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

Of course it's a far from "objective" look, but that's a minor detail.

How so? Also, this is only the summary. The full article is about 2 pages longer.

it's hard to quote from an article that's an image. do you have a link to an online, quotable version?

I've been eating Primal / Paleo for the last 6 months, and it's hard to argue with my results. I think the science behind it is a little suspect, but for whatever reason, it's the one "diet" (lifestyle change) that I've been able to stick with for any length of time. I don't do well eating 100 calorie packs of junk food, or making low-cal versions of crap that no one should be eating in the first place (a la Hungry Girl). That just triggers me to binge on whatever carbs I can get my hands on. Since I've switched to Primal, I simply don't eat them.

Someone posted a link on here a while back on whether you are a moderator or an abstainer - meaning, are you able to moderate what you eat? Or do you binge after a bite of a cupcake? I'm a binger. For me, it's far easier to simply not eat the trigger food than to have it in small portions (which is like torture). The more of it I eat, the more I want. Since I'm eating fairly low carb (maybe 80 grams or less a day - higher than many paleo / primal folks, since I eat fruit every day), my cravings for junky carbs are gone. I have Cheez Its and Baked Lays going stale in my pantry, since I haven't touched them. I can now eat my daily Dove dark chocolate without being tempted by the entire bag.

That being said, I'm not interested in "Paleo" pancakes or muffins, since I'm worried about bringing those back into my diet. I love to bake, but that's partly what landed me in the obese category - I'd eat an entire batch of homemade cookies, or loaf of warm freshly baked bread.

I'm not 100% clean - I still have my daily protein shake (EAS AdvantEdge, so low carb) to up my protein grams, and I take Spark, which is replacing my nasty diet Coke habit. But for the most part I stick to meat, eggs, veggies, fruits, and nuts. I also have greek yogurt at least once a day - it's an easy source of protein for me, and doesn't seem to affect me negatively. I'll add the occasional sweet potato after a workout. I stay away from bread since it's a trigger food for me - I don't even "cheat" with it. I might occasionally have a bite of dessert and a glass of red wine - I just work those in to my day and don't sweat them.

Is this way of eating for everyone? Nah. But it certainly has worked for me!

I think one of the big things that people struggle with when coming to terms with the "paleo" diet (which is a term I hate since diet implies it's temporary) is that since they've spent their entire life eating "healthy" grains and, aside from a few extra pounds, have felt no negative effects from grain consumption they struggle to see the unhealthy effects they have.

Lack of energy, sleep difficulties, bad skin, poor digestion and slow nutrient absorption are thought to be 'normal,' while eating processed low fat & low cal foods is applauded as looking after yourself. Also, without fully researching and a slow transition, people can become overwhelmed and not know what to eat to stay full & nourished.

I would challenge anyone questioning the "paleo" way to transition (properly, now like how Dr. Oz did a few weeks ago) for two weeks (screw this 30 day thing) and see how you feel. If you're like me, within days of doing it right you'll start to notice improvements in quality of life where you might not even had thought there were problems.





If you're interested in some of the reasons why I decided to cut back on grains they're here.

1. Any nutrient you can find in grain can be found in higher & more easily digestible quantities in other foods.
2. You (and me) are probably gluten intolerant... yes, on 2% of people suffer from coeliac, but the rest of us have mild inflammatory responses to grains that we have lived with our entire lives and thus don't notice. This inflammation inhibits our guts' ability to fully absorb nutrients
3. Leaky gut grosses me out
4. Grain's (whole or not) spike insulin levels, when they drop back down the body craves more carbs/sugar... so they're addictive (I think we can all think of someone we know who is 'addicted' to carbs).

So, (many) people don't understand the difference between someone having a level of gluten sensitivity, and buying into a goofy, totally arbitrary diet?

Any diet is arbitrary

I've been eating Primal / Paleo for the last 6 months, and it's hard to argue with my results. I think the science behind it is a little suspect, but for whatever reason, it's the one "diet" (lifestyle change) that I've been able to stick with for any length of time. I don't do well eating 100 calorie packs of junk food, or making low-cal versions of crap that no one should be eating in the first place (a la Hungry Girl). That just triggers me to binge on whatever carbs I can get my hands on. Since I've switched to Primal, I simply don't eat them.

Someone posted a link on here a while back on whether you are a moderator or an abstainer - meaning, are you able to moderate what you eat? Or do you binge after a bite of a cupcake? I'm a binger. For me, it's far easier to simply not eat the trigger food than to have it in small portions (which is like torture). The more of it I eat, the more I want. Since I'm eating fairly low carb (maybe 80 grams or less a day - higher than many paleo / primal folks, since I eat fruit every day), my cravings for junky carbs are gone. I have Cheez Its and Baked Lays going stale in my pantry, since I haven't touched them. I can now eat my daily Dove dark chocolate without being tempted by the entire bag.

