what are people's thoughts about the paleo diet

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Replies

  • grinch031
    grinch031 Posts: 1,679
    People on this board continuously try to say that sugar and refined carbs aren't unhealthy, don't cause obesity, etc.. Yet every time I eat them I end up binging on them and gaining weight. Or if I keep eating them and restrict calories, I'm starving all the time.

    So am I supposed to listen to the "science", or follow the fad diet that actually allows me to lose weight? I'm going to choose the fad diet regardless of what the underlying science is.

    Well, ideally you would follow a calorie restrictive diet and you would learn to recognize that your individual needs dictate that you limit the foods that cause you to binge, and you would also strive to limit refined sugars because for you, they don't bring you satiety. You can do this without following some arbitrary set of rules based on pseudoscience. (There is a big difference between eliminating a food because it causes you to behave differently, and eliminating a food based on the fear that an individual food item will directly cause adiposity).

    Additionally, my reply that you quoted already addressed this. When I say "behavioral", I would include foods that cause binges and I would also suggest to ANYONE that is restricting calories without following a dogmatic plan, that they consider satiety when making food choices.

    When I am cutting weight I will absolutely consider satiety as one big criteria in my food choices.

    Paleo would provide a very simplistic approach to decision-making that doesn't require you carry around a food scale or inspect the menu too closely for ingredients when going out to eat. The line is very clear. I think there is nothing wrong with giving up foods that don't fit within the parameters of the diet if you are content with the allowed foods.

    Most people aren't that rigid anyways that they will refuse to eat a certain food they really like even on a specific diet. They will still make exceptions for their likings.
  • astrampe
    astrampe Posts: 2,169 Member
    Please note: This post is meant to be tongue in cheek and light-hearted. Eat in whatever manner best fits your lifestyle.

    This was caveman's ideal woman:

    Venus_of_Willendorf.jpg

    The ancient Greeks included wine, cheese, and bread in their diet, and this was their ideal woman:

    B6CYF00Z.jpg

    All hail Dionysus!!! :drinker:


    THIS!! Brilliant!! :laugh: Thanks, you made me spit water all over my keyboard, but i do agree! I lost almost 60lbs and still enjoyed cheese, wine and bread in moderation! :drinker:
  • EbbySoo
    EbbySoo Posts: 267 Member
    I've done it, no different in results to any other calorie controlled diet with sufficient macros.

    Now I eat whatever I want, hit the numbers & doesn't matter if I eat what a caveman did or not.

    This ^^
  • LuckyLeprechaun
    LuckyLeprechaun Posts: 6,296 Member
    I think mentioning it riles people up, and it's sure to cause some of my least favorite MFPal'rs to come out of the woodwork.

    I think this thread will be locked before I have my lunch...
  • UponThisRock
    UponThisRock Posts: 4,519 Member
    Paleo would provide a very simplistic approach to decision-making that doesn't require you carry around a food scale or inspect the menu too closely for ingredients when going out to eat. The line is very clear. I think there is nothing wrong with giving up foods that don't fit within the parameters of the diet if you are content with the allowed foods.

    How does doing the paleo diet eliminate the need to count calories?
  • Acg67
    Acg67 Posts: 12,142 Member
    Paleo would provide a very simplistic approach to decision-making that doesn't require you carry around a food scale or inspect the menu too closely for ingredients when going out to eat. The line is very clear. I think there is nothing wrong with giving up foods that don't fit within the parameters of the diet if you are content with the allowed foods.

    How does doing the paleo diet eliminate the need to count calories?

    Duh, fat and protein can't make you fat, only carbs can
  • LuckyLeprechaun
    LuckyLeprechaun Posts: 6,296 Member
    not if you spray windex on them. Or do some Tae Bo. :wink:
  • grinch031
    grinch031 Posts: 1,679
    Paleo would provide a very simplistic approach to decision-making that doesn't require you carry around a food scale or inspect the menu too closely for ingredients when going out to eat. The line is very clear. I think there is nothing wrong with giving up foods that don't fit within the parameters of the diet if you are content with the allowed foods.

    How does doing the paleo diet eliminate the need to count calories?

    Because based on the food choices it is going to be more satiating.
  • Sidesteal
    Sidesteal Posts: 5,510 Member
    Paleo would provide a very simplistic approach to decision-making that doesn't require you carry around a food scale or inspect the menu too closely for ingredients when going out to eat. The line is very clear. I think there is nothing wrong with giving up foods that don't fit within the parameters of the diet if you are content with the allowed foods.

