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Eating Paleo

SayMyName said:
I have seen this eating Paleo diet coming up more and more lately. What are everyone's thoughts on this, and have you tried it? It would be nice to hear what people think. Read more at the link here...The Primary Characteristics of the Paleo Diet
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Thanks for the link. We probably eat too much starch, but otherwise we are pretty close to the described nutrition.
 
I think it is silly to think that anyone knows what "paleo" people actually ate. Scientists do not. What scientists DO say there is evidence for is that man probably ate whatever was available (again, they don't know what this was) and due to this, is able to eat a wide variety of things, and draw nutrition from those things.

As to the paleo diet specific recommendations: One thing I have never seen them do is point to a modern culture that consumes their diet, and say "see? they are healthy". They do point to anecdotal evidence of people getting healthier, but this is paltry stuff compared to evidence on other diets. Furthermore, there is good science that says much of the stuff they tell you to cut out is actually good for you. The one thing their diet eliminates, and consequently results in a true benefit is their elimination of refined sugar, but we all pretty much already knew that was bad for you.

Finding a healthy diet that works for YOU is a matter of finding one that you can adhere to long term. Making all your own food instead of processed food is certainly a good thing, so that you can know what is in it. If you can stick to that and not head to the nearest burger store out of time management frustration.

Stick to science, and whatever works for you. The paleo thing is a speculative narrative, without much science to actually back it up.
 
Dezaad said:
I think it is silly to think that anyone knows what "paleo" people actually ate. Scientists do not. What scientists DO say there is evidence for is that man probably ate whatever was available (again, they don't know what this was) and due to this, is able to eat a wide variety of things, and draw nutrition from those things.

As to the paleo diet specific recommendations: One thing I have never seen them do is point to a modern culture that consumes their diet, and say "see? they are healthy". They do point to anecdotal evidence of people getting healthier, but this is paltry stuff compared to evidence on other diets. Furthermore, there is good science that says much of the stuff they tell you to cut out is actually good for you. The one thing their diet eliminates, and consequently results in a true benefit is their elimination of refined sugar, but we all pretty much already knew that was bad for you.

Finding a healthy diet that works for YOU is a matter of finding one that you can adhere to long term. Making all your own food instead of processed food is certainly a good thing, so that you can know what is in it. If you can stick to that and not head to the nearest burger store out of time management frustration.

Stick to science, and whatever works for you. The paleo thing is a speculative narrative, without much science to actually back it up.
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What was the average lifespan of a paleo man?
 
saber tooth tigers and bears probably shortened the life span a bit. I suspect some cave guys still made it into their 60's+. But it is true they are all dead now.
Dezaad said:
35 or something, wasn't it? I don't recall.
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mak2 said:
saber tooth tigers and bears probably shortened the life span a bit. I suspect some cave guys still made it into their 60's+. But it is true they are all dead now.
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Since we don't know what they ate, the matter is moot anyway. 16, 35, or 190... We still wouldn't know what to eat.
 
The assumption is that they were healthier because of what they ate. Where's the proof?
 
My wife eats paleo. All it really is is no dairy or grains. She eats a lot of meat, fruit, vegetables, nuts, etc. She's a high performance athlete and it works for her, for me, I can't give up my bread. I do usually eat a paleo dinner though. We'll throw assorted meats, sliced up potato, and nuts into our air fryer and it comes out really nice and healthy.
 
That's pretty much the way I've been eating for the past 10 years and I've never been healthier in my entire life. My body treats most gluten and most dairy, which we eat enormous amounts of in the West, as poison. There's no way in hell I'm putting any of it back into my body. It may not work for everyone, but for me it meant the end of constant gastrointestinal issues, no more headaches, no more unexplained aches and pains in my legs and no more constantly catching colds in the winter. The difference between the "before" and "after" was so drastic it was actually freaky. Some of the issues I'd been dealing with for years cleared up in less than 2 weeks and never came back.
 
SayMyName said:
I have seen this eating Paleo diet coming up more and more lately. What are everyone's thoughts on this, and have you tried it? It would be nice to hear what people think. Read more at the link here...The Primary Characteristics of the Paleo Diet
Click to expand...

The only main thing I see wrong with the Paleo diet is in addition to eating how people did all those years ago, people also fail to account for the exercise they did all those years ago as well. Just eating Paleo, IMO, is not a good thing if you don't include a stamina exercise routine as well.

Also, there is some question as to long term health on the paleo diet as well because most people back then didn't live as long as they do now.
 
Dezaad said:
Since we don't know what they ate, the matter is moot anyway. 16, 35, or 190... We still wouldn't know what to eat.
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That along with the fact that one paleo man living in one part of the world would have eaten vastly different from another. They ate what was available.

My take on it is that Paleo means no processed foods and natural ingredients, which regardless of whether that's exactly what paleo's ate, is a pretty good idea in general. In general the person that only peruses the fruits veggies and meats section of the mega market is going to be doing better health wise than someone who buys from the interior shelves where they keep the snack foods and processed foods. Of course let me reiterate the words "In general".


With that said you can still be plenty healthy or lose weight without following all of the restrictions of the paleo diet.
 
