PALEO: pros, cons and whatever else you may think?
Replies
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And hunting down the neighbor’s cats for dinner because you’ve already eaten your way through the local squirrel population will probably give you all the exercise you’ll ever need.”
Now THAT'S comedy. Thanks for the laugh.0 -
i know two guys (brothers) that both do crossfit, but at different gyms. neither does paleo.
they're fine and they've gotten a lot more cut up since starting crossfit. they say they get a little flack from fellow members about eating pizza or whatever, but they don't care. the results speak for themselves.0 -
I don't know much about Paleo, but I get so annoyed when I hear people say that you NEED pasta, bread etc. All that crap is processed food and if it's something that man made up for more variety and more pleasurable foods to eat then you don't NEED this extra food.0
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I don't know much about Paleo, but I get so annoyed when I hear people say that you NEED pasta, bread etc. All that crap is processed food and if it's something that man made up for more variety and more pleasurable foods to eat then you don't NEED this extra food.
First off, stopping going crazy about pasta. It's yummy.
Second, I sure hope then that you've done your research on all the varieties of fruit and veg that have been bred specifically for flavour/size/apperance in the last few hundred years.... i'd call that man made almost as much as a packet of pasta >-- as they sure as heck didn't exist before we created them (or bred them into more staisfying varieties) so i'm assuming that seeing as you don't like things that "man made up" you don't eat them?
Just saying.0 -
I don't know much about Paleo, but I get so annoyed when I hear people say that you NEED pasta, bread etc. All that crap is processed food and if it's something that man made up for more variety and more pleasurable foods to eat then you don't NEED this extra food.
Strong first post.0 -
My reason for following Paleo is my age. I found that when I hit 50 my body just wasn't using calories like it used to. I was getting that dreaded tire around the middle which I hadn't had in years. My main focus is giving up foods that cause inflammation... beans, grains, processed foods, etc... I searched and found a few lists of foods that do that. I didn't want to just follow a plan "just because". I wanted it to matter for my body and my life. I eat vegetables with every meal.
The advantages for me have been 1st: I no longer wake up feeling groggy and sluggish. 2nd: I have much more energy and 3rd: the tire around my waist is definitely going down.
I think we are all different. I think we should eat healthy no matter what. And I think we should listen to our own bodies as to what works for us. Experiment. Pay attention to what different foods make you feel like.
I'm not Paleo 100%. I enjoy my cappuccino in the morning and an occasional treat. Especially ice cream. I'm only human.
And yes, even cake.0 -
I don't know much about Paleo, but I get so annoyed when I hear people say that you NEED pasta, bread etc. All that crap is processed food and if it's something that man made up for more variety and more pleasurable foods to eat then you don't NEED this extra food.
Name one simgle food that humans NEED.0 -
My reason for following Paleo is my age. I found that when I hit 50 my body just wasn't using calories like it used to. I was getting that dreaded tire around the middle which I hadn't had in years. My main focus is giving up foods that cause inflammation... beans, grains, processed foods, etc... I searched and found a few lists of foods that do that. I didn't want to just follow a plan "just because". I wanted it to matter for my body and my life. I eat vegetables with every meal.
The advantages for me have been 1st: I no longer wake up feeling groggy and sluggish. 2nd: I have much more energy and 3rd: the tire around my waist is definitely going down.
I think we are all different. I think we should eat healthy no matter what. And I think we should listen to our own bodies as to what works for us. Experiment. Pay attention to what different foods make you feel like.
I'm not Paleo 100%. I enjoy my cappuccino in the morning and an occasional treat. Especially ice cream. I'm only human.
And yes, even cake.
I wonder how many (if any) people really eat Paleo. This ^^ is the most common type of post I see for Paleo eaters. I eat Paleo, except for when I want something that is not on the Paleo diet.
Giving up healthy foods like oats and beans but keeping things like cake and ice cream doesn't really sound like a healthy trade to me.0 -
Don't let my name fool you, I really should have called myself Paleo"ish" Joe... I probably eat paleo 70% of the time. The other 30% I eat whatever I want. There are some foods that I really love and did not feel like I wanted/needed to give up. Honestly I don't even know what paleo even means anymore... I mean, if paleo man stumbled across a plate full of twinkies, you know what he/she would do? Eat this *kitten* out of em...
