Although I don't consider Butter Nutrition a Paleo blog, there is a very large overlap in my nutrition philosophy and the popular diet. Please note this is not an anti-paleo diet post, but more so about common Paleo diet problems that require course correction.
Paleo diet: The hottest dietary trend
There's no doubt that the Paleo diet was the most popular diet in the United States in 2013, and it keeps gaining momentum by the day. According to an online study by professor Hamilton M. Stapell, "Based on the limited data available, we estimate the current size of the ancestral health movement within the United States to be between one and three million people." That is quite a few people jumping on the ancestral diet trend, and for good reason...
The Paleo diet has some excellent foundations:
- Diet of whole, unprocessed foods: veggies/fruits, fats & meats
- Emphasis on organic, local, and grass-fed products
- Eliminates common allergens (gluten/wheat, dairy, soy)
- Recommends real, clean food
- Based on traditional foods that have been eaten since the beginning of time
- Suggests incorporating a variety of organ meats into your diet (this could be + or - depending on the amount of vitamin A in your diet)
These are great components to add to any diet. However, along with the good, comes the not so good...
The Paleo Diet's Dirty Laundry
I have noticed that many do well on a Paleo diet at first, and some people even thrive for the first year or two. Then things can start to crumble- lowered body temp (less than 98 degrees, indicating a slowed metabolism), increased food cravings (your body's "radio station" trying to maintain your health & homeostasis), impaired liver function (due to lowered thyroid=causing slowed detoxification), blood sugar handling issues (inability to store glycogen), and increased digestive issues/food allergies/sensitivities (lowered thyroid decreases digestive juices). While this may not be the case for everyone, it is something I see in my clients and the Paleo community.
How can the popular diet fall short?
1) Tends to be more "low carb" which can slow the metabolism & decrease the conversion of T4 (thyroxine- inactive thyroid hormone) to T3 (active thyroid hormone). According to Dr. Ray Peat, PhD, “The liver provides about 70% of our active thyroid hormone, by converting thyroxine to T3, but it can provide this active hormone only when it has adequate glucose.” A slowed metabolism causes a cascade of problems including:
- Slowed hormone synthesis
- Impaired detoxification
- Slowed transit time (read: constipation)
- Increases the body's reliance on stress hormones
- Decreased appetite (due to slowed transit) resulting in accumulation of nutritional debt
2) Favors lots of muscle meats, without focus on balancing with non-inflammatory proteins (dairy, fish, shellfish, broth, gelatin).
3) Paleo dieters (can) load up on an unnatural amount of nuts which are difficult to digest and high in copper). This is often seen in Paleo baked goods such as bread substitutes and desserts.
4) Often (not all the time) a Paleo diet restricts dairy, which is a nutritional powerhouse when your body is healthy enough to tolerate unprocessed dairy (raw or additive free). Sure it's helpful for many with poor digestion or food allergies to remove, but otherwise dairy can be a very healthful nutrition powerhouse. After all, the most healthful diets are those with the widest variety of food choices.
5) The Paleo diet tends to favor fat metabolism for energy vs. carbohydrates (meaning more of your calories come from fat that is burned for energy vs carbohydrates). Excessive fat burning for energy activates the stress response and decreases carbon dioxide in the body (decreased carbon dioxide accelerates the aging process). Dr. Ray Peat agrees sugar can safeguard us; increasing our resistance to stress, and providing anti-aging benefits when used properly in the context of a nutrient dense diet, “The protective effects of sugar, and the harmful effects of excessive fat metabolism, are now being widely recognized, in every field of physiology.”
6) Tends to demonize sugar as death on a teaspoon.
If that's really the case, then why do all forms of carbohydrates: starches, fruits, grains, etc. get broken down into single sugars in the body (glucose and fructose)? Why does the body crave sugar if its' consumption surely leads to health destruction? Is the body unwise? The body craves sugar because if it doesn't get it, it will break down proteins and fats to make it.
"Any craving is a good starting point, because we have several biological mechanisms for correcting specific nutritional deficiencies. When something is interfering with your ability to use sugar, you crave it because if you don't eat it you will waste protein to make it." Dr. Ray Peat, PhD
Signs that your Paleo diet NEEDS course correction
If you are following a Paleo diet, these are just a few clues your body's check engine lights are going off like crazy!
- Intense cravings for sugar and sweets (you may even find yourself obsessing over paleo desserts)
- Strong cravings for chocolate and salt, indicating a loss of salt and magnesium due to the stress response and hormones cortisol and aldosterone
- Low body temperature (below 97.8 upon waking)
- Low pulse rate
- Poor digestion, bloating, constipation and slowed transit time
- Cravings for "off diet" foods
- Low energy/fatigue
- Weight gain
- Edema
I'm sure that when executed carefully, a Paleo diet can work, but it is all very person specific. I think the KEY here is not to ever let "dietary" dogma rule over your cravings and what your body is telling you because at the end of the day, the Paleo diet is still a "diet". And a diet in my book is defined by any dietary rules that regularly influence you to ignore your body's needs, including internal signals that your body gives you: like stress, constipation, bloating, low energy, PMS and the all important food cravings that help keep us in balance.
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References:
Peat, Ray. Gelatin, stress, longevity. 2009. Retrieved July, 1 2014 from http://raypeat.com/articles/articles/gelatin.shtml
Peat, Ray. Glycemia, starch, and sugar in context. 2009. Retrieved July 1, 2014 from http://raypeat.com/articles/articles/glycemia.shtml
Schwartz, David B. and Stapell, Hamilton M. (2013) "Modern Cavemen? Stereotypes and Reality of the Ancestral Health Movement," Journal of Evolution and Health: Vol. 1: Iss. 1, Article 3. http://dx.doi.org/10.15310/2334-3591.1000
Photo Credit: Depositphotos.com/erllre
Kassay
Couldn't disagree with this article anymore than i do.
This article obviously is written by someone who fully does not understand the Paleo lifestyle.
With every diet, nutrition plan or lifestyle there are rules having to do with moderation.
People on the Paleo diet or following the Paleo lifestyle as i like to call is do not follow a low carb diet. This is absolutely false, and a statement like that shows the ignorance in you as the writer but also the misinformation from the dieter themselves. That is not at all what Paleo represents. Paleo teaches you about good carbs and bad carbs. Carbs include fruits and veggies and in the Paleo way of life we encourage that your diet includes lots and lots of these good carbs.
Second, we do not binge on nuts. And if someone does, it isn't because they are Paleo, it is because they have a lack of self control. This comes with any diet or nutrition plan that you follow! People who do not follow any diets will sit on their couch and watch TV while consuming an entire pint of ice cream. Therefore to associate Paleo with the binging on nuts is absurd. Some people need to learn their limitations and learn self control. That's with ANY diet.
Lastly, the points you make about dairy are very argumentative, but i will not get into that and you definitely have not provided enough facts on that to back up your statement. But I assure you i could find many more articles that show the bad side effects of dairy rather than positive. I'll let it at that. Lots of over generalization in your statements.
