I've been wondering the same thing...and what makes either one of these different from the Atkins diet. Anybody know?

My thought on Atkins was when I did it for a year I think I was making way too many 'low carb' desserts. Lots of artificial sweetener, butter, cream, and sugar free candies that make one need to be alone, if you know what I mean! On Atkins I dropped about 20 lbs in the first month, then nothing for the whole year that I did it. That was a bummer! I'd love to know what's different in these if anyone knows.

http://www.livestrong.com/article/545380-difference-between-primal-and-paleo-diet/

http://www.marksdailyapple.com/whats-the-difference-between-primal-and-paleo/

http://www.marksdailyapple.com/guest-post-robb-wolf-answers-your-paleo-diet-questions/

That should answer the question.

Re: Atkins: it is solely a lo/no carb diet. It doesn't care about what you eat - only the lack of carbs. It doesn't care about the wholeness of foods, or whether it is organic or manufactured. While paleo/primal is a lower-carb approach, both are primarily concerned about the healthiness of what we eat - and the weight loss is just a great side effect.

Love the way you explained this. I tell people that Primal/Paleo isn't low-carb like Atkins. It's a no-grain/sugar/toxin lifestyle.

I'm trialling Primal and haven't looked closely at Paleo but believe that, along with 'sensible vices', Primal has a whole lifestyle approach rather than just the nutrition.

I recommend reading some of these books as well to get some perspectives of the differences between Mark's Primal Blueprint and Paleo:

Neanderthin by Ray Audette
Why We Get Fat and What To Do About It by Gary Taubes (He also wrote Good Calories Bad Calories)
The Paleo Solution by Robb Wolf
Life Without Bread by Christian B. Allan

I agree with other posters regarding Dr. Atkins and the Drs. Eades (Protein Power) low-carb approaches. These plans are based around just limiting carbs without taking into account the types of carbs. I believe that their intentions are/were good but they didn't go the distance in their research or practice. If you read the Eades more current writings, I believe that they are coming around to a more Paleo perspective and in time perhaps Dr. Atkins would have as well. The science just can be discounted.

When I ate low-carb, I lost weight but did not have the same healthfulness as with Primal/Paleo and low-carb was difficult because I still craved sweets. Low-carb is an on-going battle because sugars are still in the system even if only in a minimal way because you can still have them. I don't have those cravings when I adhere to the Primal or Paleo food plans because those sugars (grains, sugar) just aren't present. What I like about Mark's plan versus Paleo is the ability to incorporate dairy into the food plan.

I've read Loren Cordain, Robb Wolf and Mark Sisson. I'm not an expert but I think Paleo (Cordain, Wolf) is no dairy and lower fat meats. Primal includes butter, cheese, bacon, high fat meats, etc.

I am new to this group and new to Paleo. I was brought to this lifestyle not by a book but a friend that has lost 200+ lbs and kept it off for 7 years so far. She lives a Paleo lifestyle. I keep hearing people say it is low carb and I don't get that and maybe it is the type of plan I am on. Basically no dairy/no wheat/ no processed junk and 40% carb/30% healthy fats/30% Protein... Is this different then the standard Paleo diet?

The folks who wrote the cookbook "Paleo Comfort Food" say this about the diet: "It's a way of eating, it's not a historical re-enactment." I agree. I'm pretty strict on low carb, and no processed foods (not by accident, there's just TOO much crap in there)... but I DO have some dairy. Mostly raw goat milk (since I raise dairy goats this is a no-brainer) and a little butter. I know what my goats eat and I don't do anything to the milk but filter it. Even so, I don't drink a lot of it. A splash in the coffee or tea (again, it's not a historical re-enactment... ) usually does the trick.

But I don't think dairy works for everybody. I think you have to find what works for YOU and not worry so much if other people think you're wrong, or if it doesn't work for them.I know "paleo" people who eat a lot more carbs than I do... I think it's weird and I don't know how they get away with it and stay healthy... but I leave it go and just do what works for me.

I think what throws people off is saying either of way is a "diet." For me, it's not a "diet," it's a way of eating -- for the rest of my life. I'm not doing it to lose weight -- although that's been a pleasant side effect. I'm doing it to save my life (my triglycerides were in the "sit down before you have a stroke" range). So, I have to think of the new diet as a new way of eating and thinking about what I eat.

Dairy is mostly what I associate with the differences between primal and paleo. I follow paleo and I don't eat dairy, grains, additive sugar, or legumes. My percentages are 40% protein/40% fat/20% carbs, I crossfit 3 days a week and run 4 days a week and even at just 20% carbs I feel more energized during the week just from upping my protein.