Arcana XV said:
That's pretty much the way I've been eating for the past 10 years and I've never been healthier in my entire life. My body treats most gluten and most dairy, which we eat enormous amounts of in the West, as poison. There's no way in hell I'm putting any of it back into my body. It may not work for everyone, but for me it meant the end of constant gastrointestinal issues, no more headaches, no more unexplained aches and pains in my legs and no more constantly catching colds in the winter. The difference between the "before" and "after" was so drastic it was actually freaky. Some of the issues I'd been dealing with for years cleared up in less than 2 weeks and never came back.
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That almost sounds like you had a gluten intolerance or maybe even celiac if your reactions to gluten were that severe. My mother in law has it and has many of the same symptoms, coupled with sever diarrhea if she partakes in gluten.
 
TheNextEra said:
The only main thing I see wrong with the Paleo diet is in addition to eating how people did all those years ago, people also fail to account for the exercise they did all those years ago as well. Just eating Paleo, IMO, is not a good thing if you don't include a stamina exercise routine as well.
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True that. Another side effect of eating less gluten and dairy is that my energy levels went through the roof. I've always had an exercise routine, but when I changed my diet I became stronger and fitter and actually had to increase my physical activity.
 
roughdraft274 said:
That almost sounds like you had a gluten intolerance or maybe even celiac if your reactions to gluten were that severe. My mother in law has it and has many of the same symptoms, coupled with sever diarrhea if she partakes in gluten.
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My intolerance is specifically to wheat gluten. I can eat some other types of bread in moderation as long as there is absolutely no wheat flour mixed in. As for dairy, I only have an issue with cow's milk. Goat and sheep, zero problems.
 
SayMyName said:
I have seen this eating Paleo diet coming up more and more lately. What are everyone's thoughts on this, and have you tried it? It would be nice to hear what people think. Read more at the link here...The Primary Characteristics of the Paleo Diet
Click to expand...

well, if you look at the underlying ideals and how they have no connection to actual food choices, that it lacks scientific validity, and seems highly ideological and faddish, I think anyone can see that it rates rather high on the BS meter.
 
Dezaad said:
As to the paleo diet specific recommendations: One thing I have never seen them do is point to a modern culture that consumes their diet, and say "see? they are healthy". They do point to anecdotal evidence of people getting healthier, but this is paltry stuff compared to evidence on other diets. Furthermore, there is good science that says much of the stuff they tell you to cut out is actually good for you. The one thing their diet eliminates, and consequently results in a true benefit is their elimination of refined sugar, but we all pretty much already knew that was bad for you.
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You see this with mst any diet: people that have **** eating habits start adopting basic common sense eating habits, as part of some stupid fad diet, then claim eating 3 week old raw horse brain totally transformed their lives.
 
roughdraft274 said:
That along with the fact that one paleo man living in one part of the world would have eaten vastly different from another. They ate what was available.

My take on it is that Paleo means no processed foods and natural ingredients, which regardless of whether that's exactly what paleo's ate, is a pretty good idea in general. In general the person that only peruses the fruits veggies and meats section of the mega market is going to be doing better health wise than someone who buys from the interior shelves where they keep the snack foods and processed foods. Of course let me reiterate the words "In general".


With that said you can still be plenty healthy or lose weight without following all of the restrictions of the paleo diet.
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I agree. If a person would just focus on the outer perimeters in the grocery store for produce ( including vegetables, fruits, nuts,) meat, seafood, dairy, and avoid the middle aisles as much as possible as they are packed full of processed foods, you should be good to go. Of course this means planning on spending time in the kitchen. I tend to eat more of a Mediterranean diet. Seafood at least twice a week. Usually my meals are built on fruits and vegetables rather than the cut of meat. Legumes for fiber and protein are encouraged and none of the food groups are omitted. Even butter is considered a healthy fat along with olive oil. Anything natural. I also believe two of the worst things to eat are bleached flour and refined sugar. I do use them occasionally for holiday baking and special occasions but not daily.
 
mak2 said:
saber tooth tigers and bears probably shortened the life span a bit. I suspect some cave guys still made it into their 60's+. But it is true they are all dead now.
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Ha. Saber tooth tigers...good point.
 
I've been eating paleo for a couple of years now. My wife is a vegetarian. She once dared me to try a raw food diet for 2 weeks. I made it to 5 weeks just to prove I could do it. I hated it. Vegetarian is OK, but it doesn't work for me. Grains slow me down and probably contribute to allergies and lethargy. I don't like that. Dairy, I have never liked. Can't stand milk.

Paleo works for me. It gives me energy. My overall health is great. I no longer get colds or the flu. I like to eat meat. In fact I love to smoke meat or to cook it on the grill. I do that at least 3 times a week. I eat raw vegetables and some cooked veggies. Some fruit. No grain, no sugar. Daily exercise.
 
American said:
You don't even understand my point, but whatever. :shrug:
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Yes, actually I did: that paleolithic humans hardly lived some long and healthy life. In response I made a joke that you seemingly took way too seriously
 
Dr. Chuckles said:
Yes, actually I did: that paleolithic humans hardly lived some long and healthy life. In response I made a joke that you seemingly took way too seriously
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Maybe because your joke took a 90 degree turn. Sorry.
 
US News does a ranking of all the popular diets every year. In their rankings of best diets for healthy eating, the Paleo Diet ranks near dead last:

Best Diets for Healthy Eating | US News Best Diets

That said most diets if actually adhered to are fairly effective in that they force you to be constantly cognizant of what you are eating. The best diets for health are going to be traditional Asian diets, Mediterranean diets, Pescetarian Diets, and Vegetarian Diets. Those are also the best diets for athletic performance. Any diet that is rich in whole foods, fruits and vegetables, whole grains, nuts, and cold water fish is a good diet.
 
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