    Most people aren't that rigid anyways that they will refuse to eat a certain food they really like even on a specific diet. They will still make exceptions for their likings.

    Or you could just hit your macros (assuming you can set them up correctly) and avoid the foods that you personally don't tolerate, and have equal progress.

    The set of foods that you can eat on paleo < the set of foods you can eat using the criteria I mentioned.

    This is why I think it's silly.


    But, I do think that for someone who isn't educated in nutrition (I am not at all directing this at you, I'm speaking in general terms here), the idea of eating whole foods is a good idea. I just don't think it needs to be taken to an extreme and I think I've already covered the rest of my thoughts on it.
  • grinch031
    grinch031 Posts: 1,679
    Paleo would provide a very simplistic approach to decision-making that doesn't require you carry around a food scale or inspect the menu too closely for ingredients when going out to eat. The line is very clear. I think there is nothing wrong with giving up foods that don't fit within the parameters of the diet if you are content with the allowed foods.

    How does doing the paleo diet eliminate the need to count calories?

    Duh, fat and protein can't make you fat, only carbs can

    This is the big straw man. Anybody who actually believes that a diet works MUST also believe the underlying science touted by its creator.
  • Sidesteal
    Sidesteal Posts: 5,510 Member
    Because based on the food choices it is going to be more satiating.

    So it COULD lead to a calorie deficit. This is as accurate as you can get with this.
  • Sidesteal
    Sidesteal Posts: 5,510 Member
    Paleo would provide a very simplistic approach to decision-making that doesn't require you carry around a food scale or inspect the menu too closely for ingredients when going out to eat. The line is very clear. I think there is nothing wrong with giving up foods that don't fit within the parameters of the diet if you are content with the allowed foods.

    How does doing the paleo diet eliminate the need to count calories?

    Because based on the food choices it is going to be more satiating.

    How do you know this without knowing the satiety level that the dieter had prior to going paleo?
  • bcattoes
    bcattoes Posts: 17,299 Member
    People on this board continuously try to say that sugar and refined carbs aren't unhealthy, don't cause obesity, etc.. Yet every time I eat them I end up binging on them and gaining weight. Or if I keep eating them and restrict calories, I'm starving all the time.

    So am I supposed to listen to the "science", or follow the fad diet that actually allows me to lose weight? I'm going to choose the fad diet regardless of what the underlying science is.

    Listen to the science and don't eat them. Whether they cause you to binge or not, there is plenty of science showing sugar and processed carbs are not healthy.
  • UponThisRock
    UponThisRock Posts: 4,519 Member
    Listen to the science and don't eat them. Whether they cause you to binge or not, there is plenty of science showing sugar and processed carbs are not healthy.

    Fruit is healthy.
  • grinch031
    grinch031 Posts: 1,679
    People on this board continuously try to say that sugar and refined carbs aren't unhealthy, don't cause obesity, etc.. Yet every time I eat them I end up binging on them and gaining weight. Or if I keep eating them and restrict calories, I'm starving all the time.

    So am I supposed to listen to the "science", or follow the fad diet that actually allows me to lose weight? I'm going to choose the fad diet regardless of what the underlying science is.

    Listen to the science and don't eat them. Whether they cause you to binge or not, there is plenty of science showing sugar and processed carbs are not healthy.

    Yeah but according to the experts here, if I just "eat in moderation" i will create my caloric deficit and lose weight, right?
  • Acg67
    Acg67 Posts: 12,142 Member
    Paleo would provide a very simplistic approach to decision-making that doesn't require you carry around a food scale or inspect the menu too closely for ingredients when going out to eat. The line is very clear. I think there is nothing wrong with giving up foods that don't fit within the parameters of the diet if you are content with the allowed foods.

    How does doing the paleo diet eliminate the need to count calories?

    Because based on the food choices it is going to be more satiating.

    Jelly beans and potatoes have been found to be pretty satiating, can i create a diet based off jellybeans and potatoes?

    A satiety index of common foods.
    Eur J Clin Nutr. 1995 Sep;49(9):675-90.

    http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&amp;rct=j&amp;q=satiety index, holt&amp;source=web&amp;cd=13&amp;ved=0CDEQFjACOAo&amp;url=http://ucsyd.dk/fileadmin/user_upload/om_uc_syddanmark/dokumenter/marianne_markers_kursus_NRO/110228_Holt%20et%20al%20Satiety%20index.pdf&amp;ei=LPY7T6i0Boq00QHzt4ywCw&amp;usg=AFQjCNGCkM4OHjfz-pLgOdbknx10MBK5rw&amp;cad=rja
  • AntWrig
    AntWrig Posts: 2,273 Member
    People on this board continuously try to say that sugar and refined carbs aren't unhealthy, don't cause obesity, etc.. Yet every time I eat them I end up binging on them and gaining weight. Or if I keep eating them and restrict calories, I'm starving all the time.

