Before I found out I was pregnant, I had a list of eating styles I wanted to try out for a week at a time, just out of curiosity. Vegan, gluten free, raw (well… maybe raw… it doesn’t sound fun at all), etc. Even though I still plan on trying them out, I don’t know when I’ll get the chance to do it… I kind of have my hands full at the moment.
I still find all these different ‘ways of eating’ (I won’t call them diets) interesting and have seen the Paleo lifestyle popping up more and more. I decided to check it out to learn more.
My first question: What’s the premise of paleo eating?
Basically, the way it sounds: Eating like a cave person. Seriously. The diet is centered around the idea of how people ate during the Paleolithic era.
Then I looked up what you can and can’t eat while following a paleo diet, and found some discrepancies, but overall, things looked like this:
- no grains, potatoes, legumes or dairy (farming wasn’t around so these foods weren’t available)
- no sugar, processed foods, etc
- no coffee or alcohol
- no processed meats (bacon, hot dogs, sausage, lunch meats)
- do eat lean meats, eggs, vegetables, fruits, nuts and seeds
- allowed oils: olive, flax and nut oils (not peanut oil- peanuts are a legume)
It kind of sounds like phase 2 of the South Beach Diet to me.
So, I can see where some of the health benefits come from… no processed foods is a pretty healthy way to eat. Obviously grilled chicken and vegetables are healthier than a double cheese burger and fries.
And high protein/low carb is often associated with fat loss and toning up.
BUT
I’m pretty wary about any diet that has you eliminate an entire food group, and in my opinion, taking out all whole grains and carbohydrates (except fruit and vegetables) counts as eliminating an entire food group.
PLUS
Legumes and whole grains have a ton of health benefits including fiber and being a budget-friendly form of protein.
AND
who wants to give up an occasional (or regular ;)) adult beverage? Not this lady!
NOT TO MENTION
wouldn’t what people were eating during the Paleolithic time differ depending on the climate of their region?
Will I try this way of eating out? Maybe. But I’m much more interested in attempting to be vegan for a week. At least then I can still have a glass of vino 😉
What are your thoughts on Paleo?
Ever tried it?
__________________________
The winner of the Wild Squirrel Peanut Butter giveaway (chosen through random.org – I just don’t know how to copy and paste it into my blog ;)) is…
#1!
Megan November 9, 2011 at 6:02 pm
Besides straight off the spoon, my favorite way to eat peanut butter is stirred into a bowl of oat bran
Congrats, Megan! Send your address to me at Brittany@ahealthysliceoflife.com and I’ll get it to you ASAP 🙂
______________________________
I hope you all have a fabulous 11-11-11!
Get out and enjoy because it won’t happen again for 100 years!!!
chelsey @ clean eating chelsey says
I’ve heard of Paleo, but I have the same thoughts about cutting out an entire food group – whole grains and carbs are good for you! And well, I just bought a loaf of gluten free dakota bread from GH yesterday, and I am obsessed.
Samantha @ Health, Happiness & Skinny Jeans says
I understand the theory behind Paleo and why it worked then but our bodies have evolved and so should our diets. I think there is a lot to be said for reducing sugar, refined flour and processed meat but I think that whole grains and even dairy (in moderation) have too much benefit to be eliminated based on what is literally an archaic principle.
blackhuff says
I am with you on this. I too am against any eating plan (diet, whatever they call it), that eliminates an entire food group. So my feeling on this too, is that I will not try this “Eat like a cave man” thing.
Besides, I just love my whole grains too much 🙂
Danielle @ Long May You Run says
I think people are all too easily misled when they hear the word “diet” to automatically think it’s a good thing. Farming was a foreign concept, but just because they hadn’t discovered how to grow wheat or potatoes doesn’t mean they are bad foods. In fact, I think the ‘cavemen’ were probably lacking in a lot of nutrients because of it.
The so-called Paleo diet really rubs me the wrong way when people idolize it and say it’s the purist way of eating.
Danielle @ Long May You Run says
…which obviously you’re not supporting, so we’re good =)
(didn’t want to make it seem like I was ripping you!)
Brittany says
I didn’t think you were ripping me at all- I totally agree with you. I don’t know how long cavemen lived, but I have a feeling we tend to live a little longer nowadays. Thank you potatoes and wheat! 😉
Kelly says
I think it’s just another diet. When people switched from being hunter-gatherers (paleolithic times) to agriculturalist (neolithic time) they did become less healthy. They had more dental disease and more disease in general due to living in close proximity and actually had a less varied diet. BUT, later on when people began living in cities and towns we actually see an increase in health due to better nutrition. This is because people are trading and have access to an increase in different types of foods. Eating a more varied diet is better! I think it’s interesting all the different types of “eating styles” that people have come up with. I would say that eliminating a whole food group is bad, but I’m a veg so I guess I do that. lol
Brittany says
Oh, I never thought about eliminating a whole food group in terms of vegetarianism! Interesting-thanks for pointing that out. I definitely think eating a vegetarian diet can be very healthy, so I’ll have to think about that. 🙂
Holly says
Personally I wouldn’t do it. I agree that eliminating grains/legumes is not a good idea. And especially if the person enjoys moderate to heavy exercise. I would have no energy on this diet.
