Paleo/Primal way of eating = finally the truth revealed?

And the reason we know what cavemen eat is simple and documented...we KNOW what foods were around in those days based on historic facts and data...we also know for a fact that grains were invented, refined and cultivated to feed people in relatively recent times. Its not to say I don't enjoy a plate of pasta, but our bodies do not NEED it for survival.

We have a pretty decent idea of what went on but, unfortunately, no caveman had the presence of mind to compile a fully comprehensive catalogue of everything he ate and did, including refences to any influential environmental factors We're still discovering and learning. Some fairly recent research suggests that even ancient man (or, likely, woman) was busy, grinding up starchy plants and turning them into something more edible:
http://news.sciencemag.org/sciencenow/2010/10/the-cavemens-complex-kitchen.html

Besides, I can't think of many (any?) particular foods that humans NEED to survive - we're all just squabbling over what's optimal. That'll depend on loads of things, which vary from person to person - not to mention any ethical considerations and what 's actually available to you. If the palaeo thing works for you, great! To expect the same results across the board would be daft.

never have a beer?!Sorry dont think so.I like my bad food every now and then,I dont really care thats its bad for me even if its every now and then.Most everyone in my family seems to kick the bucket in thier 70s im cool with that.we all gotta go sometime and I Like haveing a beer or a drink or candy.Im glad it works for you and your happy That is great.But im pretty happy the way I am


I really dont want to be a caveman.

I don't think there is a single "truth" to how people should eat. The human body is amazingly complex and adaptable, so unless you're a high performance athlete, there is a wide range of macros that work for most people (the split between fat/carbs/protein). Regardless of the specifics, if someone tries to eat a fairly well balanced diet with 15-30% protein (some people go a little higher), 20-30% fat and 45-60% carbs (some people go a little lower), and try to get most of those calories from foods that are in or very close to their original forms (minimize the processed foods you eat), then they can be healthy.

I don't buy into any of these restrictive food plans because while I may agree with elements in each of them, I find the combination of restrictions unnecessary and overly-extreme. For example, I agree with the Paleo ideas that eating fat (even animal fat) is not bad for you, getting enough protein, eating foods in unprocessed form and that we should avoid processed sugars but I don't agree with the idea that you should have to cut out all starches and legumes. Perhaps some people's bodies are "picky" or have food allergies and need something a little different (ex - very few/no grains, no gluten, no dairy, etc.) but most people don't need to do anything extreme to be healthy and feel good.

Yes! Exactly what he said!

I don't get what all the fuss is about?

This is simply another way of structuring your eating. if it plays to your strengths and minmises your weaknesses then go for it. If not find something that does. Why people insist on over complicating matters beats me.

There is only one universal truth that I have ever found when it comes to weight loss and it's this:

A calorie deficit causes weight loss.

If ever a diet comes along where you can have a calorie surplus and still lose weight and that can be proven under clinical conditions then you will see me fall off my chair. Until that time my behind is parked exactly where it is...

Ok, I can't help but be flippant here...

I'm trying to figure out which primitive/paleo group's menu this recipe came from. Help? Far as I know, there isn't a single group ever on the planet who had access to these foods in the same location, in the same season - since they don't grow naturally in the same climates... So aren't we then breaking the rule of dispensing with "cultivation"?

Correct, they could only consume what was available and what they could manage to store for later. In areas where the seasons cycled with snow covered periods, even the meat would run lean in fat content. Then when food became abundant again, the fat content in game would rise. The point of at least Cordain's book is that it's all there was in any sort of sustainable abundance. Fruit, Vegetables, Nuts, Seeds, Meat/Fish. They also had opportunities to gorge on honey.

Not addressed to you but there is nothing in Paleo that says no booze or anything else for that matter. Again, as lenient or strict as you want. Cordain actually encourages cheating.

it was in one of the links from the op,and if you cant put anything in your body that wasnt around for the cave man isnt that the same thing.

Where are her sources for these remarkable claims?? "learn to be a master of your own genetic destiny" !!!!! This is outrageous! I did a Masters degree in gene expression, by the way.

Well you should be able to tell us then. Where in our genes is it "expressed" that humans should be eating big macs, mac and cheese, refined sugar, hormone injected milk, and the list is very, very, very long?

Also FYI things aren't "expressed in our genes", GENES THEMSELVES are expressed. There's a big fundamental difference there. Don't attempt to comment on things you don't have even a basic understanding of.

Eat healthy- I'm done participating commenting on this topic.

I don't get what all the fuss is about?

some proponent of this idea proclaim (loudly) that humans should not eat grain products. (No bread, no wheat, no oats, barley, rice...etc) IMHO, This is unbalanced and is the basis of the reason I dispute the validity of this plan.

Some proponents explain their ideas, some are stifling in their own self-satisfaction.

Where are her sources for these remarkable claims?? "learn to be a master of your own genetic destiny" !!!!! This is outrageous! I did a Masters degree in gene expression, by the way.

Well you should be able to tell us then. Where in our genes is it "expressed" that humans should be eating big macs, mac and cheese, refined sugar, hormone injected milk, and the list is very, very, very long?

