A little bit about: The Paleo/Primal Diet

Hey guys!

How's it going? It's hard to believe that the holidays are just about here...I don't know about you, but they crept up on me! Wasn't it just August yesterday?!

In my last post, I talked about the sugar detox that I started on November 7th. I haven't had a chance to check in until now, exactly a week out. I've noticed that my cravings for sugar and carbs are not as strong as they used to be, but then again, I haven't given up all sugar. Something that really surprised me about the experience was how sweet fruit tastes to me now that I'm restricting carbs and avoiding added sugar. I bit into an apple the other day and I swear I got a sugar rush! I'm taking this as a good sign because hopefully it means that I can nip any nasty sugar/carb cravings in the bud with a piece of fruit. In addition to that positive result, I am much more aware of my hunger and how dips in my energy levels correspond to my desire to eat something sweet. Being prepared with a healthy snack on hand has helped develop patterns that I think will keep me on track beyond the 21 days. Here's hoping that next Thursday's indulgences don't derail all my progress :-)

All this talk about restricted carbs and limiting sugar intake got me thinking about another dietary trend that's been getting a lot of attention lately: Paleo/Primal. My first post about diets/nutritional fads du jour talked about the "If It Fits Your Macros" way of eating, so I thought I'd follow that up with a discussion of Paleo, an even more talked about and perhaps controversial way of eating.

The popularity of Paleo/Primal is skyrocketing as a result of the rising CrossFit and functional fitness tide. Many who participate in these fitness communities follow the Paleo/Primal diet, or a diet high in protein and dietary fat and low in carbs. More specifically, the premise of the Paleo/Primal way of eating is that humans should not be eating anything that our ancestors could not hunt, gather, pick or fish. People who are strict Paleo/Primal eat no dairy, grains, or processed foods. 

For many who prescribe to the Paleo/Primal lifestyle, a return to a simpler way of eating can help to alleviate some or all of the modern health ailments unheard of in ancient civilizations, and which many believe were brought on by the rise of agriculture, then subsidized crops, then agribusiness, which brought up processed foods pumped full of additives, artificial flavors, sweeteners, omega-6 fatty acids, etc. By avoiding these types of foods and consuming only those foods available to our ancestors, Paleo/Primal followers believe, coupled at times with vigorous strength and conditioning exercise, they can reach the optimal level of health experienced by the original humans. 

It's an interesting rationale for a way of eating, and I admit that I listen to a lot of low-carb, Paleo-friendly podcasts which make it really hard not to believe all the hype. I personally prescribe to a low(ish)-carb diet and avoid most processed foods. I've also seen much better results in terms of muscle growth and energy levels on a diet that resembles Paleo/Primal, although I have no desire to ever go strict because I enjoy dairy and cheese far too much :-) 

So what are the pros of a Paleo/Primal diet, as I see them? The emphasis on real, whole foods and the elimination of processed junk is key, as well as the fact that many people who have food allergies or sensitivities can benefit from the elimination of dairy and grains which can cause inflammation in excess. Studies have also shown that the Paleo/Primal diet alleviates symptoms of many chronic diseases like diabetes, hypertension, adrenal fatigue, metabolic syndrome, etc. when properly managed. 

There are, however, several cons to eating a Paleo/Primal diet, especially if it's not done correctly. I think many people think it's appealing that the diet allows you to eat things that are typically "off limits" to dieters, like bacon, beef, and eggs. Just because these foods are allowed doesn't mean that we should be eating bacon with every meal, or that bacon should be our every meal! Greens should really be the most prolific item on your plate. And not just any greens: mostly organic greens. And the meat and eggs you consume should be grass-fed, antibiotic-free, and free-range, which means there's another con to adopting this eating style: expense. Many can't afford to "go organic" and trying to do Paleo/Primal by consuming factory farm meats and caged eggs counteracts the potentially positive effects of the diet. As with any diet, the quality of food is as important if not more so than the food itself. 

As far as I'm concerned, the bottom line is this: the Paleo/Primal message of eating whole, unprocessed foods (organic whenever possible) is a good one. We should all listen to it. However, depending on one's individual physiology, level of physical activity, health goals, it might not be healthy to eliminate all grains. Choose good, quality grains like quinoa, millet, farro, etc., and depending on your activity level, you may need to supplement with more carbohydrates. By following a Paleo/Primal variation diet, I've come to realize that foods that you can eat on this diet are more nutrient-dense and tend to pack a bigger caloric punch, i.e. they keep you fuller and satisfied for longer periods of time. Ultimately, we can all benefit from a diet that restricts or eliminates processed foods, added sugars, high fructose corn syrup, etc. It's just up to you to decide if Paleo/Primal is the best strategy FOR YOU.

Have a great rest of the week!

Hilary