It really is very individual when you think about what a healthy diet should be. Paleo can be a great template to start from, that said, don't be fooled, eat too much of anything and you will get fat... IMO, the devil is in the dose. What I notice most of the time with most of the paleo population is this–most of them (when they tell their own story) were sick, and turned to paleo to help themselves get better. So that begs the question... why do you want to eat paleo? Are you sick? Do you have an auto-immune issue that you think paleo will help with? I do believe (although I do not have studies to prove it) that paleo can help heal the gut, strengthen the immune system and balance hormones. That said, if none of those are an issue for you then you come back to the same question... why paleo? It is not a magic bullet to weight loss, no diet is. IMO, the magic bullet is movement. If you want to lose weight you have to get off your but and exercise.
I do apologize for the long response, I'm not even sure I have really done a good job answering your question. I'll end with this. If you want to try paleo go for it. If you like it, great! If you don't, that's fine too. At the end of the day, find a way to eat that does not make you feel deprived because that to me is a road to ruin. And whichever way you eat... EXERCISE!0 -
My reason for following Paleo is my age. I found that when I hit 50 my body just wasn't using calories like it used to. I was getting that dreaded tire around the middle which I hadn't had in years. My main focus is giving up foods that cause inflammation... beans, grains, processed foods, etc... I searched and found a few lists of foods that do that. I didn't want to just follow a plan "just because". I wanted it to matter for my body and my life. I eat vegetables with every meal.
The advantages for me have been 1st: I no longer wake up feeling groggy and sluggish. 2nd: I have much more energy and 3rd: the tire around my waist is definitely going down.
I think we are all different. I think we should eat healthy no matter what. And I think we should listen to our own bodies as to what works for us. Experiment. Pay attention to what different foods make you feel like.
I'm not Paleo 100%. I enjoy my cappuccino in the morning and an occasional treat. Especially ice cream. I'm only human.
And yes, even cake.
I wonder how many (if any) people really eat Paleo. This ^^ is the most common type of post I see for Paleo eaters. I eat Paleo, except for when I want something that is not on the Paleo diet.
Giving up healthy foods like oats and beans but keeping things like cake and ice cream doesn't really sound like a healthy trade to me.
Agreed0 -
I wonder how many (if any) people really eat Paleo. This ^^ is the most common type of post I see for Paleo eaters. I eat Paleo, except for when I want something that is not on the Paleo diet.
You mean some people use it as a baseline template and then tweak according to their preferences to find a way of eating that still allows them to incorporate a little bit of what they fancy which is "off plan" and regulate their weight?
What sorcery is this!? How dare they!
Next you'll be telling me that what a lot of these strategies have in common is a focus on food which is high in nutrient density but low in calorie density meaning you can consume a larger volume which helps with satiety and covering nutritionally needs but still leaves wiggle room or discretionary calories for treats within maintenance or calorie deficit states.
I won't believe it though.0 -
I wonder how many (if any) people really eat Paleo. This ^^ is the most common type of post I see for Paleo eaters. I eat Paleo, except for when I want something that is not on the Paleo diet.
You mean some people use it as a baseline template and then tweak according to their preferences to find a way of eating that still allows them to incorporate a little bit of what they fancy which is "off plan" and regulate their weight?
No, I mean I wonder if anyone uses it as anything other than a "baseline template". One does not eat cake and ice cream AND eat Paleo.0 -
I wonder how many (if any) people really eat Paleo. This ^^ is the most common type of post I see for Paleo eaters. I eat Paleo, except for when I want something that is not on the Paleo diet.
You mean some people use it as a baseline template and then tweak according to their preferences to find a way of eating that still allows them to incorporate a little bit of what they fancy which is "off plan" and regulate their weight?
No, I mean I wonder if anyone uses it as anything other than a "baseline template". One does not eat cake and ice cream AND eat Paleo.
I think the hardcore Paleo types are far outweighed by the people who do Paleo "in moderation" *gulps*0 -
"Paleo in moderation" seems a lot like "IIFYM with the bulk of your calories coming from meats, veggies, and nuts."0
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"Paleo in moderation" seems a lot like "IIFYM with the bulk of your calories coming from meats, veggies, and nuts."
The boy wonder speaks the truth.
