unnatural, unless you mean genetically modified ones? Meat is also produced unnaturally, with hormones and even genetically modified chickens - but there are more natural versions of both available.

    Humans are not able to safely ingest and digest raw meat, and don't have the claws and jaws of carnivores, so I don't think you could say we are made to eat meat any more than we are made to eat grains - but we can eat both. I am thinking during the ice age there was less of a fruit vegetable diet available, but we still have a lot of physical features(like hand shape) in common with our primate ancestors who ate primarily fruits and buds.

    I'm really trying hard not to put in a bunch on comments in this thread, but I just can't STAND when I see outright FALSE info.

    Um, yes, humans are perfectly capable of eating raw meat/organs/fat, and raw meat is not only safe to ingest, but the healthiest way to eat it. Of course, it is unsafe when it is from a factory farm, has been processed, and shipped around the world and stored. Duh. I live with Inuit people. Many of them still eat their original food, and it is often eaten raw (granted, less often than in the past there were no electric stoves-fuel for burning was in VERY short supply and it was important to eat enough fat, not just burn it all). I eat raw meat myself, but not when it's in a plastic package in the store.

    Do we really have to go back to the physiology? We have the body of an OMNIVORE, very similar to other omnivores actually. No we have different traits than the primates who are vegetarian. For instance, learn about the differences between the digestive system of a Mountain Gorilla and a human. If you want to be vegan, go for it, but stop this ridiculous argument. Not one Paleolithic human society was vegan. Not one.

    We became human by growing huge brains. This occurred because we learned to hunt and chose the fattiest foods that we could get our hands on. For the most part, that was other ANIMALS, but people also took advantage of whatever other things that were in season and available locally. For some groups, that included nuts, seeds, fruits etc. However, the groups, like Inuit, who had almost no access to plants, lived just fine on animals. Even raw.
  • NeverGivesUp
    NeverGivesUp Posts: 960 Member
    Sorry to jump in, a few people mentioned IF. What is that?

    Intermittent fasting. You can google it.
  • neanderthin
    neanderthin Posts: 10,207 Member

    We enjoy all the foods that we eat, and really haven't had any issues not eating grains. Especially when you realize how unnatural and potentially bad for you they are, it's pretty easy to say no thanks and focus on eating foods that won't cause you problems.

    How are grains unnatural, unless you mean genetically modified ones? Meat is also produced unnaturally, with hormones and even genetically modified chickens - but there are more natural versions of both available.

    Humans are not able to safely ingest and digest raw meat, and don't have the claws and jaws of carnivores, so I don't think you could say we are made to eat meat any more than we are made to eat grains - but we can eat both. I am thinking during the ice age there was less of a fruit vegetable diet available, but we still have a lot of physical features(like hand shape) in common with our primate ancestors who ate primarily fruits and buds.

    I'm really trying hard not to put in a bunch on comments in this thread, but I just can't STAND when I see outright FALSE info.

    Um, yes, humans are perfectly capable of eating raw meat/organs/fat, and raw meat is not only safe to ingest, but the healthiest way to eat it. Of course, it is unsafe when it is from a factory farm, has been processed, and shipped around the world and stored. Duh. I live with Inuit people. Many of them still eat their original food, and it is often eaten raw (granted, less often than in the past there were no electric stoves-fuel for burning was in VERY short supply and it was important to eat enough fat, not just burn it all). I eat raw meat myself, but not when it's in a plastic package in the store.

    Do we really have to go back to the physiology? We have the body of an OMNIVORE, very similar to other omnivores actually. No we have different traits than the primates who are vegetarian. For instance, learn about the differences between the digestive system of a Mountain Gorilla and a human. If you want to be vegan, go for it, but stop this ridiculous argument. Not one Paleolithic human society was vegan. Not one.