People need to work on their self control and learn moderation before they can follow any diet!
Just to tell you a bit about myself so you understand where i am coming from, i have been following a Paleo lifestyle since February 2011. It has changed my life and i have experienced so many benefits the list is endless, I am in the best health and shape of my entire life at 30 years old. My diet includes lean meats, occasional red meat, lots of veggies , good amount of fruit and since there are so many variations of Paleo (which you also did not consider in your article), i eat some greek yogurt occasionally. The Paleo way of life is the best way of living because hands down your eating stuff that is grown from the earth or animals that were put on this earth to feed man. Not chemicals that were genetically modified and created into a substance called food. So really understand what Paleo is before criticizing it next time, that is all.
Catherine
Thanks Kassay for joining the conversation.
The goal of the article is to point out "signs" that a person's Paleo diet might need course correction. Like I said I am not anti-paleo, but I think it's important to play devil's advocate on any diet and not to wear blinders 🙂
Abundantly,
Catherine
Letitia
Yeah!!!
JimSeko
Some people who claim to be following the paleo diet are actually following the Atkins diet. They avoid fruits like the plague and they think CAFO meat and eggs are healthy foods. I follow a diet very similar to what is recommended by Jo Robinson's books.
Michael Haire
Pasture raised chickens lay wonderful eggs and they have all a human needs to survive except Vit C. If there ever was a true superfood, it would be eggs! Anyone intolerant to eggs, more than likely the egg white, has a bowel problem like SIBO. In my 52 years of living and studying, you’re the first person I have ever heard claim eggs are not healthy. Even vegetarians eat eggs and vegans know they are healthy, they avoid them due to coming from an animal. What factual info do you have for eggs being supposedly bad?
sarah
I def can agree with the nut thing. Every "milk" subatitute is nuts nuts and more nuts. It IS low on certain carbohydrates which depending your exercise regime is not adaquate. Ive stopped living by the paleo diet by simply adding in some simple xarbs and fermented dairy etc. Just tweak your diet to suit your body and lifestyle needs 🙂
Stef
So if I get cocaine cravings it means my body needs cocain, or that cocaine is healthy? It is a nonsequitor that q craving sugar means we need to go get it.
Cravings by themselves proves nothing.
Andria
Wow, defensive much?! Considering how defensive and poorly written your rant is, I guess I shouldn't even bother addressing how away off base you are. But...I can't resist since Catherine has made some very valid points and was never criticizing the Paleo diet. Did you not even read this article?? She clearly states she is not bashing Paleo and clearly AVOIDS making generalizations. For instance, she states that people that follow Paleo can TEND to be more low carb (come on, now, we all know plenty of Paleo followers/advocates who do eat low carb.) and can TEND to over consume nuts. She is not even talking about bingeing on nuts. Many Paleo bloggers seem to ignore the significant PUFA content of nuts (and the dangers of heating PUFA's: Baked almond flour Paleo desserts, anyone??) and post numerous Paleo desserts made with almond flour. For someone to consume these (NOT binge), they are ingesting quite a bit of nuts in a single serving of dessert.
So, what is so argumentative about her points about dairy? She said it is a nutritional powerhouse. It is. If you look at it's nutritional profile (protein, Calcium, Potassium, B vitamins), it is. Plain. And.Simple. YOU, yourself, stated that you eat yogurt on occasion. So what exactly is your point?
Alicia
I am new to all of this... why no heated almond/cashew/etc flour?
nina
Alicia, when you heat polyunsaturated oils they get damaged and become hazardous to oouour bodies in producing high amounts of free radicals. All very boring technical stuff. Damaged polys can be inflammatory which is such a shame as rotated almonds are the bomb. Occasional treat.
nina
*Roasted*
Michael Haire
Define low carb? Most humans only need around 100-125 grams of carbs. Our body strictly controls the amount of glucose in our blood stream, adding a bunch of carbs is not the answer. Having a small amount with each meal is far superior. Anytime I eat carbs like rice or pasta, I’m hungry within two hours. Carbs are not satiating which tends to lead people into overeating or starving because it is not time to eat.
Shelby
Kassay, I'm not picking on you, but I think you really got out of hand on your comments, not fully understanding what Catherine said. Many of us know people who fit the pitfalls she's warning us about. You may not even completely understand your own Paleo lifestyle. For example, sounds like you are eating by the outdated introductory Paleo diet -- seriously low fat (lean meats with very little red meat -- I assume this means lots of skinless, boneless chicken breasts?, fruits and veggies, and the occasional Greek yogurt, which is generally non-fat.) At 30 years old, I doubt you've had enough time for the ill-effects of a low fat diet to catch up with you. Think about our ancestors -- what would they eat? Wouldn't they go for the most nutrient rich calories they could at any meal? They'd consume the organs and fattiest part of an animal first and if anything was left behind it was the lean meat. Paleo has helped so many people cleanse themselves of junky eating, getting them on the right track, and they now feel fabulous. Sounds like it's working for you so far, and that's awesome. But after a while of restricting our diets a lot of us recognize the need to pay attention to our bodies and amend our diets. We may not even know it or how to address it when these symptoms show up and that's why I'm so glad Catherine wrote this.
C than
Ypu stand corrected Greek yogurt is generally full fat!
Diana
well said
sarah
As someone with good self-control, I completely related to this article. I began paleo a year ago and for the first few to several months, I felt great. I ate lots of fruits, veggies, started eating more nuts, NEVER had grains or wheat, maybe like once a month I would have a piece of pizza or something, but that was it. I work out pretty hardcore a few times a week. After a few months on paleo, I tried going to the gym and I just could not even do a SQUAT. I was exhausted. I decided to increase my carbs because from reading articles about people with similar issues, I decided maybe that's what I needed. I felt better for awhile when I began eating more yams and some white potatoes. The only sugar I ever really had was from fruit and the very occasional dark chocolate. I have always, always been on the leaner side, but I began gaining weight, even though I was working out and completely following paleo. The only way I would be the exact size i wanted to be was to eat literally nothing but some veggies & some meat every day. No nuts, no wheat or grains obviously, & lastly, no fruit, because according to a lot of paleo peeps, the fruit was causing me to gain weight. I also began waking up every 4 hours or so when trying to get a good nights sleep..I could never sleep a whole night through, it sucked. I'm glad paleo works for you, but as an extremely health-conscious person who tried paleo diligently for months, I did not feel great. I felt exhausted, cranky, fat, constipated, bloated... I felt like I was too clogged up with meats and eggs and all that gunk. It's a nice blueprint because it highlights the most important diet factors: eating organic, mostly fruits and veggies, get your protein, your carbs and your healthy fats, and most importantly, get rid of processed food. I love that I learned the importance of these things from trying paleo, but I don't think I would ever do paleo again. i didn't see any long lasting results following this way of life.
