Paleo diet, crazy or worth it?
Replies
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Totally agree with your list of pro and cons, I love the paleo way of eating and don't think of it as a diet. I feel a million times better not eating dairy and gluten, and pretty much just focusing on meat and veggies. I’m not perfect and do slip up, but the way I feel afterward reminds how much better I feel without those things in my diet.
I definitely recommend marks daily apple or the book/website It starts with food (google whole 9).0 -
I've only been Paleo for 6 weeks today. I love it. I wasn't able to stick to calorie counting, south beach, or Adkins. But this is pretty easy & well worth it.
I have all the pros that Iaciz mentioned above.
try it, can't hurt you.
ETA: Look at it as eating clean, gluten / dairy free. I think people get hung up on the caveman swing they put on it.0 -
It seems crazy to me that evolved people want to try to eat like prehistoric, unevolved people.
the whole caveman or prehistoric idea of the paleo way of eating is just the marketing idea of identifying with this style of eating.
It should be thought of as a way of eating that gets away from what we have "evolved" into as far as our food. We have evolved and are focused not on nutrition but on mass production of preservative filled crap laced with fake sweeteners.
the haters of a paleo diet often pull out the caveman analogy but for many paleo type eaters, it is about cleaner nutrition and not emulating the caveman.
That may be true, but it still makes no sense to me, all that "grains causes cancer" business that they tout. I also think that the very fact that it would use such a marketing ploy makes it rather unappealing to me. The "evolution" of the "modern diet" that lacks nutrition is more of a recent trend, not exactly a product of evolution. When I speak of the evolution of humans, I am referring to the thousands of years, not the last 50-100 years.0 -
Hard to give up toxic food (imo)?
This is the kind of comment that really makes me roll my eyes. The idea that grains, legumes, and dairy are "toxic" to humans is simply absurd. Eat what you want, but don't make false claims. It is only "toxic" if you have some sort of medical condition.0 -
Try it for 30 days just for yourself and see how you feel. You don't have to switch/make your family eat that way "cold turkey". I have had wonderful results incorporating many of the paleo/primal principles to my lifestyle. My husband and kids.....not so much. Overall I do prepare healthier fare for them to eat and they have seen my success (50+ pounds).
Feel free to friend me and look at my diary. I tend to eat what I want, when I want...I like the 80/20 principle. I try to keep my carbs around 75-100mg for weightloss. I have cream in my coffee every morning but I don't eat as much dairy as i used to. I love cheese but I don't crave it anymore I eat it in smaller quantities like sprinkled on eggs or in salads. I used to eat yogurt but I have found that cutting the way back on dairy and grains totally eliminated the bloat. I didn't even know I was bloated until I started eating this way.
I have so much more energy and I can think clearer. When I started I was a size 14-16. At 5'8, I always considered myself a big-boned large woman. I am now a size 4. I have tiny wrists!! Who knew?? The american food pyramid is a CROCK and is killing us!!0 -
The american food pyramid is a CROCK and is killing us!!
Americans are fat, but it's not because they're following the food pyramid.0 -
I wouldn't exactly call it a "new way of eating". Think of it more as a return to an old way of eating...(just how "old" is the subject of a different argument).
And I disagree with those who call it a fad already. Increasing popularity =/= fad. But ultimately determining if something is or is not a fad is easier done looking backwards instead of forwards. As they say, time will tell.
The "marketing angle" claim is interesting too since a strict adherence to it doesn't really benefit any one particular seller financially. It isn't like people are buying WW meals, or SlimFast shakes, or something like that. Perhaps local producers/farmers are most in line to benefit, but that isn't exactly a well-organized group (and they likely aren't the ones behind the "push"). I guess the book-sellers have an angle on it, but that is true of every diet/lifestyle/hobby/interest/subject/etc.
All that said, it seems very likely that we are heading that direction though. More and more paleo cookies, paleo this, and paleo that...in their ironically pre-packaged packages...are inevitable.0 -
Hard to give up toxic food (imo)?
This is the kind of comment that really makes me roll my eyes. The idea that grains, legumes, and dairy are "toxic" to humans is simply absurd. Eat what you want, but don't make false claims. It is only "toxic" if you have some sort of medical condition.
Beans can indeed be 'toxic'. They contain a toxin which can be harmful if they're not prepared properly0 -
The american food pyramid is a CROCK and is killing us!!
Americans are fat, but it's not because they're following the food pyramid.
