Blog

4

Kurt Harris and Mark Sisson both argue that you don't need to eat 100% Paleo all the time. It seems to me if your goal is weight-loss that's pretty uncontroversial, while if you went Paleo for a specific illness you would probably go 100%.

In my case I came to Paleo for my heart and cholesterol numbers, confident that SAD was taking me to a heart-attack. I guess a lot of people on Paleohacks may have come to Paleo for the same reason.

So I want to ask opinions on whether there is some magic degree of fidelity for avoiding diseases of civilization, or some particular food that is absolutely non-negotiable for long-term heart outcomes.

My own guess is the absolute no-no-list is refined sugar and glutens, but I'm pretty new to Paleo so I want to hear from others.

Thanks!

flag
3 
 This is a really great question. Thank you for asking it. I also think we as a community would do well to remember that people come to diets for all sorts of different reasons, so it does little good to be dogmatic about diet. This kind of question, about lowest-common-denominators, is the perfect sort of thing IMO. – a hut full of spears May 20 2011 at 21:17
2 
 You don't have to do it all the time......just learn to build longevity levees around your cells to keep you fit – The Quilt May 20 2011 at 22:02
thank you, merchand-mercier :) – saintpuffy May 20 2011 at 23:32

4 Answers

3

There definitely isn't a general, identifiable tipping point; like everything else in life, the change occurs at the margin.

If you're exercising regularly and eating a clean paleo-style diet for 90% of your meals, you'll never have to worry about the "diseases of civilization".

I also don't buy into the idea that any food is "non-negotiable". That implies that eating it even once a year will irrevocably damage your health. Our bodies are not that fragile. You could probably smoke crack laced with High Fructose Corn Syrup and pure wheat gluten once a year and not die a single day earlier.

link|flag
1 
 Well, though if you're a celiac, then there doesn't seem to be any hormetic effect on exposing yourself to gluten. – Namby Pamby May 20 2011 at 21:40
1 
 Agreed. If you've got an allergy or medical disorder, I don't think anybody needs to tell you to stay away from those foods that aggravate your condition. – Caveman Bob May 20 2011 at 22:00
2

another strong NO should be placed on seed oils: corn, soy, sunflower oils and also margarine have to be avoided at all times, and of course any trans oil is poison!

link|flag
1

For heart healthy paleo/low carb blogging, I follow Dr William Davis at

http://www.trackyourplaque.com

Non negotiable items on the no list: No oatmeal, no refined oils like soybean, safflower, canola, corn, margarine, anything hydrogenated, no store bought salad dressings. No sugar free anything, no soy anything.

link|flag
how about soy sauce, does doc davis okay soy sauce or gluten-free soy sauce? – Namby Pamby May 20 2011 at 21:39
2 
 No soy period.. – The Quilt May 20 2011 at 22:03
Interesting, what's his consensus on sprouted grains, if you know? – Alex May 20 2011 at 22:07
Not even tamari or natto? – a hut full of spears May 20 2011 at 23:24
1 
 natto is fermented soy.....the only way I recommend this is if they have osteoporosis and vascular calcifications but I always tell them to supplement K2 over natto. The dose I use is substantial as well. The K2 deficiency is the reason......but I really have no uses for soy – The Quilt May 21 2011 at 2:13
show 6 more comments
0

I don't eat anything that has more than two ingredients. In other words, stay away from packaged or processed food and that would be enough to put you ahead of many.

link|flag
steak and chips – DudleyP May 22 2011 at 20:09

Your Answer

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.