Isabel
Wow--Thanks for sharing your experience, Sarah. I knew it, I just knew it didn't feel right to have so many eggs and and protein every morning. Not many other options unless you want granola made with lots of nuts, of course. This is so very much what I needed to hear. So great to have people who have traveled the path first and can help us prevent the same outcomes. I knew something didn't feel right when I became afraid of fruit.
Isabel
Thank you, Sarah. This is just what I needed . Someone who's actually stuck with Paleo for a while and speaks from experience. Something didn't feel right with all the eggs and protein for breakfast unless you make granola --made with nuts, of course and I was becoming afraid to eat sweet fruits--my favorite but would reluctantly choose the berries instead, Not Fun
Diana Barker
Very well said, and I agree.
Phil Ott
I think you need a gluten-free tissue.
Congratulations on your anecdotal success.
Helen
So what is the best way to balance the paleo diet?
Linda
Thanks for this article! I found it to be very comforting. I do not feel well on Paleo diets. I think it's too low in carbs for me and it doesn't help me lose weight at all. I think everyone's body is different and we shouldn't get hung up on a specific style of eating if we don't feel great. Then again, if others like it then it's fine for them to continue on. Anyway, thanks for alleviating my guilt of not following a paleo diet!
Maranda
I don't find the Paleo diet encourages a lot of muscle meats, in fact I feel it's just the opposite. I think a typical Paleo diet emphasizes organ meat, seafood, bone broth and gelatin and encourages nose to tail eating.
And too many treats *can* be a problem with any diet, whether it's Paleo, Vegan or SAD. I don't think baked goods made of nuts are any more or less healthy than baked goods anyone else is eating.
Eric Harris
I have only been on a mostly paleo diet for 6 months. I have been able to get down to 20 percent body fat from 30 percent. My main two areas I am not paleo are dairy and fruit consumption. I still have dairy on a daily basis (especially whey protein). And, I love fruit, so I have not restricted whole fruit on my diet. I do agree with this article in that many recipes and paleo food pyramids focus on meat consumption vs protein consumption. Many of these food pyramids show eggs as a eat only once a week food. Through the reading I have been doing in medical and other research has shown eating whole eggs on a daily basis is healthy. Next most research on milk consumption states that milk aids in fat reduction. Some paleo enthusiasts are starting to consume more milk as long as it is RAW or fermented. I think the general diet guidelines of removing processed garbage, grains, and sugar help people become more healthy. But in the end you have to find a program that you can live with on a daily basis and stick to long term. I believe with my current mostly paleo plan I can stay on this plan for the long run.
Amanda Y
hi Catharine. This article is a blessing. It explains exactly what happened to me. In 2012 I was tired and very inflamed. My Chiropractor, who was very strict Paleo, recommended I try it. After 4 months I had lost 30 lbs. and felt amazing. But after a few years I starting getting the crazy cravings you talked about. I could kill for something sweet and salty, and was craving baked goods and sugar. Over two years I slowly put on 20 lbs. My hair started falling out and I had absolutely no energy. This year I was diagnosed with Hypothyroidism and Adrenal Fatigue. I am not saying the Paleo diet caused this. I am sure I had these issues for years, but now that I read this I am 100% convinced that it accelerated my illnesses. I am now taking natural supplements to recover. I have lost 8 lbs and I am slowly starting to rebuild my health. I have been reading a lot of Weston A. Price's work. I still believe in J.E.R.F., just eat real food. I eat mostly meat, vegetables and fruit. But I do believe having some raw dairy and certain grains can be beneficial. I eat a lot of kefir, and some raw hard cheese occasionally. I also eat a bit of rice products: pasta, crackers, cereal etc. I sometimes have some wheat free oatmeal on really active days. I bike 10 km's a day and have an active job. I feel much better with the addition of more carbs. I do try to still be gluten-free, I don't do well with gluten. I also find combining my carbs with a protein or fat also helps me digest them better. I used to get bloated without doing that. Thank you for this article. I am not anti-paleo either. I still believe it in. But I think people get it wrong, or follow it too strictly.
JM
I am in the same boat as you! I did a note ketogenic paleo for two years. Dropped weight fast but put so much stress on my body and crashed two years later. I ja e insomnia, 20+ lbs weight gain...all cellulite??!!, cycle swings, low moods , livet and gallbladder sludge, and fatigue. I am starting to get a little better taking in sweet potatoes and using some adrenal.cortex. What else has worked for you?
Sharon
"Using some adrenal cortex" ??? What is that? I'm sorry, I'm not a paleo diet follower. I just removed all processed food from my life, as much as I possibly could. (without being maniacal about it.) I eat lots of good fresh veggies, fruit, etc. But you mentioned adrenal cortex and my brain stopped. The reason is, I'm on an inhaled steroid daily and it has destroyed my adrenal glands. I only found this out when I forgot to take the medicine for about a week and all kinds of horrific stuff started to happen. Things like severe vertigo when I laid down to try to sleep, feeling hot all the time but my body temp was 96.2, massive anxiety attacks that triggered asthma crisis. and so forth. The doc finally asked me if I had been taking all my meds and 'whoop there it is' my bad. That's how I found out about my adrenal glands. I would love to know more about something that will help to repair/support/restore function so I can get off this medicine.
Jen
Hi.
Adrenal cortex is a natural supplement I get from thorne research... From iherb.com. I have rock bottom DHEA and low hormones overall....esp mid day. I am better adding sweet potatoes and some seeds. I find I have more issues with my gut right now.....its so hard to fix one without finding or causing another issue.
Carl
Wonderfully written from a balanced viewpoint, and extremely relevant. Thank you!
Michelle
Thanks so much! I've been looking for someone to clearly explain this. We are getting ready to make some food changes in our home and I have felt so discouraged by the constant barrage of conflicting information. I feel like I have a really clear place to start now=)
W C
Ok so I am a Robb Wolf Paleo guy and this article doesn't seem to agree with much of what Robb says. I am a firm believer in you find a diet that works for you. Paleo may not work for everyone. However I think that eating high quality animal proteins and fats, cutting out sugar, eating high quality fruits and veggies(not legumes however), nuts in moderation, and adding probiotics/fermented foods is pretty much fool proof. I will say that I grow all of my own food except coconuts, dark chocolate(yes 88% is ok per Robb-primal truffles are out of this world) and sea minerals(same thing I feed my cows).
I am sorry but I have never known anything good to come from sugar other than my water kefir grains eating it. Again I grow everything that I eat grass fed beef and lamb, forage based rabbits/goats, pastured poultry and pork, Heirloom fruit orchard and garden, raw milk(that is mostly sold but yes I love goat cheese). The reason I do this is because in 2008 I suffered from adrenal fatigue and COULD NOT lose weight. I went on a diet that was similar to Paleo and got to my best ever. Knew there had to be a better way and bought a farm. NOT EVERYONE WILL BE ABLE TO DO WHAT I DO.