I have never heard of anyone who got fat from following those guidelines or even coming close to it. People get fat from eating too much and not moving enough, or from medical conditions that alter their metabolism.0 -
Because if she didn't talk it over with her husband she would be in the wrong?0
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Just as I could never be Jewish and give up pork, I could never be paleo and give up pie.0
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Wow. You really honed in on his point...Hard to give up toxic food (imo)?
This is the kind of comment that really makes me roll my eyes. The idea that grains, legumes, and dairy are "toxic" to humans is simply absurd. Eat what you want, but don't make false claims. It is only "toxic" if you have some sort of medical condition.
Beans can indeed be 'toxic'. They contain a toxin which can be harmful if they're not prepared properly0 -
Wow. You really honed in on his point...Hard to give up toxic food (imo)?
This is the kind of comment that really makes me roll my eyes. The idea that grains, legumes, and dairy are "toxic" to humans is simply absurd. Eat what you want, but don't make false claims. It is only "toxic" if you have some sort of medical condition.
Beans can indeed be 'toxic'. They contain a toxin which can be harmful if they're not prepared properly
Her point, and I was'nt being a ****, just pointing out that actually some 'healthy' foods can be toxic, and are not something that, in their natural state, we can eat.0 -
Well stated! Eating out is a killer to being healthy. I also avoid gluten and I'm less bloated around the midsection. I think my skin looks better too. I got the good skin tip from a student who had facial rashes and her dermatologist told her to get off the white flour.0
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I've been strict paleo for a good 6+ months now. The beginning was the toughest. Learning how to cook foods differently, read labels like crazy and meal plans that I could actually stick to. It took me about a month to finally get the hang of it and I could NOT be happier. I've lost over 40 pounds, never felt healthier, happier or more, for lack of a better description, alive.
I have epilepsy and have not had a seizure since the beginning of this lifestyle change. I can't say with absolute certainty that there is a direct correlation between going paleo and my seizures, but I'm fairly certain that there is something to be said with it. My fiance has rheumatoid arthritis (and he's only 24) and no longer feels the extreme pain associated with it.
I wouldn't call this a "fad diet", it's a lifestyle change. I couldn't be happier with the decision we made to have our household strict paleo.0 -
Grains, legumes toxic?? Perhaps when they come from corporate farms they are. I know that Monsanto controls the corn grown in this country. All their corn in GM and I avoid it like the plague. Fortunately there are many immigrants in the Chicago area, and I can buy grains and beans from Europe, where they don't permit genetically modified engineering to their foods.0
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Two things: First If you eat HEALTHY meaning no processed crap, whole foods, lots of fresh foods then Paleo is for you. "Paleo" is just a name..i agree that people are getting all caught up in the caveman thing.
I just recently watch "Forks Over Knives" and if that doesn't get ya motivated to make some kind of change to healthier eating instead of 'convenience' eating then I don't know what will.
We are the fattest, most unhealthy nation in the world ...there's a reason for that!!!
I personally will NOT be one of those people...My body doesn't like it. Some people can eat whatever they want, whenever they want with minimal consequence but it you look around any mall in the country you might find those people are becoming fewer and fewer..ESPECIALLY our kids.
Paleo takes some prep time but I'd rather take extra time to cook healthy than running to the Dr and taking medications etc. It may be a fad for some people but for a lot of people out there it's a positive change that works and I want what they have. A healthy body.0 -
WORTH IT!!!
(Mark's Daily Apple).
I've done the SAD way. I lost weight but I didn't get healthy. What I got going Primal was my health and my body back!!!!
I'm 41 years old. For the first time in my life I feel normal. While everyone around me is gaining weight, gathering prescriptions and heading downhill in health, I'm getting healthier, feeling better and younger and fixing every health issues I have dealt with since I was a child (everything from digestive,skin dental, and hair loss issues to anxiety disorder, depression to bad sleep). And I have to eat a hell of a lot of fat to maintain my weight and not continue to drop. Full fat cans of coconut milk for lunch!! Eggs and bacon for breakfast!! (oatmeal and an apple would have me shaking like a leaf and starving 90 minutes later...)
It took a misdiagnosis of Fibromyalgia to get me started on a journey of reading, research and knowlege. Turned out my FM was Reactive Hypoglycemia - AKA pre-diabetes. Even the healthiest version of the Standard American Diet couldn't fix my health. All it did was help me drop a few pounds and I had to count calories and log and weigh food to do it. And the doctor saw no reason to check my blood sugars because I WAS AT A HEALTHY WEIGHT. But she was more than happy to give me a pill that I couldn't afford.