    So am I supposed to listen to the "science", or follow the fad diet that actually allows me to lose weight? I'm going to choose the fad diet regardless of what the underlying science is.

    Listen to the science and don't eat them. Whether they cause you to binge or not, there is plenty of science showing sugar and processed carbs are not healthy.
    That is the big misconception. Especially regarding the "if it fits your macros" crowd on one end and the Paleo crowd on the other. Both groups have gone to the extremes. I am sorry life is not about extremes.
    Listen to the science and don't eat them. Whether they cause you to binge or not, there is plenty of science showing sugar and processed carbs are not healthy.
    If I recall that is based on eating large amounts. If you want to get technical I can gain weight by eating nuts. Mind you nuts are very calorie dense, sure they have SOME value but so does a candy bar. So, what's the difference?
  • grinch031
    grinch031 Posts: 1,679
    People on this board continuously try to say that sugar and refined carbs aren't unhealthy, don't cause obesity, etc.. Yet every time I eat them I end up binging on them and gaining weight. Or if I keep eating them and restrict calories, I'm starving all the time.

    So am I supposed to listen to the "science", or follow the fad diet that actually allows me to lose weight? I'm going to choose the fad diet regardless of what the underlying science is.

    Listen to the science and don't eat them. Whether they cause you to binge or not, there is plenty of science showing sugar and processed carbs are not healthy.
    That is the big misconception. Especially regarding the if it fits your macro crowd on one and the Paleo crowd on the other. Both groups have gone to the extremes. I am sorry life is not about extremes.
    Listen to the science and don't eat them. Whether they cause you to binge or not, there is plenty of science showing sugar and processed carbs are not healthy.
    If I recall that is based on eating large amounts. If you want to get technical I can gain weight by eating nuts. Mind you nuts are very calorie dense, sure they have SOME value but so does a candy bar. So, what's the difference?

    If a paleo diet makes someone happy, then what's the big deal?

    I find it MORE extreme to measure every single food you eat for calorie content. That is ridiculous to me!
  • Sidesteal
    Sidesteal Posts: 5,510 Member

    Yeah but according to the experts here, if I just "eat in moderation" i will create my caloric deficit and lose weight, right?

    Absolutely not. If you eat small amounts of it here and there in the context of an otherwise healthy diet with micro/macro sufficiency AND you are able to create a deficit WHILE incorporating it into your diet, then you will lose weight.

    The inclusion of refined carbs by themselves will not cause weight loss but if the inclusion of refined carbs (or sugars) CAUSES YOU TO EXCEED YOUR TDEE then you will gain, and ultimately fail.


    This is an important distinction.
  • AntWrig
    AntWrig Posts: 2,273 Member
    People on this board continuously try to say that sugar and refined carbs aren't unhealthy, don't cause obesity, etc.. Yet every time I eat them I end up binging on them and gaining weight. Or if I keep eating them and restrict calories, I'm starving all the time.

    So am I supposed to listen to the "science", or follow the fad diet that actually allows me to lose weight? I'm going to choose the fad diet regardless of what the underlying science is.

    Listen to the science and don't eat them. Whether they cause you to binge or not, there is plenty of science showing sugar and processed carbs are not healthy.
    That is the big misconception. Especially regarding the if it fits your macro crowd on one and the Paleo crowd on the other. Both groups have gone to the extremes. I am sorry life is not about extremes.
    Listen to the science and don't eat them. Whether they cause you to binge or not, there is plenty of science showing sugar and processed carbs are not healthy.
    If I recall that is based on eating large amounts. If you want to get technical I can gain weight by eating nuts. Mind you nuts are very calorie dense, sure they have SOME value but so does a candy bar. So, what's the difference?

    If a paleo diet makes someone happy, then what's the big deal?

