Paleo Diet and Paleolithic Diet Questions & Answers

Question

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Being strict paleo, I understand that I would have to eliminate butter...

but my question is, is there any reason to eliminate butter? I have heard anecdotal evidence that it might raise insulin levels, but I haven't been able to find any studies that prove it (with good variable isolation).

And before people ask me what my goals are, I'll just state that I am trying to understand as best as possible rather than achieve. I am already doing really well and would likely continue for some time...but I would like to understand what I'm doing and be able to explain it to people when they ask.

Thanks!

Also...is Ghee preferred to butter? If so, why?

edited Apr 20 2011 at 22:25

Adam Crafter
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asked Feb 13 2011 at 10:09

JCW
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Perhaps a better question: Why would anyone avoid Grassfed Butter? – Stephen-Aegis Feb 13 2011 at 18:11

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Because they're allergic to the caseins in it? Or, in my case, I can't find any in the stores near me... :( – James Feb 13 2011 at 18:48

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Yeah I do avoid grassfed butter (kerrygold) because it doesn't agree with me. I get some major stomach gurgling and unwanted farts (tmi, i know). It tastes amazing though. – mloster Feb 13 2011 at 20:37

So make ghee out of it. That avoids the casein question entirely. – Dana Feb 14 2011 at 1:40

You don't have to anything :D This is NOT a religion. – Ikco Feb 14 2011 at 9:53

sherpamelissa · Answer 1 · 2011-02-13 13:25:34Z UTC

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Yes, you can eat whatever you want. ;)

Seriously, though, if you want to eat butter try to find a European butter, like Kerrygold (they have it at Sam's Club/Costco/Trader Joes) because the cows are grass-fed which reduces harmful stuff in your delicious butter.

Truly strict Paleo doesn't not usually include dairy, that is because dairy can raise insulin levels. Many Paleo people continue to eat dairy and will call it "lacto-Paleo". Usually they stick to low casein type dairy like butter, heavy cream, hard cheeses and greek/goat yogurt, but some eat all dairy. Some people that consider themselves very strict Paleo eaters still eat butter and heavy cream because they have low amounts of casein and are yummy!

If you aren't sure if you react to dairy, you should eliminate it from your diet for 30 days, then add it back in and see if there are any reactions.

answered Feb 13 2011 at 13:25

sherpamelissa
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I can't imagine that all butter that came from europe is also grass-fed. Where'd you get that idea? Over here (in europe, holland) there's a lot of butter that definitely isn't from grass-only fed cows. – Naomi Feb 13 2011 at 20:09

I was just directing away from most commercial US butter as something to look for. People obviously need to do the research themselves for anything they plan to buy. I know Kerrygold Irish butter is grass-fed. I didn't word my answer well enough, I didn't mean to imply that ALL European butter is grass-fed. – sherpamelissa Feb 13 2011 at 20:42

I was looking for grass fed butter at Trader Joes and I have bought Kerrygold before.....you're positive it's grass fed, because it doesn't say? – GPS Feb 13 2011 at 23:09

It is my understanding from the boards here, as well as Robb Wolf's podcast, that all Irish butter/cheese is grass-fed. – sherpamelissa Feb 14 2011 at 0:29

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I spoke to a Kerrygold rep who assured me all of their products are 100% grass fed. Ireland has one of the longest grass growing seasons in the world and their farmers are catching on that "grass fed" sells. Additionally, treating cows with growth hormones is illegal in Ireland. (Also so are big box stores over the size of 6000 square meters, though they're allowed in Northern Ireland- gotta love the Irish) – tartare Apr 21 2011 at 1:07

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Helen · Answer 2 · 2011-02-13 16:49:50Z UTC

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I love butter...to take it away from me, you'd have to pry it out of my cold, dead hands. One of my favorite lunches is a slab of cold rump roast with a thick layer of cold butter on it, with a little salt and pepper.