I personally don’t believe in the past existence of cavemen, so another reason I wouldn’t try paleo. I would try “The Maker’s Diet” instead which is biblical-era eating.
KaraHadley says
I hear talk that one of the reasons the paleo diet works is because our bodies haven’t fully evolved to digest the things we eat now, so you’re taking stress off of them. But I’m with you, cutting whole food groups like whole grains isn’t good. Yes, we can live without dairy or meat, but I think grains is a pretty necessary one. Also, if I understand correctly, you’re not supposed to do cardio on the paleo diet.
Gina @ Running to the Kitchen says
I’ve just recently heard of paleo and while intriguing it just seems too limiting. I can’t imagine it’s healthy to cut entire food groups out either, like you said.
Corey @ the runner's cookie says
I met a girl in my class the other day who sticks to paleo eating and does fitness competitions…I wouldn’t deny that it helps people get lean, I’m sure it does, but it’s never a way I would want to live. And personally, as a runner, I do not believe it’s healthy to cut out all grains and even other starches like potatos. I also cannot imagine a life without dessert 🙂
Jen says
I agree! I could never, ever give up carbs! I already have to cut out a whole food group due to lactose intolerance, so I could not imagine cutting out another. These different ways of eating are definitely fascinating, but I could never stick to any long-term.
Paulina says
My friends who are hard core into CrossFit are also very into the Paleo diet. They still have the occasional beer, so I suppose they aren’t too strict. I don’t agree with the theory behind it either. Cavemen generally lived a much shorter life, I think 35 years was the average lifespan! I could see limiting the amount of grains, dairy, legumes that you eat, but eliminating them completely seems unnecessary.
Lindsay @ The Lean Green Bean says
i’ve heard of it, but never tried it. probably won’t ever try it. i’m not a huge fan of eliminating things
Heather says
I’m a big fan of common sense eating. I llove how Ellie Krieger puts it: no food is off limits, but there are often foods, sometimes foods, and rarely foods.
I’m also a big fan of milk and quinoa; no way any caveman is gonna talk me out of those.
Brittany says
Love the idea of often foods and rarely foods!
Maria says
As someone who has tried the Paleo, I must say that I felt pretty darn good (read: healthy, lean, energetic) when I was following the “diet”. I also credit it in helping me build lean muscle to achieve some big fitness goals (pull ups!), but that being said, it wasn’t sustainable. While I actually believe that many grains and dairy aren’t the best things for me (just based on how they make me feel), they are in some of my favorite foods and life’s too short to eliminate my favorite things 🙂
Whenever I feel like my diet is in a slump, I’ll do a few Paleo based meals here and there and I’m feeling great in no time.
Brittany says
Thanks so much for representing the other side, Maria. I guess that’s why there is a solid following- if it makes people feel good!
Jen says
honestly, i really can’t get on board with any type of diet that restricts certain foods. i much prefer to take a balanced approach to eating.
John J. says
What a great picture of you and Hailey! “Cave” woman, l like that hair style on you. Looking forward to seeing y’all tomorrow!
Sarah says
After reading The China Study, I can’t help but look at Paleo in a very different light. I’d definitely suggest you try the vegan thing first… maybe while reading The China Study for extra motivation!
Just to clarify, I am not, nor have I ever been vegan. I just prefer eating plants 🙂
Christina says
I was experimenting like that back in the spring but it was very short. I did gluten free week and vegan week before life got in the way of my experiment. Honestly I thought my vegan week was much easier to do than gluten free. I plan on doing more weeks in the future but i don’t know if i’ll be adding paleo to the list.
Emily says
I definitely see the benefits of the Paleo lifestyle, but I see nothing wrong with whole grains and legumes. I don’t think it’s possible (for me anyway) to live your life eating in the Paleo way.
I’m already gluten-free, but I would also like to try eating vegan for a week or two!
Dawn says
Brittany,
I would love for you to try Gluten-Free. The food is actually not bad. What is hard is finding base ingredients that do not have gluten. Still learning. Eating out is also a challenge. Cross contamination issues. Many restaurants offer gluten free menu items but they do not have a seperate preparation area nor do they use seperate utensil for gluten free customers. They really do not get it in most cases. So in reality the food is not gluten free. Frustrating for someone with Celiac Disease.