    I find it MORE extreme to measure every single food you eat for calorie content. That is ridiculous to me!
    That is where I am in agreement with you. If it makes the person happy, HOWEVER eating paleo is no better than any other calorie deficit plan. That includes eating anything in moderation COUPLED with nutritious foods.
  • bluebird321
    bluebird321 Posts: 733 Member
    I've been doing Paleo for almost a year and it has worked out well for me. I reserve the right to change it when it stops working, but right now it's not too hard to maintain.
  • ganesha303
    ganesha303 Posts: 257 Member
    Welcome to one of the most debated topics currently on MFP :)

    I changed from a more pure Calories in Calories Out view to a Primal Lifestyle. Primal is similar to Paleo though less restrictive (dairy and alcohol in moderation for instance) and also more holistic. More info here:
    http://marksdailyapple.com/

    I have had amazing results in weight loss, muscle gains, and overall health since making this change regardless of what naysayers might have to say about it. Proof is in the pudding for me and that is all that matters.

    If you are giving it due consideration, I suggest trying it for a few weeks to see what results you get and how you feel.
  • AmandaBroun
    AmandaBroun Posts: 126

    If a paleo diet makes someone happy, then what's the big deal?

    I find it MORE extreme to measure every single food you eat for calorie content. That is ridiculous to me!

    I gotta agree with this. I tried it for a while, felt great, and really didn't miss eating any of the off-limits foods. I found it to be inconvenient, and I did miss hobby baking, though, so it's not really for me. I have friends who have made it a lifestyle, love it, and still love food, cooking and trying new meals.

    If it sounds like something you would enjoy, give it a try. If you think "oh, god, I couldn't possibly eat like that", don't. I don't understand getting riled up on either side of the arguement.
  • grinch031
    grinch031 Posts: 1,679
    People on this board continuously try to say that sugar and refined carbs aren't unhealthy, don't cause obesity, etc.. Yet every time I eat them I end up binging on them and gaining weight. Or if I keep eating them and restrict calories, I'm starving all the time.

    So am I supposed to listen to the "science", or follow the fad diet that actually allows me to lose weight? I'm going to choose the fad diet regardless of what the underlying science is.

    Listen to the science and don't eat them. Whether they cause you to binge or not, there is plenty of science showing sugar and processed carbs are not healthy.
    That is the big misconception. Especially regarding the if it fits your macro crowd on one and the Paleo crowd on the other. Both groups have gone to the extremes. I am sorry life is not about extremes.
    Listen to the science and don't eat them. Whether they cause you to binge or not, there is plenty of science showing sugar and processed carbs are not healthy.
    If I recall that is based on eating large amounts. If you want to get technical I can gain weight by eating nuts. Mind you nuts are very calorie dense, sure they have SOME value but so does a candy bar. So, what's the difference?

    If a paleo diet makes someone happy, then what's the big deal?

    I find it MORE extreme to measure every single food you eat for calorie content. That is ridiculous to me!
    That is where I am in agreement with you. If it makes the person happy, HOWEVER eating paleo is no better than any other calorie deficit plan. That includes eating anything in moderation COUPLED with nutritious foods.

    I'm not trying to say Paleo is the superior diet, as I'm not even on the diet. I just think its being unjustly criticized. You can say its unnecessary to remove whole grains, dairy, and junk foods, but one can also say its unnecessary to eat them in the first place. Not every choice has to be made for scientific reasons either. Sometimes its for philosophical reasons.
  • cheykota
    cheykota Posts: 3 Member
    I have a friend who has lost fifty pounds so far just by eating Paleo, so I decided to give it a shot. I feel better, have lots more energy, and have lost 16 pounds in three weeks. I am never hungry, so I have no trouble resisting sugar and carbs. There is a lot of research behind living a Paleo lifestyle, and it isn't some fad diet that tells you to only eat one food or drastically restrict your calories. Obviously, processed foods are not good for you. Sugar is not good for you, and excessive carb intake is not good for you. I encourage you to give it a try, and see if you feel better. If you don't, what have you lost? Good luck in your journey to better health!!
  • CharityEaton
    CharityEaton Posts: 499 Member
    I think a little common sense goes a long way with any "diet" if you want to do a "diet" then so be it but if you want to make healthy lifestyle changes that you can stick with indefinitely then I think the Paleo diet is a good start.

    I'm not following it perfectly but like I said a little common sense goes a long way. If you want to just lose weight and you don't care about what you eat then stuff yourself with cheetos as long as you are under your cal. goals your fine and you WILL lose weight(you'll also feel and look like crap) If you want to fuel your body then put healthy things in it. Do I totally cut dairy..no, and I still eat grains and beans.
    I still eat crap food from time to time but I can absolutely tell a difference in the way I feel!

