Eating grains does not equal SAD.

Hope the paleo police didn't see me munching on that organic-non-gmo-fried in lard-corn chip last night...

Your asking the wrong question.

The REAL question is, can someone who's eating a SAD diet improve their health by shifting to paleo.

I think we know the answer to that. ;)

It's wrong to assume they're not healthy because they might be doing so many other things that enhance their health.

However, when I see someone eating food that lacks nutrition or might threaten health status, I feel bad for them because I know how much better I've felt these past 2 years GFCF. And I am not lactose intolerant. I am not a celiac. I simply dropped the 2 industry favorite food groups and experienced a much much higher quality of life.

I wish everyone made a conscientious effort to optimize their health and lifestyle. The payoff is so rewarding but I realize that there are too many vested interests who will never make it easy for anyone to make all the right choices.

How can you make good choices when you are surrounded by bad ones the instant you set foot in a supermarket? It's a minefield.

The situation overall is very saddening to me.

It just sucks.

I'm of the opinion that if someone were vegan except for the fact that they eat liver frequently and in sufficient quantities, they'd have better nutrition than the average meat-eater who does not or even the average paleo person who does not.

Yes I think it's totally wrong to think that anyone who eats grains is unhealthy. Ridiculous in fact, since the facts are all around us. There are millions (billions?) around the globe who consume grains and are healthy.

And making believe that you are healthier because you don't eat grains than others who do is silly. There are a myriad of factors that affect us.

Wrong or not, I'd say spend more energy worrying about you and yours, instead of judging people. Surely your time is worth more than that.

Generally, people that consume whole grains tend to follow an overall healthier lifestyle than those who succumb to the allure of processed junk and fast food. So in a sense they are overall healthier than most of the general population but it isn't optimal by any means.

I'm beginning to think that there are many paths to health and longevity. Paleo also means different things to different people. You're mistaken if you believe your brand of Paleo is monopolizing longevity.

Low carb / high carb / low fat / high fat / low protein / ad libertum protein.

The main thing is that you're eating whole foods. Can vegetarians attain longevity? Yes, I think so, why not. You're missing some fatty acids but you can always supplement. I've seen those who eat plant-based diets live for a very long time.

Again, there is no single way.

What are you basing your judgement on?

I would not judge them on health anyway. My ancestors lived to 70-80 overweight, proably with metabolic syndrome, eating all the dairy and grain they liked, and died of strokes and heart attacks. I have no problem judging their behavior. However my parents eat the same thing but are active and much fitter in their mid 80's. While I may consider their bland diet of cookies, margarine and miracle whip to be in poor taste, it would be stupid for me to criticize their health. I should be so healthy at 85.

I find that people have the same thoughts about me, not eating grains....So I guess its what you believe in and should know that diet is just as personal to people as politics and religion!

I don't discuss those either, adding diet to the list as well!

I think there is a spectrum of health and people have different sensitivities to grains and legumes. We all know somebody who lived to 80 or 90 who ate some grains but that doesn't mean their health couldn't be better! They might have some mild osteoporosis, allergies, or other marks of inflammation, etc. I personally don't want to wait until a certain age and get some diagnosis of metabolic syndrome, cancer, autoimmune disease, Alzheimers, etc - I prefer to take action now. Some people don't know their best until they go grain-free and legume-free.

[T]heres no way they can be ... optimal healthy, eating grains. Am I wrong?

Completely right, I think. It would be an odd person indeed who was optimally healthy in virtue of eating grains, that is, there is nothing they could be eating that would be more healthy than grains. But that's quite a weak claim, though I suppose, important to bear in mind, if you want reminders that there's no reason to eat (or not, not eat) grains.

Is it wrong to think that anyone who eats grains is not healthy?

I think this is not so much wrong as an unfortunately formed question. We don't want to know "Is any-one who lies/cheats/steals not a good person," since "good person" like healthy person admits of great variation and controversy. We want to know "is lying/cheating/stealing good?"

Definitely wrong! Confirmation bias is strong in the paleo echo-chamber.

The more I read about omega-6, the more I thought it was the most important health issue that no one is talking about. The more I read about sugar and cancer, the more conspiracy theories I cooked up. When I worked at a meditation research center, I thought that was the be all and end all for maintaining health. When I'm in a forest, it occurs to me that living in concrete jungles is under-rated as a cause of death.

The issue de jour always takes the forefront in one's brain. If only life were so simple. There are many factors in maintaining health, and several very important non-diet issues. I doubt that someone who eats bread every day but eats in moderation, chillaxes, and has a strong support network would classify as "unhealthy". Unless they were more gluten intolerant than average.

We can make presumptions about other's health based upon our own experience and research; but just like I can't know my own blood, lipid, and adrenal markers by looking in the mirror, I can't know other people's health markers just by looking at them.

And regarding what they eat, often - as someone else mentioned - the dose makes the poison.

Perhaps.

You might need more data before deciding how unhealthy they are being.

Never forget the differences between grain types AND the dose/amount and related frequency.

Do they have rice with sushi once a month?

or

Do they eat cracked wheat salad 6 times a day?

Pretty much. There are lots of people who eat grains who live healthy long lives. Diet is just one variable in health.

I admit that I raise an eyebrow from time to time when I see healthy folks eating grains and the like. But I also remind myself that I am no evolutionary biology expert and that person's ability to ingest grains may be remarkably better than my own.

I just trust in the knowledge I have to keep myself happy and healthy. If anyone else is curious, I definitely welcome questions. Otherwise I just gauge the situation and try not to get preachy.

I'm always going to be a student when it comes to my own nutrition and health.

Wrong or right, I'm beginning to feel this too. Also, when I see a fat, ageing couple, and both have health problems, I tend to think "I bet they eat grains, and sugar, and seed oils"

Bad news, really. It feels a bit like hubris....