Brittany says
I know so many people that eat gluten free and am amazed at the creativity they have in finding things to eat. I look forward to trying it for a week so I can understand the challenges and maybe even find a new food or two to try!
Tiff @ Love Sweat and Beers says
I don’t quite “get” the Paleo thing. I mean, people died really young back then, right? I’m not attributing the life span solely to their diets by any means, but I’m just sayin… does history always need repeating?
Jamie @ FoodinRealLife says
I’m not a fan of any diet eliminating a food group. And I really think Paleo is a “diet” and not just a way of eating.
Alyssa @ Life of bLyss says
no paleo for me. once I have to follow diet “rules,” I just get angry and frustrated and what I’m not allowed to eat is suddenly all I want. for me, the best diet is “everything in moderation.” 🙂
Roz@weightingfor50 says
Hi Brittany. I’m far from an expert, but like you, I don’t think an entire food group is meant to be cut out. And like you, I’m not sure I want to give up a bit of wine or beer. All in moderation. Hope all three (actually 4 of you – not forgetting Koda) have a great weekend.
PressureCookerDiaries says
We try to follow it – generally, but not 100%. You’ve got many of the premises wrong though:
* no grains, potatoes, legumes or dairy. – potatoes, and tubers are allowed, but not legumes and dairy or grains.
* no sugar, processed foods, etc – true.
* no coffee or alcohol – not true, fermented foods and alcohol are fine, coffee is a gray area.
* no processed meats – only because there are chemicals in them. Bacon, without nitrates, is fine. Homemade sausage is fine. etc.
* do eat lean meats, eggs, vegetables, fruits, nuts and seeds
* allowed oils: olive, flax and nut oils. Not just lean meats. A large part of this diet is busting the myth that meat needs to be lean to be good for you. They are all about using lard, and all cuts of meat, organs, etc.
I think the biggest benefit comes from cutting out sugar and chemicals. While we don’t follow this 100%, as I said, the modifications we have made to our diets have helped my health immensely.
Brittany says
Yes, I found a lot of discrepancies in what was allowed and off limits, so I listed out the ‘rules’ I found to be most consistent. I do love the idea of decreasing consumption of sugar and chemicals, so I definitely agree with that aspect. Thanks so much for your comment!
Marci says
Paleo is the diet that goes with the exercise of CrossFit. Many CF’ers eat Paleo. I think it’s looney and not realistic. But CF people are very hardcore and do bare bones exercises, which goes in line with Paleo eating.
Kristin @ eat healthy. be happy. live well. says
I have a few friends who follow this diet and they are incredibly lean and fit! Although I see the benefits and can understand the rationale, I wouldn’t want to cut out peanut butter and potatoes 🙂
Cindi says
I first heard about the paleo diet from dooce: http://dooce.com/2011/08/03/wherein-i-go-touch-more-insane sounds way too restrictive for me, but very interesting to learn about. I don’t think I could even be vegan for a week. A week without cheese is a week not worth living! 😉
Tina @ Faith Fitness Fun says
Yea I could never do something that restricts an entire food group either. And I agree that this does. Basically I can’t follow any eating “lifestyle” because as soon as I have labels or restrictions I get way too anxious.
Cate says
As a vegetarian, cutting out legumes and grains would basically leave me with nothing to eat. Plus didn’t cavemen only live to be like 35 years old? I think it can definitely help people lose weight (like Atkins did)… but I’m not convinced eating all that meat is really healthy.
Lindsay @ Schnoodle Soup says
I love you because you admit to loving a cold one as much as I do! I know people that eat via the Paleo lifestyle. Not my thing. No potatoes? I’d straight up die.
Jill @ Just Focus Well says
I have heard of the diet, but didn’t really pay too much attention to it for some reason. I agree that I don’t like “ways of eating” if it means you have to eliminate an entire food group. My philosophy is to eat as clean as you can and get in as many nutrients as possible.
Sophie @ LoveLiveAndLearn says
I do understand why it probably does help some people and most of the principles of the diet are quite healthy but I’m with you, to me it just isn’t healthy to cut a whole food group out!
Thanks for the extra information and for highlighting the issues with the diet, it was really interesting to read 🙂
Jamie @ Don't Forget the Cinnamon says
I agree that cutting out a whole food group is never a good idea and it’s not something that I personally would try…I love me my bread and sweet potatoes! However, that’s not to say that there aren’t a few good pieces of wisdom to take from the paleo way of eating–for example, limiting processed foods, sugar, alcohol is probably (definitely?) a good thing!
maya @ finding balance in tokyo says
I think the basic idea behind the no-grains thing is that our diets have become dependent on these foods faster that our bodies have been able to adapt to them. The amount of wheat packed into a few slices of bread, for example, would be impossible to consume naturally in the wild. Because of this we are getting a higher concentration of things like gluten and lectin than our bodies can handle, and this contributes to a lot of the diseases of the modern world, such as diabetes, gut problems, etc.