    I think the Paleo diet is a great plan to help get anyone started on eating cleaner more wholesome and nutritious food. It's a start anyway and what you do with the knowledge is up to you.
    There is something I read(can't remember what book it came from) but we all have different body shapes because of our genetics and this is also why different diets have better results on different people. Some can cut carbs and lose tons of weight, others won't lose anything. Some can cut fat etc.... You are the best judge of what your body needs but the only way to realize how much better you will feel is to try something new. If you feel the same..not working. You will know when you find what works for you. You will wake up one day thinking, "WOW I feel great...when did this happen."

    I also try to live by the saying, "If your great grandma would have no idea what it is....then don't eat it. If it is a color that is neon...don't eat it. If the people in the factory that processed it are required to wear surgical masks,gloves etc while making it...don't eat it. If a person didn't cook it....don't eat it! If it comes in more than one package...don't eat it."
  • UponThisRock
    UponThisRock Posts: 4,519 Member
    I have a friend who has lost fifty pounds so far just by eating Paleo, so I decided to give it a shot. I feel better, have lots more energy, and have lost 16 pounds in three weeks. I am never hungry, so I have no trouble resisting sugar and carbs. There is a lot of research behind living a Paleo lifestyle, and it isn't some fad diet that tells you to only eat one food or drastically restrict your calories. Obviously, processed foods are not good for you. Sugar is not good for you, and excessive carb intake is not good for you. I encourage you to give it a try, and see if you feel better. If you don't, what have you lost? Good luck in your journey to better health!!

    Please provide said research.

    Thanks.
  • Acg67
    Acg67 Posts: 12,142 Member
    Welcome to one of the most debated topics currently on MFP :)

    I changed from a more pure Calories in Calories Out view to a Primal Lifestyle. Primal is similar to Paleo though less restrictive (dairy and alcohol in moderation for instance) and also more holistic. More info here:
    http://marksdailyapple.com/

    I have had amazing results in weight loss, muscle gains, and overall health since making this change regardless of what naysayers might have to say about it. Proof is in the pudding for me and that is all that matters.

    If you are giving it due consideration, I suggest trying it for a few weeks to see what results you get and how you feel.

    Isn't Primal the one that has "laws" like this

    Avoid poisonous things.
    But also try to avoid the hidden poisons in foods like sugars, grains, processed foods, trans and hydrogenated fats, and mercury in certain fish.

    but then sells things like his Primal Whey that is multi processed and includes sugar?
  • grinch031
    grinch031 Posts: 1,679
    Welcome to one of the most debated topics currently on MFP :)

    I changed from a more pure Calories in Calories Out view to a Primal Lifestyle. Primal is similar to Paleo though less restrictive (dairy and alcohol in moderation for instance) and also more holistic. More info here:
    http://marksdailyapple.com/

    I have had amazing results in weight loss, muscle gains, and overall health since making this change regardless of what naysayers might have to say about it. Proof is in the pudding for me and that is all that matters.

    If you are giving it due consideration, I suggest trying it for a few weeks to see what results you get and how you feel.

    Look most of the other members think we are zealots for following anything other than the "eat in moderation" lifestyle, and that's probably not going to change.

    I used to eat all kinds of foods and *tried* to moderate, but I could never figure out how to make the right decision of what to eat, or how much of it. For instance, when I went to Pizza Hut, I could not figure out whether I should eat a side salad first to fill me up a little and prevent overeating of pizza, or eat nothing and just wait for the pizza so I can enjoy a little more. Well I usually ended up overeating on the pizza no matter what I did. Now being on a low-carb diet, I will go to Pizza Hut and the decision is easy, skip the pizza for a cheat day and eat a full salad with chicken and lots of dressing. My caloric intake ends up being less, I don't feel bloated, and I'm actually more satiated.

    So atkins, paleo, primal, etc. they provide a set of parameters that makes food decisions very easy and makes it easy to stay in a caloric deficit. The more you learn about nutrition the more you can stray from the plan, but the more you stray for the sake of flexibility the more difficult your decision-making becomes. I already know I can't make the right choices when given too much freedom.
  • mom2bigjake
    mom2bigjake Posts: 1
    Our body's tend to be a lot happier without processed foods, best resource check out Mark's Daily Apple. We folllow as much as possible with organic products as grass fed is not always readily available. Everyone's body is different, if you don't have kidney damadge it is worth a try, just be sure to drink TONS of water.
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