Paleo Diet and Paleolithic Diet Questions & Answers

Question

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Hello, My name is Renee and I just visited and did a workout at Crossfit Surf City last week. I love the "fitness" concept and am going to join on Wednesday. While researching Crossfit on the internet I ran across the Paleo Diet. I have read several articles and have a lot of questions and am somewhat confused. Keep in mind that I am "new" to this. First of all I do get and whole heartedly believe in and strictly refrain from processed foods including butter whether organic, unpasturized or not. Right now regardless of my "new" insight on the Paleo diet eat meat, vegetables and fruit. Very little potato's if any and totally concur with the philosophy of Paleo. Where I think that I am confused is in some of the recipes that I have read that include items like butter, cream, salt, etc. Yet, green beans appear to be a hazard. What part of butter is Paleolithic? I actually avoid butter at all costs. If beans, legumes are from the agricultural revolution, what part of history is butter from?

Next would be, I have protein shakes that include blueberries, bannana and protein powder (no carbs or sugar in the powder) would this be off limits? Obviously, protein powder did not exist in the days of our ancestors.

Sauces, I eat very simple. We throw a whole chicken on the BBQ along with whole carrots, onion, cauliflower and other vegetables. We take the skin off of the chicken and then eat it. No sauces. Where is there room for sauces in the Paleo diet?

If I understand correctly the philosophy is to eat as our ancestors did. Being mindful of the fact that our bodies were not created and have not evolved to allow for efficient metabolic functions to occur on a modern day diet. Is this accurate?

Thanks

edited Jan 22 2011 at 1:31

Elizabeth
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asked Jan 17 2011 at 2:55

Renee
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Besides butter other foods often accepted though not actually paleolithic foods: white rice, sweet potatoes, olive oil (for salads), red wine. They are mostly neutral (rice) or beneficial (olive oil, moderate red wine) – Philosopher Jan 18 2011 at 1:37

sherpamelissa · Answer 1 · 2011-01-18 00:50:32Z UTC

I think your best bet would be to get a book about the Paleo Diet and start there. My favorite is Robb Wolf's "The Paleolithic Solution", but Loren Cordain's "The Paleo Diet" and even Mark Sisson's "Primal Blueprint" are also great.

There is a lot of information on the internet and you'll find a lot of different "factions" of Paleo. If you start with a book the information will be easier to follow than just picking up info here and there on the web.

Philosopher · Answer 2 · 2011-01-18 01:28:41Z UTC

What is paleo? I believe that Paleo could be defined as a shared set of restrictions, such as no refined flour or sugars, no highly processed foods, no legumes, no trans fats, no products derived from corn, wheat, soy, or seeds (including oils), being careful with omega 3/omega 6 ratio, plus freedom to combine meats, fish, fruits or vegetables as each one might prefer. Some people do have dairy (not a paleolithic food though) while others do not. The end result is not uniform, many people will reject foods that others might love: Since many of us come from different backgrounds, although we share certain strong concepts, each one has different educational and intellectual backgrounds, live under different personal circumstances, climates, etc.

ben61820 · Answer 3 · 2011-01-18 02:42:30Z UTC

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Easiest, quickest way to think about if you don't wanna over think it and get crazy just completely avoid:

Grains
Dairy
Legumes

answered Jan 18 2011 at 2:42

ben61820
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It seems to me that avoiding "vegetable" oil and added fructose is more important than avoiding dairy and legumes for most people. – Harfatum Jan 22 2011 at 3:33

Wozza · Answer 4 · 2011-01-22 00:06:42Z UTC

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The lactose and casein in milk and cheese is harmful for many people, but butter and cream have much less of these (ghee, none). Kurt Harris calls this a pastoral diet: ok as long as the neolithic agents of disease are removed. http://www.paleonu.com/get-started/

edited Jan 22 2011 at 0:06

answered Jan 18 2011 at 1:30

Wozza
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water-ratt · Answer 5 · 2011-01-17 03:40:45Z UTC

Hi Renee, I'm 3 weeks into paleo and been doing CrossFit for a while. There are no hard and fast rules for paleo. Some will consider butter and sauces with sugar off limits others use non-paleo items sparingly to make life easier. Some people have a 'cheat' meal once a week. Some use dairy others don't. If you want to be REALLY, REALLY strict you couldn't get blueberries and bananas in the same climate so the smoothies could be considered 'non-paleo' (certainly not by me!).

Try to find what works best for you both physically and philosophically. From the sounds of it your diet is already awesome. Many of the CrossFitters I know use a protein powder to increase calories and ensure proper intake.

Good luck & welcome!

For more Paleo hacks: http://paleohacks.com/questions/19302/new-to-crossfit-and-exploring-the-paleo-lifestyle#ixzz1BGCStcPE

New to Crossfit and Exploring the Paleo lifestyle

5 Answers