This article tends to attack some of the "myths" of Paleo and I have never felt anything but fantastic on Paleo. However that is not always the case! I am sure there are some people who can lose weight eating weight watchers meals! I can t though!
Tara Pantera
Hey, WC! That's incredible! Paleo is how I found my way to purchasing 40 acres in Wyoming! I have a long way to go before I have critters and a big fat garden, but right now, I have a container garden in my CA back patio, and belong to a CSA. We drink local raw milk and have the occasional super-not-paleo meal or treat, but it is definitely a lifestyle and it drives me insane when people ask me if I'm still on my "diet"...this article sort of strikes me as "beginner Paleo". I think that everyone that starts on Paleo falls into these generalizations for a while. If you continue to study and learn, you realize you need to incorporate more ______, or remove _______ from your diet. Some people don't do well with nuts, some don't do well with eggs or nightshades. You don't know these things unless you experiment and continuously LEARN.
All sugar is not the same. Period. All carbs are not the same. I have never been low carb and I have lost plenty of weight, especially around the middle. Paleo does not equal low carb. Low carb should not be a lifestyle, it should be something you do for a very specific reason and for a very short time...like cancer or to lose a few pounds to fit into your wedding dress. The symptoms mentioned here are what happens when you blindly follow something without continuing to educate yourself.
That second paragraph isn't directed at Catherine, it's directed toward readers who think that these things "tend" to happen to everyone that's Paleo. Educate yourself...
Annette
Why shouldn't low carb be a lifestyle? Just being curious as I started low carb a while back because of my blood sugar causing big dips in my day where I've been too exhausted to even think. Since I've started low carb I have much more energy and suffer less from mood swings etc. It obviously is something I wish I had in college when I was also struggling to get through the day, I would've had so much more energy. So really wondering why you made that comment.
Diana Roe
I appreciate the perspective. I have not tried Paleo but have considered. I had only heard the very positive until today.
I do get that we are unique and what works well for one will not work for all. This gives me things to consider.
Becky
I understand the point you’re trying to make in your article but I also think that some issues aren’t necessarily strictly because of your diet. Our emotional state, activity level, etc. all play a part. I’ve been following a mostly paleo diet for 3 years now. I’ve gone through a lot of the things you mention but I also went through them, and a whole lot worse, when I was eating the SAD. No diet is perfect. There will always be something that can be better or that doesn’t work for everyone. That in and of itself doesn’t make the diet or lifestyle something that shouldn’t be followed. It’s up to each person to see if it works for them.
I can tell you that it doesn’t matter what diet I follow in terms of sugar and junk food. Junk food is junk food, whether it’s Paleo, Organic, etc. It’s still not the best thing we can put in our bodies. But, for me, I would say I’m a junk food addict. I’m good as long as I stay away from sweets and salty junk food completely. 100%. The minute I start eating it, whether Paleo or some other version, I just want more. And more. It’s like a mechanism triggers in my brain and it’s all I think about. I envy people who know when they’re satiated and can have one piece of chocolate and walk away. I’m not there yet and don’t know if I ever will be. So, I don’t believe it’s always that we crave things ONLY because our bodies truly need them. Some of us have developed some really bad habits over the years and our bodies want those things whether we need them or not.
It’s such a mind game sometimes when you’re dealing with food issues. I can just have eaten a very nutritious and satisfying lunch. 30 minutes later, if I walk into a restaurant, I’ll want to eat again. I know my body doesn’t need it, but my brain is telling me it does. The sight, the smells, the memories tied to that restaurant, it all plays a factor. Like I said, it’s a head game and it’s hard sometimes to know if the craving is really your body telling you that you NEED something, or your head telling you it WANTS it. I know 30 minutes after I eat, my body doesn’t need it so it’s not that type of craving, but try making your brain believe it when you want to sit down and have that ice cream sundae that looks so delicious.
I’m not criticizing your article but I did want to point out a few things because a lot of times people will read something like this and take it at face value and say AHA! See! I told you Paleo was bad for you! Not your fault. That’s on them. But for me, Paleo has helped me more than it has ever hurt me. I think I’ll always have cravings for foods that I shouldn’t eat. But I think that’s just me, no matter how I eat, and I just have to learn to deal with it. Doesn’t mean I’m lacking anything in my diet. Just means I have some strong habits that are going to take a long time to change.
Catherine
Thanks Becky for joining the conversation!
I think we just have to agree to disagree on this one. I think the body is way smarter in its cravings and desires than we give it credit for. I also think our mind is easily influenced by dietary/cultural/media and causes us to override what our body is telling us, and that's what gets us into deep trouble. I've watched all these cravings go away when a client gets what they need.
Thanks for reading,
Catherine
Farah
I am the same way. I see something sweet, salty, or fatty and I crave it so bad! When I remember to take magnesium citrate it helps. I have done a few juice cleanses and always feel better when I have a good week or two of juicing.
Mikaela (AKA Slightly Lost Girl)
Wow, I had the feeling people were going to get riled up when I saw this title....and I was right! I have been a reader of yours for quite some time and enjoy your posts! I have been following a version of the paleo diet for almost two years and have to beg to differ with a couple of your statements.
I think that the "Paleo" you described is kind of the uneducated and un-updated Paleo. Anyone who keeps reading new literature by leaders of the Paleo movement knows that there is a HUGE emphasis on eating bone broth and offal (organ meat)... and also that low-carb Paleo can be unhealthy especially for women. There is also an encouragement to buy pastured meat which has a better omega 3 profile. There is actually not a limitation on fruit, honey or maple syrup and some people even use organic raw cane sugar (azucar mascabado). UNLESS you are trying to lose weight in which case moderation is encouraged. The problem that they have is with processed sugar (which is often derived from GMO sugar beets). Processed sugar is also devoid of nutrients and harder to digest than the sugar from the sources I mentioned. I am really grateful for the paleo diet (and specifically the autoimmune protocol) because it has given my life back and contrary to what all doctors told me I am now medication free after years of suffering from sever Crohn's disease. I eat pate and bone broth almost daily and try to eat seafood 3-5 meals a week. I make sure not to get "too low carb" by eating sweet potatoes, squash, and plantains. Thanks for your opinions and interesting articles.
Catherine
Thanks Mikaela for the kind words!
I agree that some "sects" of Paleo (sounding religious now, LOL) are more up to date-- but not everyone reads that far into a Paleo diet. They pick up the first book they see and "go for it" so to speak. In this article I am mostly referring to the most basic and well known form of a Paleo diet: high fat, high protein, veggies and a little fruit.
Abundantly,
Catherine
Michael Haire
Catherine,
Have you made a blog post that does provide the best way of eating? I’m aware there is no cookie cutter method that works for all, we are all different. Surely, after all of this research coupled with your experience, you must have a way forward that works for most? What is it?
Catherine
Hi Michael,
The Creating Wealth eBook summarizes everything pretty thoroughly.
