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OK, so I realize a lot of folks here do eat plenty of grass-fed dairy, especially butter. But a lot of high-profile paleos seem to really use a lot of coconut milk and coconut oil. I understand there is plenty of evidence that these foods have benefits, but could we be taking it a bit too far? Dr. Harris has made the argument that grass-fed butter should be preferred over coconut products, mostly because of the fatty acid balance, if I remember correctly.

Butter, even grass-fed butter, is significantly cheaper than coconut oil, and tastes better IMO. I still consume coconut oil and coconut milk, but they are not my primary fat sources.

For people with dairy issues, making ghee pretty much takes care of that, from what I have heard. Of course, there's always grass-fed tallow, which should be even cheaper, if you can find it.

On a similar note, I've seen a few people recommending frequent consumption of nuts as a snack, including to those with carb cravings. This seems misplaced also; nuts are high in O-6's and lectins. This advice seems to lead some folks to eating lots of "paleo muffins" made with nut flour, etc. I'd say have a nice sweet potato and butter and cinnamon- sweet, delicious, cheap, way easier, and almost certainly healthier.

I realize some people have issues with carbs, so this advice shouldn't apply to everyone, I suppose. Still, I think some kind of paleo puritanism, combined with residual carb-phobia, is leading to some bad recommendations.

Thoughts?

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You're correct but many in the paleo community believe it's about how they feel emotionally then what it does biologically.....there in lies the paleo paradox. I think when you realize it,it is any easy pothole to avoid. I still think coconut oil and manna are superior foods – The Quilt Apr 5 2011 at 2:47
Don't ask the people over at cavemanforum.com about dairy, they'll bite your head off :( – Oranges13 Apr 5 2011 at 2:49

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Variety is the best bet, on any diet. Using just coconut oil, or just butter, or just olive oil etc. for cooking wouldn't kill you or anything, but it wouldn't be ideal. The same with everything else. Nuts are okay as a snack, but shouldn't be the only snack you turn to. You shouldn't always eat the same vegetables, or the same cut of meat from the same sort of animal.

As they say, variety is the spice of life.

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I personally don't emphasize either.

I find that grassfed tallow is easy to make, stores forever, is delicious, and there is zero chance of cross contamination with casein if you are dairy protein sensitive. The only problem is that it doesn't "melt" like coconut or butter, so smearing it on your just-grilled steak will not be as pleasant.

I might eat a starchy tuber as a treat, but prefer the lower glycemic impact of rutabagas and turnips personally... especially when losing weight. I find they keep their form in stews better as well.

I know plenty of Paleos here are pro-starch, but a gentleman like myself who has had a problem with carbohydrate sensitivity (and especially addiction) like myself, prefers the classic Audette approach to Paleolithic nutrition. Same with the butter. I find even raw dairy causes fairly strong gastric upset if I do more than say, 2-3 pats of butter in a day, or a single ounce of raw milk cheese.

I shouldn't have to take a probo just so I can eat these foods, the smarter choice would be to listen to my body, and NOT EAT THE FOOD.

Sorry I soapboxed a bit off topic there...

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All of this makes sense to me, Joshua. I think everything you've said jives with my point. Some people really seem to better cutting out starch and dairy. Oh, how I yearn for grass-fed tallow! – Nico Apr 5 2011 at 3:06
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I certainly buy into your premise. Limiting nuts is a biggie for me. Robb Wolf pointed out that nuts should be eaten only from "in the shell" form, that is a big limiter to eating a whole pound of almonds in a day (for instance). From his most recent podcast. It took me very little self experimentation to realize that nuts (for me) should be a rare treat, they are very carby, and very inflammatory to my gut!

Coconut oil and milk seem to be a bit of a non-naturally occurring product. Eat a coconut, sure, but eat emulsified, canned and quite processed coconut milk? I have these in my highly limited category as well.

I also try to limit chicken and pork to what I can get from local pasture raised sources!

The animal products, fat, marrow, organs, tallow, ghee, butter, cream from any/all grass fed ungulates seem a better way to go. Locally fresh and abundant, along with whatever vegetable matter I have at hand makes for a complete diet for me.

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