Eat real plants, eat real animals, drink water. ENJOY THE SECOND HALF OF YOUR LIFE!!0 -
It seems crazy to me that evolved people want to try to eat like prehistoric, unevolved people.
the whole caveman or prehistoric idea of the paleo way of eating is just the marketing idea of identifying with this style of eating.
It should be thought of as a way of eating that gets away from what we have "evolved" into as far as our food. We have evolved and are focused not on nutrition but on mass production of preservative filled crap laced with fake sweeteners.
the haters of a paleo diet often pull out the caveman analogy but for many paleo type eaters, it is about cleaner nutrition and not emulating the caveman.
AGREE with this. I'm on week 3 - more primal (I do eat some dairy). I am encouraging my kids to eat this way as well, and if I can get them 50/50 every bit helps. Why wouldn't you? It's much better than the junk they usually get. There are tons of great websites that explain the lifestyle (yes, lifestyle, not diet) and have terrific recipes. My 1st goal is to be healthy, 2nd is to lose weight...in that order. The first two weeks are hard, but I see a big difference going into week 3. Research before you pass judgement.
Too many of us eat for pleasure most of the time rather than thinking about nourishing our bodies. I'm trying to get away from this mindset, myself.0 -
Wow. You really honed in on his point...Hard to give up toxic food (imo)?
This is the kind of comment that really makes me roll my eyes. The idea that grains, legumes, and dairy are "toxic" to humans is simply absurd. Eat what you want, but don't make false claims. It is only "toxic" if you have some sort of medical condition.
Beans can indeed be 'toxic'. They contain a toxin which can be harmful if they're not prepared properly
Her point, and I was'nt being a ****, just pointing out that actually some 'healthy' foods can be toxic, and are not something that, in their natural state, we can eat.
Red Kidney beans, and they are not fatal, simply take a bit more preparation in the proper method to make them best for us to ingest, then they are perfectly fine to eat. In fact Red Kidney beans are one of the healthiest and most nutrient dense!
http://extension.psu.edu/food-safety/food-preservation/faq/raw-kidney-beans
"Lectins are inactivated with cooking so fully cooked or canned kidney beans are safe to eat. Undercooking may actually increase lectin activity and increase the hazard. This could be a problem when using slow cookers (crock-pots) if time/temperature conditions are not adequate to fully cook the beans. Therefore, when kidney beans are called for in slow cooker recipes, make sure you use only fully pre-cooked or canned beans rather than raw beans."0 -
I don't do Paleo, but I'm pretty sure it's not a "fad diet".My sister in law and her husband started on this diet. She has lost a lot of weight in the month she has been on it. I personally don’t think it’s good to go on a diet. I believe diets are to short term. I believe it’s better to change your outlook on food and listen to your body. I don’t think fad diets work in the long run.
I pretty sure that the term "fad" describes it appropriately. It's the latest thing in dieting and will not stand the test of time. It's much better than some of these silly single-food diets and such, but indeed, it is a fad.
It's not a fad diet, it's a different approach to what you eat. Don't knock it til you try it.
I follow many of the paleo principles but I am not super regimented. I consider myself paleo-esque
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Wow. You really honed in on his point...Hard to give up toxic food (imo)?
This is the kind of comment that really makes me roll my eyes. The idea that grains, legumes, and dairy are "toxic" to humans is simply absurd. Eat what you want, but don't make false claims. It is only "toxic" if you have some sort of medical condition.
Beans can indeed be 'toxic'. They contain a toxin which can be harmful if they're not prepared properly
Her point, and I was'nt being a ****, just pointing out that actually some 'healthy' foods can be toxic, and are not something that, in their natural state, we can eat.
Red Kidney beans, and they are not fatal, simply take a bit more preparation in the proper method to make them best for us to ingest, then they are perfectly fine to eat. In fact Red Kidney beans are one of the healthiest and most nutrient dense!
http://extension.psu.edu/food-safety/food-preservation/faq/raw-kidney-beans
"Lectins are inactivated with cooking so fully cooked or canned kidney beans are safe to eat. Undercooking may actually increase lectin activity and increase the hazard. This could be a problem when using slow cookers (crock-pots) if time/temperature conditions are not adequate to fully cook the beans. Therefore, when kidney beans are called for in slow cooker recipes, make sure you use only fully pre-cooked or canned beans rather than raw beans."
It is true that there are certain foods that you shouldn't eat raw. :laugh:0 -
Wow. You really honed in on his point...Hard to give up toxic food (imo)?