    We became human by growing huge brains. This occurred because we learned to hunt and chose the fattiest foods that we could get our hands on. For the most part, that was other ANIMALS, but people also took advantage of whatever other things that were in season and available locally. For some groups, that included nuts, seeds, fruits etc. However, the groups, like Inuit, who had almost no access to plants, lived just fine on animals. Even raw.
    Vit C in raw meat as well, something that can be a problem..........raw liver.
  • AMBlass
    AMBlass Posts: 161
    I don't eat processed foods but I eat legumes and drink milk in my tea. I am the healthiest I have ever been, exercise a lot and feel fantastic because I base my diet mostly on fruits and veggies. I don't need guidelines of a diet like this to dictate what I should or shouldn't eat. I decide that for myself because I listen to my body. If you just listen. it is amazing what it will tell you. I sprout my own beans and seeds now and it makes them a million times more digestible and I feel so much energy. If you take processed food out of anyone's diet, then they will lose weight. I eat that way but I don't put a name to it. I do what works for me. Why not cut and paste what works for you instead of cutting out so many good foods that may or may not be harmful to you specifically.

    If we're saying it works for us, why does that offend you? I don't agree with vegetarians but I don't go around harassing them. If you don't want to do something, then don't. You're saying you do what works for you -- so do I. End of story.
  • Akimajuktuq
    Akimajuktuq Posts: 3,037 Member
    The primary basis of the Paleo diet is that you only eat foods that were available to man in the paleolithic period. That way all of the foods that came about after the advent of agriculture (grains, dairy, legumes, and processed foods) are out.

    Seems strange...didn't agriculture evolve because it lead to healthier humans?

    No actually once agriicultue developed our brains got smaller and body's got weaker we developed osteoporosis and tooth cavities, cancer etc
    It developed as it was easier and allowed us to stay in one place - easier for community etc

    We started living longer, though, in agricultural societies - cancer and osteoporosis are diseases of old age. And it's hard to deny that quite a lot of the things we take for granted today have been developed after the dawn of agriculture-how could this have happened if it had such a detrimental effect on the brain?
    Our primate ancestors ate a diet that was 95% herbivore and 5% insects/meat - I've been reading some material that shows that increasing the meat consumption, especially fish consumption with Omega-3s- probably helped with human evolutionary brain development.
    But our brains are still fueled by glucose - it is "the only fuel normally used by brain cells". So complex carbohydrates are brain-healthy, not the opposite.
    http://www.fi.edu/learn/brain/carbs.html

    Low carb diets are linked with decreased exercise capacity and increased fatigue:
    http://www.brianmac.co.uk/articles/scni18a3.htm

    NO we did NOT live longer because of eating grain. Don't confuse correlation with causation. Please. Heart disease started skyrocketing in the mid 1900s and perfectly correlated with reduction of overall fat, esp saturated fats, and the increase of grain and seed oils. However, the ability of the health industry to deal with heart disease through heroic interventions has also increased along with the heart disease. Longevity does NOT necessarily equal a high quality of life.

    Our brain is fuelled by glucose which our bodies easily make from fat and protein. Carbohydrates are the ONLY macronutient that is NOT essential to our body. Saturated, unprocessed fat is "brain healthy".

    Also, your bottom assertion is completely FALSE. Sure there are "studies" used to support every ridiculous hypothesis but that doesn't make it FACT. A low carb diet is not necessary for everyone, but it is NOT detrimental. The modern Paleo/Primal way of eating is NOT necessarily low carb.
  • Akimajuktuq
    Akimajuktuq Posts: 3,037 Member
    [/quote]Vit C in raw meat as well, something that can be a problem..........raw liver.
    [/quote]

    Agreed, all the necessary nutrients we need are contained in healthy animal bodies (meat, fat, organs). Raw liver can be healthy, depending on the animal. Inuit NEVER ate raw liver from polar bears, but they did from seal, caribou, etc. Raw liver from factory farmed animals? No thanks.
  • Akimajuktuq
    Akimajuktuq Posts: 3,037 Member
    I considered this myself several months ago. I researched as well, and I foun the same whacky info. Too many conflicting things. Of course, I think this is because what our cave man ancestors ate depended on where they were geographically. What was available to some was not available to others. People near the equator would surely have different food available as opposed to hise further away. I think it is a hard diet to nail down for that reason.

    It's hard to "nail down" eating natural, biologically and culturally appropriate food that are available locally and in season? Hmmmm.....
  • Akimajuktuq
    Akimajuktuq Posts: 3,037 Member
    Restrictive diets suck balls.

    Yup, being in perfect health after being on death's door 6 months ago "sucks balls". But you can go for meds and treatments if "restricting" food is too hard. I don't restrict; I LOVE what i eat.