Makes me wonder what all the fuss is about sometimes...0 -
If you feel better without certain foods in your diet, go for it but, as someone with food allergies and therefore someone with limited food options, I will never understand people cutting out foods "just because."
Also, "Paleo" baked goods, which most Paleo people I know still have and which are usually made from almond flour or coconut flour, are really not any healthier. Higher calorie, often less fiber, and stupidly expensive. I am pretty sure the Paleo people of old weren't grinding up almonds and turning them into cakes. It's just stupid in my opinion, and really no healthier, but if you want to, and have the money, have at.0 -
I do CrossFit (love it) and my box is doing the Paleo challenge. I opted out and they didn't pressure me about it at all. I'd say only a quarter of the people at the box are doing it.
I have a couple of issues with the diet. For one, I don't think it's sustainable and, to me, there's no point in losing weight on a restrictive diet that won't be continued forever. At some point, you are going to have to maintain so, if you are not ready to go Paleo for the rest of your life, it's probably better to learn how to eat a balanced diet that incorporates all the foods you love in moderation.
Also, I have hard time understanding why it's ok to spend $$$ on special Paleo sauces and marinades that are obviously processed but eating a peanut is bad. What's the logic there? I don't get it.0 -
"Paleo" baked goods
That phrase, all by itself, is absurd to begin with.0 -
What's the logic there? I don't get it.
People, in general, are not rational and logical although they may believe they are - most people deal with issues emotionally and seek only the information that confirms their world view.
It is what most of these discussions revolving around physiology tend to forget - that unless you cater to a person's psychology you might be giving them the soundest scientific advice in the world and it will still fail to achieve results.
Many people need something to believe in to anchor themselves in place and to stay the course until they reach success or it become easier. You can't really fight against that in my view. Better to work with it.0 -
What's the logic there? I don't get it.
People, in general, are not rational and logical although they may believe they are - most people deal with issues emotionally and seek only the information that confirms their world view.
It is what most of these discussions revolving around physiology tend to forget - that unless you cater to a person's psychology you might be giving them the soundest scientific advice in the world and it will still fail to achieve results.
Many people need something to believe in to anchor themselves in place and to stay the course until they reach success or it become easier. You can't really fight against that in my view. Better to work with it.
I'm not trying to fight against anything, nor do I have to work with anything. The OP is a Crossfitter and asked a question about diet and I gave an opinion. If you want to eat Paleo because you like it and you need to anchor yourself to a diet to maintain your counts, by all means, have at it.
For me, personally, I think the philosophy is questionable and the method is unsustainable. I also chuckle at paleo foods that are clearly processed. I'm sure the cavemen were not eating chicken teriyaki.0 -
were there even chickens running around way back then?0
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were there even chickens running around way back then?
I'm pretty sure cavemen routinely went chicken hunting right after they finished their coffee spiked with coconut oil.0 -
No, of course not! Birds hadn't evolved from dinosaurs back then. I saw it on a documentary called The Flintstones.were there even chickens running around way back then?0 -
were there even chickens running around way back then?
I'm pretty sure cavemen routinely went chicken hunting right after they finished their coffee spiked with coconut oil.
Well that explains it......
I do cocnut oil/MCT in the morning and when i finish it, I have this urge to run around looking for those damn things......
Clucking like one too.... :bigsmile:0 -
No, of course not! Birds hadn't evolved from dinosaurs back then. I saw it on a documentary called The Flintstones.were there even chickens running around way back then?
:laugh: :laugh: :laugh:
I do want some brontosaurs ribs.....talk about daily protein.0 -
"Oh all i have to do is remove potatoes and processed foods and I can lose weight, fantastic!". In reality, not how it works.
I don't think very many people think/say that. That's very much over-simplifying it. It might be more like this:
"Focus on eating plenty of good fat, fill your plate up with the best quality meat you can afford (about 1-2 palm sized portions) and the rest with veggies. Moderate your fruit & nut intake. If you are getting hungry between meals, try increasing your fat. If you do a lot of intense activity, be sure to include some starchy veggies like sweet potatoes & squash"
You need to look around more then. It is marketed everywhere as such.