I have never had issues with dairy, only gluten, at least that's what I realized after doing paleo and then trying to reintroduce different foods. I drank 3 glasses of milk every day until the age of 18 with no digestive issues. I mostly have eliminated dairy because I have no sense of moderation when eating things like cheese and butter. I switched to paleo mostly because I also have no sense of moderation of pastas and bread and used to binge a lot on these foods. I try to at least maintain the 80/20 approach most of the time if not completely strict. I can tell the difference if I have gluten even just in one meal and in moderation. It leaves me feeling bloated and uncomfortable. Right now I am shooting for three weeks straight of paleo, my only cheat being my whey protein on days that I don't get up to 150g of protein and need a little boost. Having no issues with dairy is my way of justifying that... even though I know it is an extremely processed product. So I try my hardest to get my protein from natural sources and supplement when I don't quite make it.

I've been doing Paleo for three months, allowing some dairy when it makes sense (goat cheese on salads, whipping cream on berries, etc). I've lost 30+ lbs so I think it's doing well for me. When I first started, I did a lot of research into the differences between Paleo and Primal. I'm finding out that the two ideals are basically converging, that even five years ago they were both very different. I'd suggest keeping to recent articles and publications for your comparisons. And don't be afraid to straddle the line if it works for you.

Not afraid to straddle that line.. yep. :happy: Candida Control is a similar approach too.. so I guess really I'm straddling that line too. Not to mention Atkins and the Zone and Clean Eating are all not dissimilar either. At this point when asked, I just say I'm a "conscientious omnivore" lol.

It's working well for me too. I've even at this point cut out most all dairy except butter (cheese only very very rarely) and *all* sugar even honey.

whoops! I've been using the two terms interchangeably. thanks for the correction!!

It's kinda like saying 'baptist/methodist' - there are a few points of doctrine that are different, but most of it is one and the same. I've just gotten used to typing primal/paleo, and use one or the other if I'm referring to a specific camp.

I've been doing Paleo for three months, allowing some dairy when it makes sense (goat cheese on salads, whipping cream on berries, etc). I've lost 30+ lbs so I think it's doing well for me. When I first started, I did a lot of research into the differences between Paleo and Primal. I'm finding out that the two ideals are basically converging, that even five years ago they were both very different. I'd suggest keeping to recent articles and publications for your comparisons. And don't be afraid to straddle the line if it works for you.

Not afraid to straddle that line.. yep. :happy: Candida Control is a similar approach too.. so I guess really I'm straddling that line too. Not to mention Atkins and the Zone and Clean Eating are all not dissimilar either. At this point when asked, I just say I'm a "conscientious omnivore" lol.

It's working well for me too. I've even at this point cut out most all dairy except butter (cheese only very very rarely) and *all* sugar even honey.

Thanks for mentioning Candida Control! I went to a naturopathic doc last year for some health issues that traditional docs couldn't help with & the naturopath recommended this. Definitely made a difference to cut out many things.
Here's a link to info (absolutely not promoting her business...in fact I don't go there save that initial visit), just good info! http://www.whole-health-solutions.com/Candida_Diet_09-02.pdf

In all honesty, I do still eat Activia yogurt for breakfast due to the way it helps my system keep moving (lol). I've attempted to make the switch to greek or none at all & have had issues. I even take a probiotic & Magnesium daily. Either way, seems like the yogurt has to stay for awhile. Just wish it didn't have so much sugar. ("Lite" or "sugar free" options don't work well for me as the artificial sweeteners do a number on me with headaches.)
I have been able to cut back dramatically on the amount of honey I use to sweeten my morning tea though (pat on the back for that). Trying to get to the point of not feeling the need for that either.

Hello, I would suggest taking a probiotic. And I have struggled with being 100% but I am finally losing my craving for grains. Keep the faith, I am.

Dr Cathering Shanahan, MD, and Luke Shanahan, MFA are interested in traditional foods. Their book is called 'Deep Nutrition, Why your genes need traditional food', and it looks at what is common in pre-industralised people's diets. Cate describes what she calls the Four Pillars of World Nutrition: 1. Meat on the bone. 2. Organ meat, Offaly good for you. 3.Better than fresh, Fermenting and Sprouting. 4. Fresh, the benefits of raw.

Her web site is worth a visit - www.DrCate.com.

I'm so glad this subject is up. I am currently reading both books to compare. I think I am resonating with the primal approach a bit more and I like that is it a lifestyle. I am still learning so much, I am a beginner. I was a veggie for a long time, so this has been difficult on some levels, but I am finding that I feel so much better when I eat in this way. I am not fully eating this way 100% *yet* I am planning to do the Whole 30 in Oct I think.... Still deciding. I may as well just jump into it.