Abundantly,
Catherine
Diana
very interesting points you have made, slightly lost girl , I have cut out most processed foods and although have heard of the phalo diet/lifestyle and want to try it. thanks for your input, very interesting and I am happy you are recovering /have recovered from your illness. many thanks xx
Grateful
I've been doing Autoimmune Paleo for about three years now, due to a variety of health problems. It has been wonderful overall. But recently I've noticed more issues with my thyroid, adrenals, and liver, and I've been unable to pinpoint the cause. So this article was extremely helpful. I will try adjustments and see if things resolve. I've been on an anti-Candida diet for seven years (including the three on Paleo), and I've never stopped craving sugar in any form. I'm starting to suspect that with hypoglycemia, I actually need the natural sugars for energy. Each body is different, and I'm just trying to find the very best fit for mine.
Catherine
This is exactly why I wrote this article <3!
Becky Sager
This article is spot on for me. I am 51 and have been paleo for the last 3 years. I am just now experiencing the "negative" effects of paleo. My adrenals are exhausted, my thyroid T4 to T3 is the exact issue, and weight gain. I will have to admit that the first two years on paleo were more than great for me and the benefits were tremendous...the backlash of not enough "sugar" is my downfall.
Catherine
Thanks Becky for sharing.
I see this happen a lot, especially in women.
Abundantly,
Catherine
Tania
Does anyone know what age these ancestors lived too with this sort of eating?
Everytime i try gluten free or low sugar or just cutting down on eating too much i always go down hill.
It really messes with my head big time.
LMT
I follow the 80/20 Paleo rule. 80% of the time I eat Paleo and 20% of the time, I "give in" to my body's cravings (using your language). This helps me keep sugar and carbs in my diet, just in moderation. I don't know of a Paleo dietitian that doesn't advocate for the 80/20 or 90/10 rule. So, I think your article is aimed at people who are not fully informed on what Paleo is. It makes you come across like you aren't informed. I think a better way to frame this article would be here are some things you want to make sure to include in moderation, if you adhere to a Paleo diet, to avoid pitfalls: eat more veggies than meat, be-friend the sweet potato, don't be scared of fruit... You've really worded this as an underhanded attack on Paleo eaters, whether you intended to or not. Not to mention, the term "sugar" is quite broad. You didn't specify at all. Do you mean refined sugar? Or fructose? Sugar is absorbed differently in different forms, and thus effects our body differently.Same thing with carbs. Veggies are carbs, sweet potatoes are great carbs because, unlike bread, they are nutrient dense without the refined sugars. Those are vital distinctions for a nutritionist to make. And, I think the "follow your cravings" advice is also not fleshed out enough to be helpful. What about when our bodies are sending us signals that we are thirsty, but we mistake that for hunger? If our body is craving something sweet, shouldn't we reach for a nice juicy slice of watermelon instead of a donut? You make it sound like we should reach for that donut, and even during my 20% I avoid foods that aren't nutrient dense like white refined flour and sugar, simply because I know they'll make me feel badly. This article is far from well-written and not informative at all. If you want to address the common pitfalls of a Paleo diet, great! Just don't make it sound like that aren't avoidable on a Paleo diet, because they are.
Simas
You should provide references for your statements or don't write any articles at all.
"Excessive fat burning for energy activates the stress response and decreases carbon dioxide in the body (decreased carbon dioxide accelerates the aging process)" Where did you get this?
Also: dairy a non inflammatory protein?? This may definitely be true for some, but for most.... it's ridiculous.
Inflammatory: muscle meats??? Where does this come from???
Catherine
Now--now, let's play nicely here Simas 😉
Did you check out the references at the end article and read them? If you didn't see that section, I'll paste it right here:
References:
Peat, Ray. Gelatin, stress, longevity. 2009. Retrieved July, 1 2014 from http://raypeat.com/articles/articles/gelatin.shtml
Peat, Ray. Glycemia, starch, and sugar in context. 2009. Retrieved July 1, 2014 from http://raypeat.com/articles/articles/glycemia.shtml
Schwartz, David B. and Stapell, Hamilton M. (2013) "Modern Cavemen? Stereotypes and Reality of the Ancestral Health Movement," Journal of Evolution and Health: Vol. 1: Iss. 1, Article 3. http://dx.doi.org/10.15310/2334-3591.1000
Photo Credit: Depositphotos.com/erllre
If not, lemme help a bit...
"Oxidation of sugar is metabolically efficient in many ways, including sparing oxygen consumption. It produces more carbon dioxide than oxidizing fat does, and carbon dioxide has many protective functions, including increasing Krebs cycle activity and inhibiting toxic damage to proteins,” Ray Peat, PhD from http://raypeat.com/articles/articles/glycemia.shtml
"When only the muscle meats are eaten, the amino acid balance entering our blood stream is the same as that produced by extreme stress, when cortisol excess causes our muscles to be broken down to provide energy and material for repair. The formation of serotonin is increased by the excess tryptophan in muscle, and serotonin stimulates the formation of more cortisol, while the tryptophan itself, along with the excess muscle-derived cysteine, suppresses the thyroid function." Ray Peat, PhD from http://raypeat.com/articles/articles/gelatin.shtml
Thanks for reading and joining the conversation!
Catherine
Diana
whew! I admire your metal in writhing any article online...... I for one would really get upset at the RUDE and quite frankly un-necessarily aggressive remarks made, so many hatters out there!
I appreciate your efforts and although have not checked your references I trust others have, and quickly too lol and some who have not bothered to even see if there are any references!!!!!
Thank you for the post it has been most informative
Simas
Btw, for people with slowed metabolism and thyroid issues, the problem may very well be too few calories, basically because of decreased hunger. If you're not eating carbs, you have to get those calories somewhere.
If you think Paleo is a DIET, you don't get the point of Paleo movement really. It's about being healthy, not about a diet. There are many people in Paleo community that understand this like Chris Kresser, Paul Jaminet, and many others.
Martin
You're very combative. It's comments like yours that lend to the cult status the "Paleo Movement " has.
It's well worth reading into basic physiology to understand what different effects certain types of foods have on the body.
Bye
Kevin
The bit about sugar is a bit off... Everything isn't broken down to a 'single sugar molecule'.... they end up being metabolized as glucose or fructose.
Glucose is something our body needs, and without enough of it we do triage for it and our body will convert amino acids into glucose. We do crave it. We have a biological need for it so important that we have this ability to create it... We do need an appropriate amount in the diet.
Fructose seems to be handled by the body largely like a toxin and it doesn't appear to be too great for our gut bacteria either. That said - a modest amount (less than 100 kcalories worth) seems to have some beneficial blood sugar stabilizing effects. Much past that point though it isn't doing us so good...
Focus on starches for glucose - too much sugar, likely from its fructose faction, is not great news.
Martin
I'm afraid the conclusions you have regarding fructose simply aren't true.