Also FYI things aren't "expressed in our genes", GENES THEMSELVES are expressed. There's a big fundamental difference there. Don't attempt to comment on things you don't have even a basic understanding of.

Eat healthy- I'm done participating commenting on this topic.

Bye

I want to personally thank you for adding to the conversation. That was an excellent point you made.

The final truth obviously creates controversy
Overly restrictive diets? No thanks, I will just keep it simple eat a balanced diet with natural foods , stay away from junk and oh yeah exercise umm that seems to help

Is this too simplistic --does this make me sound like a caveman? Ha!
Perhaps I should write my own book a Medevial Diet -- suggest chicken, lean protein, nuts, grass fed cows, etc

To add a bit of controversy I will also suggest in the Medevial diet that homemade Mead should be consumed in small qty. Of course to further help out I will recommend grunts mead website where you can order organic mead or buy the necessary items to make at own. The mead that burns fat will be my second book

I don't get what all the fuss is about?

some proponent of this idea proclaim (loudly) that humans should not eat grain products. (No bread, no wheat, no oats, barley, rice...etc) IMHO, This is unbalanced and is the basis of the reason I dispute the validity of this plan.

Some proponents explain their ideas, some are stifling in their own self-satisfaction.

It does strike me as unbalanced for most people. For some though it will work just fine as it plays to their strengths (or should that be beliefs?)

Let's cut all the bs here. All diets, EVERY single one of them is a way to make you eat at a calorie deficit if weight loss if the goal. The one that works for you is the one that you feel comfortable doing and can stick to. There's nothing more to it than that.

At this point I am kinda feeling "The Medieval Diet" As long as I don't have to munch on any random serf that wanders across my path then I will be happy...

Anyway it is weights time for me. Woo hoo!

I hate the word "diet" and I hate restrictions. These two combined are a recipe for distaster.

Only the strictest Paleo crazies will tell you never drink a beer, or eat pizza, or a piece of cake. I do all of this in moderation. What Paleo teaches is that eating natural, non processed foods and the right kinds of carbs that are optimal for your body will assist in better functioning of organs, better cardiovascular health, better skin, better fitness (internal and external) and just a better overall feeling. It also combines good nutrition with a healthy active lifestyle. I can't imagine how this can be argued. Maybe some the 'scientific facts' are embellished, but someone who uses that alone as the basis of their argument is not looking at the whole picture.

Just eat healthy *most* of the time, choose the right foods, don't eat junk, exercise daily (no extremes, just do what you can) and you'll be in good shape! Paleo isn't the "end all" to all of your weight loss problems, but I am sure that eating 300 calories of fresh fish and veggies as opposed to a 300-calorie Lean Cuisine will help you get in shape and lose the unwanted pounds.

All diets, EVERY single one of them is a way to make you eat at a calorie deficit if weight loss if the goal.

Low carb diets do not count calories. My dad regularly consumes bacon, eggs, sausage fried up in butter for breakfast, a cheeseburger (without the evil bun) for lunch, and a salad filled with bacon bits and fried chicken strips and cheese and full fat dressing for dinner. Then adds vodka martinis until he passes out. This has led to a 40 lb weight loss, so far.

He is NOT counting calories. He is losing weight. But how healthy are his heart and internal organs? I shudder to think...

For those who are interested in the medieval diet:

http://www.post-gazette.com/healthscience/20030217medieval0217p3.asp

and recipes:

http://www.godecookery.com/goderec/goderec.htm

some delicious ones, I must say, but loads of sugar.

LOL - too funny

I have a question, is the carbs listed here on MVP in your food tracking section, listed in grams? My allotted amount of cards is xxx (can’t remember right off) is that xxx grams of carbs?

I eat live a primal lifestyle and am part of the Primal blueprint community of which Mark Sisson is the author and Blogger. I dont eat grains, pasts, bread, rice or drink milk. I feel good all the time and experienced increased weight loss. After i read the book the Primal blueprint everything seemed to make sense. Mark goes into great detail with the scientific proof to back up this philisophy. Basically man has evolved over 2.5 million years eating meat, fruit and vegetables, nuts, seeds, and roots.
The introduction of agricultural was around 10,000 years ago(if i remember correctly) this is when we learned to cultivate and consume such grain foods. So from anevolutionary stand point, and from our biological history, we dont really know what the true effects of grains are on our bodies and the way in which we evolve.

But we do know Westeners and there diets are generlly horrible. a high precentage of the population is Obese, expereicning high blood pressure, diebetes ect. The truth seems to be that many people have carbohydrates(the wrong kinds) as the base of their diet.

There is a large amount of research now available about the effects of eating a diet high in carbohydrates and the effect it has on insulin productions. Basically insulin in good, we need it, but the foods the majoiryt of westernized people eats (grains, processed crap)causes extreme insulin production, causing weight gain and numerous other health issues.

I could go on but everyone interested should visit marksdailyapple.com. Its awesome wicked and the community is huge. It took me a couple months og researching and reading but i have found it hard to deny much of anything this lifestyle is about. It all seems to make sense for the first time. I feel like i've gained back control of what i eat and not longer follow the conventional wisdom which has lead many to health problems.