answered Feb 13 2011 at 16:49

Helen
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	That sounds absolutely fantastic. I think I'm going to have to try that. – Sara Feb 13 2011 at 19:03
	Hahaha, I feel the same way about butter. Cold dead hands indeed! :) – Elizabeth Feb 13 2011 at 19:59

Laurie D. · Answer 3 · 2011-02-13 15:32:14Z UTC

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I have found the most delicious butter to be goat butter. It has less casein (protein in butter) and an amazing taste. But I am not "strict" paleo - I prefer not to be fundamentalist in anything and I love my butter!

answered Feb 13 2011 at 15:32

Laurie D.
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This is the first time I've heard anyone mention goat butter...where in the world do you get goat butter from (I know, I know...*from goats*, LOL) because I would love to try it. – Helen Feb 13 2011 at 16:46

I've had goat cheese, but never goat butter. I'll have to look for it. – Chickenosaurus Rex Feb 13 2011 at 18:05

i have to look for goat butter now...grassfed of course. – Stephen-Aegis Feb 13 2011 at 18:11

Looks like amazon carries this brand, which is grassfed: meyenberg.com/index.php?page=specialty-products-2 Local to Atlanta: still looking... – Elizabeth Feb 13 2011 at 18:24

Huh, their website says YDFM carries it, but I've never seen it there... looks like Whole Paycheck and Ingles as well. – Elizabeth Feb 13 2011 at 18:26

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Travis Culp · Answer 4 · 2011-02-13 20:12:14Z UTC

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Depends if you're interested in nutrition or strict historical reenactment. I use massive amounts of clarified butter. Great stuff.

answered Feb 13 2011 at 20:12

Travis Culp♦
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+1 for the nutrition vs historical reenactment argument – Redshift Feb 14 2011 at 17:37

James · Answer 5 · 2011-02-13 11:03:08Z UTC

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I believe the reason they exclude it is because of the dairy (presumably paleo folks weren't going around milking wild cows back in the day).

In terms of butter, there's milk solids, casein and the like in it. Can cause immune problems for some people.

While I don't have those problems, I like Ghee because it works at a higher temperature without burning, so good for cooking my eggs in, is a good source of fats, and lasts a long time at room temperature.

answered Feb 13 2011 at 11:03

James
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Yeah, James has it. Butter has some of small amount milk proteins and sugars left in it. It has fat soluble nutrients as well, more so in pastured butter. Also, a lot of calories that can add up quick if you add it to everything. That can be good or bad depending on your needs. I use it with some restraint due to not needing so much extra food energy. I'm slightly skeptical of those who has isolated butter as an allergen. That would require enormous effort to rule out confounding variables. – stoic Feb 13 2011 at 13:36

I'm not one to say that people aren't allergic to butter. I'm just happy I'm not one of them. :) – James Feb 13 2011 at 18:50

Kimble · Answer 6 · 2011-02-13 10:30:39Z UTC

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Butter gives me acne. Try eliminating it, then later reintroducing for yourself to see if it matters to you.

answered Feb 13 2011 at 10:30

Kimble
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Have you tried pastured butter? Grain fed gives me acne, but pastured is fine. – mari Feb 13 2011 at 16:42

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I have not been able to source any locally that is explicitly "grass fed". I eat butter infrequently enough that I tolerate a few back acne spots if I eat more than a few tablespoons of butter over a couple of days. – Kimble Feb 13 2011 at 19:08

Interesting. Do you have this problem with other diary products too ? – Ikco Feb 14 2011 at 9:53

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Yes. Dairy seems to equal at least an increased level of skin oiliness. Cheese is the worst for acne and milk is worst for nasal congestion. Its a real bugger because I really enjoy butter and cheese. – Kimble Feb 14 2011 at 21:51

Even heavy cream and gee ? I'm sorry for the butter and cheese. I understand the love, trust me :) – Ikco Feb 17 2011 at 10:23

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Can I eat butter? or is ghee better?

6 Answers