Lari
I have been on a LCHF diet for over 3 years and while I have some of those problems, none of your reasons apply. I have a low body temp, occasional bloating and edema. But I drink a cup of beef jello every day, haven't eaten nuts (allergy) nor paleo "desserts" (nut-based). I don't crave sugar - in fact, I have no cravings. I do eat cheese several times a week, and while I do keep my carbs in the 30g - 50g/day range, I enjoy plantain chips each week at my weekly game group while everyone else binges on pita chips and crackers. It's an extra 50g of carbs in one sitting, not too bad.
And sugar? I don't have a sweet tooth anymore, so I enjoy my 88% chocolate. A little goes a long way. As I type, I am drinking my nightly dose of magnesium, although I am probably deficient in sodium as I cook all of my own food.
I don't consider myself to be paleo - the cheese, the lack of nuts. Oh, and I avoid eggs - I developed an intolerance many years ago. I think, though, that I have always had a low body temp, occasional bloating and edema and always will, but I will never go back to the SAD.
scott romack
Thanks for a balanced assessment,
I also tend to take all the fad diets as guidelines and follow my gut, pun intended.
High protein med fat low carb (i will up them a bit now..) lots of sun and exercise.
glow
Wow, people get very fired up about this! It'd be nice if they remembered their manners though 😉 I found this article useful thanks Catherine. I'm thinking of beginning a paleo diet and this has brought my attention to the importance of doing a fair amount of research first and not relying on just one book for information. For me the key to any eating regime is to continue listening to your body and keep things in moderation. In my experience, if you deny yourself what you're craving for an extended period then eventually you'll fall off the wagon completely and return to old destructive habits!
Nicole
Excellent article! Thank you for sharing. People get very defensive about the way they eat lol! It's almost like religion. Something I've learned over the years is it doesn't do me any good to be close minded and not open to new ideas in the field of nutrition. Heck, I was a raw vegan for years! I realized I was seriously missing out on some important nutrients so now I include eggs, butter, dairy, fermented cod liver oil and collagen.
Perla
Totally agree, I was a raw vegan too then moved to paleo. But I now follow a more intuitive approach to eating whole foods, problem solved.
Patricia
I am not here to defend the Paleo diet but glaringly wrong in the article was this statement:
Dr. Ray Peat agrees sugar can safeguard us; increasing our resistance to stress, and providing anti-aging benefits when used properly in the context of a nutrient dense diet, “The protective effects of sugar, and the harmful effects of excessive fat metabolism, are now being widely recognized, in every field of physiology.”
The opposite message is what in fact widely spreading.
Linda
Yes, I totally agree. Sugar from cane or beets or corn is not needed by ANY body regardless of their diet or lifestyle eating choice.
Hannah
I follow the Paleo diet, and I experience a few of the symptoms described above. I do have organic additive free yoghurt , a bit of milk and broth everyday however and I felt a lot worse off the paleo diet. For example stomach cramps after eating which has ceased. I still bloat really badly, and am not regular (either constipated or the opposite). But I've always had problems with my digestion and I also have massive problems with my hormones.
I do not use almond flower, 1 cup is like 50+ nuts (an estimate I can't remember the number exactly). So I only use coconut flour for treats (even that is rare). And I activate all my nuts properly.
So I still think the paleo diet is great. But I do agree and wish more paleo diet books didn't focus so much on almond substitutes!
Thanks for an interesting article, its always good to make sure you are listening to all sides 🙂
Marco
I really appreciated this article. But you forgot about the raw veggies overload vs the fruits and fruit juice fear, that can really lead to hypothyroidism and various metabolic problems...
Gail
I'm glad you wrote this, Catherine. Based on the comments I read, it just goes to show that everyone is different; their bodies handle/digest food differently than everybody else. I was one of those people who was on the Paloe Diet for almost four months in early 2013. I went on it at the suggestion of my holistic doctor. I was straight Paleo. I was hungry all the time and craved sweets. And, I gained 10 pounds! I went off that diet and went on a different diet suggested by my acupuncturist. that, although similar to Paleo, allowed for occasional milk products and oatmeal/grits, in modest amounts. Fruit was limited to berries, with an occasional banana. In three months time, I lost those 10 pounds and 2 more pounds to boot. My inclination is to eat the foods your ancestors eat, which in my case includes the oatmeal and dairy products. I feel a lot better. My foods are organic, and meat is pastured, grass-fed and finished. My milk and other dairy products are all raw. I firmly believe one's ancestry plays a role in how the body handles food. But you won't know until you try. And, based on some of the comments I've read hear, many of you have tried and know what works.
Farah
Thanks for the article! I am still not clear on a few things, such as the sugar and carbon dioxide part. That being said you can not teach all that there is to know in one short article, so thank you for leaving references so that I can learn more. Every body is unique and this article and the comments left afterward certainly addresses that point 🙂 love and light to you!
Meghan
I enjoyed reading this article and the comments posted regarding it. I have a few questions that maybe you and others can help me with... I have been suffering from candida for about two years now. I have been on and off the candida diet (which did not work for me) but I am now following a paleo diet. My candida symptoms (yeast infections, burning while urinating, bloating) have decreased while eating paleo (minus the fruit) but I am gaining weight and I am constipated! I've read your articles on candida before but I was wondering if you could offer up any more advice. Thank you!!
Kim
First off you need a good probiotic and need to look at your gut health. You for sure need to eliminate sugar in all forms including carbs from breads. Look at the website Bodyecology.com. They teach you how to make your own fermented vegetables to help with gut flora. I had my Holistic Doctor give me diflucan to get rid of fungus in my body. That really helped with inflammation and weight gain. but for sure you need to repopulate your gut flora constantly to help keep the candida at bay and to have normal bowel movements. Have you taken antibiotics lately? If you have you need a really good probiotic and you need it now. Try Dr. Ohirra's probiotics they are the best. They don't require refrigeration and have only 5 beneficial bacteria that are safe. Also they have a coating on them so that they get through the stomach acid and into the colon where they belong. They also have food for themselves as they travel through the body.
Glib
Another thing that comes with elevated animal protein consumption is high homocysteine levels. It's a very real, scary thing to have happen leading to a variety of various health problems (cardiovascular especially). So if you are doing Paleo, do it correctly, and be sure to eat lots of broth/gelatin or definitely look into supplementing Glycine as it helps balance out these Methionine rich foods.
IRW
Is it the fault of the paleo diet itself, or with the person following the diet? I'm going to say the issue lies with the individual not the guidelines of ancestral nutrition.
1- paleo is macronutrient agnostic. Is it generally lower carb than the SAD diet? Sure. Is the average Americans carb consumption of >300 grams a day healthy or reasonable for anyone except a ultra high level athlete? Hell no. Remember "earn your carbs" people! Low activity level folks should eat less carbs and vice versa.
2- just because paleo folks love bacon and rib eyes doesn't mean that paleo proponents don't recommend organ meats and bone broths. It's actually largely due to paleo influences that the bone broth craze has exploded.