:huh:0 -
Any diet that moves away from processed, junky ingredients I think is great. Learning how to prepare foods from scratch increases freedom of choice. But restricting grains because of some false assumption that we are not able to process them because our ANCIENT ancestors didn't farm until 2000 years ago, that's just ridiculous. We can consume a variety of foods- this is what we are biology is designed for (same reason we have successfully populated most of the world before long before central heating and A/C).
Keep it varied, keep it whole, keep it as close to it's natural form as possible, and keep it enjoyable! Just don't tell an Anthropologist that this is how people during the paleolithic era ate.0 -
Paleo - this term is really misplaced.
Whilst there is no doubt that there are advantages in choosing fresh fruits and lean meats - you must think back to the paleolithic times. There was no additives in their foods whatsoever. If you go back and give a paleo a fresh chicken breast the chemicals and hormones would definitely make them ill.
There are no merits in gorging on adulterated meat products. Sure in moderation and in combination with starches yes - but do not even begin to think that paleo is anything else but a myth - just a fad
I think you've missed one of the main tenets of Paleo - eat CLEAN foods. Just about every variation of Paleo specifies that you're better off finding clean sources of meat, vegetables, etc. precisely because there are so many additives in food nowadays. We aren't suggesting gorging on adulterated meat products; in fact, some Paleo plans specifically state that if you're eating conventionally raised meats you should find lean varieties as many of the worst additives hang out in the fat stores, whereas if you're eating clean meat then the fattier varieties are good choices as well.
The chemicals and hormones in adulterated meat are making us sick too - it's not just a paleolithic era human who'd be made ill by them. They just would probably notice it more easily because they haven't been eating that way their whole lives.0 -
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"Sustainable" is an individual concept in terms of diet. I hate how people look at these diets as "If you were hardcore enough, you could do this." Hardcore is not forcing yourself through a sheer act of will to adhere to a diet that excludes foods you like. That's foolishness. Hardcore is having the discipline to eat what you like without abandoning the basic scientific principles behind weight loss/maintenance/gain, whatever your goal may be.
If you like the general "Paleo" guidelines, and you really believe it is something you are interested in and capable of doing long-term, then knock yourself out. But I don't think it's a good idea as a "challenge" or to lose a certain amount of weight. If you're going to stop doing it at some point, why bother in the first place?
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^^this0 -
My reason for following Paleo is my age. I found that when I hit 50 my body just wasn't using calories like it used to. I was getting that dreaded tire around the middle which I hadn't had in years. My main focus is giving up foods that cause inflammation... beans, grains, processed foods, etc... I searched and found a few lists of foods that do that. I didn't want to just follow a plan "just because". I wanted it to matter for my body and my life. I eat vegetables with every meal.
The advantages for me have been 1st: I no longer wake up feeling groggy and sluggish. 2nd: I have much more energy and 3rd: the tire around my waist is definitely going down.
I think we are all different. I think we should eat healthy no matter what. And I think we should listen to our own bodies as to what works for us. Experiment. Pay attention to what different foods make you feel like.
I'm not Paleo 100%. I enjoy my cappuccino in the morning and an occasional treat. Especially ice cream. I'm only human.
And yes, even cake.
I wonder how many (if any) people really eat Paleo. This ^^ is the most common type of post I see for Paleo eaters. I eat Paleo, except for when I want something that is not on the Paleo diet.
Giving up healthy foods like oats and beans but keeping things like cake and ice cream doesn't really sound like a healthy trade to me.
This ^^ IS a Paleo lifestyle. Just about every Paleo/Primal program will tell you that eating non-Paleo foods sometimes is fine; heck, some specifically include an 80/20 ratio whereby you eat Primal foods 80% of the time and non-Primal foods 20% of the time. Just because you have ice cream sometimes doesn't mean you're not Paleo; that's exactly what a Paleo lifestyle is.
That's the problem I have with a lot of Paleo bashers/naysayers - they don't actually understand the lifestyle. They think Paleo/Primal/etc is a blanket ban on everything we believe are less healthy, when that's not actually the truth. Paleo is a lifestyle that believes those foods are less healthy so we choose them less often; the same as people not on Paleo diets probably choose healthier foods over unhealthy foods. It's no different than any other diet/lifestyle other than we don't believe grains, dairy, legumes, processed foods, etc. are healthy.
Just because you eat something unhealthy once in a while doesn't mean you're no longer eating a healthy diet or living a healthy lifestyle, which is all that Paleo is.0
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