That being said, I'm not interested in "Paleo" pancakes or muffins, since I'm worried about bringing those back into my diet. I love to bake, but that's partly what landed me in the obese category - I'd eat an entire batch of homemade cookies, or loaf of warm freshly baked bread.

I'm not 100% clean - I still have my daily protein shake (EAS AdvantEdge, so low carb) to up my protein grams, and I take Spark, which is replacing my nasty diet Coke habit. But for the most part I stick to meat, eggs, veggies, fruits, and nuts. I also have greek yogurt at least once a day - it's an easy source of protein for me, and doesn't seem to affect me negatively. I'll add the occasional sweet potato after a workout. I stay away from bread since it's a trigger food for me - I don't even "cheat" with it. I might occasionally have a bite of dessert and a glass of red wine - I just work those in to my day and don't sweat them.

Is this way of eating for everyone? Nah. But it certainly has worked for me!

You have found the way that works for you..................Most people that go Paleo / Primal / Cave Man Style eat 80 - 90% clean. That allows for life happenings and having a bit of a splurge every once in a while..............

I am the same way as you. It pays to be strict. When I eat the sugar and grains I get excruciating joint and muscle pains that then takes days and sometimes up to a week to go away. It is just best for me to stay away from them.

I made some black beans and whole grain brown rice last night made with the juice drippings and onion pieces that came from my crock pot roast..............Tasted very good, but today I am aching in my hips and knees really bad. That tells me beans and rice has caused some inflammation and now I am fasting today to help alleviate it. I also had to take extra calcium and magnesium to ease some of the aches and pains.

Ok, my opinion.

The only thing that matters for weight loss is CALORIES EATEN and CALORIES LOST. If you want to lose weight eat less and/or exercise more. The only reason that any of these diets work, is because they restrict how much you eat.

Most studies that I have seen show that if you have certain genetic makeup, being overweight strongly increases your risk for Diabetes type 2 and a number of other metabolic problems. Losing weight is the main factor that you can control that will lower your risk. 1/3 of all people are overweight, or obese in the US, and this is a major health problem.

Next, most of these diets like, Paleo, HCG, Atkins, are not healthy. None of them have any evidence that supports them. Again, they only work, because they restrict your calorie intake. Secondly, all of them are promoted by companies/individuals who are making money of you, by trying to convince you that they have the answer that solves your weight. If they help you lose weight, use them, BUT you do not need them. Using a website like this and figure out how many calories that you eat and how many that you lose, is all you need and can save you a lot of money and less health risk by following these diets.

Reading through some post and websites, it seems to me that these diets start with a tiny fact, and then they build this pyramid on that. Facts, like paleo people eat only meat, babies only drink milk, pregnant woman have hormones, are used and distorted. Like this: babies drink milk with lots of cholesterol and saturated fat, thus this is good and essential for babies, thus eating lots of saturated fat and cholesterol is good for all of us, etc. Let me make two up: some people drawn in water, hence too much water kills, hence any water will kill you, thus do not drink any water. Most cats are not overweight, hence drinking cat pee will make you lose weight and gain a normal weight.

Note that they all argue they have it figured out and try to convince you that they have the only key fact that’s important. However, the bottom line is test it, and none of them have ever been tested. Again, they restrict eating, and if this restricts calorie intake you will lose weight, nothing magical about it. And they are promoted, because people/companies make money of you by doing this.


My opinion, eat in moderation, control your weight and ignore all this blabber. There are some things that we do have good evidence for. Trans fat are bad, avoid them. Fiber is good, hence any way you get more fiber, like whole foods, fruits and vegetables is good for you. Too much saturated fat is not healthy, also for people with a normal weight. Eat saturated fat them in moderation, or avoid them. Fish oil is good for your health, eat more fish. But research these facts yourself from reputable sources, not websites or posts her by people/companies that are making money of you. Go to the USDA, Cancer society, Diebetis society, Mayo clinic, etc. And I am impressed with Wikipedia, almost all their information is a good summary of each topic.

Some people who follow these diets seem like reborn religious converts to me. It does not matter what you say their mind is made up, and they are fervent in trying to convert you to their faith/diet. Often they claim that there is a government/industry/Monsanto conspiracy out there that has brainwashed all of us, and that they have found a leader/diet that has lead them out of this wilderness. Well if it helps them lose weight, good for them, but remember you do not need this. CALORIES IN versus CALORIES OUT, eat less or exercise more that’s the only thing that matters for weight loss.