3-paleo baked goods are recommended to be a "treat" by everyone in the paleosphere. Are they better than most conventional baked goods? You bet. Does that mean you should be eating them daily? Nope!
4-dairy is a grey area food that is totally dependent on individual tolerances. Since many folks can't tolerate dairy, the general recommendation to eliminate it is sound. If you personally can tolerate it well, go for it.
5-the glucose vs fat metabolism for energy depends on your choice of activities. Crossfitters need more glucose in the form of taters and rice. Folks that lift heavy with long rest periods or take long slow walks can get away with fueling their activities via fat metabolism.
I think the biggest issue, as with all dietary paradigms, is most people want a set of hard, fast, black and white, set in stone rules to follow. Individual tinkering needs to be the norm not the exception.
Tatjana Walton
I am a naturopath and I appreciate some aspects of Paleo very much. But great article Catherine as I recognize the above especially in some of my female clients. I am mostly treating women and for most (including myself) I need to modify the Paleo diet and include more starch and healthy sugars.
Tatjana
Kim
HI there all, just to clarify my creds I am a certified Holistic Health Coach through the Institute of Integrative Nutrition. I think for sure this article has some validity. As I totally agree that ancestral eating is important, you have to clarify that everyone is different and has a different ancestry. So what works for one person is for sure another's poison. I am of Russian ancestry and dairy and I do very well together whereas raw veggies kill me. I do agree that nuts are a big problem. And it really is because we are not eating them the way our ancestors did right from the tree. So the oils within have oxidized and will oxidize within the body when eaten. Meaning it will cause breakdown of your tissues and organs. I also do agree that dairy is something that is nutritionally beneficial and should be in many peoples diets. Some ancestry such as Asian descent can't deal with dairy at all so like with anything else what works for some does not work for others. You have to see what works for your body by paying attention to your body and what it is telling you. If you feel as though you have a food allergy , most people do in some way or another, you can do an elimination diet and really pay attention to how your body responds. It all boils down to you paying close attention to your body and keeping blood sugar levels stable. Sugar is the real problem today and is the thing causing the most problems for everyone. . And eating is not as hard as we all make it. I go by the saying that if your great grandmother wouldn't recognize what you are eating as food then your body doesn't either. You have to look at what your ancestors ate and go from there. Keep it simple, clean organic food as much as possible, Eat Sat fats as they are not the enemy and so necessary to our health.
coryn smith
Interesting read thanks, I am a naturopath and i love the link to Ray Peat. Its always an interesting one when we are looking at how the body copes long term with the foods we eat. The big question is is this sustainable long term. And the more research we do on this and other forms of diets and how it effects us the better. Love your site. Sometimes i find people feel so passionate about there life changes that they can get the blinkers on and become a bit born again christen about things. Enjoy people. xx
Jessica
"The most healthful diets are those with the widest variety of food choices."
AMEN.
Variety, variety, variety. Proper nutrition and diet differs from person to person. The moment I let my body tell me what it needs (being careful to distinguish the difference between my cravings, example: sometimes when I crave excessive sweets I havent gotten enough protien or fats) was the moment I began to feel amazing in my own body. I eat what feels good, don't eat what doesn't feel good. If dairy makes me bloated, I won't eat it. If meat makes me constipated, won't eat it. If I can't digest lettuce and it shows up in my poop, won't eat it. So simple.
It took a lot of refining and time to understand my bodies signals (and false signals,) but eventually I came to know my body and how it reacts so well and I no longer feel I'm in a constant state of deprivation.
Good stuff y'all. Do you.
Noah Goodmunch
A refreshing contrast to the war against carbs and grains. I totally agree that a high starch high sugar low-fat diet is a terrible thing. But the reaction against all forms of starch and sugar in recent years is almost unhinged. We are adaptavores, that have succeeded in a huge variety of environments due to being able to make the most of our circumstances, sometimes taking many generations to span a difficult environment or period of scarcity when other species would die out. Nobody really knows what is the perfect diet for us, in the way that we can say what is perfect for a seal or a bumblebee or anything else highly specialised. That fact alone must tell us something. I am still going for variety, and the only thing I feel certain of is that there is no upper limit to the raw veg we can tolerate. Also that our apetite regulates most things anyway, providing it is not so processed that it fools our natural responses.
Karl Hungus
Great post.
For those getting their panties in a bunch, well...they haven't "crashed" on Paleo (or, Faleo, as I now call it) just yet. But, I'm no longer interested in arguing over the matter. If people want to follow "Paleo" (whatever that means today, as it has numerous definitions), then fine. Go ahead. Have a ball. I hope you don't suffer the ill effects that some of us have endured.
If you're a Paleo devotee and have an open mind, I strongly recommend the following book:
Solving the Paleo Equation: Stress, Nutrition, Exercise, Sleep
by Dr. Garrett Smith and Matt Stone
However, if you're stuck in the Paleo fallacy, then don't bother. The book will still be there, when you need it.
Sara Lunsford
I eat low carb. I have Hashimotos and my thyroid function is improved by being low carb. I've been able to back down my dose of meds. I am losing weight. All of the other issues I have are improving too: ADHD, Hidradenitis Supprativa, insulin resistance, polycystic ovarian syndrome, fibro, and depression. Not one of these things has been exacerbated by paleo and low carb. They've all improved a thousand percent and I've never felt better in my life. All of my celiac symptoms were exacerbated by any starches and sugars and my A1C was through the roof, even following a reasonable diet. My hair was falling out. Starches and carbs are the devil, at least to my body and my metabolism. Not everything works for everyone, but this way of eating is what works best for me. *** I am under an endocrinologist's care and he recommended the low carb/paleo as a good choice in concert with my medication.
Evelyn
Thank you for thinking outside the box. I am a holistic nutritionist. and know that while the Paleo diet is far superior to the SAD (standard american diet), people may take things a little too far - or not understand the principals correctly. - Like eating huge amounts of nuts in the form of nut flours and eating very low carb diets long-term, both of which can be hazardous in the long run.
sylvie
This is a badly written, badly titled, confused and misleading statements article.
Seems the author is not clear herself of what the issues are here.:
'Paleo's dirty laundry?' Implies that Paleo diet is at fault.
Seriously? So is it Paleo or people overeating nuts? Should this be corrected or should Paleo diet be corrected?
'How can the popular diet fall short'? Using a phrase like that implicates Paleo falling short. Or again is it people over/under eating certain foods?
Then instead of clarifying the issues a book about sugar is being endorsed.implying sugar is key to health which would imply Paleo is wrong about condoning it, and adding sugar was the solution instead of correction of what is under/over consumed.
And no, the 'signs' that your Paleo needs correction are not necessary Paleo's fault- the signs stated here could point to Candida -systemic yeast overgrowth that causes PERFORATION OF GUT walls that lead to many autoimmune disorders- needing attention.
Candida overgrowth will cause many of these symptoms and at times consumption of any carbohydrates, Paleo or not (carbs ARE sugar) will add to those symptoms.