This is the kind of comment that really makes me roll my eyes. The idea that grains, legumes, and dairy are "toxic" to humans is simply absurd. Eat what you want, but don't make false claims. It is only "toxic" if you have some sort of medical condition.
Beans can indeed be 'toxic'. They contain a toxin which can be harmful if they're not prepared properly
Her point, and I was'nt being a ****, just pointing out that actually some 'healthy' foods can be toxic, and are not something that, in their natural state, we can eat.
Red Kidney beans, and they are not fatal, simply take a bit more preparation in the proper method to make them best for us to ingest, then they are perfectly fine to eat. In fact Red Kidney beans are one of the healthiest and most nutrient dense!
http://extension.psu.edu/food-safety/food-preservation/faq/raw-kidney-beans
"Lectins are inactivated with cooking so fully cooked or canned kidney beans are safe to eat. Undercooking may actually increase lectin activity and increase the hazard. This could be a problem when using slow cookers (crock-pots) if time/temperature conditions are not adequate to fully cook the beans. Therefore, when kidney beans are called for in slow cooker recipes, make sure you use only fully pre-cooked or canned beans rather than raw beans."
It is true that there are certain foods that you shouldn't eat raw. :laugh:
How about a challenge? Try it for 30 days and then report any criticisms you may have.
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In my opinion, your instincts are correct. I agree with the fact that in emphasizes whole, minimally processed foods, but I also thinks that it excludes foods that are perfectly healthy.
It's possible to eat healthy without wrapping it up in mythology about what a caveman might have eaten.
This^^0 -
How about a challenge? Try it for 30 days and then report any criticisms you may have.
Nobody is arguing that Paelo isn't better than eating crap all day like most people do. The point the critics are making is that my diet isn't any less healthy because I ate some corn and had a glass of milk.0 -
I've been eating "paleo" for 18 months now, beginning as a weight loss thing and then making it a permanent way of eating because it's made such a difference in my health. I'm in my 50s and hard to believe a simple change in food choices has these results. I really don't give a cr*p if some people dispute the science or evolutionary basis for it--one can always pull a study out to support a point of view.
All I know is avoiding sugar, grains, heat processed oils, dairy & legumes (never liked these anyway), and aiming for humanely raised animal sources, has been life changing. Staying away from the processed stuff that corporations call food shouldn't be considered weird. If that's the case my late grandma was weird: she would have identified tofu, doritos, 100 calorie snacks, chocolate cereal (seriously!?), mcnuggets and the like as the junk it is.0 -
I've been strict paleo for a good 6+ months now.
<snip>
I have epilepsy and have not had a seizure since the beginning of this lifestyle change. I can't say with absolute certainty that there is a direct correlation between going paleo and my seizures, but I'm fairly certain that there is something to be said with it.
There very well may be a connection. Google for "ketogenic diet for epilepsy". A diet low enough in carbohydrate to induce ketosis can improve seizure control in some people.0 -
I've been eating "paleo" for 18 months now, beginning as a weight loss thing and then making it a permanent way of eating because it's made such a difference in my health. I'm in my 50s and hard to believe a simple change in food choices has these results. I really don't give a cr*p if some people dispute the science or evolutionary basis for it--one can always pull a study out to support a point of view.
All I know is avoiding sugar, grains, heat processed oils, dairy & legumes (never liked these anyway), and aiming for humanely raised animal sources, has been life changing. Staying away from the processed stuff that corporations call food shouldn't be considered weird. If that's the case my late grandma was weird: she would have identified tofu, doritos, 100 calorie snacks, chocolate cereal (seriously!?), mcnuggets and the like as the junk it is.
AMEN !!!0 -
What fire rock said. I follow a primal-style diet, I've been 'paleo' for months now, and enjoy the way I eat, though I dont do low carb...I eat sweet potatos, fruit, veg. I also have started eating more dairy again (mostly organic whole milk) and a bit of brown rice. On a weekend, If I want something that doesnt fit with how I eat the rest of the time, I'll do it. It works for me, my IBS is much better without wheats and legumes (I love legumes), which can give me one hell of a bad bowel.0
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I don't do Paleo, but I'm pretty sure it's not a "fad diet".My sister in law and her husband started on this diet. She has lost a lot of weight in the month she has been on it. I personally don’t think it’s good to go on a diet. I believe diets are to short term. I believe it’s better to change your outlook on food and listen to your body. I don’t think fad diets work in the long run.
I pretty sure that the term "fad" describes it appropriately. It's the latest thing in dieting and will not stand the test of time. It's much better than some of these silly single-food diets and such, but indeed, it is a fad.
not a fad0
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