The idea is to minimize toxins and anti-nutrients in your diet and instead rely on the whole foods that are supposed to make up the bulk of our diets, such as vegetables, fruit, fats, meats, etc.
If you are interested in this, I suggest looking into Primal instead. Primal is very similar to Paleo (a lot of people use the terms interchangeably), but in my opinion it is much more balanced, common sense, and less strict. It recommends aiming for the 80/20 rule rather than 100% adherence and allows for fermented dairy, “sensible indulgences” like alcohol and chocolate, and adapting things to your own needs within the basic framework. There are even vegetarian hacks out there that rely on soaked legumes, etc. in place of meat.
I highly recommend checking out Mark’s Daily Apple (http://www.marksdailyapple.com/) for more information. He is crazy smart and well researched and his site is a goldmine of information, even for those who do not follow the Primal lifestyle.
I myself am not strictly Primal or Paleo, but I aim for most of my home cooked meals to be as Primal as possible (usually vegetarian w/ lots of eggs & fermented dairy), and treat grains as I do sugar: an indulgence. I definitely feel better the closer to Primal I eat, though..
Brittany says
Very interesting! I do like the idea of a little more flexibility. I haven’t heard of primal, but am interested to learn more about it. I’m going to check out mark’s daily apple. Thanks for the info!
Jane Preston says
I am so glad you addressed the Paleo Diet. There are a lot of great comments and I don’t want to duplicate what has been said, but any high protein diet raises a “red flag” in my book, because of the long term side effects. There are scientific studies that show that high protein/low-carbohydrate diets can raise cholesterol levels, accelerate calcium loss and possibly contribute to kidney and heart problems. After reading The China Study and learning about the connection between animal protein and breast cancer, it concerns me, as a breast cancer survivor. It will be interesting to see how the Paleo Diet and other similar “diets” affect a person’s health in years to come, if they remain on the diet for a period of time. A person can be lean and healthy on the outside, but you can have serious issues on the inside.
I do agree with eliminating processed foods and sugar (it’s not easy, especially around the holidays). Eating fruits, vegetables, healthy legumes and grains, wild fish, hormone free chicken, is the healthiest route to take, in my opinion. And, having a beer or wine….everything in moderation, right? Thanks again for another great topic.
Lauren @hugskissesndishes says
I agree cutting out entire food groups is scary. I mean aren’t we supposed to change up our eating daily so that we don’t develop allergies and intolerances? Hard to do if you limit what you can eat. I went vegan, then vegetarian, and am now pescatarian. I have also gone gluten and soy free due to tummy issues, but let me tell you being limited in what you can eat can get really frustrating. And who needs the extra stress right?
Veronica says
You CAN have red wine in the paleo diet! And chocolate, 70% cacao,
Leah says
I don’t think that the Paleo diet is cutting out a food group. You can still get carbs from fruits and vegetables. Plus, who is to say that the USDA’s “food groups” are really what we should be following in the first place? What our bodies need are carbs, proteins, fats, vitamins, minerals and water, all of which we can get from foods besides grains. I hope that makes sense. 🙂
Tt in nyc says
I went vegan “for a week”…..about three years ago. I’ve been vegetarian since i was 11 years old so the transition wasnt very hard, but i have never regretted a single day of treating myself, the environment, and all animals with compassion. Mama pea’s blog will help you, check out her older meal planning posts. You wont regret it. You might not go back.
Linnea says
My husband and I cut out gluten as an experiment and I would highly recommend that as a first step. He never went back and I only did for a time because I am pregnant and the morning sickness was terrible. I do think whole grains are still important but they are still really easy to get without eating gluten. My husband noticed an immediate improvement in energy and bowel movement consistency. Now if he missteps and eats something with gluten his body immediately responds. It’s interesting how much our bodies put up with!I think in a lot of ways the paleo diet is a step in the right direction but one step too far for me. I found Tim Ferriss’s book The Four Hour Body an excellent place to start. I’ve found the elimination of sugar to be the absolute greatest aid in healthy living. My husband and I both lost 30 lbs in less than 3 months by eliminating refined sugar six days out of the week. Neither of us has ever been considered overweight by any chart and we didn’t realize we were packing that much extra! It is also very easy to incorporate vegetarianism into this plan. I would say that whatever you do try you may want to consider doing for more than a week. The first week your body will be trying to compensate so you may not really notice a difference or you may even feel worse. Also, it made a huge difference to have my husband on board with me. I think it’s almost a requirement for any healthy eating plan.