Candida feeds on carbs(sugar) causing a myriad of health issues and if not addressed FIRST, or at the same time, Paleo diet will not have a desired effect.
So endorsing that dietary sugar is good and key to health is careless, irresponsible and implies the author's lack understanding of key health
Very disappointing.
Sommer
Let me get this straight, did you say sugar is good and fat is bad? I feel the opposite, please give more info. Thank you.
Catherine
Hi Sommer,
I think you misunderstood me. You can read my thoughts on fat here.
Abundantly,
Catherine
Jennifer G
Had a GREAT experience with paleo for 3 months....but I lost weight TOO quickly and discovered the hard way that I had gall stones. In order to slow my weight loss, I had begun increasing my intake of natural fats... Between the fat loss in my body and pumping in more fats for calories, I totally overpowered my digestive system.
I believe in eating whole foods, mostly plants (a la Michael Pollan).... And the paleo diet can get you there... But make sure you support your body while it detoxes from the years of processed foods. And BE FLEXIBLE. Being so utterly stringent on ANY diet can cause stress on the body systems.
April
I totally agree - I've been paleo for about 3 years, but after doing Whole30 and running a half marathon, my body started gaining weight and I had increased cravings. It's my thought that I burned a lot of muscle during the 1/2 marathon training as well as added stress. Also, I may not have had proper carb loads to help with longer runs. I'm working on finding choices that work best for me - I have UC and have been off meds for 3 years. Paleo is wonderful, but I feel I am looking to fill a few gaps!
Diana
ok a lot of comments here have been talking about raw milk and cheese, I'd just like to say that raw milk is bad for you and can cause a lot of health issues.
http://www.fda.gov/Food/ResourcesForYou/Consumers/ucm079516.htm click this link to find out
Lorene Benoit, MHH
Raw milk is far healthier than pasteurized. However, you must know your source. When animals, their home and their food are clean, raw is better. Go visit your local farmers or shop at a trusted source that does..
Lanae
Your comment about sugar is absurd....it is craved when you are going off of it just like any other drug. It's called withdrawal. As soon as you detox from it (21 days) it won't be craved anymore. Fruits, yes have sugar, but if eaten in moderation, won't send your body into an insulin rush like eating candy. There is NOTHING healthy about eating sugar for our bodies. There is a reason that obesity and type 2 diabetes has exploded from the American diet.
Laurel
Thank you for the well written article.
Kirsten Thomas
I've been paleo for over three years. Two of my grown children are paleo also, and none of us have these problems. I think the key with any change in eating, is understanding what it means. The idea of the paleo eating plan is to eliminate processed foods, sugars and to focus on nutrient dense foods. These do include fish and bone browh (soups) etc. So your comment about people focusing on meat alone is arbitrary. That is open entirely for the interpretation that people take when doing any kind of eating program. I know that this is an old article, but I believe that it only serves as a remind to us to make sure that we fully understand any diet that we undertake. What is right for your body, healthy fats, bone broth, fish, vegetables, and guidelines for paleo are a few nuts...not loads of nuts. The problem with nuts is people interpreting their lifestyle of eating fast food, with trying to eat "paleo" fast food. The paleo diet means you have to cook real food. Eating a ton of nuts isn't the answer. I eat more vegetables now than I did years ago when I was vegetarian, and I understand when I am going off course, because I do indeed start to crave sugars. It's all about understanding the reason why the diet is designed as it is, and sticking to it. I feel better than I ever did, and initially, both my son and I lost 55 pounds, cutting out the sugars and processed foods. I am a huge proponent of the diet because it makes sense. There aren't a lot of loopholes, and no McDonalds to drive up to if you need to eat quickly. I overcook, and freeze some things for quick meals. it works!
Regi
Interesting .... when you look at asian countries, their duets sre based on 70% of carbohydrates.... they have lower cancer problems etc., while back I had visited Turkey and was amazed how many old fashioned grains they consume like farro, barley etc. Eggs and sone little meats are in their diet also, but lots of fruits vegies, people sre slim with energy , just like in Thailand where carbs are 70%... just look st lunch time whst your asian friends eat portions of rice with lots of vegies snd slivers of meat with healthy fats... interesting right, I used to follow Fit for life ( Harvey Diamond) books and was eating lots of healthy carbs my female health was thriwing
Kristina
I just wanted to say, my personal version of paleo isn't exactly paleo, I guess. For me, it means no grains (or all the stupid pseudo-grains and substitute flours), no beans (just because they flare up my asthma), no processed foods or refined sugars, and minimal dairy and nuts. I'm not low carb (I love my oranges and watermelon too much!) and I make sure to eat plenty of organ meats along with my muscle meats. Have you heard of pegan? I'm more there than paleo, I guess. Maybe traditional paleo works for some, though. JMTC
Marry Chiar
The paleo diet is not even close to what people would actually eat during the paleolithic era. The paleo diet involves eating lots and lots of meat with some modern fruits and vegetables, essentially. In the Paleolithic era, people couldn't hunt nearly enough to eat mostly meat every day, and almost all modern Vegetable did not exist. It took thousands of years of breeding for the vegetables you know to come to be.
Samia Ahmed
well written, Everything has a good and bad side. We should focus on the benefits but careful about the side effects. Not everyone is doing paleo in the right way. You have to know what you are doing to your body.
Bella Hardy @ Healthnerdy.com
The most usual inquiry is why do I eat Paleo, where do I obtain my calcium from and also just how much weight have I lost on the Paleo diet and even the length of time did it take me to lose that weight.
Stepehn
This is great article and so helpful.
Eva Watson
Congrats, determination and hard working never get bad result.
MF4Mark
Hey Paleo fiends, Catherine has a point but you need to see it from the right angle to make the connection. As stated by Tom at Forefront Health, if you have hypothyroid symptoms or Hashi's Paleo is HAZARDOUS. Ketogenesis, whether intentional or not will WRECK your thyroid hormones if you have thyroid issues. If you do not and you're in perfect health, then fine you may get away with it. Bottom line, even modest carb reduction in hypothyroid individuals is grabbing the wolf by the ears.
Diane Roberts
With all due respect I feel your article is uninformed. Those who develop the issues you described probably don’t know what they’re doing. The Paleo diet is not a low carb diet in principle. It is all the good things you described, particularly encouraging densly nutritious foods. Most people who eat properly, Paleo or not Paleo, have a greater chance of sustaining good health. Don’t confuse ignorance with the principles of the diet.
Rajae
I wanted to comment on low body temperature. I always see mention that a low body temperature is one below 97.8 degrees. While I don't disagree that 97.8 is the average temperature for a human being, how does that apply to women, whose temperature rises and drops throughout our cycles? Should our body temperature during the first phase of our cycle really be above 97.8 degrees then rise higher after ovulation?
Hqketodiet
I agree with you, well said.
Michael Alexander
Love to you Catherine. You are so special, and I always learn so much from reading your content. Ray Peat is one of my nutritional heros.
-M